currently: ten things
Monday, February 3, 2014 at 5:00AM 
1. Taking the time to THANK those that matter. It is so easy to overlook the little things. I know I have been talking about this alot lately, but it matters. The little things really matter. I can't think of a single time that a small THANK YOU didn't make someone smile. Making the time to let people know you care is rewarding. They won't forget it and neither will you.
2. Spending alot of time in the studio. I am enjoying all the time creating and am trying to balance time with a paintbrush and time on the computer. Can I just say yuk! I don't love the computer. It is a time sucker. I am as guilty as the next person when it comes to letting it take over. If I allow myself one hour for computer duties then why am I checking Safari on my phone when my hour is up. I am trying to be more aware of what I am doing and how much time it is taking. I want to create. Being on the computer is necessary, and there are things I NEED to do each day- I just have to be careful not to let time get away from me!
3. Loving my new Golden paints. I splurged awhile back and picked up several colors. Wow! They are my favorite paint EVER. I was afraid that would happen. Now I need, okay WANT, every other color known to man. I am pretty sure I don't have $200 in my budget for paint when my paint cart is filled to overflowing. I made a vow to use what I have, BUT I am going to save my coupons and treat myself to ONE new golden every few weeks. All that time on the computer- I think I have earned it!
4. Stitching on my zipper pouch. I came across a few spools of thread the other day that did not have labels. They were those beautiful multi colored strand spools. Yummy! I wanted to test the colors, so I decided to add some colorful circles to my pouch in the name of research. I love the bright pop of color now! It goes perfectly with the rest of my bright and beautiful DOCUMENTED LIFE PROJECT planner!
5. Sewing up a few pretty covers for art journals. I love my small art journal. I take it everywhere and so I recently made a pretty stitched cover for it, complete with a pocket for my pens and paintbrush. I have been trying to use up all of my smaller quilt blocks and this is a great way to piece the prettiest scraps together!
6. Believing that Documenting my plain ole' regular life is important. Read more about it here.
7. Packaging up goodies! These days are the best. It makes all the long hours and pizza dinners worth it!
8. Playing around with watercolors. I am NOT good at this yet, but I am hoping to be more vigilant with the practice. I love the way I can manipulate the color. I love how I can mottle it with the dab of a paper towel. I love how I can virtually wet it and start over...yea, a lot of that happened. As with all new things it was hard. I wanted to toss it aside and create something I NEW I was good at, but I didn't. I stuck it out and even taped it in Documented Life Planner. Is it my favorite thing I have ever created? - ummm. NO. But I tried something new. THAT is worth documenting!
9. Looking at my worktable and sighing. I have too much stuff out. I have too many things going on right now. I am feeling a tiny bit overwhelmed, truth be told. I like order. I want my table to look like this all the time. It makes me feel good to tidy things up at the end of the day. It calms me to go to bed knowing things are in order. I feel fresher and less stressed to start a new day with a clean slate. Lately my life is not letting me do that. I can't complain. You have to be very careful what you ask for! I looked around last night and realized the very best I could do was to make some piles. I NEEDED each of these projects OUT and accesible. Realistically I don't need to start from scratch each morning. Realistically I need to make some piles and get to work and widdle them down. This is my plan. This weekend. For sure. After the family movie night Friday, and the Glow in the Dark Golf Event Saturday Night and an Orchestra Ensemble on Saturday and Church on Sunday...yea. After all that.
10. Taking a break to have some fun and remind myself that all work and no play made Jack a very dull and grouchy boy! Business is business- I am learning that, but I am also learning that we have to take time to step away. You have to refresh your heart and mind from time to time. Without the occasional intermission we start to breakdown. Good things can't happen unless we are in a good place. It isn't good enough to just want it. You have to committ with your whole heart, and for that you need time to breathe and laugh and reflect.
Reader Comments (2)
Hello! I love reading these list and seeing the pictures to go with them. Lots of yummy colors in your posts, LOVE THAT!!
I hate to even ask after reading what you just said about being on computers but did you see my email? I always wonder if they get lost in spam/junk mail, just wanted to make sure you got it. THANK YOU!!
I have piles too, finally gave them a good clean up a few weeks ago and hoping to keep it that way for a long time. Some papers I really just don't know where to keep them but yet I want them. I'm also trying to decide since it's a new year should I box up my art that I made in 2013 or leave some of it or what??? I don't have a art room, just a small wall in the family room. Decisions need to be made, sigh.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful list, have a good week!
p.s. the reason I emailed you is because of # 6 LOVE IT!!
Hi Dawn- I DID get your super lovely email! thank you! I hope to catch up those that I need to answer in the next few days! I have been so swamped lately. Thank you for your kind words- they make all the work and effort worth every minute in the studio AND on the computer, haha! I bet all of your artwork is amazing! I would definitely find a way to display at least SOME of it- maybe a few favorite pieces that you could swap out on occasion, so that you have your very own touring art show! Thanks for reading! Makes my day!