Happy New Year!

2012? That just sounds weird. Of course, I still feel like 1990 was only like 10 years ago. :) Saw that on Pinterest and had to laugh because I totally do still feel this way. Does that mean I'm getting old? Jason and I stayed home as always. We had a fun night. Appetizers for dinner, watching the ball drop on tv, champagne and a kiss at midnight and then right to sleep.

Did you make any New Year's resolutions? We did but nothing too extravagant.

• Go to church. Really. Quit TALKING about going to church and just do it.
• Be more present and PLAY more with the kids. When did we get too busy to play?
• Keep the house neater. This one's gonna be the toughest.
• Eat healthier and exercise more. No specific weight goals. Just get healthier.
• And go to bed earlier. Seriously. Mama needs her sleep!

And that's about it. I would add two more personal goals and those are to:

• Open the Studio 456 Etsy shop and
• Keep up with this blog.

2012 is sure to be better than 2011. We were sick more in the last year than in all seven years J and I have been married, I think! No way that could happen two years in a row, right? Happy New Year!

Oh, and I'm also going to try to do this photo challenge: (of course, I found it on Pinterest too.) http://pinterest.com/pin/146437425353407742/

What a week!

Well it has been a busy week around here. I had the open house/craft show last Saturday and it was really fun. Of course I stayed up WAY too late the night before getting everything ready, so by the time for the show, I was EXHAUSTED! But I set up all of my products, got everything priced and had a fun time talking to the people who came. I am learning to get out of my comfort zone and actually TALK to people who are looking at my products and believe me, that is not easy for me! I sold a few things and got an order for a custom banner, so I'm really pleased. It was nice to get out of the house and do something for my new little business.

Later in the week, we all were fighting off colds. This year has been the worst for us! We've had more sickness and sad things happen in 2011 than ever before. I'm very much looking forward to 2012 and the happy, good things ahead.

Now I'm trying to decide whether to open an Etsy shop, sell my products on eBay or do craft shows. I may try one of those options and then gradually add another. Eventually I'd like to do more parties and invitations and less gift items. I am happy to have gotten a little bit of exposure at the open house last weekend. I got my business card into lots more hands and that can't be a bad thing. I also got to talk to some other small business owners (Thirty-One, Pampered Chef, Scentsy and Lia Sophia consultants) and I'm thinking of inviting them to do a bigger open house some time soon. Maybe around February or March? We'll see.

I've also been pinning a LOT on Pinterest. And not only pinning but actually doing projects I've pinned! That is such a satisfying feeling.

One of the things I pinned (and completed!) was an apron for Audrey. I used this tutorial: http://myblondeambitions.blogspot.com/2010/09/quick-and-easy-childs-apron-tutorial.html and created this: Apron for Audrey

and this:

Tool belt/apron for Easton

These two little items might not look like much but they are HUGE accomplishments for me! First, I went to the store, bought the fabric, came home and had these completed the VERY NEXT DAY! Sorry for the all caps here but seriously, if you only knew what a huge thing this is for me, you'd be yelling in happiness too! And the second reason this is a big deal is I have a love/hate relationship with sewing. I know next to nothing about my machine and when it works, I love it. But boy, when it doesn't ... that's another story entirely. I still need lots of practice and you can tell if you look very closely at anything I've sewn. But I sure am proud of these two little projects.

Here's hoping you have a productive week!