Yay!!!

Look what I got back today!! I am soo happy. My first order of business will be putting it on a neck strap so I don't drop it again. Ugh!

I have been working on my art every day. Its kind of an unwritten goal. Some days I don't get as much done as I would like but I figure a little is better than none.

I haven't posted any of my "goals" for 2007 yet. I never make resolutions because I don't think its very cool to set yourself up to fail. Instead, at the beginning of each year I think about what I would like to work on and I try to set some goals for myself. So far this has worked pretty well for me. I have gotten published, I have opened an Etsy shop and started Portals which is fairly successful. This year I combined this goal setting WITH one of my goals by starting an ART journal. I wrote my goals* down on one of the pages and have worked it in periodically but still feel pretty intimidated by the whole process. I need to get over it!!

(click to see it full size)

I feel that overall in the last few months I have grown immensely as an artist and in myself for feeling like and artist and being comfortable calling myself an artist. This has been a huge step and a long time in coming. I wavered a little this week. I think I took some comments about my work a little too much to heart instead of just believing in myself. Its a slippery slope and one I hope to climb proudly.

In closing, I feel there are a few people I should REALLY thank for their CONTINUOUS and UNWAVERING support and encouragement in my growth as an artist.
-Hope, for being the mentor that I have been looking for. Thank you for being such a wonderful, supportive and honest friend. Our friendship has been short but feels like it has always been there. I cannot wait to "meet" you in person at Artfest! Is it time yet??
-Sharon, thank you for being my wonderful friend, beading buddy and TV date. You are consistently a positive force in my life and I cherish you like the sister I never had. Look out Seattle, here we come!
-Laura, a new friend who is so thoughtful and sweet. I have you to thank for kicking my ass to get my website (such as it is) up and to continue my work in digital art. I am so glad we found each other.
-Joleen, thanks for being such a fun friend and partner in Portals. I know we can make this something BIG together.
-Kim, I know we have lost touch with each other more since having the littles but our chat tonight has gotten my wheels turning in a new direction. Thank you for routing me on silently and giving me a new perspective.
THANK YOU!!

* so far I have worked in my art journal (1), made several pieces for Etsy (2), read 3 books! (4), made one card design and sent to be printed (7), thrown lost of stuff away and started assembling ephemera/ embellishment packs to sell (8)!! Yay me!

** PS.. still time to get in on the book raffle. Deadline is tomorrow night. Scroll down... :)