Friday, December 31, 2010

2011 - Happy New Year!

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On this New Year's Eve as I pack away the last of Christmas 2010 and plan my first day of 2011, the upcoming year looks much more promising than the last few.  As always, hopes are high, but the path ahead appears far more solid and secure than it was this time last year.  Of course, that security is always linked to my business success, and, if nothing changes for a while, things are looking good. 

I pray everyday for the Lord to hold steady, please, and allow me to rest in a firm schedule and not be madly seeking out new accounts.  The stress of marketing myself and striving for security had driven out all the room in my mind and schedule for the other important things in life.  Recently, I've begun to long for quiet days working at home and doing laundry and making dinner.  I miss my local friends and visiting and running around.  I had all the time in the world it seemed in 2008 and 2009, but that free time was not welcome and was filled with worry because business was nearly nil and I was searching, searching, searching.  2010 opened with the return of all my accounts, but it totally took the whole year to make up for the two past years and settle into a routine that works for our current needs and pushes me forward. 

On the other hand, to be in charge of your own work success is quite exhilarating.  Perseverance is everything.  Follow your dreams.  Be flexible but keep your eyes on the goal.  And, remember, most successful folks you can point to often failed several times before the big time.  Hopefully, I'm in good company! 

So, a new blog banner for the winter season has been found and embellished.  I like sticking to a white background but love to find a new blog header every few months.  I found this vintage bird banner design at The Background Fairy.  There are matching buttons, too. 
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Do you have a new e-reader in the house?  I've sewn up several e-reader cozies (manly ones, too) and have them listed in the calicodaisy etsy shop

This was really a banner year and holiday season for calicodaisy handmade.  I don't think I could have handled one more order, and that's a very good thing.  Every year, I blog and talk about getting my studio organized, but it is so hard to stop the moving vehicle.  So, I've taken things on one bite at a time instead of focusing on the whole job and getting weary, and the results are beginning to show.  You know, my little fantasy is to be featured in Where Women Create, and that isn't going to happen unless I have something wonderful -- studio and designs -- to share with others.  It could happen! 

Sometime soon that little photo of One Yard Wonders up there on my sidebar is going to change -- to One Yard Wonders 2!  The authors wrote to me earlier this year and asked if I had another pattern to offer using a specific type of fabric.  I sent in two ideas, and one was chosen.  Obviously, I am thrilled.  All thanks to blogging, I tell you.  So many opportunities have presented themselves through the blogs.  

Well, I leave you to watch the ball drop!  My son has already rung in 2011 over in Germany.  Due to the snowy, cold weather, travel was backed up pretty bad in Europe this year, so he and his friends didn't attempt to visit Venice for the New Year as planned.  Though I'm sorry he missed out, I was glad to know he was nice and cozy and safe in his university town.  They made a good decision to stay "home."  

Wishing you a Happy 2011. 

Friday, December 24, 2010

Peppermint Bark And All Things Christmas-y


Merry Christmas!  This month went by so quick!  Lots of work, lots of orders, and finally lots of holiday preparation for the family worked in amongst all the work on the list.  

I tried my hand at Peppermint Bark last year and got it just right this year.  The pretty box above was put out for a holiday brunch last week and is nearly gone.  I meant to make another batch, but that may be late tonight.  
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For my holiday brunch last week, I planned to make my favorite Farm Chicks chocolate cake frosted in layers of chocolate and happened to be reading the Farm Chicks blog, and look how she decorated her wintery version of the cake, so I had to as well.  The little woodsy candies are at World Market.  The logs taste like very luscious KitKat bars. 
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Early this month, I had a request for a pillow with heirloom applique embroidery.  I have always loved the look and had to search for a timeless font created for the embroidery machine.  It looks beautiful!  This is definitely a new design option for 2011! 

Well, I'm off to work a short shift at the hospital today.  As always planned, our good friends will come over after Christmas Eve services to spend the evening with us.  My husband and dad will put out a spread while I'm gone today. 
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This is the first Christmas without one of our children, as my son is in Germany for the whole school year.  Thanks to Facebook, Skyping, and affordable VOIP lines, the separation has been a lot easier on me than it might have been.  We are putting up the webcam tonight, so the family and good friends can see and talk with him.  I don't feel too bad for him, though.  He's been to Nurnberg Christmas Market twice and has been eating handcrafted chocolate champagne truffles!  

Merry Christmas!