2021 A Fresh Beginning

I get excited with every new year. A new beginning; fresh start. It is invigorating.

I set goals for the year - things to work toward. (I do not make resolutions, which are easily forgotten and have little impact, in my opinion.) 

I also choose a Year of the Word - or perhaps I should say, It chooses me, because it does. This year's Word... well let's just say, I fought it. But I'm getting ahead of the story.

My Word is almost always an action word - a verb or an adverb. It helps me to "do something" thus keeping me on task. When this year's word came to me - over a month ago - I didn't think it fit. It's a noun, after all. How can a noun help me to be who I need to be in 2021??? Plus, there are some negative connotations historically with the Word. No. NO. NO!!! I can't choose that Word, I want a different one!

but. it. would't. let. go.

I know when I've lost a battle, and this is one of those times. LOL! Besides, my Word's purpose is to keep me on track and this one will. Visually and purposefully. 

My Word for 2021 is Snowflake.

Snowflakes are unique - so it's going to help me to embrace my own oddities and not try to be someone I'm not.

Snowflakes have the biggest impact in groups - so it's going to help me to be a better team player, to treasure friends and family more.

Snowflakes need the chilly weather - so it's going to help me to chill, not sweating the small stuff. 

Remember how excited we were as kids when the schools announced a SNOW DAY!?!?!? Snowflakes can bring a bit of excitement to life once in a while, so my Word is going to help me to embrace the excitement when it happens.

On January 1st I also like to share my crafty goals here on my blog. You will notice there are fewer of them this year. That's purposeful. I'm trying to free up my craftiness to allow myself more time to participate in some of the daily challenges on SCS and to do other spontaneous crafting rather than things set by lofty goals.

My crafty goals for 2021 are in three categories: Personal Series, Group Series, and Play Room Organization

Goal: Personal Series

I plan to continue with only two of my personal series...

Travel the World - this is my third year so I've done 100 countries so far. There are a total of 195 countries in the world so I'm about halfway finished.

Technique Tuesday Greenhouse Society - I'm not committing to this for the entire year, but for now I am going to continue with it. It's fairly inexpensive and everyone knows I love to color flowers, so it's a good fit.

Goal: Group Series

I will also continue some group series...

One Plus Twelve - Kelly's idea, now entering our 3rd year. Kelly, Barb, and I have chosen ONE stamp to use each month this year, which we'll debut on January 3rd

Crafters of Faith - again Kelly's idea, but now with a new leader/organizer, posting on the 7th of each month

Three Musketeers - Barb, Kelly, and I are continuing this fun series on the 9th of each month

Stamp What? - Kelly has Barb and I randomly choosing older Stampin' UP! sets for this monthly series, posting on the 10th of each month

Hot Mess - my most challenging post every month (on the 12th) because I don't like messes

Dueling Darlings (but with a new name/freshness) - more about that on January 15th

Challenge Your Stash - where we have to use what we have without shopping for these themed challenges, posting on the 28th of each month

Ready, Set, Go - the Extreme Theme Challenge that Kelly, Barb, and I embrace on the 3rd Wednesday of each month

Mission Impossible Possible - Barb, Kelly, and I are going to continue this series with a few changes, creating once every four months, so three times in 2021

There are also some surprises coming that I can't share yet. In due time. Stay tuned.

Goal: Play Room Organization

Because I did the BIG purge/organization during much of 2020 my Play Room is in pretty good shape. I donated many MANY boxes of things to a preschool teacher friend and also to our local thrift store; however, I have several bins of stamps and other supplies that I set aside, hoping to sell them. I need to make that happen this year. What doesn't sell, needs to be donated so I can get them out of my way.

* * * * *

Now before you go, let me share a card with you, too - a snowflake card, of course.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: There She Goes Stick Together stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Pale Plum CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: Rubbernecker Nested Rectangle Stitch and Simon Says Holiday Frames

Embellishments: Recollections Rhinestones