I spent the better part of the day looking back on my past mosaics and reading what I wrote about those particular years and my goals for the next. I am amazed at how much has changed and how much things are still the same, in the best of ways.
I am trying to find the words to explain what 2011 has been like and they are bit stuck in my head. I feel as if a gray cloud has been hanging over my family and Rich's for most of the year and we needed an umbrella more often than not. But the sun is starting to shine and we are all more than ready to put 2011 behind us.
Howerver, 2011 did bring some wonderful things, and thank goodness for that. After spending two straight years planning weddings for both my sister and myself, what were we to do with 2011? Plenty! Looking back on my personal and professional goals for 2011, I am quite shocked to find I actually achieved {or attempted/started to acheive} them all. Am I just ambitious, or do I need to set higher goals? Hmm...
Highlights included celebrating our 1st anniversary {yay!} with a trip to Acadia, finally meeting "internet friends" and fellow wedding professionals after years of working together, I turned 29, we hit the beach and went camping, we took trips to California, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, we fostered our first puppy, my sister opened a bakery, I participated in a fun open house with my friend Li, we grew our own lemons indoors {yes!}, I took a watercolor course and actually did something with it, I finally signed-up for a copperplate calligraphy class in 2012, I worked on old friend's invitations and made new friends, my work was featured in a major publication, and I participated in some amazing photo shoots, including this fun one with Li.
Rich and I completed all of our house projects before we hosted our first Thanksgiving {and by completed I mean by 3:00 am the night before with the help of our family!}. We remodeled our entire kitchen and bathroom, finally settled on a dinning room/living room layout we like, we each have our own offices, and a new bedroom. Phew! In 2012 I hope to finally share all of those projects, as well as finishing up all the little DIY projects I have. I would also love to fix-up the rest of my studio.
Speaking of my studio, it was quite the year. I really put my head down in January and did not look up until December. I feel as if I was pretty quite on the blog this year, but that is okay. I worked with more couples than ever and really created a body of work I love. It took all year, but I finally redesigned my website and created a ready-made collection I love. I produced a line of holiday cards that I really loved this year and got the ball moving in a direction I am finally happy with for my shop. My biggest goal for my business is to expand my shop. I spent the last part of 2011 creating a line of cards and I am ready for wholesale in 2012 {finally!}.
I am entering my 5th year of business and I see big things on the horizon. I want to continue my current collaborations with my favorite illustrators, calligraphers, photographers, and fellow wedding professionals. I want to continue drawing and creating new, original ideas for my work. I want to get behind my camera more and capture more of the life that seems to be speeding by. I want to spend more time with family and reconnect with old friends.
I hope 2011 was a kind one for you & 2012 brings much happiness. Thank you for visiting my little space in the world. I look forward to seeing you more in 2012!
P.S. Curious about past years? Check out 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007.
