23 Update: July

1. Train to run 5K - I ran my 2 km loop 4 times this month.

2. Go on safari - I booked my safari. I leave Jan 6th.

4. Take one picture on manual mode every month - This one was a bit of a fail. I frantically took this picture at the beach today.

7. Cook or bake something new every month - I tried a seafood pasta recipe at the beginning of the month. I'll admit, there were a few tears, but it came out okay in the end.

11. eat more fruits and vegetables - I dont know if I've really done all that well at this in July, but I have it as a priority for August.

13. go to san francisco - Well I haven't done this yet, but I gave up a chance to go to San Fran for free, and instead I booked a trip to Disneyland with one of my favorite people.

15. have flowers every month - I enjoyed my beautiful birthday flowers this month.

16. read a new book every month - bit of a fail here again. But I've been reading this book lately, and enjoying it.

17. learn 5 spanish words a month - done! This month, my phrases were:

• I don't speak spanish
• What's your name?
• How much does that cost?
• Where?
• I'm sorry

23. have a picnic - a pizza picnic. at the beach. with chantelle. a wonderful day.

paperbag notebook

I started on this little notebook back in April, and finally finished it today. The cover is made out of a lunch bag paperbag that I ran through my printer. The pages are a wonderful mixture of different sizes/texture papers.

Makes me happy, this scruffy, imperfect, little notebook. And, even happier. Last week I found this pack of self adhesive book envelopes (the ones library cards used to go in the front of books - the good old days), which fit perfectly in the front and back covers, to add a little pocket for treasures.

an elephant softie

I've been spending way too much time on Etsy these days. I've fallen in love with many things, but I had to break out my sewing machine and make one of the darling elephants from Retro Mamma Patterns.

This pattern was awesome. Super simple, the only part I had to google was the ladder stitch at the end (which also turned out to be fabulously easy). I simply adore this pattern...and this

elephant!

create your own happiness

A couple weeks ago I needed to create something, but all my studio stuff was still in boxes. I managed to find my watercolor pencils and my inspiration journal and spent an evening on the couch in my sunny new home, painting flowers.

I finished this page today, in my new studio. Much happ

iness.

studio WIP

I've never had a studio before. Until now, my craft stuff has been stuck in a corner of my bedroom, dining room, or living room. Finally I have a whole room just for crafty goodness. Its a huge mess right now. But thanks to my amazing dad, its getting there. Will share some photos when its finished. SOON hopefully!

23

Wow time is flying. Everything is happening so quickly now. I turned 23. I moved into my first house a week earlier than expected. I've been packing, unpacking, putting together furniture, rearranging furniture, creating a studio, buying curtains and all sorts of other fabulous/stressful/never ending things that seem to have taken me away from the crafty world. I do have some photos of my studio in progress to share soon.

Last year, I made 22 goals for my 22nd year. About a month ago, I realized that I was just about 23, and I hadnt completed all my goals yet. But it's been a pretty fantastic year anyways. I didn't stop biting my nails. I didn't have champagne and strawberries for breakfast. But I did some awesome things that weren't on my list. I bought a house, learned to trust again, rode a mechanical bull, and went kite flying. When the move is over, I am going to get the pictures printed off and get to archiving the past year.

I decided I would try the goal thing again this year. Somethings last year were too vague to be measured. Like, smile more. I think I smiled more because I think I was happier. But it's a hard one to say, "Yes, I did that", Checkmark. This year, on some things I've decided to add the goal of doing it once per month, so I can actually start living my life the way I want.

23 Goals:

1. Train to run 5K
2. Go on safari
3. Sell at a craft fair
4. Take one picture on manual mode every month
5. go parasailing
6. Give back
7. Cook or bake something new every month
8. get fake nails
9. Organize your life
10. create an etsy store
11. eat more fruits and vegetables
12. drive standard
13. go to san francisco
14. go rafting
15. have flowers every month
16. read a new book every month
17. learn 5 spanish words a month
18. go to the spa
19. hike the chilkoot
20. try out buddhism
21. get into a first class lounge
22. go rockclimbing
23. have a picnic

So far, its going good. Tonight I am making pasta for dinner that will count as my new cooking thing for July. I am this close to booking my safari trip. And I have my July flowers.

I am so excited for 23. Life is wonderful, and it's going to be a fantastic year.