Despite taking it easy for the last few days – visiting with family, playing with my nephews, eating lots of home-cooked, home-baked yumminess, sitting around our big farmhouse kitchen table to play cards – I still can’t believe 2009 is over! This year flew past for me and I’m so, so excited to see what 2010 will bring.

I’m one of those annoying types who loves to plan and set goals and make lists. I’ve probably spent a solid hour poring over the day planners at 2 different shops and STILL have not found the perfect one. (I like the calendar laid out as 1 month on a page so I can jot in art show dates etc. & then the daily pages with more room for details. This is proving impossible to find, for some reason.)

Before I launch into 2010, I want to take a moment to say thank you. Thanks to each & every one of you who has made my 2009 experience a little brighter.

I have met so many wonderful people this year! From the folks who stop to leave a comment on my blog or send me a note on Twitter to my amazing customers who have supported my art and encouraged me to keep creating to my family who have supported me in a different, but oh so crucial way.

My mister has been unbelievably understanding during my busy, crazed deadlines and did things like interrupt an all night painting session just to bring me dinner. Literally – just dropped off a plate, then closed the door, not even expecting me to stop & eat *with* him. I’m so lucky to have such a fabulous partner in crime.

One of the highlights of my year was the insanely busy holiday market season. It was a huge success and I can’t help grinning when I think about how many people opened up gifts this Christmas that were from me. At some point I imagine myself walking past a complete stranger who is wearing one of my necklaces. With my art on it. That *I* made! Without tooting my own horn too much, how freaking cool is that???

I realize it’s probably bad for my hip artist “cooler than thou” image to admit this stuff, but…pffft. I’m sure everyone who makes things goes through this. How fun is it to imagine Stephen King getting his picture taken standing in front of his first book on the shelf at a Barnes & Noble? heehee

My favorite moments of 2009 (in no particular order):

1) Organizing my First Group Show

I’d been part of group shows before, but they were only the type where the artist fills out a form and sends the work. Getting to be part of every detail from choosing the concept, the venue, designing the poster…awesome.

2) Hitting my 1 year Etsy Anniversary

Yay! I love selling my work online. I never would have dared to dream I could become a full time painter (or, more accurately, creator) if I hadn’t seen artists successfully representing themselves online. From personal websites to eBay to ArtFire, there are so many possibilities now that artists 20 years ago wouldn’t be able to fathom. I’ve shipped my art, a little piece of myself, all over the world. That feels amazing to me.

3) Selling My First Painting in a Gallery

The flip side to being a self-representing artist is, of course, buckling to the traditional idea that “real” artists sell their work in galleries. I’m incredibly fortunate to have found a gallery owner I adore, who works hard for her artists and who I’m actually happy to see earn 50% of my sales. I’m really looking forward to more group shows in 2010 and continuing to be inspired by the other amazing artists who show at Jem Gallery.

Work stuff aside, I had a fun year of personal highlights too – moving to a new house (still renting, but I love it here), going mountain biking for the first time (& not bailing), getting the pug to swim, flying in a sea plane.

I feel a little bit guilty posting such a rah rah cheerleader description of the past year, especially since I know so many people lost their jobs and their homes, but I hope you do get a moment to remind yourself of all of the good moments of 2009. And even if the bad outweighed the good, it’s the start of a new year – a clean slate full of possibilities!

What do you want to see in 2010?

What is your WILDEST dream?

If money was no object, if you could do anything, if you could BE anyone, what would that look like?

* ~ * Happy New Year!!! * ~ *

Happy holidays everyone! I spent a quiet Christmas at home with the mister’s parents, lots of new books and way too much food. Pretty much perfect!

I’ve actually never stayed home for Christmas before; we always end up traveling to see his family or mine. It was a unique experience to have to cook the big holiday feast, but fortunately my mother-in-law brought a turkey, perogies and cabage rolls with her. My mister whipped up an amazing yam/corn dish. The only thing I had to do was scoop the cranberry sauce out of the can and mash the potatoes! Thank goodness too, because I don’t do well with cooking under pressure. I need to make one dish at a time & my brain just can’t handle so many pots going & all needing to be ready at the same time. Argh!

I hope you made the nice list and you’re surrounded by warm people, warm thoughts and, of course, have a full belly. If you need a chuckle, check out this story of a guy who came home to find his entire apartment wrapped up as gifts – even the curtains! And the food in his fridge! lol

Having a birthday right around Christmas is not ideal. I usually get my presents lumped together or forgotten about completely, since everyone is already so busy with the holiday craziness. I totally understand – I’m swamped too. But it still kind of sucks.

When I was a kid, most of my classmates couldn’t come to my birthday party. School was already out, families were away on holidays or they were just too busy balancing all the other Christmas parties. My mom was great though; she actually moved my birthday to the summer so we could have a big pool party. We still did a little family party on my actual birthday, but my best memories are camping out in the backyard with my girlfriends and having a big slumber party. So much fun!

Since I’m (technically) a grown-up now and not allowed to move my birthday to the summer, it’s especially nice to have a good boyfriend who makes the day special. He booked an appointment for a massage and then a haircut, some much needed pampering after the last two months. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect gift. Next we went out for lunch during which I snapped a pic of my new fab hair:

Second best gift? One that I bought for myself. hehe. I used one of my Amazon gift certificates to order Mark Ryden’s the Tree Show. It came a week or so ago, but I wouldn’t let myself open it up until yesterday. The oohing & ahhing & drooling continued well into the night.

And now? Back to work! I still have a few pendants and lockets left, so I’ll be doing a big Etsy update in between tidying the house and getting ready for family to arrive. Cookies must be baked, presents wrapped and some time needs to be set aside for watching the lights on the tree twinkle while drinking eggnog. Truth be told, I’m not a huge eggnog fan, so I’ll just take the rum instead.

Happy holidays everyone!

Though I really should be cleaning right now, I’m instead virtually trimming my tree and imagining decking my halls with cute stuff I’m finding all over the place. Since it’s probably too late to have anything shipped to Canada, I may have to get out the old sewing machine and use some of these fab finds as inspiration:

How cute is this mini stocking by Joo Sweetie?

I like these polar bear stockings from My Perennial too. I’m thinking maybe Henry would make a good stocking critter. Or the Bee Girl.

In the ornament category, I love these single spruce ornaments:

So simple and beautiful. You can get your own from One Gift One World’s Etsy shop.

In the reduce, reuse, recycle Christmas spirit, I love Hershey Is My Baby’s idea of turning old wood sweaters into the leaves of a holiday wreath:

These wood block Christmas trees made by Wood & Wool Stool are great too. So lovely in that rustic, cozy cabin sort of way.

And lastly, what would the season be without the holiday cards? I sold out of all of my winter-themed greeting cards a few weeks ago, so will definitely have to order a bigger run for next year. Until then, here are two cute ones that I’ve added to my favorites list:

OK, maybe not exactly Christmas-y, but awesome nonetheless – the Libre Chihuahua card from African Grey.

And for your quirky, hipster friends, Have an Ironic Christmas cards from Able and Game.

One of my favorite holiday traditions that always gets me in the Christmas spirit is baking shortbread cookies. I have fond memories of rolling the dough out with my mom, selecting which cookie cutter to use (to maximize the dough layout, of course) & then that smell. Mmmmmmm…nothing beats the smell of fresh baked cookies.

Shortbread dough is much easier to cut into cookie shapes if it’s cold, so we’d usually make a big batch & then store it in the fridge. Roll out a couple of pans of cookies, then throw it back in the fridge – we had fresh baked cookies every couple of days!

I’ve been so busy with all the craft shows that I still haven’t had time to pick out a Christmas tree, but I did manage to clear a spot in the living room tonight, so at least that’s progress. I’m glad my boys took it upon themselves to don our house with Christmas lights. Just sitting at my desk and looking out the window I can see them twinkling warmly. And then I pretend it’s snowing instead of raining.