30 Words::Best Year Yet

{Photo credit: circulating}

New year comes
Hope amid change, dreams built by plans
Setting my mind
on reaching
possibilities
instead of
wallowing in what ifs
I
take steps
toward the
best
year
yet

Enjoy the day!

RAW::Be Still, Have Faith

{Photo credit: WhoWatches}




Message on a billboard at the local piano store...

"Be still.

Have faith.

Know that a Savior is coming."



I don't think there is much more to say than that.



My wish for you

...good health and well-being, inside and out...

...happiness in who you are and where you are headed...

...peace in your soul and a song in your heart...

...a wealth of inspiration and the courage to use it...

...at Christmas and throughout the New Year!

Check It Out::

What Christmas Means to Me

{Warning: Forgive me...my 30 words runneth over!}

(real) ribbon, pretty paper,

glass icicles, beaded garland,
cookies, milk, carrots-with-the-tops, reindeer food

reading "'Twas the Night Before Christmas"

last minute letters to Santa

angels on high,

white lights,

Santa collection, snowman collection

Madison's "jingles" always first on the tree {RIP good dog, arf}

ornament "I Spy",

each with a story to tell

Snowman stockings waiting to bulge with candy canes, socks, an orange, a special ornament, and one walnut in the toe

later cozying up to the fire with a good book and a cup of peppermint stick tea

The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole

watching "Holiday Inn" while wrapping presents all night long

waking up on Christmas morning to sort through stockings and thank Santa for favors granted

before cantoring mass on Christmas morning

friends and family, near and far

gathering for eating and opening of way too many presents

celebrating my blessings

{and if you are reading this, you are one of the best!}

Enjoy the day!

Dreaming and Doing

"I'm tired of dreaming. I'm into doing at the moment. It's, like, let's only have goals that we can go after." ~Bono

Had a bit of a migraine today, so I was trying to stay low. Took the kids to school then went home with the intention of snuggling up. Remember this post? When I got home I realized that I had rescheduled not once but twice the follow up dentist appointment to have them drill another hole in my head and I had to be there in 10 minutes. Too late to cancel. My migraine addled brain was not fast enough to override the thought of drills and cheesy holiday muzak and bright lights shining into my skull as being a bad thing. {Note to self: don't have dental work done when you have a migraine coming on. Not advisable. Ever.}

Got home 40 minutes later only to spot the invitation from my son to attend their readers' theater version of "A Christmas Carol" with son playing both Bob Cratchit and Marley's ghost {chains and all}. Headed back out the door and made it just in time to see the actual chains clinking. On the way home, picked up some scrip gift cards since today was last day for those to be sold this year {my last five checks were all made out to the Catholic School district...maybe I just need automatic withdrawal from them}. Had to make a detour to Walgreen's when I realized that the pictures I ordered were ready and are part of a hastily concocted Christmas gift for my mother, "Mima." Hope I have time to put it together even though the pictures I took were not the greatest. {It is the thought that counts, isn't it?}

Arrived home at 11:00am. No rest for the weary. Saw a pile of unwrapped presents sitting out, and knew the children would not be able to avert their eyes when they came home. Wrapped as many as humanly possible while trying not to move in the dark. Left a few for darling husband. Went to pick up kids at 3pm. Dropped off a custom order to a client. Parked the kids at home while I went to the old house and picked up the mail {yes, I know that you can have them forward it, but they charge you $1 online with a credit card for the privilege of typing it all into the system for them....it is free to fill out the paperwork at the post office, by the way, but the paperwork is confusing and useless when your last name is different from everyone else in the house.} Also picked up some more bits and pieces from my studio so that I could be ready to sell some earrings and charm pendants in the AM.

Now here I am, it's midnight. I need to get some sleep. But I was remiss in sharing pictures of the winning prize from Week Three Inspired by...Sewing Kits challenge. Sorry for the delay! Here it is...

I call this "Bless this Nest."

Brass plated steel curb chain - Fire Mountain Gem
Tiny mother of pearl vintage boot buttons - Etsy
Cranberry freshwater pearls - Rings & Things
Brass bird charm - Michael's

Galvanized steel wire nest

Vintage cloth measuring tape - Etsy

"Bless" resin charm - Lynn Davis, ExpeditionD

The winner, Miss Davinia from down under, is getting ready to go on holiday to Tasmania. What fun! Your necklace and a copy of the December issue of Bead Trends will be mailed next week!



I just received my little white box containing the December issue of Bead Trends. I always squeal when I see that! This issue is one of my favorites so far. I love the idea of repurposed and upcycled and using what you have. So very unique and special. I feel honored that my piece "Going Places" was chosen, and even mentioned by sweet Miss Tatia the editor.



Sharon Borsavage of Livewire Jewelry is a dear, sweet person. She is honored with being the Featured Designer of the month. Her pieces are so full of meaning and emotion. And she takes great care to make her pieces so complete and detailed. I love her work.



Several others that I know are also featured in this issue... Cindy Wimmer of Sweet Bead Studio, Erin Strother of Studio E Graphics, Mary Jane of Mariedodd, Melissa Essenberg of Chinook Jewelry, Sue Kennedy of Sue Beads, Debbie Goering of Prairie Emporium.... the list goes on. If I have left you out, it was purely unintentional...and if we haven't become friends through Bead Trends yet, then welcome! It is a wonderful little community!



Since my goal was to be published once per month in 2009, this is the last publication to be received. It feels good to know that I was able to actually make good on a promise to myself, especially since I have never been one to stick to resolutions. I know already that I won't be able to be that ambitious in 2010. Due to personal circumstances, I have missed some of the publishing deadlines, with a big one just passing me by this week. Oh well. Perhaps that is not feasible for a goal this coming year. Perhaps the Universe has other plans for me....



Just an FYI...I might get around to posting a 30 Words Thursday and maybe even a RAW Friday...but I will definitely be taking a few days off to enjoy my family. I hope you will be, too.



Be good to yourself this Christmas.



Check It Out:: Livewire Jewelry

Enjoy the day!

Moving with Velocity Toward Your Dreams

And the winner is.......................

ALGERIDAVINIA!

Isn't this button bracelet just the jangly coolest thing?

Congratulations Davinia! Email me your contact info at enjoytheday{at}tesoritrovati{dot}com and I will get your package boxed up for you. I am still waiting on the Bead Trends December issue that is part of your winnings, but my little white box hasn't found me yet (although I hear that it is a great issue!)

I had no daylight with which to take a picture of the winning prize, but I will hopefully today and I will post it when I do. The necklace I created has bits of this

Vintage cloth measuring tape...with the edges frayed and the numbers worn. And as I was using this the fabric was so old it was practically disintegrating in my hand...I love it!

and that

Vintage mother of pearl boot buttons...what every girl at the turn of the last century couldn't live without! Aren't they cute with those little metal shanks?

in it. Plus one of these really awesome resin word charms from my friend Lynn Davis, ExpeditionD. I will show the completed necklace soon. I promise!

We were a small but mighty group this time around. Keeping up with the holiday cheer making has gotten the better of us I presume. But I am so glad that the three participants graced us with their creativity! Using buttons and zippers and snaps...oh my! Just goes to show that you can find inspiration anywhere. What fun!

I have heard from many who were just not able to commit to this go-around that the Inspired by... challenges are intriguing and that if I create more opportunities for fun, you will play along. I promise that I will start up the challenge again in January, if you promise to bring your creativity to inspire us all. {And I never make a promise I can't keep.}

Use What You Have Challenge

I was also heartened by your support of my impromptu "Use What You Have" challenge. {Also, it is comforting to know that I am not the only one who sits and fondles her beads before putting them away!} I am not indicating that we need to stop buying things {because face it, this girl has no filters when it comes to shopping for great deals! And there are bead artists and sellers alike who are depending on us!}, but I do insist that we dig deep into our respective stashes and see what treasures we may find.

Like Christine Damm commented, "What I DO try to do is to start a project using as much as I can from what I already have on hand and only then do I think about ordering anything extra." Great advice. Doesn't mean that I will stop buying art beads...just that I will use up what I have first. Doesn't mean that I won't buy components...just the stuff that I really need. I pledge to try my best to be a conscious consumer and not get the "spendies" as my friend Jenners commented.

I don't think I proposed it, but I like that several like-minded individuals suggested a beading de-stash. I will have to think more about how that could work so that we could all benefit from some surprise packages of some bead-y goodness to brighten our day. Maybe a little secret "bead elf" exchange where we get names of various people, what their favorite colors are, and then we de-stash and send some goodies along, knowing that we will get back some more. That would be fun and inspiring. Of course, I would have to up the ante and challenge the participants to use the new-found treasures in a piece of jewelry with a contest of its own!

What is on your "stop doing" list?

A blogger that I feel blessed to have found this year is Danielle LaPorte. She writes a regular blog called "White Hot Truth: Because Self-Realization Rocks." And rock she does! I promise you she will rock your world if you let her message into your brain.

Today she posted her "stop doing" list. In setting out to clarify her "creativity intentions" for 2010 {don't you just love that word, 'intentions'? It is so positive and open...}, she decided that the stopping is just as important as the starting, and sometimes you cannot start until you stop. When you stop doing those things that don't bring you joy, aren't part of your genetic coding, and don't make the utmost in economic sense, then you are opening up yourself to make time for what matters most. Pure brilliance.

I have to reallly sit down and flesh out this idea for myself, but my first reaction is I think that it is time to stop dreaming about the great things that I can create with these beads I am hording and start doing it! So, for me, it is more of a wake-up call to produce, which will hopefully mean that I will sell more, and thus create more opportunities for myself {by walking through that open door that is just waiting for me}!

And I need to clarify my creative intentions and push myself out of my comfortable nest of reasons why I can't. I need to stop being my biggest entanglement and get out of my way. {Can you all help me with that last part...especially as it relates to persuading my husband to see that cutting back on hours at the day job will result in a happier wife with time to create so as to bring in a more steady income from all this beadiness?}

Danielle also says to sit down and reflect on what sucked about the last year. That will give you the momentum to create your "stop doing" list and spur you to make sure that your intentions are fulfilled.

"If your answers to what you're doing come up no, no, and no to these questions - then stop doing it. Shut 'er down. Take it off your plate. Let it die. Cease. And exhale a sigh of relief. You can move with more velocity toward your dreams." ~Danielle LaPorte

1) What are you deeply passionate about?
2) What are you are genetically encoded for — what activities do you feel just "made to do"?
3) What makes economic sense — what can you make a living at?

If you cannot answer yes, yes, yes to those questions, then they definitely get on your "stop doing" list. Now, go forth and set those creative intentions for 2010.

Check It Out::Style Statement

RAW::Use What You Have

The e-card picture created by Grzegorz Łobiński for EcardSphere.com.

"Materialism is buying things we don't need, with money we don't have, to impress people who don't matter."

~Today's Random Act of Wisdom comes from Jeff Mowatt again.

A good thought to remember this holiday season. And one that I intend to process deeper in 2010.

Oh, I know that it is very late in the game to be thinking about this, especially if you are done with your Christmas shopping...but if you are like 43% of shoppers you may have not even started looking for gifts yet so this advice is better late than never! And it might inspire you to look at your purchases in the new year a bit differently so that by this time next year you are less encumbered by the consumerism that is rampant not just at Christmas but all the year through.

Moving has taught me that I really don't need that much stuff. Of course, it is still in boxes in my garage, {and in my old house}, and glutting my new closets, and I will find a place for it all {eventually} or give it away, but it certainly makes me more aware.

The kids know what a big deal this whole move has been. I think that they were quite aware of the gravity of this when we have asked them what they would like for Christmas. Both of them asked for new bedding. Not that their old bedding was worn out, just that they wanted to start fresh. I can completely understand this.

If you know me at all you will understand that I am not always the most practical person. I wear high heels on the ice and rarely dress for the weather. I buy things in bulk because they are a good deal, not just because I will use them. I have more lotions and candles than I could ever use. I think that I do this on the off chance that I might need/want that...{it is a good thing that I don't live too close to a Costco...} so I am fairly surprised that my kids were being so practical. They are getting the chance to decorate their room any way they wish, and I know that is a great gift in and of itself {when I was about 10 and we moved to a new home, my mom asked me what color I wanted my room... I said purple and green, like lilacs. I got baby blue instead. Must be why I hate baby blue.} I wanted to do something special just from me and try to fulfill my pledge to buy handmade {I know I can't do all handmade, but I want to try to do some} so I am painting them each an oil painting to adorn their walls to match...{wish me luck on finishing that project in the next few days...haven't started on Sport-O's yet!}.

So, yes... I did buy them bedding of their choice, but I am also making things to coordinate with it. And we are not going hog-wild buying every new gadget and widget that is advertised just because...

I also have this problem with my bead stash. I cannot pass up a "good deal" on beading supplies. And even if I have a gift certificate to use, I rarely stop at the amount listed. I usually double it at the very least {it's like buy one-get one free then, isn't it?}. I have strands of beads and beautiful clasps and a whole herd of art beads that have not yet found their way into a special piece. Or maybe it is too special to use {does that sound familiar to anyone?} and so I horde my herd in carefully labeled baggies stuffed in towers of Snapware boxes. I get them out and fondle them every once in awhile, but then I put them away for another day. I need to stop that.

One of the goals that I have for myself in 2010 is to use what I have. I need to create more for the Gallery Q, the publications and contests, and for clients... I want to be selling online in 2010 and will need something to stock my site with... but I likely have all that I need. So I declare 2010 a Use What You Have year... well, as much as is possible.... I mean, I can't pass up a bead sale from my favorite Etsians... or a $3 strand table at a regional bead show... can I?

What do you think?

Check It Out::OnSimplicity

Speaking of Use What You Have... you have until 11:59 pm CST on Sunday, December 20th to enter the final Inspired by... challenge. Read about it here.

Enjoy the day!

30 Words::INSPIRE

To influence, move, guide by divine inspiration

To exert an animating, enlivening, exalting influence

To draw forth or bring out

To spur on

To infuse (as life) by breathing

INSPIRE

I want to inspire others and be inspired...

....INPSIRE is MY WORD for 2010....

what's yours?

Enjoy the day!