Happy New Year! I hope everyone had happy holidays without too much drama or family dysfunction, and safely rung in the new year! I had a quiet New Year’s Eve at home, watching old episodes of Downton Abbey while knitting. And, on New Year’s Day I worked in my journal! Even though I had to wear a coat & fingerless gloves because it was so cold in my studio, even with the heater on, it felt great to work in my journal, and get paint on my hands! I was happy.
I don’t make any New Year’s Resolutions because I don’t want to feel bad if I break them. But, I did think about things I want to focus on. And this year, one of those things is something I’ve tried to focus on in the past, but wasn’t successful at: getting back into a regular practice of art-making. So I was happy to start the new year off with working in my journal.
While I was working in my journal, this also came to me: This is the year I accept my awesomeness and stop living like I’m not (awesome). That might sound silly or arrogant, but I’ve had a pretty rough couple of years which have basically eroded my soul and made me feel the opposite of awesome. So it’s time to get off of that slippery slope!
As soon as I’m done with this post, I’m going to walk my sweet dog Ruby (who had to have surgery on her knee several months ago, which was pretty rough on both of us), and crank the heater in my studio so it’ll be a little warmer in a few hours so I can work on some art!
What fun things did you do to start the year off right?
Happy New Year, Traci. It’s nice to see you. It’s been awhile. I don’t make resolutions, either. My focus for the new year is to be open for joy. To me, that means to not only be open to receive, I also get to choose more things that bring me joy. So I’m choosing to make more art, because that brings me joy. I’ve signed up for a drawing class at a local museum, and bought two new journals for art journaling. I’m looking forward this new year, and all the joyful messiness of making more art.
Blessings,
Pattie
Pattie, that all sounds great! A drawing class at a museum sounds like a lot of fun. Making art brings me more joy too, and I need to remember how important that is because that effects everything else in my life.
Happy New Year!
Traci, I just want to say that your awesomeness is obvious to everyone who knows you!! You are such an original, creative spirit sending much truth and beauty out into the world. Your willingness to share the bumps, as well as the triumphs, is an inspiration to us all. Thank you and Happy New Year!!!
Thanks Gretchen for your sweet comment. It’s nice to have support like yours and to know that people appreciate what I do. Happy New year to you too!
Happy New Year! I have lurked in the background here and taken a couple of your classes but never commented before. That’s part of my intentions for the new year… to be more open and to leave more comments to let people know I enjoy what they’re doing.
Janet, Thanks for coming out of lurkdom to leave a comment! It means a lot. I really appreciate it & it helps me to know that there are people out there interested in what I’m doing, and sharing. Thank you & Happy New Year!
Good thoughts and good plans. My plan for the coming year is to practice some self-descipline in not checking email every time I sit down or hear a “ding” on my phone. All these “instant calls” erode productivity. We all have only so much time in this world and I have a lot of things I want to get done so I need to stay focused. I need to spend more time with my fiber art and my other art projects.. and more time with music. After working my lifetime as a chemist I want to savor the time I now have for these other things I love to do. And I need to remember that walks with my dogs always makes me happier. I took a 1-day class from you now several years ago but I still remember the day fondly and how you opened up other art options to me that I’d never experienced before. Many thanks. May your year ahead be filled with good things.
Checking e-mail, or any social media can be addicting, and really eat up a lot of time. Sometimes it’s hard not to feel “obligated” to check often. But it does feel much better & productive to not do it. I unintentionally problem-solve when I’m walking my dog–solutions to things I’ve been working on pop into my head! So walking my dog is a win-win for both of us. It sounds like you’ve got a lot you want to work on, and they all sound happy & productive! Thanks for the kind words about my class. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Happy new year to you as well!
Happy New Year! Perhaps my request will support your awesomeness today. I gave my son’s girlfriend a scarf made from your Thick ‘n Thin wool and nylon binder yarn in the color harvest. The colors are perfect for her college and others LOVED IT and have asked me to make one for them as well. I only bought the one 144 yd skein and wondering if you have others in stock or looking at making that color again?
Hi Lori, I just checked and you are in luck! That yarn has been on clearance, and I still have one left in that color. I do have that color in other yarns as well. You can e-mail me to figure out the details.
Words to live by, Traci! And guess what? You ARE awesome. This year I’m thinking about Be Useful.Be Kind. I may have to drop the “Philly.” We’ll see how it goes.