Bloggy & Scrappy Resolutions for 2011

Happy 1-1-11 Everyone!!

I've been skimming 2Peas lately and came across a thread about setting blogging resolutions in addition to scrapping ones which I thought was a fabulous topic!! Since I'm trying to return from a 1.5+ year hiatus, it's certainly good timing for me to make some specific goals to accomplish this coming year.


2011 Blogging Resolutions

1) Simplify the look and organize the content of my blog (3 to 2 columns, less graphics to reduce busy look, etc.). DONE!!

2) Blog at least 1x per week - Eek! that means I need to actually create! lol

3) Learn how to create polished and professional video tutorials so I can showcase more technique and creative tutorials.

4) Create a proper light box so that I can showcase my work beautifully instead of photographing in my office underneath florescent lights which is my current method.

5) Schedule posts ahead of time on the weekends so I have time to take pics, photoshop them and draft/proof my posts.

6) Feature a weekly organizational topic because that'll get me moving in the direction I want with my scrap area organization project.

Now that I'm no longer bound to deadlines, I really want to keep it simple so I can really enjoy my paper crafting hobby while maintaining a balance with my other interests, i.e. yoga, fooding, reading, moving going, spending time with friends and family, etc. in addition to more rest. As sacrilegious as it sounds, I'm not interesting in living and breathing scrapping every moment of my free time.

2011 Scrapping Resolutions

1) Use as many of my stamps/stamp sets at least ONCE in 2011 or it gets purged by the end of the year.

2) Use as many of dies/punches/tools at least ONCE in 2011. Specifically, pull out my Cricut bug and figure out how to use it. The carts seem easy enough, but I really want to begin using SCAL formatted files. Is this a good time to mention that I've had my cricut for 2+ years and I've never used it?

3) Cut down in my existing patterned paper/cardstock stash.

I'm really looking forward to making as many cards as possible which will be an enjoyable way to use up my existing supplies (and accomplish #1-3 of my Scrapping Resolutions) to donate to From Our Hearts which I have a passionate need to support.

4) Finish at least ONE of the altered book projects I've accumulated from various conventions/CKU, etc. type of events. (I'm cringing about this one as I type this, so I can tell this one will indeed be a challenge. Thankfully, I have 364 days to attempt this.)

5) Continue with my NO BUY policy which isn't that hard since I have pretty much accomplished this the past 2 years. (I'm so well stocked even in adhesives, lol, so I need no caveats.) However, this may prove difficult this year since I've just discovered My Favorite Things. I'm absolutely in love with their Pure Innocence and A La Modes stamps and their Die-namtic dies. I'll admit that I fell off the bandwagon recently and got a few items with some ebay money during their Black Friday and End of Year Sales. I haven't loved so much from one company in a long time since discovering Stampin' Up almost 10 years ago! That really says alot about MFT I think. :)

6) Participate in least 2 challenges per month as that'll get my mojo going as well as facilitate a return to interacting with existing and new friends in the scrapping community again. :)

Yep, it's definitely time to stop feeling overwhelmed and dealing with how much I have, i.e. purging, etc, and start actually ENJOYING my things by creating and playing again. :)

Coming from ground zero, and considering I'm a slow scrapper with a full time job where I work an average of 10+ hours per day with a 2.5-3 hour daily round trip commute, I think the above 12 resolutions will indeed be quite a challenge for me. Hmm, 12 Resolutions for the next 12 months. Doable wouldn't you say?

I sure hope so!