January 4, 2025

Current WIP...

This is my current Work In Progress (WIP). I'm making a Birthday cushion for a special little two year old - my great-nephew. His party is on Sunday, and I only just learned that he's a huge Mickey Mouse fan. 

Knowing that, and owing him a cushion for his bedroom (as I did for his two sisters), this will be the perfect design for this sweet boy.

I'll be sure to share photos of him opening his gift - and if possible, catching his mama's expression, too. She really appreciates and treasures the handcrafted gifts her husband's aunty makes for their family. 

I'll get this finished by early afternoon (first I'll press the embroidery - thank you, Destiny - and add a stabilizer to the back of it), and then I have another Birthday party to attend this evening for a dear classmate. It's going to be a busy couple of days, so I'm really glad to be 100% again! I'll share party photos on Monday. Off to the studio now...

January 3, 2025

2025 Word of the Year...

This is kind of how my year ended. With a few exceptions, it could have been better the last six months. Health for my beloved was certainly an unplanned factor, but I could have had better control of November and December. I've been thinking about that as I decided on my 2025 Word of the Year.

Thanks to my sister, Jan for sharing this list of possibilities in her online group. I'm sharing it with you now because my word came from her list.


Now, I admit. I looked at this list for quite a while. Health and fitness jumped out at me, but I wanted something more encompassing for home life, health, and my creative endeavors (blog, studio, shows, creativity in general). I finally settled on one that I think will be an all-around great reminder for all those things. So here's my choice...

Yes. It's easy for me to get my "frogs" in a row, and then...out jump the squirrels and we're off to the races! So, I'm going back to making lists at the beginning of the week. I'll map out the things I need to accomplish; want to accomplish; and how I intend to spend time with family and friends. I really do best when I have my list journal, and when I've done this in the past, I accomplished so much more. I also kept what was most important front and center. 

It's also motivating for me to be able to check items off my list(s). How about rewards for meeting goals? Like, get everything done by a certain time on a Wednesday and I can plan for a special night out with Handsome for the weekend. Or get all my important tasks done by 4:30 pm and reward myself with a special treat. You get the idea.

Have you chosen a word for this year? Are you going to? Perhaps the list Jan shared with me might help you decide, too? If you're not into this sort of thing, it's okay to just fly by the seat of your pants. I've done that, too. I'd love to know how you motivate through your days. 


January 2, 2025

January ATC WIP...

I took the day off yesterday. I'm not sick, but I'm not 100% either, so it was a complete day of rest. I have started my artist trading cards for Jan's January exchange. The theme is "snowflakes".  This is a super closeup!

I haven't had my morning coffee yet, so we'll see how I'm feeling once I'm actually rolling. Then I'll know whether it will be another day spent resting, or if I'll actually accomplish anything. sigh I hope your new year is off to a better start. I'll see you again tomorrow.

January 1, 2025