A Year of 40

My birthday isn't until July. But I consider my list to be valid for the entire year that I'm 40. Haha! The list is continuously revised as my "think bigger" dreams evolve.

I haven't been good about keeping up this blog but I plan to do better as the special milestone year kicks off. Why celebrate a birthday for one day when you can celebrate the entire year of being that age.

My latest check off of this list is starting my own artsy business. Last November I signed up to be an Independent Demonstrator with Stampin' Up!. I hosted my first workshop in February and am planning another in April.

I would have had one in March but I caught the flu bug and am still recovering from it so unfortunately that workshop was cancelled. Being and ID with SU is bound to be an interesting experience. It's life consuming even when you don't want it to be. I realize I need to be much, much more organized to make room for conducting business. So, I'm taking my time getting it rolling and doing it one workshop at a time for now.

40 is bound to be interesting. In discussion is a trip to Italy with my BFF Kim. Hopefully finances and timing will work out. Our goal is to hit the mediterranean country within our big year. Can't wait!

What shall I check off next? I have a lot of work ahead of still to do.

Baby Quilt: The Fabric

I'm getting ready to welcome a new baby nephew and I couldn't be more excited about this. I've decided the one gift I would LOVE to give this baby is a personally made quilt to wrap him up in and make him feel loved. The only problem is that I've never quilted before. I can sew with a machine and I'm generally pretty crafty, so why not try.

I've finally picked out the fabrics I'm going to use. It took quite awhile but I had fun evaluating the colors and trying to figure out which pairings to commit to. I think I have a decent selection that will grow with him (nothing on it says "baby" so even as a 3 or 4 year old, he may still enjoy being wrapped up in it).

Now, I just have to figure out what are some of the best techniques and tips to actually put this thing together.

Squirting Frosting

There is something extremely satisfying with squirting frosting out of a plastic bag and onto a cupcake. How can one say no to the messy sweetness, not to mention the diabetic coma you get after you eat it. After that first couple bites of a cupcake, I'm done. Rather than hoard the dozen, I shared them with others. This Easter and in celebration of a friend's birthday, I made spring cupcakes.