GLOW in 2022 - January

Let's just say it - Goodbye and Good Riddance 2021. Is anyone with me on that? 

Like many others, I had a rough year! I won't bore you with all my personal hardship details. Just suffice it to say I am so thankful to have a fresh slate, a new beginning. Welcome 2022!

As I've done for the past several years, I've chosen a Word of the Year to provide some direction throughout the year. 

There are many thoughts that come to mind as I think of the word glow, and I will strive to live accordingly... but I also want to Graciously Love Others Well (aka GLOW). I want my focus this year to be on others, and not just on those who I deem deserve my love/attention. May I see all others with loving eyes and strive to be one who enhances their lives by loving them well.

In keeping with my Word of the Year, I'm initiating a new one-year Glow card series. On the first "free" day of each month I plan to share a card that includes something that glows. This month it's a lightning bug.

I fondly remember seeing an abundance of lightning bugs on my grandparents' farm when I was a youngster. I'd chase them all over the yard, and if I caught one, I was mesmerized by its shining body. Yes, if you're wondering, I still get excited when I see lightning bugs. Seeing them transports my mind to a cheerful childhood filled with lots of love.

I also have plans for another new series - I'm calling it Something New In '22. For this series, I'm going to highlight a stamp/set from a new-to-me stamp company. Yes, that means I'll be finding 12 companies and buying 12 new stamps/sets for this series. I'm okay with that. (I like to do my part to help keep stamp companies in business.)

You'll also see the continuation of some series and/or challenges here on my blog in 2022. A personal favorite is my Travel the World series. I also will continue my From a Kit series and my Technique Tuesday Greenhouse Society series this year. There will be a few SCS challenges and a continuation of the Three Musketeers, Hot Mess Success, Double Duty, and Mission Impossible Possible, too. And of course I'm looking forward to another year of Dueling.

It sounds like there are going to be lots of cards to make, doesn't it? Speaking of cards, if you're into statistics, I made 534 cards in 2021. To put that in perspective, I made 474 cards in 2020 and 595 cards in 2019. 

I cannot begin to tell you how very much I appreciate each of you, whether you visit my blog regularly or just once in a while. Some of you also find me on Facebook and/or Instagram... and that means a lot to me, too. THANK YOU so much! I wish you the very VERY best in 2022.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp/Die Set: MFT Firefly Friends stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Neenah 110# Solar White and SU Balmy Blue CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles, Simon Says Sentiment Labels, and SU Stitched Shapes (Square)

Embellishments: Heidi Grace Glittered Flowers with Brads