Word for the Year.

Another year has come and gone and once again it is time to choose a "word" for the new year. Sometimes it is a little difficult to choose only one word that will help direct your intention for an entire year... I mean, what if you pick the wrong word? What if you pick one and it ends up not moving you or being a chore to keep up with? That is why I mull over a selection of words for a long time and one ends up standing out. Not just standing out but standing up, waving a flag and screaming to be heard. Here is a list I paddled through, maybe one might like you?...

Compassion
Delight
Generous
Gratitude
Abundance
Creativity
Willingness
Change
Growth
Freedom
Kindness
Health
Presence
Acceptance
Courage
Confidence
Self-Love
Action
Forgiveness
Release
Trust
Patience
Friendship
Fun
Grace
Laughter
Love
Expansion
Exploration
Adventure
Discipline
Awe
Aware
Risk
Choice
Spirit
Prayerfulness
Power
Allow
Artful
Attention
Beauty
Joy
Focus
Ritual
Heal
Order
Clarity
Pioneer
Peace
Laziness
No
Yes
Deliberate
Commitment
Savor
Integrity
Listen

The word I ended up listening to is HOPE. After a long year of simplifying, and previously getting motivated, I figure a whole year of hope is just the ticket. Hope for a full and satisfying year, hope for some art success, hope for fun and games with the boy and of course hope for puppy kisses. Lots of dark days in the past set the path for shiny, sparkly hope. Yes, that's my word for 2011.... HOPE.

How about you? Do you have a word?

Friday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a full life.

Holiday Patterns.

Oops, I missed my post yesterday due to the rain, a sick kid and puppy hell. All is well once again and I've created a few holiday patterns before the season slips away.

How about you? What do you want to capture before the holiday season goes away?

Thursday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for a nice long walk, a moving talk and some puppy kisses without bites.

Ho-Ho-Ha!

This delicious spectacle is the highlight of our neighborhood. They go all out every single year, and this going all out includes this cute Santa. Wish it was my house, I'd love to be the "Griswold's" of the street! We couldn't be any further from "Griswold" than we were this year though with our tiny strip of lights along the edge of the roof that stopped lighting up three days after they were up. Oh well, around the block I go to visit this one!

How about you? Do you light up your house for the holidays?

Tuesday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for cuddle time with a sick kid.

Puppy + Love = Heavenly torture.

New puppy love is here. The kitty... nowhere to be found. I think she's a little mad at the moment. Our geriatric dog is not thrilled but pretty OK about it. The kid and Mr Man... over the top in heaven.

Life is good.

Monday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for a good excuse to put the Christmas decorations away already!

Stormy skies.

This little one thinks the world is hers. Various objects exist in her home just for her own sheer pleasure. She is funny and bold. Watch out little kitty, there's a storm a brewin'. Tomorrow, your life is gonna change forever, there's a new sheriff in town! (I'll post about it tomorrow...)

How about you? Is change in your animal's life accepted with an open mind?

Sunday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for a leisurely day after holiday hoopla!

Happy Christmas!

Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou!

Greetings.

I've resurrected a few more holiday cards I created in the past. Some of the faces may look familiar. These all still bring a smile to my face. I save every holiday card I receive and go through them periodically.

How about you? Do you save and treasure holiday cards?

Thursday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for a nice clean house, wrapped gifts under the tree and holiday celebrations to look forward to tonight.

Glad tidings.

Christmas is the best, not only because there is kindness and warmth that seep out of people but it is a time to send out greetings to family and friends. Sometimes the only time you get to interact with some of your distant family and friends is through a Christmas greeting card... making the card all that more important. I LOVE Christmas cards and every year for the past 20-ish I have made my own. In several recent years I have created cards for others and here are a few samples from this year... how can one NOT create something brilliant with photos like these? Makes my job way too easy.

Hope you are having a fabulous holiday season.

Wednesday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful to not be in a flooding zone here in the water ways of stormy San Diego!

Monkey silliness.

Silly little monkeys.

Tuesday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for little fun projects.

New love.

There is some new huggable love in town and some are not taking too kindly to it.

 Some however are completely enthralled.

And then, not to be outdone by the shiny and new, an old favorite struck a pose.

Sshhh! Some of this is a Christmas surprise!

Random Musings:
No new puppy yet. We called on a new prospect but it seems rather suspicious. Who in the world would think scamming puppy lovers could ever be a good idea must be from another planet. We are looking for a Samoyed and they are not very common. I've never bought a puppy or a dog or any animal for that matter. We always find a furry friend that needs to be rescued so I know the right one will show up at just the right time... that's a guarantee.

Monday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful to have finished a plate full of work today! Whoo-hoo!

Gift tags for you.

I wish I had made these BEFORE I wrapped all my gifts and my friend's three children's gifts! Anyway, if you are still a wrappin' fool, you can use these bad boys to your hearts content. Just download and print away! My gift to you.

Sunday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for the puppy we didn't buy today. He is out there, but we still need to find him. Psst! I'm gettin' a PUPPY!

Happy as we choose to be.

A little Christmas pattern to bring a smile to those who love Airstream trailers, Christmas twinkle lights and evergreens! That would be me so I am smiling!

Random Musings:
I have been thinking hard about happiness, the elusive chase, and how to create more of it, because I want more of it. So where has this hard thinking taken me? Well, simply to my living room. I'm convinced that it all has to start where you are at. Even if you are sitting in a pool of sadness, anger, gloom, depression, etc., the magic of happiness can and only will start with you, right where you are at.

Some think everyone else has the magic of happiness and the happiness fairy skipped over them. Guess what? There is no magic fairy. Every single thing we feel is a choice and as hard as that is to say, for the most part, we all have a choice to be sad, mad, angry, down in the dumps, joyful, scared, etc. Even happy. We are as happy as we choose to be. I'm choosing happy with a smile.

How about you? Do you agree?

Saturday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for last minute work to keep my already busy schedule ticking along!

Visions of sugar plums.

There are visions of sugar plums candy canes dancing in my head.

Random Musings:
I saw my sweet little kitty cat eat a tiny little mouse tonight. I was walking out to my laundry room, (yes, it is separate from my house) and I saw my little kitty scrunched up on the deck, busy contemplating what to do with what looked like a leaf. Upon further examination, she bit into the little rodent and proceeded to crunch it's tiny little bones right in front of me! Ugh. At least she isn't going to bring it into my house as a present like my other cat did. No, this one knows what she likes and keeps it all for herself!

Thursday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful to see my niece sing an awesome solo in a Christmas performance.

Small worlds.

This is a photo of the kid's diorama of Christopher Columbus just about to discover land but needing to get past the vicious pirates first. I'd have loved to take over this entire project but was able to hold back and just assist with a few rolling waves. It's a small little world you can hold in your arms.

Random Musings:
Do you have a Christmas list? Usually I don't create one for myself but this year I couldn't help myself. I think I am yearning to re-do a very mediocre childhood because the things on my list are... Pictionary, a Disneyland pass and a puppy. That's all that would make me very happy. Especially the puppy! How about you?

Wednesday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful to play hooky with my niece all day!

Boy things.

I made a custom Christmas card in this color palette and some candy cane fudge today. Ho, ho, ho!

Random Musings:
I got a call from the kid's school today. It was sort of frantic and I heard something about my kid being pushed and head and wall and concussion. I heard those words only. Of course, when I picked him up at the office, he seemed distressed but OK. I stared at him all afternoon for some sort of indication of a concussion, whatever that sign might be, and I even let him open a Christmas gift early just for the heaviness of being in a fight. A scuffle. A sort of "boy" mix up. I don't understand these boy things. When I hear of them, it takes all of my strength for mama cat to not show up. Sigh.

Tuesday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for holiday music.

Cool colors.

A new color way. Me likey. Now I must wrap my LAST gift to give this year so I can relax and enjoy this lovely holiday season.

How about you? Are you almost finished with your Christmas list?

Monday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for new color combinations and fresh ideas percolating around.

The most fabulous time of year.

LA was fabulous. It is always so nice to escape reality for 24 hours and be with friends who are family. Now it's back to reality which includes a completed Christmas shopping list, finishing a little bit more work, the last week of school for the kid and my favorite holiday inching closer!

How about you? Do you get out of your regular life once in a while?

Sunday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for clean healthy water to drink.

Orange you?

Well, I have no sock monkeys to show because last night a silly little thing called Kahlua got in the way of our crafty creating. No matter though.... chatting and laughing is always more fun! So today instead I have an untraditional Christmas pattern to throw at you. Pink and orange together is a happy combination and it's looking to be that kind of day too!

Have a sparkly Friday!

Friday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for a little get away to LA to visit my best friend!

Cookie, Schmookies.

Ahhh, the dreaded cookie debate. Pictured here are sugar cookies, a favorite in our household. A favorite, I might add, to EAT but to prepare, well, that another story. For some reason, THIS cookie lover can't stand rolling out the dough. AND, it's always THIS cookie lover that gets to roll out the dough.

The kid was chomping at the bit to get some cookie decorating in this Christmas season so I decided to try it one more time and see if I've just been grumpy in the past about the whole dough thing. Guess what, I'm still grumpy about the dough thing and let me tell you, these bad boys are seasoned with some grumbling and frustration. But alas, when it came time for the decorating, lots of smiles and love were smothered on with icing so when you take a bite, there is only buttery goodness exploding in your mouth! Thank goodness.

How about you? What traditions do you still uphold?

Thursday's gratitude:
I am so grateful for a crafty night ahead with a dear friend! Sock monkeys are on the agenda!

Crazy glue gun on the loose!

Someone must stop the glue gun. It's going crazy with all the yarn and felt hanging about, fun little crafts keep being made!

Wednesday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for new spectacles, contacts and sunglasses. Whoo-hoo, I can see!

Wish upon a star.

Well, it's packaged up and out the door so here is a tiny peak. Hopefully the recipient will not see this but it is a surprise so the recipient won't even know it's coming! Hee-hee. Me sneaky. Can you tell what it is? I am going to make some more, I think I am addicted to yarn and felt right now.

How about you? Do you like to surprise people?

Tuesday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful to make my own schedule.

Wishing to believe on some joy.

I've got something brewing here and it's a big secret for someone who may see this blog so I can't show more until it's packaged, shipped and out the door. Sugary glitter is one of my new favorite mediums. I wonder how it would look on me?

Monday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for sparkle and shine to lift the spirit!

Modern digs.

The kid's lego creation. I am hoping he will want to be an architect one day and build a modern dig for me!

Finding rest.

My mother-in-law died early this morning. This is for her.

Sunday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for another day of life and health.

Festive wear made simple.

I am going to a holiday gathering tonight with a group of my girlfriends at the Coronado Hotel Del. Little dinner parties like this are just my style... love them! However, I don't have anything very festive to wear as my party days are few and far between so I created this little holiday pin to wear adorning the neckline of my one and only fancy shirt.

How about you? Is your closet filled to the brim with festive wear?

Saturday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for just the right amount of time to get it all done.

Joy in the season.

Just enjoying the holiday joy today while assembling Christmas cards, wrapping the last of my gifts and watching Christmas movies with the kid.

Friday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for a Christmas soiree to attend tomorrow!

Take a deep breath.

This is a little peek into my sketchbook. I still am wandering around this thing, half in bewilderment and the other half in inspired creativity. Mostly the bewildered side has the advantage. Sigh. Slowly making progress though and I WILL finish by the deadline of January 15th.

Now, must wrap a few gifts, cut and assemble Christmas cards, prepare for another round of graphic design mania (catalog deadlines) and clean an empty house.

How about you? Is your life full right now?

Thursday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for a busy life, I like it that way.

December hellos.

Hellloooo December! We welcome you with twinkling lights, holiday music and a heart for giving! Here's a holiday pattern with you in mind, December. So glad you're here. Let the celebration begin...

Wednesday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for small triumphs such as wearing contact lenses when years of fear has held me back.