Another new year, another fresh start

Is it me or do the years begin to fly by faster?  Here we are approaching 2012.  2012!

I'm not big on resolutions as I've mentioned in January 2009 and January 2010.  I feel like making them just sets me up for failure. I'm probably hung up on the word more than the action.  I like to set goals, but do that all year round.  I do like to look back to see the path on which I've meandered.

2011 was a big year for our family. It was a year filled with tremendous change. It was the end of  Chris' 14 years of medical training (I added a new picture to the post. Look at how we've changed). It was a new beginning for us as we moved across the country.  We feel very fortunate to have found a wonderful practice for Chris and a great community. Our transition was long and exhausting but we have all come through it for the better. It was a good year.


I kicked off a new website in 2011 but as the year progressed, had to slow my work down to move our family across the country. I've slowly set up a new studio and ready to begin designing a new.  It is a great feeling to be excited about creating again.  I have new fabrics and ideas fluttering around in my head, eager to come to life.

This blog has really grown thanks to all of you. What started as a mere journal of my work has become a source for even myself.  I'm grateful to you, my readers and contributors (Diana, Lindy, and Candy). I hope that it continues to provide easy (any one can do it) projects, recipes, and inspiration. I hope you will continue to share your thoughts, ideas, and encouragement.

I look forward to continuing to nurture relationships that I've made online via blogging, Twitter, and Facebook.
It may sound strange to those who aren't on some of these sites, but I know I've made some lifelong friends online.  I'd never have met these great people any other way.  Some of whom I've had the pleasure of meeting in person:  Angie (Angie Allen Stationary), Cyn (RiverDog Prints) and most recently, Amy (Formfireglass) on her recent visit to Reno. I've known Amy online since 2008. We've conversed for years.  What a wonderful world this Internet can be.  I know there are many more of you whom I'll meet in the future.

Here are some lessons I've learned in the past year and want to continue to remind myself in the future:

1) Most things can wait. I can choose what is important to me and my family at any moment.
2) Make things happen. Life doesn't have to control us, we can control our lives. 
3) Let go. My day is better when I let go of the things I can't control.
4) Practice good listening. Don't give advice unless specifically asked. Don't try to 'fix' things. Simply listen.

For those of you who have participated in our weekly OM [one moment] meet ups, I encourage you to look back on your moments.  They are great reminders of what we've noticed in our daily lives, how we've made it through some tough times, and how we've laughed at ourselves.  They will make you appreciate your past year and encourage you in your year to come.

Have you looked back at your year?
What have you learned?
What are your new year's goals or resolutions?

Bling - by Crafted by Lindy - Fab Finds from Etsy

Top to Bottom, Left to Right

1. upper arm band armlet arm cuff bracelet gold - museglass

2. Vintage Gold Turquoise Teal Rimmed High Ball Glasses Tumblers - tearinguphouses

3. 100 Edible GOLD Crowns, wafer paper, edible glitter - SweetDejaVu

4. Ode to Belle - Vintage Yellow - gold-dress gown - threadoverheels

Top to Bottom, Left to Right

5. 1960s Gold Heels / 60s Shoes / Cocktail Party - wildfellhallvintage

6. GOLD Deco Poly Mesh Roll - thotdesign

7. Vintage Lace Bow Headband - paperdollaccessories

8. Vintage gold feather pin - GraceMattie

[Lindy lives in Alberta, Canada, with her husband, son and daughter. Besides blogging, she enjoys running her stationery business and creating new designs for her Etsy shop. You can read her own blog here]

New year, NEW a la mode website

I am so excited to launch my new website - a more streamlined and user friendly site.  The transition began at the most inopportune time...December, right in the middle of the busy holiday season.  But, I believe that taking action whenever motivated results in all things positive.

So, if you have a moment, please take a look around the site.  If you see anything that makes you raise an eyebrow, shoot me an email (or tweet, or fb comment, etc.).  I will be adding products (both new and old favorites) daily.  

I know many of you have exciting changes in store for 2011.  What are they?  I'd love to hear about them.

Out with the old and in with the new - OM [one moment] meet up #35

I'm always a bit sad when the holidays wind down. There is a lot of energy and emotion that goes into this time of year. This week, I gave myself permission to simply do as I pleased. If I felt like watching a movie, I did. If I felt the need to create something new, I did. I blogged when I wanted to and didn't when I wasn't moved to do so. I've enjoyed hanging out with the kids and C has been able to get home at a responsible hour each day.

I've had a chance to think about this past year and all that it brought to me and my family. You've been a part of all of it: the job acceptance, the new house, the boys, the new dog...thank you for sharing these wonderful moments with me. You've been a good friend and I appreciate your time, energy, comments, thoughts, and actions.

My moment this week is letting this year sink in, catching my breath, and looking forward to diving into the new year. It is this very moment of reflection and gratitude that ends my blog year with you. Here's to an incredible 2011 to us all! Happy New Year!

OM is a weekly meet up that promotes living in the moment. Whether funny, sad, ridiculous, or banal, actively looking for and sharing these moments will promote balance in our lives.

Share in the blog comments here, on your own blog (and link back below) or on my Facebook fan page. If you are on Twitter, use hash tag - #omMeetup so we can converse if we'd like. We'd love to hear your moment this week!

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Thinking about the year to come.

One drop, originally uploaded by alamodestuff.

Playing with my new macro lens that C got me for Christmas, I took some photos of ice and snow through our window. This photo surprised me with the one clear droplet on the right side. You can see the deck rail clearly through that one droplet of water.

This struck me as a great metaphor in life - interesting things may transpire when our focus is elsewhere.

This week has been one of reflection and renewal for me. I'm looking forward to the new year and all that it brings. I hope you're having a wonderful week also.