Hard time saying goodbye

The Velveteen Rabbit is my favorite children's book. Even at the age of 100 (I'm now counting my age in elf years), I will grab my worn copy with the coffee cup stain on the cover and snuggle up in a chair to read it. As a child, this story made perfect sense to me. Of course the bunny was real. All of my stuffed friends were real. My Teddy was just like the velveteen rabbit, he was with me always. I talked with him and fed him the same snacks that I ate and I protected him. I projected many human traits on toys, appliances, and objects as a child. In my world, everything had feelings and emotions.

When I find a copy of the book The Velveteen Rabbit, I want to snatch it up and take it home with me. I know that this isn't reasonable, I mean how many copies can you have of one book, but it is almost like the book itself has feelings and I want to save it from any impending doom it might have to endure. If the book is used, I will most certainly buy it.

Recently I came across a used copy that was all but destroyed. The binding was torn, the pages were falling out and some were missing, and the cover was worn. The book was tired. I posted it to my etsy account figuring that I could at least salvage the cover to be used as an e-reader cover, somebody out there was bound to love it and would take care of it.  It sold almost immediately, I made the cover and when it was finished, I didn't want to let it go.

I know I'm a little strange, but I hope that they love him as much as I would.

Untitled

Charcoal.

I love you and I hate you.

I love you for your deepest black against the white of paper. I love your ability to cover large areas quickly, and I adore your square sticks that don't roll off of my desk. I love your rough edges, and smooth strokes. You are bold and heavy,  yet soft and subtle...you are drama.

I hate you because you are dirty.

abstract watercolor

Took a break today and played with some watercolor...

It's been a while since I've done watercolor. I definitely enjoyed it. Hope to finish this tonight.

Thanks for peeking. :)

GOALS FOR 2012

Listed below are my goals for 2012. I have the year to reach my goals before reevaluating them. Ready. Set. Go.

1. Work with my partner, to establish Nest Interiors as the go to showroom for the best products and interior design services in Buffalo, NY

How?
-That's our secret. :)

2. Triple sales through my Etsy shop.

How?
-Responding quickly to requests and customer needs
- Put this years sales back into marketing/advertising.
-Reach out to popular blogs for interview/mentions.
-Create new products. Setting aside time each week to explore ideas.
-Bring items to local stores/markets for sale.

3. Read 14 novels this year.

How?
-Join a book club for interesting recommendations, wonderful conversation, and friendships with like-minded people.

4. Learn and create street/urban paintings. Large Scale

How?
-YouTube tutorials
-Setting up studio in basement to allow for throwing, splashing, dripping of paint on canvas.
-Not being afraid of making a mistake. Experimenting.

5. End of year goal weight...115 lbs.

How?
-Continue speed walking in mornings.
-Portion control.
-Being aware of calorie intake.
-More sex ;-)
-Drinking more water

6. Finish refinishing the hallway staircase.

How?
-Take a few days off during the year and dedicate those days to only working on the stairs.

Each year I write my goals on our kitchen wall so that I have them in view as a reminder of where I want to be by the end of the year. It works well.

If you have any goals or ideas for me on how I can better meet my goals this year, please leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you! :)

Happy New Year!