Sparkles and Sticks

.101 in 1001 update.

I started the 101 in 1001 project last January because I wanted some extra guidance and motivation to get my life going in the direction I wanted it to go.  I wanted to feel a sense of purpose and accomplishment.  I wrote down a combination of what I considered "Pie in the Sky" types of goals that I thought I had little to no control over (travel, relationships, etc.), and a few more concrete tasks that I felt were more in my grasp (moving out, movie watching, decorating, etc.).

The funny thing is that more of the things that I felt were out of my control have happened than the things that I thought were in my control.

While I mull over what all that might mean, revel in my three latest accomplishments with me.

Home

1.    Move out. 

Hello, pretty new place!

Travel/Experience

2.    Visit Nicolette on the East Coast (In the fall winter).

Hello, dear friend!

Read/Watch/Listen

9.    Watch a Scandinavian movie (that I have not seen).

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo: good movie, but really really really graphic in really really really awful ways.

By the way, picnick is way awesome.  I love how it made it super easy for me to feel like a cool kid with all my retro-ed up photos.  Snap.

.101 update.

A wee update on my 101 Things to Do in 1001 Days Project...

Crafty and Such

12. Investigate joining or starting an art group

I have good news... I am becoming a member of the Petaluma Craft Mafia!

I am so excited to make some new, crafty, local gal-pals! My first meeting is next month, but I have already met two members: our Donna Bella, who I already adore, and another super fun member who owns the coolest vintage/consignment store ever! 

Huzzah for crafty ladies!

15. Go to three craft fairs.

I sold at two craft fairs this last winter.  One was in Sonoma:

And at the Petaluma Craft Mafia's Holiday Craftacular:

20. Take three truly beautiful photos I am proud of.

Edinburgh Castle

Sometimes I feel like I just fall into an amazing photo.  This was one of those times.  My mom and I were just eating a picnic lunch in a park in Edinburgh, and there it was: a pretty tree and, a pretty blue sky, and a pretty fountain framing the most beautiful castle in the most beautiful city ever.  I love that I took this picture with my iphone.

My New Family

I love the color, focus, composition, and the fact that everyone looks great in this photo.  But more importantly, I love everyone in this photo.  I can't wait to be able to officially call them my family.

Travel/Experience

3. See/Play in snow

Seattle, January 2009

The UK's record breaking, super fantastically freezing and snowy January 2010

Love/Family/People

17. Move forward with Ashley

I could wait until the wedding to tick this one off, but I think that an engagement qualifies. : )

Yay for 101 in 1001 successes!

.101 in 1001 update backlog.

This is a backlog of some things on my 101 in 1001 Project.  I originally posted these on another blog, but now I want to post them here too.

January 12, 2009

I completed an item on my 101 in 1001 list this weekend:

My mom doesn't like it.  The hairstylists loved it.  I definitely like it, but didn't style it quite right this morning, so it might have been a bad day to do a picture of it.  I also think that I may be making a trip back to the hairstylist sooner than usual (aka, three months instead of six) because I might get tired of it faster than I usually do.

Dare I ask for thoughts on the red-ness that is my new hair? : )

February 2, 2009

Here are a few more items I have check off my list this month.

Mom and I went on a very pretty hike on a very sunny day.  Yes, this happened in January.  I live in California.  Please don't hate me.

I bought this bag at my favorite consignment store.  It cost $13 (or rather, two t-shirts that people would tell me looked nice, but I never really liked, and a pair of balled flats that fit really well in the store but made me feel like Cinderella's evil stepsisters on every other occasion that I tried to wear them).  It has nice pink accents, and manages to hold my wallet, camera, phone, and all the books, yarn, tubes of lipgloss, markers, and journals that I know I will regret leaving at home, even if I am just running out to buy a new phone card at Safeway. Love.

I went to the beach with my Dad, Stepmom, and their dog Sammy.  The funny thing is that I didn't even know we were headed out to the beach.  I knew we were going somewhere out in the country where Sammy could run around like a nutcase, but I didn't know that I would get to tick off an item on my 101 list (and see some glittery seafoam green waters) at the same time.

Interview Grandma M.  Technically, this doesn't warrent a full check off the list because I haven't properly organized and archived the interview yet, but I do know how I am going to go about this process.  I am writing a blog post detailing my process of archiving my family history, and won't cross 'Interview Grandma M." off until I post it.

March 25, 2009

1.  Completed two embroidery projects.  I love learning new crafts, so this was a particularly enjoyable task.  I look forward to learning more embroidery techniques.

(pattern from Elsiecake)

2.  Purged my book collection.  I had way too many boxes of books in the garage that weren't doing anything other than taking up space and putting out real estate ads for rats across the county.  "Come burrow here!  No one will notice for years!" they advertised.

The variety of books that I got rid of was crazy.  There was some old chick lit that I no longer felt an affinity with, books from college that I thought were really important at the time, some children's books... the purged collection was ridiculously eclectic.

3.  Organize closet, dresser, jewelry, and accessories for convenience and beauty. I elaborate further on this one here.

.101 in 1001 update.

On January 1 I started a project called 101 in 1001.  I made a list of 101 things that I wanted to accomplish in the next 1001 days, and I have been checking things off ever since.  Here are the things that I have accomplished so far.  (And here is my original list and reasoning for doing all this, in case you are curious).

.crafty and such.

10.    Make three mixed CDs.  One themed, two autobiographical. (1, 2, 3)

Your Neck Smells Delicious... (a vampire themed mixed cd)

11.    Become friends with my Nikon.  Or get a new, fancy camera.

It's still a heavy little monster, so I don't take it with me on long expeditions where I wouldn't use it much and/or wouldn't have a place to put it down occasionally (like in the car).  But yes, the Nikon and ! are friends now.

13.    Keep an art journal.

Here is one page out of my first art journal.  It's a fun/silly quote from a dream episode of Buffy.

14.   Burn Christmas in Wales DVD.

Burned!  Here is the single most silly and ridiculous video on the DVD...

15.   Go to three craft fairs.

I went to Renegade Craft Fair in SF.  two more to come!

22.   Learn at least 4 new Photoshop skills. (1, 2, 3, 4).

I have learned how to adjust the levels, adjust the contrast, adjust the shadows and highlights, and use the spot healing brush tool.

.home.

5.    Organize and back up all digital photos.

After reading an article on one of my favorite sites, BitchBuzz, I decided to organize my photos with Picasa.  (I read the article a long time ago and have lost the link, so sorry about that).  I am really happy with this method of organization because its a very "visual' organization system.  I like being able to "see" where things are.

6.    Locate, organize, and protect all tangible memorabilia (photos, journals, etc.).  Make them accessible (in case I am inspired to scrapbook them).

I have a very sophisticated method of organization.  It involves old gift boxes and masking tape, and stacking things under my desk.  Don't judge, it totally works!  There are also a few plastic tubs labeled High School, Childhood, and Family Heritage that are hiding in my closet.

.travel/experience.

1.    Go back to the UK (again).

I went from June 18- July 9th.

11.    Get over my issues and play Monopoly.  Enjoy it, whether I win or not!

Ashley and I played Monopoly.  I was winning for awhile, but then started to lose, got bored, and quit.  Good news: I can safely say I enjoyed it.

12.    Visit Scotland.

I loooooved Scotland!  More photos here.

.love/family/people.

1.    Have Ashley's family meet mine.

They met in June, and everything went very nicely.

14.    Stand up for someone else.

I stood up for a family member, but given the "drama" surounding the event, I'm just going to leave it at that. : )

.work.

2.    Get a domain name.

Type in www.welshgrl2.com and see what happens.  I bet you'll see this at the top of the screen:

3.    Make business cards.

Done! : )

.read/watch/listen.

1.  Read a Neil Gaiman Book.

I read The Graveyard.  Review coming soon-ish

4.  Watch (several episodes) of a retro TV show that is important in understanding American culture.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show has become one of my favorite shows.  I can't wait until more seasons come out on DVD.

5.  Watch (several episodes) of a British TV show that is important in understanding British culture.

Fawllty Towers is funny.  Very, very funny.  If you have any appreciation for British humor at all, give this one a go.

.etc.

4.    Write emails to 3 bloggers I admire. (1, 2, 3)

One completed, and will remain private at this time. : )

101 in 1001

I am taking the 101 Things to Do in 1001 Days Challenge.  Yippee! 

(Skip to the bottom of this list for an explanation as to why I am doing this.  I wrote that piece around Jan 1, 2009)

In addition to completing this list, I promise to blog about each of these items as I complete them (and in the process of completing them, in some cases).

Start Date: January 1, 2009.
End Date: September 29, 2011.

Crafty and Such
1.    Knit a blanket.
2.    Learn to crochet.
3.    Finish knitting purple socks.
4.    Start and keep current an "Ashley and Me" album.
5.    Publish a knitting pattern.
6.    Complete at least two embroidery projects.
7.    Learn jewelry making skills (make three pieces of jewelry as proof). (1, 2, 3).
8.    Get all scrapbooks up to date.  Use Ali Edward's Life Artist Philosophies to keep it fun, effective, and simple.  (More details on all the tasks that this project entails will come).
9.    Complete an online photography challenge.
10.   Make three mixed CDs.  One themed, two autobiographical. (1, 2, 3)
11.   Become friends with my Nikon.  Or get a new, fancy camera.
12.   Investigate joining or starting an art group.
13.   Keep an art journal.
14.   Burn Christmas in Wales DVD.
15.   Go to three craft fairs. (1, 2, 3).
16.   Do three fun photo shoots with friends. (1, 2, 3).
17.   Make a cover for my iphone.
18.   Make a cover for my camera.
19.   Knit a sweater or shirt-like garment and wear it.
20.   Take three truly beautiful photos that I am proud of.  (1, 2, 3).
21.   Alter a t-shirt.
22.   Learn at least 4 new Photoshop skills. (1, 2, 3, 4).
23.   Have pea-cost lined with a fun fabric, and attach new buttons.
24.   Find/make/buy the perfect handbag.

Home
1.    Move out.
2.    Live in a loft/granny unit/studio type place.
3.    Decorate it with goods that I/others have handmade.
4.    Hang a gold frame over the peep-hole (a la Friends).
5.    Organize and back up all digital photos.
6.    Locate, organize, and protect all tangible memorabilia (photos, journals, etc.).  Make them accessible (in case I am inspired to scrapbook them).
7.    Make prints of Stacey's wedding pictures.  Give back her negatives.
8.    Use only environmentally friendly cleaning products (when I have my own place again).
9.    Adorn my bed with new and handmade bedding.
10.   Attach a wall decal to a colorfully painted wall.
11.   Purge many of my books.
12.   Organize closet, dresser, jewelry, and accessories for convenience and beauty.
13.   Back up all music and other important documents on computer.

Travel/Experience
1.    Go back to the UK (again).
2.    Visit Nicolette on the East Coast (In the fall).
3.    See/play in snow.
4.    Experience Christmas in Wales with Mom and Ashley's family.
5.    Go to/host an elaborate costume/Halloween party.
6.    Visit 4 different places of worship for their particular weekly services. (1,2,3,4)
7.    Stay up all night.  Watch the sunrise.  Maybe drive out to the beach to do so (With Ashley).
8.    Visit the South. 
9.    Go on a hike in a new place.
10.   Make plans for all New Years, Halloween, and 4th of July's within the 1001 days parameter.
11.   Get over my issues and play Monopoly.  Enjoy it, whether I win or not!
12.   Visit Scotland.
13.   Go to the beach.
14.   Ride a motorcycle (as a passenger).
15.   Build a fort out of pillows/blankets, etc.  Spend a day in it reading, watching movies, playing, etc.  Sleep in it.  Involve Ashley, or Nicolette in the adventure.


Love/Family/People
1.    Have Ashley's family meet mine.
2.    Collect (and properly archive/organize) family stories from Dad.
3.    Collect (and properly archive/organize) family stories from Mom.
4.    Collect (and properly archive/organize) family stories from Stacey.
5.    Collect (and properly archive/organize) family stories from Grandma M.
6.    Collect (and properly archive/organize) family stories from Grandpa M.
7.    Collect (and properly archive/organize) family stories from Grandma G.
8.    Collect (and properly archive/organize) family stories from Grandpa G.
9.    See my Seattle cousins (namely M, C, B, and D) once a year.
10.   Make 2 new (good) friends.
11.   Give a friend a unique, and true compliment.
12.   Go out with my friends 3 times even when I don't feel like it. (1, 2, 3)
13.   Stand up for myself.
14.   Stand up for someone else.
15.   Experience something magical with someone.
16.   Follow my heart instead of my head.  (Once, and in a big-ish way).
17.   Move forward with Ashley.
18.   Find, and re-connect with Hebe.

Work
1.    Participate in NaBloPoMo.
2.    Get a domain name.
3.    Make business cards.
4.    Make gifts for Etsy purchases.
5.    Complete all my current online presence goals (secret for now!).
6.    Make a list of my professional strengths.  Keep current.

Read/Watch/Listen
1.    Watch The Godfather Movies. (1, 2, 3)
2.    Read a Neil Gaiman Book.
3.    Complete the 2009 YA Fiction Reading Challenge. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
4.    Watch (several episodes) of a retro TV show that is important in understanding American culture.
5.    Watch (several episodes) of a British TV show that is important in understanding British culture.
6.    Watch a Bollywood movie (that I have not seen).
7.    Watch a French movie (that I have not seen).
8.    Watch a Spanish movie (that I have not seen).
9.    Watch a Scandinavian movie (that I have not seen).
10.   Watch an Italian movie (that I have not seen).
11.   Continue my vampire education by watching Dracula and Nosforatu.
12.   Read an Emily the Strange book.
13.   Familiarize myself with classical music by researching 5 different artists and listening to their 2-3 (ea.) major works. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).

Financial
1.    Get out of credit card debt.
2.    Stick to a budget (entire 1,001 days!)
3.    Build a $___+ savings account.  (Sorry, not gonna tell ya for privacy's sake!)
4.    Go a whole day without buying anything three times (1, 2, 3).

Etc.
1.    Remain between 120-125 lbs.
2.    Get a henna tattoo.
3.    Keep a daily (and very brief) diary for 2009.  One sentence or a few bullet points for the day is all I need to do.  Use shiny pink diary the Evans gave me for Christmas. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 months)
4.    Write emails to 3 bloggers I admire. (1, 2, 3)
5.    Make a list of 100 things that make me happy. (0/100)
6.    Do something crazy and fun to my hair.
7.    Write an intelligent, researched article or essay and post it on my blog.
8.    Give myself permission to alter a maximum of 5 of my 101 goals if life changes and the goals as stated are no longer relevant. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).  Substitute this goal with a new one if I don't need to use it.

Rainbow Bright Made Me Do It

It all started when I found one of my old rainbow bright toys.  I put her on my dresser, because she brought a smile to my face.

Then, I decided to organize my button collection.  I use buttons in my crafting all the time, and I thought it only made sense to organized them according to color.

Then, I decided that if all my buttons were organized according to color, I might as well organize my fabric that way too.

Since my fabric collection is kept in my closet, I decided it was only fitting to organize my clothes in the same way.  I mean, I was already in my closet anyway, right?

And since the entire top shelf of my closet was empty, why not organize my newly purged collection of books and DVD’s up there? 

You know… according to color. 

Did you know that when you proudly tell your friends about this new color coding organizational project you have embarked on over a cup of coffee, they might tell you that you have too much time on your hands?  I seriously did not expect that.

Since I never figured out a good way to keep my embellishments tidy in my scrapbooking area, I decided to cut each individual piece out, arrange them on pieces of cardboard (guess my method) and then hang them on the wall.  As this process took several episodes of Mad Men to complete, I began to see the point that my friends made.  Nevertheless, I hung the cardboard, and trucked on.

My closet looks like a giant rainbow and I never have trouble finding a particular item of clothing that I am looking for.  My embellishment creations look like works of art, and I use them more frequently when I am working on other projects.  Button related craft projects are completed with greater ease.  My once chaotic room is now beautiful, bright, and soothes me from any stressful situation that might be happening outside its walls.

The morals of the story?  A blast from the past can create positive change in the present.  That, and your time is your own.  Use it in a way brings joy to your world.