Where Oh Where did 2012 Go?
Often I have asked myself this question, "Where does time go?"
It is often that I silently reflect on the past, to provide myself with a solid answer.
To reflect on my accomplishments, my mistakes, and the goals I need to set for my future.
To remember the year was full of mysterious wonders, beautiful memories, and wonderful new people walking in to my life.
Today, I am not going to silently reflect, but am rather sharing and posting my personal reflection of the Year 2012 with all of You.
I hope you enjoy these Memory Capsule Posts I am sharing and will join me in reflecting on what the Year 2012 meant to you. I want to reflect on what each month held within its grasps, whether it be related to crafting, family, friends, or nonsense. I want to reflect to push me in to full gear when I embark on the journeys ahead of me in the upcoming year ~2~0~1~3~!
I want to set so many goals for 2013 and want more to accomplish them. I hope to bear witness to others setting and achieving their own personal goals, too. I wish to make new friends and connect with others so that we can bounce our creativity off of each other. I hope to watch the connections that were made in 2012, blossom into beautiful relationships!
I will start this Personal Series of Memory Capsule Posts with my Reflections of the Months, January through June of 2012. I will continue with a Part 2 Post to show my Reflections of the Months, July through December 2012. I hope to draft up more for you to read and I value your input, comments, and ideas you wish to share as a result of reading through my Blog and gazing at my pictures. I will also share a Personal Series of the 2013 Goals I will set for myself in hopes that I can always look back and revisit my accomplishments to encourage more Goal Setting further down the line.
I will be spending some time gathering up some fun Crafty Goodies to offer as a Giveaway if we have enough people joining in, reading along and sharing their input. So, it wouldn't hurt to share this with your friends so they know there is a Prize Up for Grabs! And, I promise, I will make the Prize a GOOD One, so your efforts and time spent reading along, do not go unnoticed!
I will start this Personal Series of Memory Capsule Posts with my Reflections of the Months, January through June of 2012. I will continue with a Part 2 Post to show my Reflections of the Months, July through December 2012. I hope to draft up more for you to read and I value your input, comments, and ideas you wish to share as a result of reading through my Blog and gazing at my pictures. I will also share a Personal Series of the 2013 Goals I will set for myself in hopes that I can always look back and revisit my accomplishments to encourage more Goal Setting further down the line.
I will be spending some time gathering up some fun Crafty Goodies to offer as a Giveaway if we have enough people joining in, reading along and sharing their input. So, it wouldn't hurt to share this with your friends so they know there is a Prize Up for Grabs! And, I promise, I will make the Prize a GOOD One, so your efforts and time spent reading along, do not go unnoticed!
~~~REFLECTIONS~~~
January 2012
I loved linking up in the fun Friends With Flair Fridays at the Unity Blog. It is nice to look back and see a time when I was able to do that. The link up party was a great way to connect with other crafters who admire Unity as much as myself. This is one of my past favorite cards.
This motivates me to find more time in 2013 to Link Up.
January 22, 2012 was a wonderful day as I celebrated my 1st Year of Blogging. I had a fascinating group of talented Blends (Bloggers+Friends) join me in celebrating with my Blends Join Hands Blog Hop.
It was so much fun watching my Blends share there creativity and use something I had created previously to inspire them on a new project!
Being a DT Member with all the Divas at the Mansion, was a true Highlight in 2012! I had so much fun with all the girls and enjoyed all of our fun Blog Hops, Challenges, and Crafty Tip Shares. In January, I spent a lot of time crafting some fun "Special Boxes" for my sweet little children. I made one for Ariana out of a Taco Bell Party Pack Box and she LOVED it.
Wow, this really makes me appreciate the fact that I capture these moments of my children smiling often. They grow up so fast.
February 2012
Playing along with the Paper Secrets gals during the Scrap Your A$$ Off Challenges were amazing. Each week, we had to create under specific guidelines. The amount of layouts I was able to complete was great. It really lit a spark under me and now I have a lot of layouts finished for my children and other family members.
I often make a card to send to my family since we live a fair distance away from each other and visits are far and few between. I made this one to send to my mom, Just Because. Of course, I used my favorite Unity Stamps, too ;)
When I came up with the idea of calling my Blogger Friends, Blends, I had no idea it would catch on so quickly and be so widespread....but wow, how fun that it was! My sweet Blend, Beckie of Just B Creative Crazy, even decided she would create the Green Blend Award to pass out to other Blends and send the smiles across the miles.
March 2012
Chardon Wins Rock Your Prom
March was full of crafty time for me. I entered a lot of challenges, was on a few Design Teams and I had tons of fun doing it all! My favorite highlight from March, wasn't craft related, however. I was thrilled to see the amount of emotion that poured out from the crafty community to help Chardon HS Win the "Rock Your Prom" contest in March so that they could enjoy their Prom in Style despite the tragedy that they were all faced with earlier this year. Thank You To ALL of You who helped and voted. This truly was my personal favorite part of March 2012!
LOVE, WISH, DREAM
I served as a Design Team Member with the One Stitch at a Time (OSAAT) Challenge Blog for a the first few months of 2012. I have to say that I adore how this card turned out using the gorgeous Fairy Moon digital image by Jessica @ Floppy Lattes Designs during the Use a Digi Challenge (#104) with OSAAT.
Happy EASTER Wreath
Many of you also know, that I enjoy working on all types of art. A long time favorite has been designing handmade wreaths for different seasons and different Holidays. This is one I created with Easter 2012 in mind and posted for the CS Divas Spring Fling Blog Hop. This wreath soon was gifted to my SFF Heather Lynn ;)
March was full of crafty time for me. I entered a lot of challenges, was on a few Design Teams and I had tons of fun doing it all! My favorite highlight from March, wasn't craft related, however. I was thrilled to see the amount of emotion that poured out from the crafty community to help Chardon HS Win the "Rock Your Prom" contest in March so that they could enjoy their Prom in Style despite the tragedy that they were all faced with earlier this year. Thank You To ALL of You who helped and voted. This truly was my personal favorite part of March 2012!
LOVE, WISH, DREAM
I served as a Design Team Member with the One Stitch at a Time (OSAAT) Challenge Blog for a the first few months of 2012. I have to say that I adore how this card turned out using the gorgeous Fairy Moon digital image by Jessica @ Floppy Lattes Designs during the Use a Digi Challenge (#104) with OSAAT.
Happy EASTER Wreath
Many of you also know, that I enjoy working on all types of art. A long time favorite has been designing handmade wreaths for different seasons and different Holidays. This is one I created with Easter 2012 in mind and posted for the CS Divas Spring Fling Blog Hop. This wreath soon was gifted to my SFF Heather Lynn ;)
April 2012
"Making It To The Mailbox Monday (MITTMM)"
During the entire year of 2012, I was blessed to have time to enter challenges, hop along a lot of Blog Hops, and enter many contests. I used to dedicate every Monday at my Blog as a day to highlight the generosity that I was shown by others in the crafty community. My posts were called "Making It To The Mailbox Monday (MITTMM)". Many of you may remember these posts, and I wish I still had the time to continue this tradition as it was a great way for me to shout how Grateful I was to each and every person who sent something my way. Many times, my crafty budget doesn't exist, and this helped me to obtain some of the newest items out and new products to try out in my crafting. I want to take a moment to reflect on some of the wonderful gifts I was Blessed with during the entire year. These are a few snippets of the fun items I was Blessed to Receive during the month of April 2012.
Making It To The Mailbox Monday - Week 16
A wonderful array of Scrapbook Kits from Homeketeers, Rubber Stamps from several manufacturers including Fresh Brewed Designs, and Treat Bags from Whisker Graphics
Making It To The Mailbox Monday - Week 15
Super Cute Papers, Digital Stamps by Fresh Brewed Designs,, Rubber Stamps from Sweet Stamps, and a fabulous Scor-pal and Scor-Mat
During the entire year of 2012, I was blessed to have time to enter challenges, hop along a lot of Blog Hops, and enter many contests. I used to dedicate every Monday at my Blog as a day to highlight the generosity that I was shown by others in the crafty community. My posts were called "Making It To The Mailbox Monday (MITTMM)". Many of you may remember these posts, and I wish I still had the time to continue this tradition as it was a great way for me to shout how Grateful I was to each and every person who sent something my way. Many times, my crafty budget doesn't exist, and this helped me to obtain some of the newest items out and new products to try out in my crafting. I want to take a moment to reflect on some of the wonderful gifts I was Blessed with during the entire year. These are a few snippets of the fun items I was Blessed to Receive during the month of April 2012.
Making It To The Mailbox Monday - Week 16
Making It To The Mailbox Monday - Week 15
I also want to take time to share with all of you, how I have stored my Unity Stamps for the last 8 months all Thanks to my Wonderful New Groom, Lance. It does look a wee bit fuller now, too. Oh, who am I kidding? It is overflowing now, but is still sturdy and serving its purpose!
April was an eventful month, as I said before. But, I can't leave out the tremendous announcement that I was able to make on April 2nd, that I was HONORED to be chosen to join as a Design Team Member with Julie K, A Little Bit of Bling, for her Brand New DT at 3 Girl JAM.
December marks the end of my 2nd term as a DT Member, and I have graciously accepted a 3rd. Julie will probably find it very difficult to get rid of me if she ever decides to do so in the future. She is the epitome of a Fearless Leader, with Wonderful Devotion to her Team and prides herself on 100% Customer Satisfaction. This has been an amazing experience and I love everyone involved. It is truly one of the Best Design Teams I could ever ask to be a part of.
May 2012
National Scrapbooking Day
How could I resist talking about this Spectacular Day of the Year, right?
Playing along in the NSD Celebrations that flood our Blogiverse and Crafty Communities around May 5th each year, is an amazing experience that I always look forward to arriving!!!
Here is the layout I created to play along with the Unity NSD Sketch Challenge at Splitcoast Stampers
This layout was created to highlight the first day that Heather Lynn and I ever got to meet in person! Who knew we would end up becoming such close friends? It was a special day and I really loved inking up my Unity Stamp Company stamps and making those luscious flowers out of 3 Girl JAM Crinkle Ribbon!
400 Followers Celebration
May was a fabulous month for my blogging journey. In May, I reached 400 Followers. You may know, I love playing games and giving away fun prizes to all of my Followers and Blends! Here was the Grand Prize, won by my sweet and cherished Blend Karen Ladd. She has followed me from my transition from the "CSDivas NING Mansion" to the "CS Divas Mansion" on Blogger and continued to follow me even after the Mansion Doors closed in April 2012.
We played a game of "I Spy" . . .
. . . enjoyed a Crafty Challenge to find past projects here at the Shaque that inspired them most to create a project using that inspiration . . .
and from there, we had a Project Link Up as part of the Fun Festivities.
How could I resist talking about this Spectacular Day of the Year, right?
Playing along in the NSD Celebrations that flood our Blogiverse and Crafty Communities around May 5th each year, is an amazing experience that I always look forward to arriving!!!
Here is the layout I created to play along with the Unity NSD Sketch Challenge at Splitcoast Stampers
400 Followers Celebration
May was a fabulous month for my blogging journey. In May, I reached 400 Followers. You may know, I love playing games and giving away fun prizes to all of my Followers and Blends! Here was the Grand Prize, won by my sweet and cherished Blend Karen Ladd. She has followed me from my transition from the "CSDivas NING Mansion" to the "CS Divas Mansion" on Blogger and continued to follow me even after the Mansion Doors closed in April 2012.
We played a game of "I Spy" . . .
and from there, we had a Project Link Up as part of the Fun Festivities.
June2012
Crops of Love
Spellbinders Paper Arts! hosted a wonderful challenge to get people involved with sending in pre-made scrapbook layouts. These layouts would make their way to the Crops of Luv™ Organization. Crops of Luv™ creates scrapbooks for critically ill children and their families. Most of these albums are used to commemorate trips through the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Since it's inception in 2009... Crops of Luv™ has created over 250 albums... all with help of volunteers. Now it's our turn to volunteer.
I thoroughly enjoyed creating as many layouts as I could and even went through my collection to gather some more to send off to the well deserved families.
YEEEEEE HAAAWWWWW" Come Party at the Outlawz
Partying it up with the Outlawz is always a Good Time. June 2012 was no exception!!! The Outlawz site celebrated with their the 2000 Member Party!!! Full to the brim (of the Cowgirl Hat of course) with loads of fun challenges, games, and a Blog Hop.
Well OWL Be, It's Heather Lynn's 1st Blog Hop
June was the first time Heather ever hosted a Blog Hop herself. The idea was created when she and I were discussing the fact that she had never had a Blogiversary :( . After discussing options with her about celebrating at her blog, the idea of hosting OWL Themed Blog Hops sounded Extraordinary. Who knew that by the end of the year, she would have hosted a total of 3 Blog Hops that were very successful and would already be planning her first one for 2013?
Congratulations Sweet Heather! I am so Super Happy at the Success they have had for you!
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Now, I will leave you to do other fun things out in the Blogiverse. I will continue to share the remaining months' highlights, July through December 2012, in a separate post.
I have really enjoyed this "Trip Down Memory Lane" and I hope you have also.
Maybe you would like to do a similar task. I urge you to look back at your accomplishments at your very own Blogs to revisit the fun and great time you had Blogging in 2012! I have a new found appreciation for friends, crafty time, and those who have inspired me this year.
Spellbinders Paper Arts! hosted a wonderful challenge to get people involved with sending in pre-made scrapbook layouts. These layouts would make their way to the Crops of Luv™ Organization. Crops of Luv™ creates scrapbooks for critically ill children and their families. Most of these albums are used to commemorate trips through the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Since it's inception in 2009... Crops of Luv™ has created over 250 albums... all with help of volunteers. Now it's our turn to volunteer.
I thoroughly enjoyed creating as many layouts as I could and even went through my collection to gather some more to send off to the well deserved families.
YEEEEEE HAAAWWWWW" Come Party at the Outlawz
Partying it up with the Outlawz is always a Good Time. June 2012 was no exception!!! The Outlawz site celebrated with their the 2000 Member Party!!! Full to the brim (of the Cowgirl Hat of course) with loads of fun challenges, games, and a Blog Hop.
Well OWL Be, It's Heather Lynn's 1st Blog Hop
June was the first time Heather ever hosted a Blog Hop herself. The idea was created when she and I were discussing the fact that she had never had a Blogiversary :( . After discussing options with her about celebrating at her blog, the idea of hosting OWL Themed Blog Hops sounded Extraordinary. Who knew that by the end of the year, she would have hosted a total of 3 Blog Hops that were very successful and would already be planning her first one for 2013?
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Now, I will leave you to do other fun things out in the Blogiverse. I will continue to share the remaining months' highlights, July through December 2012, in a separate post.
I have really enjoyed this "Trip Down Memory Lane" and I hope you have also.
Maybe you would like to do a similar task. I urge you to look back at your accomplishments at your very own Blogs to revisit the fun and great time you had Blogging in 2012! I have a new found appreciation for friends, crafty time, and those who have inspired me this year.
I welcome 2013 with a positive outlook, infinite thoughts, dreams, and hope, and invite persistence and perseverance to stand on my side.
What are your HOPES, DREAMS, & WISHES for the NEW YEAR???
Tell me below, I would love to read them!!!
Remember
to
Keep
Crafting,
Because
♫ CRAFTING ROCKS ♫
\m/-_-\m/
:O)
Jessica
GREAT look back Jess!! You came do SO MUCH and should be very proud of yourself!!!
ReplyDeleteWishing you and your family a very Happy and Healthy New Year!!
Love this post!! You have had lots of up and downs this year but I think over all it was a great one! So happy to have met you in 2012!!! Thanks for the shout outs. I LOVE YOU!!! xo
ReplyDeleteGoing over Jan to June makes me wish I knew you the whole of 2012. Since we met on FB in May, I may not have always been able to participate, but I did keep up with most of the goings-on in the Shaque. I thank you for all the crafty inspiration I get and for all the new crafty friends I was able to make since I made your acquaintance. Keep it up, good lady!!
ReplyDeleteI am so lucky to have met you this past year and shared in some of the recents joys you've experienced! I had so hoped we would meet in person this year, but it was not meant to be! I hope we can change that sometime in 201! Happy New Year! Love and hugs!
ReplyDeleteWhew, what a fun retrospective!! So many events and changes for you last year...and I was tickled to see my name mentioned (blush..)! I always loved your Making it to the mailbox Mondays. It was a way for me to live vicariously through your winnings! You were responsible for turning me into a Unity fan, and it has been a blast seeing your kids helping pick winners, showing off your crafty creations, and inspiring us all! Happy New Year and here's to 2013!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun way to remember and share all those wonderful moments. I'm so happy to have met you through Heather. I feel like I've learned to much for you. Here's to a fun, successful and creative 2013!!!
ReplyDelete