Happy New Year!
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! It was nice to spend time with family and friends and dream about the new year. Wishing all of us great things for 2012!
I'm making 3 New Years Resolutions this year. I'm going to share them with you to help keep me on track...
1. Submit! I must submit an article, letter, something/ anything to a magazine, book or online site once a week. I started off with a bang by writing a quick how-to article for Crafts Beautiful UK. I was inspired by a product they featured in their magazine called the Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio Tool. It looked so cool that I snapped one up and it is *awesome*! You can punch out images and give them a clear protective bubble all in one punch.
2. Learn! I must take at least one class online and locally. After teaching an altered book class recently, I've rediscovered my love for teaching. And in order to be the best teacher I can be, I want to take more classes. Have you taken a class online that you would recommend?
3. Photo! I must take a photo every day. Even if it's just Bruno lounging around..lol. Practice is the best way for all of us to improve our skills.
Phew, wish me luck! : )
A big Happy Birthday to my beautiful Mom and best friend! Here we are with the beautiful Bahamas waters behind us. My Mom is a real Martha Stewart, she continually amazes me with her talent and creativity. She knits, makes jewelry, cooks, bakes, collages....and she does it all with incredible style. Love you! : )
In honor of my Mom's birthday, I thought I'd host this special giveaway: this beautiful heart-shaped piece of coral that I found on the beach shown in the photo above. Simply post a comment to this post and my kitty Bruno will pick a winner next week.
Sneak Peek!!! Ooooh, look at these fun goodies that will be available for purchase at ARTchix Studio next week! Crowns, wee little birdhouse charms, vintage goodies (including some documents from the late 1800s!) and more!
Happy New Year, Helga! You rock! <3
Posted by: oddgirl | January 04, 2012 at 01:01 PM
What a beautiful piece of coral, I love finding heart shaped things!
Posted by: Charlene | January 04, 2012 at 01:02 PM
Popped in from Facebook -- Liz Tonkins-Agea
It sounds as if you've set some wonderful goals for yourself! Personally I'd keep the coral piece and make it an Objet D'Art for yourself that showcases how much you plan to do for YOU (ie a shadow box with these resolutions crowned with the coral) but it IS cool and fun to do giveaways too :)
Can you box up some of that Bahama sun and send it to NH?
Posted by: Lizscraps | January 04, 2012 at 01:04 PM
I also love heART shaped things as much as I love ArtChix Studio. Please toss my hat in the ring Helga!
Posted by: Dawn Binyon | January 04, 2012 at 01:19 PM
What a beautiful stone.....and I enjoyed reading your 'do's' for next year. That's a great idea.
Posted by: Janet B | January 04, 2012 at 01:21 PM
Happy New Year Helga! What a refreshing blog post! My daughter and I collect heart shaped rocks, shells, and other items! Lovely pic of you and your mom:) hugs
Posted by: Pegskitchenstudio | January 04, 2012 at 01:35 PM
What a wonderful new years post, helga and I love-love-love the heart shaped coral! fingers crossed! A wonderful, heart felt giveaway. My best recommendation for an online class is Your Vintage Gluebook with Mary Green:
https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?ii=669361&c=ib&aff=118765&cl=70391" - I learned a lot, produced a lot and really enjoyed the class! xo lenna
Posted by: lenna young andrews | January 04, 2012 at 01:37 PM
Love your new years resolutions and your giveaway. Thanks so much.
Posted by: Amy Jones | January 04, 2012 at 01:38 PM
i've collected stones and shells for as long as i could remember - this one's a real beauty!
Posted by: susie c. | January 04, 2012 at 01:45 PM
OOOOooooo, love the visual display of your intentions for the new year. You may already know of these, but...
Here are a few on-line classes to consider, Strathmore has a free workshop series: http://www.strathmoreartist.com/workshop-reg.html and
Tam LaPorte has a site called Willowing and she has the following free classes: http://willowing.ning.com/page/free-classes-on-willowing-ning-com
Sending you blessings of support for your intentions. With Joy, Angi http://akissofbliss.wordpress.com/ and http://www.heartsthatcare.net/
Posted by: Angela Orobko | January 04, 2012 at 01:52 PM
What a beautiful piece of coral!! You're very lucky to still have your mom around. My mom taught me a lot about life... including art.. and I miss her every day. Seeing the heart made me think about her once again today!! Have a wonderful year!! Blessings!
Posted by: Bea Phillips | January 04, 2012 at 01:55 PM
Me again... I taught an altered book class this year and loved doing it. The students were amazed at how much they could do to a book!! I enjoyed teaching it a lot!
Posted by: Bea Phillips | January 04, 2012 at 01:58 PM
I thought I would share my Resolution. I decided to be kind of generic and it can change as the year progresses, but it kind of encompasses all things. I resolve to be the best Lisa I can be this year! Glad to see your post. Look forward to being more artistic this year as well. :)
Posted by: Lisa Robinson | January 04, 2012 at 02:15 PM
Your resolutions are inspiring.....and do-able. The coral is beautiful. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Theresa Grdina | January 04, 2012 at 02:37 PM
happy New year Helga may you and your family be well and happy through out the New year! I love the heart shaped coral. I am always searching for heart shaped rocks to me they are so magical....
Posted by: Kim Sirak | January 04, 2012 at 03:19 PM
I HIGHLY recommend Remains of the Day with Mary Ann Moss (Dispatch from LA) I took it 2 years ago and since then have not stopped using all the fun stuff I learned.
Also, photography with Vivienne MC Masters. I took a total of 4 classes in 2011 because she's that good. She changed my creative life.
Both these classes are worth every penny. Invest in yourself-you're worth it!
Posted by: Lelainia | January 04, 2012 at 05:53 PM
I love the picture of your kitty, Bruno. Hope that you had a great new years.
Posted by: Kim | January 04, 2012 at 06:27 PM
Love the coral! I am going to go call my mom now! Thanks for the reminder of the special times with her.
Posted by: Wendy Malich | January 04, 2012 at 06:49 PM
Those are fantastic artistic goals, Helga! I know you will do great at achieving them! Hugs, Tamara
Posted by: Tamara Comerford | January 04, 2012 at 07:59 PM
Love your pics and your resolutions Helga! It's been a long time since I have been to Artchix...but I hope to be more involved!
Thanks for the chance at this beauty! And Happy New Year to you!
Posted by: sharon | January 04, 2012 at 09:52 PM
Happy New Year, and they are all great and achieveable resolutions !
Posted by: Sid | January 05, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Great resolutions - and I love the look of that cut 'n' bubble tool!
Belated birthday wishes to your clever Mom :o)
x
Posted by: Joanna | January 05, 2012 at 02:19 AM
Love your New Yrs. Resolutions!! Happy Birthday to your Mom!!
Posted by: Laurie Ceesay | January 05, 2012 at 04:45 AM
I have got to check out the Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio Tool. Looks to be something I can really use!
Good luck with your Resolutions!
Smiles~
Marilyn
Posted by: Marilyn B. Hughes | January 05, 2012 at 05:28 AM
Good luck with your new year resolutions. I enjoy your blog. Thanks.
Posted by: Jerry Amundsen | January 05, 2012 at 06:30 AM