A Look Back at 2011 Goals.

It is important to make progress on goals. It is important to look back at what was important a year ago and see if I have made any progress. I did it last year...you can read about it here. 

Looking back at my goals for 2011, I feel like I did a pretty good job of meeting my goals.

Goals for 2011:

1. Keep volunteering. This was a strange year for volunteering. I feel like I have so much more to give but no time to actually do it...I started an after school art club a few times a month and I volunteer at Spiva. I don't have energy for more than that...especially not if I am trying to keep up with my workout schedule. There were a lot of opportunities to volunteer with the tornado, but I was so busy and overwhelmed trying to help my mom, that I didn't do as much as I should have.

2. Make and give more handmade gifts--especially sewn things for new babies. This year, I made 30 stockings and several other sewn projects. My sewing machine has been put to good use this year.

3. Get my photos organized. Well....I organized all of my photos on an external hard drive. By year. By season. By event. Every photo since I have owned a digital camera. Thousands of photos. And then my cat knocked over the hard drive and nothing is accessible. I am hoping everything is still on there...it was 360 gigs of information. The photos that I have printed at home are not very organized. This is still a goal for 2012. I need to buy a bunch of photo albums....or make some scrapbooks...Something....my photos are getting ridiculous!

4. Get a new comforter--I really want something awesome from Anthro. I got a new comforter from Funtiques and I love it!!

5. Frame more of my Holga and darkroom photos, get artwork ready for a real show in a real gallery and photo competitions. I had an exhibit for 3rd Thursday in July. While I didn't frame many of the enlarged darkroom photos, I used these foto clips from photojojo to create photo grids with many of the 5X5 prints. I put a couple of my framed photos in a competition and didn't get any awards so I felt a little silly entering more...but I know I will this year. Framing is so expensive!

6. Organize the files on my computer. Shortly after I wrote these goals, my computer got super slow. I tried cleaning it off, but I could hardly edit photos or access my files. It was ridiculously slow. That was why I had so few blog posts last spring. In May, we got new computers at school...and that really helped speed things up.

7. Work hard to create a successful and amazing summer art program at a local art center. Since I was so busy with Art Lounge, I didn't end up doing the summer art program at Spiva. I'm glad it didn't work out. One day a week was more than enough for me. I would've been crazy-stressed-out-burned-out if I had worked full time all summer. The Art Lounge class was the perfect amount of art teaching for me with everything that was going on around town and helping my mom.


8. Seriously think about what I want to do next....masters? move? teach forever? I feel like I am having an amazing school year. Seriously, I love this year. I've got some good classes and I am really happy. Since I teach Art Lounge one night a week, I am hesitant to start a Master's program, but I know I need to start thinking about it more seriously.


9. I got a membership to the gym....I hope to work out at least 10 times a month ;-) I marked each work out on the calendar this year and it was 161 times. I met my goal....Most of the workouts were in February and march. Things tapered off in Novemer and December, but I definitely want to keep up a similar schedule for next year. I have gotten lazy the last few weeks...but I love feeling good and looking good so it is important to me. If I am not careful, I will drink sodas and sugary snacks, but when I am going to spin class and zumba every day, I stay away from those things and I feel better.


10. Watch one foreign film every month (this month I watched 3 streaming on Netflix) Hmmm....Nope. Did not do this. I did watch all of the Girl With a Dragon Tatoo movies...and a couple of documentaries...but not very many foreign films. I didn't watch many movies at all. This month, I have been really addicted to Mad Men. 

 

The last few are goals that could continue into the future...they are harder to measure and harder to reflect on whether or not I've made any progress.
11. Be more spontaneous.
12. Don't schedule so much stuff to do--make more time for my family. I envy that family on parenthood, they see each other all the time...I want to do that too. I still need to make this my goal...to be more
13. Be a better friend. Have more real conversations, be more supportive, more loving....

 I'm excited for 2012!!!

Goals for 2012

This is the time of year when people are looking ahead to the future. Here is a little wish list and goal list for 2012. I am hoping to cross a lot of things off this list! Looks like it is going to be a fun year!

Year in review...and looking ahead...

Year in Review. I am too lazy to do a photography year in review, because that involves accessing photos from my external hard drive...and I don't really feel like making a bunch of links back through all of my posts....But luckily, Kara inspired me to make a list similar to hers in regards to last year.  These are the thoughts that I will remember about last year.

2010-2011
1. Went to Vegas for the first time
2. turned 27
3. wore lots of wigs
4. went on a super fun road trip from Lake Havasu, AZ to San Diego CA and back to Vegas with my brother and his family
5. Went to the Costa Mesa Swap Meet
6. took lots of Holga photos
7. learned how to print in a darkroom
8. entered a 3-minute film competition and got 2nd place
9. hosted and organized TWO women's crafting retreats
11. went to a Monday night football game
12. my house got robbed
13. improved my sewing skills--made like 10 aprons
14. spent Halloween seeing Roger Waters in concert and then Power and Light--best costume party EVER
15. learned how to sleep in on the weekends
16. went to a Lady Gaga concert
17. sang karaoke duets
18. finally visited my grandparents in Texas
19. took scuba classes
20. threw lots of really fun parties
21. played hours worth of Words with Friends
22. read almost 10 books (I think)
23. started a Lomography club in Joplin
24. volunteered at a local charity over Christmas Break--the Ronald McDonald House
25. served on the education committee at Spiva (time spent sitting in meetings, working at local events and donating my art for fundraisers)
26. set up my own art exhibit at a local art walk
27. made a new friend that I met in an online class
28. took several online crafting classes
29. mentored a student after school once a week/'adopted' a student--by purchasing her some new clothes
30. taught my 5th year of elementary art

Goals from Last Year Revisited:
1. Give back more. My main goal for this year is to do more volunteering. I want to give more of my energy, time and money to people who really need it.  I think I did a pretty good job of this. Always room for improvement, but I feel like I did my best.
2. One little word: GIVE
This year, my one little word will be give. It is such an easy thing to do. I feel like I have a lot of things I can give to my students, friends and family...but also to those who are really in need. This goal should be measurable and even if it isn't something I can do every day or week, I know that I will reap the many benefits of giving...generosity, spreading random acts of kindness...it is important to me this year. An on going goal...I haven't set my One Little Word for this year. I tried to be as giving as possible, but I know I can always do better.
3. I want to continue with project 52. I ordered another journal and I intend to do it again. I will probably include more photo collages printed on cardstock from Picnik....maybe one every week or for major events. I decided not to do project 52. I still have the calendar, I may do it again in a year or two, I stated a couple of journals from various online classes. There isn't as much journaling involved, but I save keepsakes and play around with photos and found papers so it is good.
4. Write more quality blog posts. This is always something I strive for. I enjoy reading blog posts that are funny, entertaining and that have a good message. If I am not inspired, I try not to force it. If I haven't done anything creative, I don't load my blog with fluff. I haven't been posting as often this winter, but I am hoping to feel more inspired soon.
5. Continue my card swap club--super fun! The card club stayed alive, but died in the summer. Poor attendance....people stopped making time for it. Maybe it just wasn't as cool as I thought. I had a lot of fun and built up my card stash. I donated a big pile of extra cards from the swaps to a care package bound for a soldier shipping out to Afganistan. I actually haven't stamped since September-GASP!
6. Host a scrapbooking retreat: Nelliepalooza (in April for my birthday). I live in Joplin Missouri...if you are interested in finding out more please email me or leave a comment, it is going to be awesome! It was awesome. I even hosted part deux in the fall and am planning Nelliepalooza the Third this April. Can't wait!
7. Travel. I am planning a trip over spring break to Las Vegas for a few days and then over to Lake Havasu to visit my brother and new nephew--YAY!! I can't wait! YAY! Lake Havasu and Vegas in March...and then again in July, plus SoCal, a St. Louis weekend, a Branson weekend, a couple of KC nights, and a trip to Dallas in November. Not bad!
8. Concerts. I want to see more live music. Period. Two major concerts--Gaga and Rogers...Plus a few random local shows.
9. Really work on crocheting. I want to be able to crochet stuff. I suck at crocheting. I gave it a good go...and I might pick it up again this winter, but I am impatient.
10. Make some clothes, bags and other accessories using my new sewing machine. I really want to get good at sewing...maybe make some stuff for my Etsy shop. I haven't posted anything in my Etsy shop in a year, it is so much work to photograph, edit, write descriptions, post items, advertise, keep current, re-list, package, ship, etc. I have gotten better at sewing, I wouldn't say GOOD....I have probably made 10 aprons, and started using stitching in my crafty creations.
11. Photography. I want a Fujifilm mini 7 instant camera. Bad. I also want to work on taking more photos with Holga....and I want to invest in more equipment so that I can do some senior pictures, family pictures and kids photos for a profit....I got an instax and I love it. I recently posted a photo wall with 90 photos from last year in my living room (photos coming soon!). It is such a fun camera. I have started learning darkroom techniques and want to put a dark room in my basement--more for fun and experimenting than anything. This year, I want to get a negative scanner.
12. Cook more. I truly enjoy cooking a beautiful meal. I typed all of my favorite recipes into a book for my sister for Christmas. I am going to print out a copy for myself and add to it throughout the year. Ha! I just printed the recipes this week. I just need to cut them apart and organize them into a book. I have done pretty good with cooking, made ham and beans, potato soup, biscuits from scratched (they sucked), pulled pork, rolls, katherines potatos, roast, deviled eggs, all kinds of delicious things this year!

Goals for 2011:

1. Keep volunteering.
2. Make and give more handmade gifts--especially sewn things for new babies.
3. Get my photos organized
4. Get a new comforter--I really want something awesome from Anthro
5. Frame more of my Holga and darkroom photos, get artwork ready for a real show in a real gallery and photo competitions
6. Organize the files on my computer
7. Work hard to create a successful and amazing summer art program at a local art center
8. Seriously think about what I want to do next....masters? move? teach forever?
9. I got a membership to the gym....I hope to work out at least 10 times a month ;-)
10. Watch one foreign film every month (this month I watched 3 streaming on Netflix)
11. Be more spontaneous
12. Don't schedule so much stuff to do--make more time for my family. I envy that family on parenthood, they see each other all the time...I want to do that too.
13. Be a better friend. Have more real conversations, be more supportive, more loving....

 All of the photos in this post were taken on my mac, with the photo booth. I converted them to B&W using picnik...and the Holga-ish application. Quick and easy way to create a coherent series of self-portraits. 

A rant about new years...

Dear New Year's Eve 2010,

I'm not into 'low key'....

I want hustle and bustle.
I want romance.
I want super ridiculous fun.
I want surprises.
I want drama and suspense.
I want laughing and games.
I want sex appeal, from the guys and the girls...suit up, put on your best dresses.
I want noisemakers and partyhats.
I want champagne, the kind that sprays the entire room.
I want to be surrounded by my favorite people.
I want to get my rocks off.
I want this to be the hap-hap-happiest night of the year.
Entertain me.

Please don't be the biggest flop' of the year, as far as holidays go.

Your ever-loving-girl,
NellieMae

One Little Word for 2009, Resolutions and Creativity

CREATIVITY.
I had hoped to spend this break working on artwork, writing and expanding my creative experiences. The mojo and the inspiration just hasn't been there. Believe me, I have tried to clean my studio, organize my supplies, journal, anything to spark a flame....but sometimes the creativity and the passion isn't on the surface.

The things I that I have attempted to put together are embarrassingly under par. Looking at blogs, doing simple drill and practice art activities, examining artwork and design, shopping for new supplies...nothing has worked.

So, I have been on the couch, watching movies like Music and Lyrics, and Survivorman, trying not to think about it.

I am sure this will pass.....Once I am back to my normal routine. I like being out of school and I really need this time off to recoup...but sometimes I wish I could pick when I take my breaks and vacations. I hate it when I am really motivated and there aren't enough hours in the day to complete everything that I want to do.

And now that I have the time, the days are passing me by and nothing is getting done, nothing is even making it onto a to-do list.....in fact, there isn't even a to-do list...and I hate that. I like crossing things off. I like being productive. If there is no to-do list....no immediate goals, then long-term goals are certainly not going to be scrawled on a steno with the nub of a pencil or scribbled into the margin.

Embracing my routine, stepping back from the day-to-day to noticing the sunset....I guess that is where romance exists for me. And without some sort of structure to my days (I haven't had any coffee the entire time I have been off) I have trouble appreciating the beauty of a red mug surrounded by ink pads and buttons. The red mug doesn't get noticed because it doesn't exist.

Making time for art and love, it has to be a priority, and I make sure that those things are on my agenda every day. Perhaps that is why I am having such a mental block now...no agenda.

RESOLUTIONS.
Okay, now lets get down to business. I have the normal resolutions, save more money, live healthier, show more love and appreciation to my friends and family, scrapbook more photos, send more card (remember more birthdays), be more organized, lose fewer earrings.

INSPIRE.
I have also selected one little word for the year. A word on which to base my decisions and my focus my attention. I put a lot of thought into this. One of my favorite scrapbookers, Ali Edwards motivated me to select a word for the year. "A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow." ~Ai Edwards

To help me select one little word, I thought of an experience with one of my students.


We were working on a project and she kept saying "I hate this, mine is ugly, can I please be done?" She was frustrated and so was I. Finally I just said to her, "Vanessa, I am here to inspire you. I am sorry if you do not like this assignment. I can't guarantee that you will love everything that we do in art. But what you do with what you are given is up to you." She responded, "You do inspire me Mrs. Mitchell."
I do not know if she said that just because she was embarrassed by her attitude or if she really meant it, but reflecting on this made me want to use this experience to jump start my year.

I want to start off the year with a desire to inspire.

My word for 2009 is INSPIRE. It is my goal this year to live a life that will inspire others. I want to inspire my students, friends and family members to follow their creative ambitions and do things that make them happy. I hope that I can do this through my blog and my scrap books.

If you want to start out your year with motivation from one little word, you can look here for a list of words that other people have chosen.


Okay so I can't say that my time off has been completely unproductive, I did make the page and cards above and I participated in some color inspiration challenges. I even started a December Daily Album to remember the entire month (photos coming soon). It has been a very busy month with weddings, funerals, New Year's and Christmas. I haven't even gotten to participate in my favorite challenge: Cinema Saturday!!!

Anyway, hopefully you will be inspired by my blog. I am very optimistic that it is going to be a great year.