for the past few years i have been inspired by ali edwards and chose a one little word to reflect on throughout the year. It beats new years resolutions that you only end up failing at, and its a great way to reflect and put a focus on your next 12 months. You can see my posts about my previous words here:
2007: balance , 2010: appreciate , 2011: possibilities , 2012: brave .
This year I started to think about my word in November. I try to think of a few different words and see which one stands out to me more, speaks to my heart more. I came to the conclusion of embrace.
I have quite a bit to share on what I plan on embracing in 2013, but for now – the largest challenge I will be embracing is change.
I’m moving. Leaving the island. in.two.weeks.
i have been working at Providence College for a year and a half now, commuting 150 miles a day, spending WAY too much time in the car, WAY too much $ on gas etc – and am ready to have my week day life back. It is bittersweet. i love the island, i love what the island has given me. i love, love, love being so close to the ocean. But, those of you who have been reading my blog know how i truly believe everything happens for a reason. In 2001 i started working in a little gift shop that had a small supply of rubberstamps for sale which brought me into this wonderful world of papercrafting. 10 years ago i was dating a guy from cape cod, i moved in with him and that brought me to the cape, and to colorful creations. 6 years ago i realized i deserved better and that brought me to the island, to rediscovering myself. A year and a half ago i was brave and when i thought i was going to fail i made a major career change and that brought me to Providence.
i guess what i am getting at, is i’m ready. i’m ready to see what is meant to be. i am ready to embrace change, to embrace a new apartment, to embrace new adventures and new experiences. Guess who else is ready?
i found a great little studio apartment that is in a restored factory. Hardwood floors, exposed brick, 12ft high windows and ceilings. It is beautiful. And only 10 mins from campus.
Don’t worry i will be sharing more pictures as i move in- but now i am frantically packing and getting ready because i move in 16 days. s-i-x-t-e-e-n days. The studio is all packed and ready to go- i still plan on creating, even more now that i will have time again. i still plan on teaching. Best yet i have some really cool other things planned, that now i will have time to accomplish!
wish me luck, i’m all done “cooling on my island” for now- ready to embrace what is meant to be. (and if anyone wants to come pack my kitchen, feel free ;) )
Crop on the Cape has come and gone. This year was very different for me. I didn’t have to work 125 hours. I got to sit and create with my chosen family. I still got to teach. I had the best of both worlds really! LOTS of “uncontrollable laughter”, and just good ol’ silly times. My friend Matt came and spoiled us.. making lemondrops for the table – very cool! Steph and I were the last ones left in a crop room of 280 peeps… 4am :) Yummy food was had, yes we were the table with the crock pot cooking and HUGE cooler stocked! I fell in love with a typewriter, and just enjoyed USING MY STUFF! Here are the layouts I accomplished, doesn’t look like a lot when you think of the hours that went into them, but part of the fun is discussing every little detail and over analyzing the creation. Thanks to the peeps who came to my classes, a fun time was had by all!! Hopefully I will see you all next year :)
(i’m playing with my new-to-me 55m lens.. so, no judging the photos! ALSO the photos on the actual layouts were all taken with my iphone, and most printed with postalpix)
I love going to work everyday, and the building I get to work in. It is one of the oldest buildings on the Providence College campus, and it is beautiful. I found a quote by Steve Job’s and the layout seemed to come together. “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking, don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. – Steve Jobs”
This isn’t the best picture, but it’s one I wanted to remember. I snapped this with my iphone at Stacy’s 30th birthday. Happy I could be there to celebrate with my “galaxy girl” as she hit this milestone.
These are a couple pictures I snapped with my iphone for the #febphotoaday challenge on instagram. “Self portrait” and “Hands”. Again I found a quote that I was enjoying and felt it was fitting for a layout about me: “Today isn’t just another day, today I’ll create something beautiful.” I also threw in a little “be brave” sticker I stole from steph, since it is my One Little Word for this year.
“I’m Artsy Fartsy, and proud of it” – This was just a fun layout inspired by my painty cup. I created this cup a zillion years ago at a paint your own pottery near college. I don’t really drink coffee or tea, so it is only fitting that it has become my water cup in my studio. I played with some new Tim Holtz background stamps that I loved the second I saw he was releasing them, a few sequins, use of my edge distresser. I found this quote on a sticker sheet I bought from ink About It’s satellite store at the crop and felt it was fitting: ” One must be brave to be an artist”
I know sometimes I take life too seriously. So i was super happy to see that Steph created this silly moment. The fact that i threw on this goofy hat she wanted me to wear, and not care how i looked… the fact that i was just living in the moment. I knew I wanted to scrap this pic at some point over the weekend. I suck at coming up with titles for my layouts, so I think it was around 2am when i put a shout out on FB asking for ideas. Matty B actually came up with this one. The kinda funny story about this layout is how much anguish the layout gave me. I always put my thickers on with glossy accents. I LOVE LOVE love thickers, but they just aren’t sticky enough and eventually fall off… so I fix that problem by putting them on with glossy accents. I layout out my letters without sticking them too much and see if it will work then when i have the placement figured out I put them on permanetly. So i did that with this layout, which was a bit more tricky because of the cursive font… i was impressed with how it came out, it was my fave layout thus far, and i eagerly posted it to instagram, pushing it to twitter and facebook. My friend gina responded on instagram letting me know i misspelled “thousand” I forgot the S!!! So i had to rip the letters off, paint in some gold and reapply- ahhhhh !!! anyways, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. I love the little cameras which are from a echo park pattern paper, I cut them out and added 2 layers of glossy accents to the lenses.
Tori Amos- these photos prove how AWESOME the camera is on the iphone 4s. I absolutely LOVE them. This year I was fortunate enough to be able to see tori in Philly with melyssa, we had a blast! She toured with a string quartet which was unique and beautiful, but the one song that stood out to me was her cover of a joni mitchell song, “a case of you”. It was just so beautiful, so that is what i quoted here: “oh i am a lonely painter, i live in a box of paints. I’m frightened by the devil, and i’m drawn to those ones that ain’t afraid. ‘love is touching souls’ surley you touched mine, ’cause part of you pours out of me, in these lines from time to time. my blood, my holy wine – tastes so bitter and so sweet. well i could drink a case of you, darling, and i would still be on my feet… i would still be on my feet”
Just a fun layout from a pic i snapped last spring, when mister harley picked a winner from his birthday cards that were sent in for his 3rd birthday (it’s almost time for his birthday again- april 12th!) – if you click the link above you can see the video of the ACTUAL picking of a winner ;)
And, lastly I found this article Scrapbook Retailer magazine did on Colorful Creations back in 2007. I just wanted to get it out of the magazine and on a layout so I would have it to remember.
weird
Before I started my post I wanted to let you know I have an email subscribe through feed burner to the right, so submit your email address and you will get an email notification when I update my blog.
I have participated in the One Little Word journey for the past few years.. last year was possibilities, the year before that was appreciate….. Most of you know on some level, last year was not an easy year for me. I came out standing, but barely. So honestly, my heart just hasn’t been into most things it is normally. It has taken a TON of effort to get back in my studio creating again, i think i burnt myself out a little bit with my hectic fall. I’m looking towards 2012 with a positive outlook. I try to remind myself that although 2011 was a tough one, it could’ve been a lot worse. I have started jotting down my daily thoughts in my “one line a day” book again- this is a good place for me to post what I am grateful for, or even to jot down my frustrations.
I chose “brave” for my word this year. Ali Edwards had posted on twitter late December, asking us if we had in mind what our word was going to be. I replied that after having the word “possibilities” last year, I’m afraid to come up with a word for 2012. Ali responded that maybe my word should be “brave” then. I took that word and, lived with it for a few days… I thought about it, slept with it.. lived with it. It seemed to fit. I needed to remind myself that whatever life throws at me, i am brave enough to deal…
I plan on following my prompts from Ali’s class, that I collected last year.. i really hope to embrace this word this year- and i’m starting to get excited about what it may bring to me :)
To honor my One Little Word, and Yours- I have added in my easy shop the option to get your One Little Word done on a custom canvas by lil ol me!! Here are some examples, but be sure to hop on over to my shop to see more details!
1. Lianne Gray 2. source unknown 3. source unknown 4. alysia
if you have been following my blog this year, you are aware of the many obsticales i have been faced with. Switching up my instructor rolls, and no longer working with a muse. A crazy busy spring where most of which I didn’t even get into on here (i.e. a scrapbook company falsely charging my personal checking account keeping my acct in negative for over a month etc, crop on the cape etc etc). The announcement of Colorful Creations closing… a shock to me and a loss of the job I have had for over 8 years…..
As much as I know everything happens for a reason, there is the initial panic attack when something like this happens…. In June I lost a childhood friend, Keegan Heavey to cancer. I was immediately reminded (again) how short life can be, and how I am lucky and blessed in life.
As soon as i got out of the fog and started to put one foot forward… things started to fall into place…
If you follow me on facebook, you may have already guessed i DO have a new job!
I have been offered and accepted a position at Providence College for Web Production Coordinatior. I am super excited on SOO many levels… I’m excited to get more into a graphic design field (what I went to college for) I’m excited at the opportunity to learn SO many new things… I’m excited to work for Dan again, whom I did in college as well.(it’s a small world!) I am excited to leave the life of retail behind me, which I have been in since I was 15! Have I mentioned I am excited!!!??? :)
I will miss seeing all my regulars on a regular basis, but i know i have made friendships over the years that will not go away just because the store is. I will miss working with Jayne.. and all of the {creative chicks} but once again, I know we have created friendships that will last a lifetime :)
I will still continue to travel and teach.. I already have classes planned for the fall at Ink About It, Papercraft Clubhouse, Absolutely Everything and the Crop Shop…. and now that I know how i’m going to pay my bills I can focus on booking more classes as well!
I am still going to open an etsy shop with my canvases, and complete the custom orders I took at the Handmade market in June.
Make sure you “like” my artist page on facebook to be the first to know more details about these fun adventures!
I am not moving from the island... I love where I live and if I can make it work to continue to live there, I will… if not… I will deal with that when the time comes.
My last shift at the store is July 28th, and I begin my new adventure on August 1st. This week is filled with planned fun events with friends… amazing burger lunch, Chart room beverages outside.. my last FREE thursday night, beach visits, and shopping for a whole new wardrobe ( i can’t wear flip flops.. but i can wear dressy open toe sandals *phew*)
Thank you, thank you thank you for all the encouraging words, the fingers, legs, arms and toes crossing…. etc etc etc… it was all fabulous and made me smile from ear to ear… i truly have some of the best friends a girl could ask for :)
And i’ll leave you with this pic that steph took of me in preparation of 2011… little did i know HOW much this was going to be true ;)
(stay tuned for more july blog post features starting tomorrow!!! and hopefully more bidding ;) )
We’ll 2011 is here. This year is bringing on a lot of changes for me, changes i am ready for, changes i am embracing.
As most of you have heard a muse is no longer going to be selling wholesale, and the a muse instructor program is no longer…
When i first heard this news, i’m not going to lie.. i was a mess. I have been with a muse for the past 5 years…. it has become a part of me, but once i took a step back, took a deep breathe i realized change is good!
whenever an obstacle, or challenge has been put in front of me… it has only made me work harder (must be my stubborness ;) ) and better things come of it
everything happens for a reason
so i just needed to come up with a new game plan… i love teaching and i love traveling to other stores and teaching…. so that will not end. I am going to continue to teach. I already have classes booked at ink about it, the paperie (in new foundland!!! more on that later) and of course colorful creations. Those of you who take classes with me.. i hope you will try my new classes out… i know i can still guarantee you a fun time, an organized and relaxed class, and you will continue to learn new techniques and tips!! I plan to take my ranger, and copic certification and run with it!! I am excited to revive my “artsy-fartsy” side… i haven;t had as much time for that the past few years.
So some new things are in the works… and some of them i can share with you!! :)
This month i am the guest designer over on the stampotique blog!!
I also am going to be doing some designing for creative imaginations!!
I’m really excited about these new creative adventures i will be traveling on!!
I am signed up to take ali edwards “one little word” class over on big picture… figuring out what my word would be has been a challenge this year. Last year my word was “appreciate”. I worked hard in 2010 to appreciate what i have, the people who are in my life, and all my good fortunes. I feel 2010 was a success… i dont think it was a bad year at all….I met a lot of new friends in 2010, and had a ton of fun… thats all that matter right? ;)
It’s always exciting to start a new year… this year my word is going to be
possibilities
excited to see where my word will take me
steph took these fabulous photos of me (on the coldest, windiest day this fall)… she’s SOOO freakin talented… and while she is obsessed with my eyes, i am obsessed with her creativity, she amazes me, and i’m so lucky to have had her for a friend… forever :)
she has more pics.. she says tons of good ones… i can’t wait to see more ;) I wanted some new photos for my new year.. and i hope 2011 will bring a new design to shurkus.com
for the past few years ali edwards has challenged us to pick a word.. to focus on in the year. I have done it a bunch of times, but last year i skipped it, not sure why, but i did. I’m not going to lie.. i missed having “my word” to have something to focus on…..
so mid december.. i started jotting down words that “spoke” to me…. sometimes crossing off previous words, and i finally have come to a conclusion!
my word for this year is : appreciate
i’m a very lucky girl. i have a lot of things to be appreciative for. a lot of times my life gets SO hectic, i dont take time to appreciate what i have. so in 2010 i’m going to “stop and smell the roses” a bit more
appreciate the job i am very lucky to have
appreciate the friends i have… i dont know what i would do without them
appreciate my island…. my space ;) that allows me to be ME and creative
appreciate my health
appreciate me for me
appreciate my dad… all that he has taught me, and the times we get to spend together
there’s many more.. and i have them written down, i wont bore you :)
do you have a word for 2010? or any resolutions you want to share!?
happy new year!
my word for the year after ali’s challenge is
balance
my challenge trying to achieve this is i’m a HUGE procrastinator…. matt said to me the other day ” i never thought i would meet someone who procrastinated more then me…..” that was his gentle way of saying i’m worse then him, i don’t know about that…. but i do procrastinate…. for the most part i work best under pressure *especcially* when it comes to creating… this started back in college, and all those design projects i had to dream up…. i also tend to create in my mind first.. thinking about a project days even weeks ahead of time before actually sitting and creating…
so today i was home from work, making signage for the store, sending out the new newsletter and inputting email addresses we collected from crop on the cape…. still a lot more to do on my list, but now need to get ready for a fun dinner with the {creative chicks} @ sams to celebrate a belated 30th birthday for melisseR!!
