41 things to do

41 things to do before I turn 42

Last update-May 2, 2012–the one year evaluation!!

1. get website up and running

2. learn how to twitter

3. create FB fan page

4. write more articles on blog-biz & send newsletter!!

5. write hope notes—I kept thinking I would take the afternoon and stroll around leaving lovely little notes…but you know what I never did.  And I see it really doesn’t have to be separate from my normal activities.  I can still do this–while I’m going about my normal day to day stuff.  AND I really want to.  If you’d like you can read about my friend who did this.

6. submit articles to magazines-ie Stampington co-submit studio–I just wasn’t ready. And I’m still not ready-although my studio IS shaping up nicely

7. open etsy shop-offer prints of work, embroidery pdfs, mural pdfs

8. connect with mentor artists

9. participate in craft show–I have given this a lot of thought.  I am going to be in the Fall AOY show here in Yardley.  I wanted to participate last year and just couldn’t get it together–but I did take 3 framed prints over while the show was going on–and guess what?! They sold in the first 2 hours! I was so excited!!

10. take a class

11. attend a workshop

12. takelife drawing — I want to admit something to you.  I thought about this basically every Monday when the email note would go around about the week’s lesson-and I was a bit intimidated. I thought there would be all these amazing artists -oil painters and the like–there and I would feel deflated and inadequate.  That’s never a good reason to not do something. I read that Susan Branch (one of my very favorite artists) drew people in magazines to help sharpen her skills and develop-so I did do that.  Every time the new Anthro catalogue came I sat and spent a little time sketching out poses and gestures. But I still want to go to the class.  I talked with someone last week about it and he mentioned that they do the quick poses on the first Monday of the month.  That’s what I really enjoy is the quick line drawings and practicing. Life drawing was my favorite class in college-once I got past the nudity-I was a shy little thing.  I relished the 4 hour slot of quiet to sketch –and all else melted away. So you know the quote by Eleanor Roosevelt–“You must do the thing you think you cannot do”-Gotta get my rear to that life drawing class.

13. participate in studio tour— I’m doing this in OCTOBER! So come on over would ya? The studio is ready to go!

14. read more/watch tv less
15. pray more/worry less
16. perfect my pie crust5

17. learn to make biscuits-I made a batch but they were not good. They came out so flat! I mentioned this to my dear friend who is an amazing cook and she thinks maybe I rolled them out too much.  Another friend passed along her family recipe–so what AM I waiting for??  Once I get it down I want to take pics and illustrate the recipe I use! HOW fun would that be?

18. go camping again!–We did have reservations last year, and the park called and had to cancel them…because a tree FELL on someone and they died, so the park was closing for a while to clear out trees.  We never got around to making new reservations….but I still want to go. Perhaps a different park? Hmmm.

19. read the Bible

20. take a vacation

21. play hookie with hubbby-go to the beach for the day–why did I not do this?? We did start going on 2-4 dates a month though-now that we have a teenager who can stay with her little sis.  Sometimes we go to dinner, or the movies, or once we even went to the gym!

22. plant favorite flowers: daffodils, hydrangeas, peonies, daisies

23. run Broad Street—Ok-I really don’t like to run, why did I put this on my list!?  That’s the conclusion I came up with–But I really LOVE going to the gym though. If the weather is too cold, rainy, hot, humid or…well-you name it-I’m out.  I’m crossing that off and not looking back!

24. workout regularly–this needs to be more specific & measurable–the new one is get to the gym 4 days a week. I feel the best when I don’t sacrifice my workout. I feel better, look better, and I’m not so grumpy!
25. hear live music
26. have family photo made- I really don’t like having my picture made– We have it scheduled for June 3 with Brae!
 27. have a day alone with each of the girls

28. embroider gifts

29. learn to knit-I didn’t do it-AGAIN!! I have wanted to learn to knit for 20 years. It just seems so meditative. 

30. redo bedroom & dressing room in process!

31. purge closets-clothes closet first

32. connect with illustrators in my area

33. go on a spiritual retreat read about it here—

34. get another licensing gig

35. do another collection for dish & spoon 
36. go to flea market/auction
37. do press release — Ok–I bought a book about doing a press release, but alas have not written it yet

38. sew curtains–  now I just tell my husband that they are supposed to “pool” on the floor, but he doesn’t believe me.
39. submit sketchbook to Cindy Ann @Blue Penny
40. volunteer in community
41. design & produce own Christmas card–I had such good intentions….didn’t even get it DRAWN!!

Things I started I want to continue to do:

1. bible study

2. embrace each season for the beauty it holds

3. be comfortable in own skin

4. be thankful for all things-wake up each morning in prayer & thanksgiving

5. make my health & fitness a priority

6. strive for balance-in work, home, exercise

7. challenge myself to a more disciplined lifestyle

8. educate myself on fitness & nutrition & preventative care

9. stay true and authentic to my vision for my life and business

10. save more/ spend less

11. enjoy small luxuries-

12. less multitasking-more focus on each moment

13. nurture loving friendships

14.  Continue with  Illustration Friday


Work things I want to do:

1. do curly girl series-art

2. do triathlon series-art

3. do yoga series-art

4. submit art to greeting card companies