Feliz Ano Nuevo!

What would Jan 1st be without the token blog post (after months of no blogging) that waxes poetic about the year past and the year that is to come, resolutions and goals and plans and of course, the idle promise to blog more often.

Right.

Insanity, doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

In 2011 there were some major changes and let us be clear. Kris enjoys the THOUGHT of change. When it happens? Notsomuch. I kicked and screamed my disorganized butt through 2011. I didn't like that very much.

Those changes however, laid a decent foundation and put me in some uncomfortable spots that poked at my oh so well crafted comfort zone.

Am I going to launch out of a comfort zone in 2012? Uh...have we been paying attention? No...but i am putting many steps in place to fit into an upgraded comfort zone. A smarter, updated, state of the art comfort zone with WiFi, if you will.

There are some things i just HAVE to say no to. Cookies? No...that's a longtime dysfunctional abusive relationship..we need to work that out. But this isn't about  cookies.(Oh no, Cookies, you be my boo fo' life. We's workin' it out, yo).

The hard thing to say no to, is perceived opportunity. I have said yes to many, many projects that I have little to no interest in, because saying no to money and opportunity is such a no no. Well, I wonder how many wonderful projects passed me by because they saw that I was in a vicious lip lock with a completely unsuitable projects? They could have been the projects of my life! 

Saying no, gently, with love is difficult but also something that I am learning to do. It's a choice rather than just a 'no'. I'm saying no to one thing but yes to another that the universe is guiding me to. 

I am divinely supported. There have been so many ways that this has been shown to me in the crazy run that was 2011. I need to continue believing and knowing and trusting and practice the fine art of letting go.

I don't think i've picked a word for 2012 yet. I do have one in mind but i'm giving it a test run this week. I'll let you know when i choose. 

The main theme of this coming year though, is choosing ME.

IF: Contraption

Coats are great contraptions, aren't they?

I started sketching some awesome beauty tools for this prompt...beauty contraption was my first thought.

Never got around to painting it. My husband suggested I use a tree I painted as a 'nature contraption' but i thought this illustration of a coat that I was going to post for fun anyways, would do nicely.

A winter contraption..one that is soon to snake its way into our closets soon here on the east coast!

IF: Hibernate

There's nothing more comforting than retreating from the cold fall/winter with a nice steaming mug of herbal tea.
When I thought about hibernate I immediately thought of bears. Then i thought of our sweet turtle gammy. He hibernates in the winter - well, he would if he was in the wild.
I don't really draw animals - that's my husband's forte. I had this strong urge to paint a tea bag this week and so I did. When i was almost done i realized that it would be perfect for hibernate!
Love how it turned out :)

This Knitting Business! (Part 2)

Part 1
Fast forward a few years. Intimidated by more intermediate knitting, i dropped it entirely.

I found crochet and took to it immediately. I was a crocheting fiend!

I kept seeing amazing knitted items and a pattern for a cream coloured cable throw kept shoving itself in my face! Cables! How utterly, stomach flippingly terrifying!

IF: Ferocious!

Illustration Friday!!!!!!!
I haven't done illo friday in....hm...forever?
Quick fun fact - I met my sweet husband because of illustration friday!
Read on for our story:)

This Yoga Business

I like making stuff. That yummy pile of beads up there are stretchy wrist malas.

I may have left my mind here.....

Oh it was heavenly to lay on the beach and look at the clear blue-green water gently rolling onto the shore.

Mmmmm.

I should warn that it is VERY picture intensive after the jump. I definitely need to do more than one post.

P.s. i highly recommend that you click on the pics to see them larger :)