January–come and gone.

As January wraps up today, I’ll take some time for reflection.

I began my blogging this year about all that I wanted to accomplish this year. Because resolutions generally fall away by the end of the month, I feel like I should take a look at how I have worked towards some of them.

The major one I believe I have really been working on is Get Creative. I have really worked hard on learning the craft of knitting, and I am absolutely loving it! I can’t wait to try to tackle some patterns, and put to use my Lace Knitting To-Go kit I got for Christmas. I also (sigh, finally) completed my shoulder bag that I gave a sneak peek of earlier:

Granted that I have done some sewing in my life, I have never created anything from a pattern. I have only done quilting and things of that nature. So this was definitely a challenge for me! I finally wrapped it up about 2:30 a.m. on Saturday night, after a sewing machine clog/malfunction that dislodged the needle threader. Man was that upsetting. Thank goodness that my hubby is mechanically inclined! Otherwise I probably would have given up.

The bag has some flaws, but I still love it! I made it from scratch and that is an accomplishment to be proud of. (To me anyways).

The resolution I’m probably slacking the most on is Get Healthy. That may come to no surprise as that is the most common resolution that is most commonly given up on. But I refuse to give up completely. I’m still going to work on this.

In other news, it’s snowing and beautiful out!

See you in February!

What a Monday.

Well, as the song goes, it’s just another manic Monday. Ouch. That was corny.

As you can see, the blog has gotten a makeover! I recently got some design work done by the wonderful Donnell Gray, whom I used to go to high school with! She is amazingly talented in both design and photography! Check her out here. Besides the banner, above, here is a sneak peek of my new, beautiful logo!

I am so proud of this bad boy! I’m working with someone to make it into a stamp! How exciting.

In other news, school has stared, thus begins the spiral into procrastination. I really should be doing some reading. Is it bad that it’s only day two of class for me and I’m not feeling it?

Despite being motivated on the school front, I have really been kicking creative bootay. I would like to say I’m 1/3 the way don’t with a new knitted neck-warmer, and oh yea, I made my FIRST SALE on Etsy! And I made a pillow for a wondeful coworker, and she said another person wants one too! Woo hoo!

And that’s all for now. I’m getting so excited for what all will come this year.

Peace.

To look forward to.

With a productive day off of work, I wrap up my day (by 10:30 p.m.? Can it really be?) feeling super accomplished, inspired, and anxious.

With some cleaning done and a sewing project started, see the preview below, I feel like I can really take a step towards my resolutions.

Custom pocket to fit my new, beautiful wallet from Fancy Tiger (the clothing boutique).

For 2011, I have many commitments I want to make, and keep:

Get healthy. This is almost a too obvious considering the usual resolutions, but my not only is concerning working out, but also eating healthier. This means more cooking, an adventure in itself for me. Stay tuned for kitchen endeavors.

Get creative. Today I read a ton of artistic and creative blogs, and my mind is spinning about the projects I want to get accomplished this year. Not only for Lilly Ella Collections, but for my self. After an exhaustive month (it really was only a month?) working solely towards my store, and not feeling 100% confident about it at this moment, I have realized how important it is to use creative energy to give back to yourself and loved ones. It is really rewarding.

Become involved. There are so many good causes out there, and I have really want to devote some of my time to them! More to come on this later.

Learn new crafts. I cannot wait to see how this turns out. SO exciting/scary! Knitting? Here I come.

Be ecofriendly. This is something I’m really passionate about, and I want to devote myself to Earth-friendly options, from cleaning products, to clothing, to the way I live my life.

Cease to waste my free time. Curse you, reality t.v.! Today I nearly spent the entire day with the tube off, and it felt great! I got so much accomplished, and I don’t really care that I missed those shows. I can’t believe how much of my time is spent in front of the television. It’s time to get out and do something!

Get my college degree! Last semester. The home stretch. Deep breath.

I feel like this is a solid list, and if I can stick to it, this could be the best year yet.

What do you have planned this year?

New Year – New…(fill in the blank)

Here I am, 12:03, January 1st, 2011.

Home. In the PJs, bumming around.

Not the expected situation for most, but here I find myself, almost completely content.

After coming in hot off the holidays and a two and a half week working binge, I find myself just needing a moment. And as timing would have it, New Year’s presents herself to force me to reflect and plan for the future. So as 2010 wrapped up, now six minutes ago, I find that I have accomplished really, what I had set out to do: school, and work. Really, when looked at now, is only two things. Not much to jump for joy over, but what else can I do?

Right now, I feel like school isn’t really doing much for me. I even would go so far as to say it is holding me back. I’m an English major, and don’t get me wrong, I love it, and couldn’t even dream about studying anything else, but at this point in my life, I feel like once I’ve got the diploma (aka a piece of paper) that will be all I have–an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper. I won’t have that secret power of job getting skills that they whisper to you as you graduate, and I most likely won’t just fall into some incredible position as an editor of a popular literary journal. I don’t see myself being a teacher, for now at least, and I don’t see the market of creative writers opening up soon. But I guess I can just rack it up to experience. I think school has taught me just enough to know that I know nothing. Awe, shucks.

As for work–well, it’s work. I love everyone I work with, and it really is a fairly good gig.

But here I am again, in a sort of slump, feeling uncreative and unproductive. Frustrated. So I am planning on 2011 bringing a solution to that.

I have found something that always lightens my spirits is 1) English Breakfast hot black tea with honey. It warms the soul. And 2) a good book. Right now, I’m reading This is Not Chick Lit, a collection of short fiction stories. I picked it up, because one of my instructors for a course is published in there, and so far every story I have read is amazing, and really inspiring!

I love the idea of the new year. It brings so much opportunity for progress and accomplishments, and I love the way looking forward to things feels. Even with silly things like the mail; usually it’s just bills, but I love the idea that someone sent a letter, especially for me, days before, and it has finally reached me and I get to see what it is. Silly!

So here’s to keeping those New Year’s Resolutions!

Cheers (if you’re out there).