2020 - A Fresh Beginning

I love fresh beginnings. 

I love the beginning of a new year because it brings fresh beginnings.

New dreams. New goals (I don't make resolutions). 

A new Word of the Year...

optimize

 verb

Definition of optimize

transitive verb

: to make as perfect, effective, or functional as possible

After I chose my word - it actually kind of dropped in my lap (figuratively speaking) one day and I knew it had to be my word... but as I was fleshing it out, I discovered there is a certain level of negativity toward the word Optimize. I decided not to let that deter me, since for me it's a fit this upcoming year. I've recently taken on a part-time job that is stretching me beyond my expectations - there's just so much to learn! In the process, I've discovered the need to make better use of my time (and my life) so I'm going to strive to optimize my time, my space, and more in 2020.

Usually I spend the last week of the year planning the upcoming year (setting goals, etc) so that's what I've been doing this past week. I'll not bore you with my goals/plans to make better use of my time/space, but I do want to share with you some fun papercrafting things I have planned for 2020.

You'll be seeing a few new series here on my blog in 2020:

There's No Series Like a Gnome Series - I've fallen in love with gnomes and have quite a collection of Gnome stamps, many which have yet to see ink. So each month I plan to make a card with a gnome on it.

Could Ya? Should Ya? Would Ya? Yea! Series - In this monthly series, I plan to try something out of the norm... i.e. a size of card I rarely use, a technique I've wanted to try (or try again), an unusual fold, a card for a bizarre holiday, etc. I also plan to try a new recipe on these days - not a card recipe, a kitchen recipe. 

A Stamp for All Seasons Series - In this seasonal series I plan to make a card using the same stamp on the first day of each of the four seasons.

Brutus Monroe and Technique Tuesday Greenhouse Society Series - I don't want to hoard the stamps I receive in these two stamp clubs so I'm committing to make/share a card with these each month in 2020, as long as I continue with the clubs.

Sunday Summit Series - In this weekly series, my blog is going to feature Bible Journaling and such things on Sundays (unless a specific group's date falls on a Sunday). 

I'll also continue my Travel the World series and the One Plus Twelve series that my friend Kelly initiated last year. You'll still see things like the Three Musketeers, Ready Set Go, Hot Mess Success, Dueling Darlings, Crafters of Faith, and Challenge Your Stash, too... those are not going away any time soon; at least I hope they aren't.

Thank you for stopping by and reading all of this. You're the best!

Now, in keeping with something I want to do more of in 2020, I've made this card using one of the many un-inked (*gasp!) stamps I own. Sheesh! I really do need to whittle down that list of un-inked stamps in my collection.

May your year be as sweet as Cotton Candy!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Paper Nest Dolls Cotton Candy Avery and a Paper Nest Dolls (free with purchase) Sentiment stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Blush Blossom CS and DP from the My Mind's Eye Pretty Please Spring Paper Pad

Punches: SU Circle and Word Window 

Embellishments: Brads from an unknown vendor