New from the fire

Just opened up the kiln last night to find these lovelies. I'm enjoying this glaze with every piece I use it on. It's pretty consistent so far. I need to find a better name for it though; I currently refer to it as Rustic/Mustard. Not all that appealing. In case you haven't seen it in person, it's a flecky-buttery color. Very hard to describe, and you'd think that my 'day job' would have prepared me for situations like this.

Any suggestions for new names??

Last Day for Custom Orders

In an effort to simplify my life, I've set February 28 as the last day for custom orders (edited: through the Spring months; I'll likely be back in session late summer). If you have any Spring or Summer weddings, anticipated births, etc, and desire a custom piece, please let me know prior to this date.

I'll still be creating in the studio, and anticipate having some fun new products to debut later this year.

Thanks for your understanding, and as always, thanks for supporting handmade!!! :)

Simplification Update

Remember that little word Simplify that I'm focusing on this year? Well here's an update: it's been a CHALLENGE. It hasn't been simple for me to simplify. With overwhelming work at the day job, custom pottery orders, sick children and a husband that embarked on what I refer to as his "world tour" in January and February, I've found it difficult to maintain this mantra, even in this short time. I've prayed. I've cried. I've gotten angry. I've confided in friends. I've had mini-breakdowns. I've called my mother for help. And I've thought. A lot. And then a whole lot more.

And even though I don't know exactly when I realized it, suddenly I realized that life really is simple. It's the decisions that we make about our lives, our priorities, how we spend our time, those things are what make it complicated. Good or bad, positive or negative, for the right reasons or the wrong ones, those things we choose as priorities make it overwhelming and overly complicated. Life really is simple.

Love your family. Smile every day, even at people you don't know. Hug your kids. Run after them and hug them again. Be silly and teach your toddler knock-knock jokes, even when he doesn't understand them. Dance with your baby girl in the kitchen and teach her the words to your favorite Zac Brown Band songs. Kiss your husband. Realize how much your mother loves you. Make something new, even if it's just a grilled cheese sandwich. Delight in an unexpected sunny day. Don't take things too personally. Think about the best thing that happened today, and focus on it again for tomorrow.

During this very trying time, I've realized that it's ok to turn my phone off and not check email for an entire afternoon (gasp). That it's ok to be 'that girl' who rarely updates her Twitter or Facebook account or only updates her blog once a week. That I'm allowed to say no when it's a decision that will cause me stress or make me miss out on time with my family. That it's ok if I change my focus for a while (or forever). Cause that's me. And that's my life right now. And you know what, I'm totally ok with that. Finally.

Organization + Financial Goals

I'm in the process of looking at 'goals.' While I've always been a very results-oriented person, I've never taken the time to sit down and write out what my goals are ... whether that is in life or in my career or even financially.

After an inspirational afternoon chatting with my wildly successful and optimistic sister Kimberly, I've decided to make setting goals for myself more of a priority. I mean, come on. We all make our to-do lists, and feel so accomplished after we've crossed everything (or even one thing off). I think setting goals is very similar - it's just one big TO DO with an amazing payout at the finish line.

One of my business goals for 2010 is that I don't spend any money on Plays With Mud, Ella Muffin, or crafting in general unless I've already earned that money through one of those venues (gasp). But seriously, it's time to adopt some good solid business practices.

The payout ...

this set of cabinets from IKEA for my studio. I purchased a set for my closet and it has done wonders for my organization of sweaters, bags and shoes.

It is such a mess in the basement with my supplies and projects all over, and I think using this method for storage will be a good one. Plus my friend Tonya has these in her studio (I think these are the ones) and they look adorable. So, by not making smaller, insignificant purchases with my business funds, I can save up and make this investment in my organization.

So what goals did you set for yourself this year? Are you keeping yourself accountable? What tools/resources are you using for staying motivated and on-target? Are you rewarding yourself for meeting your goals? I'd love to hear how you're achieving your dreams!

Knowing You

But if each one, if every human soul, were to reach out its hand with loving and with gentleness toward its fellow human soul ... then you would know peace, and you would know harmony ... and you would know unity, and you would know wholeness ... and you would know you.
Rosemary Altea

Here's hoping you get to know you a little better this week. And you know happiness today.

More than just a book ...

Sometimes it's just the little things ... like a blog suggestion from a friend, that was running a contest, that I won! It's just a book, but it came during a day ... during a week actually that has been quite difficult and frustrating. And it's just a book, but it affirms my need to do something more for my family, my community and my health in starting my own garden.

Sometimes those little things are actually really big things, in very small packages. I like finding them, and being surprised.

Hope your week is looking up as well!

Let them eat cake

We (barely) celebrated Kate's first birthday by having yellow cake + chocolate icing, compliments of Grandma since I completely forgot to bake one. Granted, I was going out of town on her birthday (where IS that mother-of-the-year ribbon??), but still. File under: Do Better Next Year.

Here's the two page layout of her first taste of cake. Don't even try to guess where the papers and elements come from. You know the drill by now. I'm not terribly excited about the top page, but seriously, I just wanted it done. So file that under: Lazy, But Finished.

And yes, this is three posts in a row with layouts. Can you feel my guilt coming through this blog about neglecting to scrapbook for the past (how old is Owen) four years? I'm clearly trying to make up for it now. :)

Papers & ribbon element by Jessica Sprague
Flower elements by Carrie Stephens, Spontaneous Delight (can't remember where I found these)
Stacked words created by yours truly (look for an enhanced version via download coming soon)
Top template by yours truly (gonna save the format as a download soon too)