I’m making the switch!

Join me at my new domain:  MyHeart4Him.com

I have used wordpress.com, and I’ve been happy.  I even purchased a premium template, which makes my blog beautiful.  But, I wanted more.  More control.  More everything!  I shopped around a few different times, but was never happy  with pricing for hosting or the level of service.  I stumbled up Twenty70hosting and loved their blogger special.  I wanted a personalized email address.  I purchased a domain, but never used it!!!  So, today, I took the plunge. I’m moving my blog!!!

I am also attending Blissdom ’12.  I would love to win $100 for my trip north.  Woo Hoo.

If you are interesting in having my control over your blog, for a reasonable price, check out Twenty70 Hosting.  From their website, Twenty70 is:

• Twenty70 is woman owned
• Twenty70 specializes in WordPress hosting with servers optimized for WordPress
• Twenty70 owns our own servers, we’re not a reseller.
• Twenty70 has provided several full & partial conference sponsorships in the last 2 years.

2011: Looking Back

1.  Bible Verse:  In 2011, I resolve to wear the full armor of God, so that I can stand against the devil’s schemes.  Ephesians 6:10-18

2.  One Word:  Wear – to update my dated wardrobe and to wear the fruits of the spirit

Highlights and Milestone

1. Our friends Jenny, Kody, Harry & Max moved to CA.  We hope you move back soon.
2. I read many, many books.  True, I didn’t review the books, but I read a LOT!  I also discovered how much a love reading  ebooks.  It is SO easy to carry around and read multiple books.
3. Started my 4th year as a Cub Scout Cub Master.  I can’t believe PJ is a WEBELOS.
4. I have a daughter in high school!
5. My Aunt, Dee Smith passed away.
6. My daughter’s 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Karen Farr passed away.
7. Made a rainbow cake.
8. Big ER bill from Rick’s 104 temp!
9. Signed up for the Sketchbook Project
10. Opened a Pinterest account.
11. Received my first nasty blog comment:  That is a super-peachy-keen post. Thanks for really blathering on like that! Seriously, I don’t think I could have spent more effort wishing for something heavy to fall on me to erase that nonsense from my mind!  Thank you anonymous poster, cause it made my day.
12. I reconnected with tons of high school friends.  Thank you Facebook.
13. Professional photos made for my blog!!!  Huge milestone!
14. Our house flooded due to a faulty washing machine.
15. Posted my Lady with a doll postcards on Flickr.
16. Bought a few digital magazines.  I’m still on the fence out ezines.
17. Addicted to chalkboard paint.

Trips

1. To Orlando – twice. Once with the family (and we went VIP) and once with Olivia and Brittany
2. Attended the Iron Bowl
3. Attended Blissdom in Nashville.  Met some wonderful friends:  Kate Spears, Sandy Moss, Kristen Gann Lyons
4. To Gatlinburg with the Dixons.
5. And a few trips to Birmingham and Decatur for work and family.
6. Accidental trip to Georgia.

Art

It’s been a big art year for me.  Below are the highlights

1. Returned to school – after an 18 year absence.
2. Remembered how much I love studio classes
3. Made an “A” in my first class
4. Painted some beautiful artwork.
5. Won a poster contest for Gulf Coast Clay.  Very exciting!  My painting will be printed on postcards, t-shirts and posters.
6. Developed my own artistic style.
7. Made a beautiful quilt & monogrammed sheets for my mother.
8. Submitted projects to Lettering Delights and One Pretty Thing.
9. Participated in the Blogger’s Quilt Festival with my mini quilt.
10. Designed some fabric at Spoonflower.  I even entered a few contest!
11. Swapped a few potholders on Flickr.
12. Learned I love studio classes.
13. Bought sketchbook for me and Olivia:  The Sketchbook Project
14. Signed up for several Internet Art classes:  Inspired Doodles, Silly Redux, LetterLAB, Handlettering and Oodles of Doodles

Olivia

1. Olivia received a fancy schmancy camera for Christmas.
2. Olivia attended two semi formals this year.
3. iPad for Birthday.
4. Ziplining in TN

PJ

1. Passed 3rd grade.
2. Xbox for birthday
3. Tablet for Christmas
4. Braces on his teeth
5. Cub Scout Christmas Parade
6. Cub Scout camping
7. Was in a pirate show
8. Indoor skydiving

Best Books I read in 2011

Below are the stand-out, unforgettable books I read in ’11.

1. Tiger’s Curse By Colleen Houck
2. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
3. Tiger’s Voyage By Colleen Houck
4. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
5. Tiger’s Quest By Colleen Houck
6. The Help by Katheryn Stockett
7. One for the Money by Janet Evanovich – I’m rereading this to get ready for the movie.  I had forgotten how entertaining it is!!!
8. Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25  by Richard Paul Evans – loved it and my 10 yr old son loved it too.

Favorite Beauty Products

Refer to this post for my favorite beauty products.

2011 Resolutions Revisited

• Read one book a month – DONE is spades – see my 2012 reading list here.
• Review each book after reading it – not so much, but if I enjoyed it, I usually spread the word to my friends and FB
• Blog more often – yes and no, mostly no.
• Commenting on at LEAST 4-5 (One per work day!) blogs per week – NO, but I want to try this again next year.

Looking Ahead:  2012

I will post my 2012 resolutions on Jan 1.

Like: Shopping

I never thought I would like online shopping, but it turns out that I do. I LOVE LOVE LOVE getting good stuff in the mail.  It started with Amazon.com, but now has moved beyond books & music to garments, shoes and art supplies.  This morning, I ordered from modcloth.com this:

Then, I ordered my BirchBox.  I’ve been a member of New Beauty’s Test Tube for a while now, but need a monthly fix to get me by. 

Because I promised my daughter, I ordered two sketchbooks from the Sketchbook Project.  I selected “The Last of the people I know.”  Olivia selected “Writing on the wall.”

And lastly, I signed up for Carla Sonheim’s class – Silly 1 Redux – The Art of Silliness!

Things like crack: Chalkboard Paint

Since I’ve discovered the joys and wonder of chalkboard paint, I’ve painted everything (nope, not an exaggeration….).

If you come for a visit, take my advice and don’t sit still too long.  I am not responsible for my actions.

Modded Ikea Bag

Two weeks ago, me and my daughter (and a friend) had a 3-day weekend in Orlando.

 

While the girls played at Harry Potter World, I was busy shopping for crack at Ikea.  That store is like crack to me…

I ran across this giant plastic, zipper bag and knew I needed it for my art class.  I tote 3 bags to and from class, because I can’t find a large enough bag to hold everything.  I was so happy to stumble across this beauty.  While I like the bag, the colors aren’t my taste.  I remembered I had some plastic paint (thank you, stash!!), so I got busy.

Before long, I had a modded bag just for me.  Cute, yes?

I can’t wait for school tomorrow night…  Yep, I’m a geek.

Another potholder for my homemade collection

Janet of Jan’s Art Friendzy sent me a “From My House to Yours” potholder (Potholder Pass 9).  Don’t you love good mail days?  Thank you Janet for such beautiful potholders.  My kitchen is blessed.

BTW, my kitchen looks AWESOME!!!

PJ & Harry – Best Friends {I Heart Faces: Friendship Photo Challenge}

I love this picture of PJ and his best friend, Harry.  Harry and his family moved away to California a few weeks ago.  Makes me love this picture even more.