ready to start the NEW year

Time to shake off the holidays and gear up for this new year we've just entered. Im ready! Im looking ahead to BIG STUFF this year. Next month I will be "celebrating" my 40th Birthday. I say it that way because I have not "celebrated" my birthday since I turned 30. Something about my 30th birthday freaked me out. I no longer saw it as a reason to celebrate each year... getting older... older??? uuugh! The years seem to be FLYING by now. Seriously, I cant keep up with where the time is going.

But this year... I think I need to start something new when February 13th rolls around. What? I havent figured that part out yet, but it's been on my mind. I'll keep you posted!

But that's not the only big thing Im planning for this new year. Im planning to have a great year for my business as well. Im gearing up for Valentines Day, Mothers Day and Teacher Gifts. Last year I had just opened my little shop on Etsy, MudHutt.etsy.com and I was blown away by the sales. This year, i want to be prepared. Off to create a few more pieces before hitting the sack.

Whew!! Busy week finally coming to an end... Got Callie's Art Station finished in her bedroom! She LOVES it! She spent lots of time drawing and coloring last night!

Now.... on to another room of the house... Hmmm... master bath? Kitchen?

Ive been working on some clay pieces for my shop for Mothers Day.... last year was really busy with Mother's Day and teacher gifts. I also made a little dish in memory of Caylee Anthony. The 3 year old toddler from Florida who's remains were found. My heart just breaks everytime they show that clip of her singing "you are my sunshine". I cannot even imagine the pain those grandparents are going thru. I think once I get the dish completed, Im going to mail it to the grandparents' home. I'll post a picture once it's done.

Happy New Year - 2009

I cant believe it's already 2009! Now it's gonna take me 6 months to get used to writing "09" instead of "08".... uugh! Just what I need, something else to remember. lol! Spent the day working on Callie's Art Station .... this was part of her Christmas gift. (I'll get some pictures tomorrow!)

Both kids got total room makeovers. Casey is into skateboarding.... so ... his room was painted in blue and silver. Got him a new bed and dresser from IKEA. (love that place!) He didnt actually ASK for a new room... but he really "needed" it. He's growing so TALL so FAST! He's already several inches taller than me. He just turned 13 last week. God Im feeling OLD! We added a really cool "brick" wall in his room. Looks really LOFTY! I also painted a skateboarder silouette on his wall. Actually looks like it could be his shadow... all that hair! When will the trend for boys with long, shaggy hair go away??? I cant get used to it.

Anyhow... we got Callie's desk in, put her HOT PINK chair together and I tried to organize her art supplies. The kids are spending one more night at Clint's parents house, so it gives me a little more time to finish up. Off to check in at Etsy, then catch a little bit of Nancy Grace.

Finally! Im creating my blog!

Well.... Ive been saying all year that I wanted to create a blog. Ha! It's 10:30PM on December 31st and Im finally doing it! Shame on me! I just hope that I will find the time to get on here daily and keep it up to date.

2009 will be here in less than 2 hours. I still can't figure out where 2008 went! It was such a whirlwind year for me. I sold my retail pottery studio in August. It was a "Paint-Your-Own-Pottery" studio that I opened in 2001. I felt like I had given a child up for adoption. That studio was 100% ME! I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into that place. (literally... blood, sweat and tears). It was such a great business to own, but after starting to sell my custom work online a few years ago, then picking up numerous wholesale accounts to carry my pieces, on top of my etsy shop.... whew! I just couldnt keep up with it all. Luckily I found a great lady (or maybe she found me?) who was interested in purchasing the studio, so... now Im 100% selling my custom work from my "nest".

Some days I stop and realize how lucky I am to be able to do what I love and actually make a living at it. It's funny, because when Christmas came around, I seriously could not think of one thing I needed. I truly feel like I have it all, as far as Im concerned. So, if you notice a lot of the pieces in my Etsy shop that say "blessed" on them, it's probably because that's exactly how I feel.

Happy New Year!