The Year 2011 will be over at midnight tonight when the ball drops in Times Square in New York City!  2012 is just around the corner.  I have been watching this event since I was a little girl and I would always beg my mom to let me stay up to keep her company until my dad would get home from his evening shift at work.  Grabbing my blanket, I would curl up on the couch and wonder what the new year would bring me.

As I looked back over 2011, I have been reminded of so many positive and wonderful things that have happened in my life….friends and family members who have inspired my creativity and dreams and who have motivated me to follow through with getting projects done.

When I watch the ball drop tonight, I will look forward to 2012 with enthusiasm and look foward to all of the possibilities that lie ahead of me.  I titled this post Lights, Camera, Action because it represents the following to me:

Lights – light bulbs (ideas, inspiration, creative thoughts)

Camera – visualization (create the ideas that you see)

Action -Follow through and just do it!

I hope that each of you have a wonderful and blessed New Year, and that it is filled with creative ideas that become completed projects!

 

 

 

 

It is hard to imagine that one week from today is Christmas!  For most of us, we are still trying to get last-minute shopping and baking done so that we can sit down and enjoy our wonderful families on that day.

If you are feeling stressful, take a few minutes to remember the “reason for the season” and make this week a time to reflect on all your blessings.  Spread some kindness and good cheer.

Last week while I was at the Family Bookstore, I had two 25% off coupons.  Since I could only use one for my purchases, I asked one of the ladies who was still shopping if she needed a coupon.  Cheerfully, she accepted this free gift, and I felt like a better person for giving it to her.  This week I had to purchase some gifts for some special people at our church.  When the cashier asked if I had a coupon, regrettably I said “no.”  She said, “Well, I have a 25% coupon right here” and proceeded to deduct 25% off each item that I purchased.  When I left the store, I smiled knowing that she had given back to me what I had given away the week before.  It was awesome!

So over the holidays and in this coming year, I know one of my goals will be to continue to “pay it forward.”  Have a very wonderful Christmas and blessed New Year!

Until next time, be inspired and happy crafting!

 

 

Clutter, clutter everywhere!  Clutter, clutter in my hair!

Recently, our church had a yard sale, and I was happy to contribute some items.  However, when I began to look around my house for items to donate, I was overcome with “clutterphobia.”  They say that “someone else’s trash is our treasure.”  But in that moment of truth, I had discovered that by allowing myself to live with clutter, that I was actually stifling my creativity.  There was a lack of inspiration and motivation to finish all those unfinished projects.

I would like to share some of the tips that I have implemented in my continued effort to de-clutter my home.  I hope you find these helpful.

.  Sort through items you want to keep, give away, or throw away.  I found if I put items in boxes and marked keep, donate/give away, or throw away, that the task seemed less overwheming.  At this time of year, depending on the items, you can donate clothing, unused craft supplies, furniture, and decorative items to local churches, rescue missions, the Salvation Army, shelters, or YMCA’s.  Before you purchase an item, if you stop and ask whether you want it or need it, chances are you don’t need it.  So don’t buy it.

.  Don’t try to do it all!  I have been crafting for over 30 years and have collected my share of stashes.  But when I began to de-clutter, I realized that I had purchased two machines over the past few years, a Cricut and embroidery machine, that I never used.  So I donated the Cricut with all the accessories to our local elementary school and the embroidery machine to a dear friend who happened to be looking for one.  What joy in giving!  It felt like two heavy burdens had been lifted.  In trying to do it all, I lost sight of what I had a passion about.  So if you have something just sitting around, evaluate whether or not you are truly going to learn it and whether you have a passion for it.  Don’t hold on to that “until someday” mentality.  Do it or let it go!

.  Start and finish one project at a time.  Too many unfinished projects lying around can make you feel overwhelmed so that none of them get finished.  Concentrate on one project at a time, finish it, and then go on to the next one.  What a feeling of accomplishment at completing the task at hand!

So even with the holidays upon us, let’s resolve to begin cleaning out unnecessary clutter in our lives.  You will be amazed at the transformation of the newly organized space, as well as a more tranquil feeling from within yourself.

Until next time, happy creating!

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