Thursday Thought

“Remember today, for it is the beginning of always. Today marks the start of a brave new future filled with all your dreams can hold. Think truly to the future and make those dreams come true.”
unknown

Happy New Year

5 Tips for Success in 2010

This is the year we are going to create the life we want and meet all our goals. It's going to be a lot of hard work, and I know I am ready to succeed! Anyone with me?

Over the last few weeks I have shared ideas for creating your own plan or goals for 2010. Still need to work on your list? Here are a few posts to get you started, What does success mean to you? What do you want in your life? Creative Brainstorming, and Creative Goal Writing.

Now that you have your plan for the new year, here are 5 tips to help you stay on track.

•Treat your action steps as mini goals. Work your mini goals weekly and daily.

•When you complete each action step, bask in the glory of finishing. Then move on to the next step, getting you closer to your overall goal.

•Prepare for obstacles. Being prepared for obstacles will keep you on your path.

•Understand what you are capable of, this will eliminate disappointment and prepare you for success.

•Visualize your success. It's much easier to reach your goal when you can see yourself accomplishing it.

One of the reasons we fail to accomplish our goals is because we don't understand how much control we have over them. They are your goals, read them everyday, let them become a part of you. The more you set your mind to being a success, the faster you will see your goals become a reality.

Are you ready?

Your 2009 Success

As the end of the year quickly approaches, you start to think about all the things you did over the past year. You review your goals you set at the beginning of the year, you review your task lists, and it may not seem like you accomplished all that you had planned.

Instead of thinking about what you did not achieve, today I want you to focus on what you have done.

Make a list of your accomplishments for the past year. You don't have to do this all at once, take a few days or even a week and start listing.

When writing your list consider this...

New ways you promoted your business

New skills you learned and mastered

What you did to improve your online presence

People you helped

People you meet

What you tried that was completely new

Any causes you supported

New resources you found

What you did you enhance your work life

Grants/honors/awards you received

Articles written about your work

Once your list is written, give thanks for all the new people you meet, the things you learned and experienced. Take a few moments and be amazed at all the things you accomplished. Go forward knowing that you will be adding to those successes in the year to come.

What's the single best thing that happened to you in 2009?

Journal Prompt

Grab your Journal, a cup of tea (or coffee), light some candles, find a comfy place to sit, and answer this question...

Are you ready for success?

It's always easy to say you are, but have you really thought about what your life would be like if you reached all your goals? And if you reach them are you ready for your new life as a success?

If you are having trouble getting started with this question, start with a list or brainstorming chart and then expand on those ideas. Try just free writing, writing what comes to mind, you will start with things that don't make sense, but the more you write you will soon get closer to answering the question.

Enjoy this time, if you don't get an answer, then just try again another day.

~*~*~HAPPY HOLIDAYS~*~*~

from

ADDITIONSSTYLE

Thursday Thought

"The true spirit of Christmas is love”
Linda Willis

Happy Holidays!

Photo's to Insprie - Wonderful Winter

Winter is a beautiful time of the year, and this weeks photo's are a celebration of it's beauty. Here are some of my finds from Flickr, I hope you enjoy!

Vintersolverv / Winter Solstice by Krogen

Cold winter evening on the snowy seashore by Henri Bonell

Nothern Winter Sunset the Horizon by russellk

Waterfalling in a winter wonderland by maryfires

Winter Sleep by Feastblues ~ [...sloooow...]

What visual images inspire you? Let me know and I will pull together a Flickr collection, and share that you are the source of inspiration for the week they are posted.

Relax with Citrus

Studies have shown that the smell of citrus can relax the mind and energize the body. I love the smell of citrus, so today I have a recipe for creating your own citrus potpourri.

It's super simple - Fill a roaster pan with thin slices of limes, lemons, and oranges, and place in the oven on low heat. When the fruit dries out (about 2 hours), remove from the oven and let cool. Place the dried fruit in a bowl and add cloves and cinnamon to the mix. Display and enjoy the relaxing scent of citrus all winter.

Shop News - Blog News - Personal News

Wow, I can't believe how fast the holiday's got here, less then one week away. I had some good sales in my shop this season, and if you purchased from my shop THANK YOU!

I don't expect many sales in these last couple of weeks this year, but I will still be adding new items and start to build up my inventory.

This week

(12/20 - 24)

all US packages will be

shipped priority mail

for my regular $3 shipping fee.

Need a last minute gift

visit my Etsy and 1000 Markets shop

for fun and unique Jewelry and Accessories.

BLOG NEWS

I finished up all the posts for creating your 2010 goals. Check out Creative Goal Writing for the latest information. Next week I will have a post on strategies to help you stay on track and meet your goals for 2010.

I will still have a post everyday this week, so I hope you take a moment and stop by to check it out.

PERSONAL NEWS

My sister is coming for a week and a half during the holidays. As always I am very excited to see her and have her here with me and my family.

We will be working a little while she is here, her idea not mine. I am not the most organized person, OK, I am not organized at all, and my sister is looking forward to making big changes in my studio area. She has a plan to paint, redesign, and organize, I just have to work hard cleaning.

I will have a post with the before and after pictures the first week of January, you won't want to miss it.

Have a great week!

Awaken Your Creativity - Goal Project

Creating a strategic plan and goal setting, are important to achieving success. You should review your plan and goals often, to reinforce your desire for success. As creative people inspiring visuals elements make the task of reviewing that information easier.

There are several ways to make your goal list visual pleasing. Your could create a collage that you could hang on the wall as a daily visual reminder. Your collage could include words, phrases, and photo's that show what your are trying to achieve.

How about a planner, you can create your own easily. Check out Make your own Planner on the Creativity Prompt Blog, you can customize it to meet your strategic plan needs.

Another great idea is to create vision cards. You have two options for creating these, one work on a regular sheet of heavy paper that you can cut the cards down to the size you want, or at the craft store you can buy packs of artist trading cards and create directly on them. On the trading cards you can collage on one side and write your your goal on the other and when you are done wrap them in packing tape or laminate them so they are protected. You can pin them on a board or keep the stack of cards close to your work area and review them daily or when you need a little motivation.

A simple list works well too. Typed or handwritten, post it where you can review it often.

However you choose to prepare your goals is up to you, you just want them to inspire you to work toward them everyday. Have fun creating!

Do you have any other creative ideas for your goal list?

Explore - Holiday Spirit

The holiday's are quickly approaching and it's time to celebrate!

This week I have two champagne drinks with celebrating in mind. One you can enjoy in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Of course either of them can be enjoyed in the evening.

Start your day with a Bellini.

Easy to make, just fill 1/4 of your champagne flute with peach puree and top off your glass with champagne and a slice of peach. Or you can create your own Bellini, use any fruit puree (mango, strawberry, raspberry, or your favorite) and top with champagne.

A tip to create the perfect drink, if you are making your own puree use a strainer to ensure it has no seeds, and if you don't like champagne sparkling wine will work well too.

A Rosewood Fizz is perfect if you like your champagne in the afternoon.

Super simple - 2/3 oz of raspberry juice, orange juice and champagne - pour all the ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake. Pour into a champagne flute and top with champagne. Garnish with berries.

Why not finish your evening with a glass of straight champagne, and celebrate this wonderful holiday season.

Thurdsay Thought

“Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.”
Pamela Vaull Starr

Photo's to Inspire - Holiday Lights

Today's Photo's to Inspire are holiday lights transformed into abstract art. Enjoy the colors and the designs the lights create, and be inspired.

Blue Christmas lights by sìladeth

Christmas lights by thingsimade

Christmas Lights and Snow mike thomas

Christmas light grid by bookgrl

Christmas Light by the lowest fidelity

Christmas Lights Little Tips by Zen

Christmas Lights by edithannette's

What visual images inspire you? Let me know and I will pull together a Flickr collection, and share that you are the source of inspiration for the week they are posted.

Creative Goal Writing

Last week's blog post Creative Brainstorming, was to inspire you to review the ideas that you wrote up in What does success mean to you? and What do you want in your life? If you did the brainstorming you should have a list of what you want to achieve creatively, in your business, and life.

Now it is time to rank your list and create a list of good solid reachable goals.

You want to rank each item by how it makes you feel, if you get pit-of-the-stomach excited about an item on your list then give it five stars; if you are only mildly motivated give it a single star.

Next, look at how much money you could make from each listed item, so if it could bring you in a regular steady flow of cash give it five dollar signs; if it will bring you in little money give it one dollar sign.

Finally, rate how realistic the item on your list is, give it five check marks if it is really doable and one if it will unlikely come to fruition.

Now based on your scores, you should have a good solid direction for your 2010 plan. Choose the top 5 to 10 goals and then start creating action steps for achieving them. You don't have to list all your action steps, just overall achievable actions.

Having a written or typed list will give you incentive, you can read it every month, week or even everyday to inspire you to reach your goals.

Are you ready to reach your goals in 2010?

Art to Know - Latte Art

Latte Art - Flowers by shawnmebo

The average American drinks a total of 200 gallons of coffee each year, and worldwide the consumption of coffee is growing each year. With so much coffee being consumed Latte Art has become a global phenomenon.

Pegasus Latte by SwanDiamondRose

This is a practice that is done all over the world, with it's own international competition.

Latte Art is a style of pouring steamed milk into a shot of espresso that creates a pattern or design on the surface of the resulting latte. It can also be created or embellished by simply “drawing” in the top layer of foam. Latte art is particularly difficult to create consistently, due to the demanding conditions required of both the espresso shot and milk.

Bending Rosetta by rooracer

Some controversy exists within the coffee community as to whether or not there is excessive focus on latte art amongst Batista's. The argument is that too much focus on the appearance of a drink leads some to ignore more important issues, such as taste.

It's spring! Time for coffee by Chris Blakeley

The artist Batista's have turned our morning cup of coffee into to beautiful art.

Want to make your own latte art check out this link for instructions and a video.

Have you ever had coffee with latte art?

All of today's photo's are from Flickr

Shop News

Not much

to report from my shop

this week, so today I have my

10 second commercial with a special bonus.

Shop Additions for unique and original

jewelry and accessories created from recycled

and repurposed hardware for women and men.

As my gift to you, place an order between 12/13 and 12/19

and I will send you a pair of earrings with your purchase,

to get your gift put the word BLOG in the comments section.

Happy Holidays!

BLOG NEWS

Last week I did a post to inspire you to start preparing your goals for 2010, Creative Brainstorming, as well as a post with strategies for writing your goals in Creative Planning.

Next weeks post about goals, will be about preparing and writing you goals. There will be one more post before the end of them month about using your goal list and then we will all be ready to have a creative and successful new year.

Stop by everyday and have a great week!

Awaken your Creativity - Your Passion Statement

I have been reading about goals, creating plans, staying focused, and finding your passion, as I prepare for the new year. I have done a few posts to encourage you to start your planning process as well like What does success mean to you? What do you want in your life? and Creative Brainstorming.

Today, is about creating your Passion Statement.

It is similar to your elevator speech, but the focus of this statement is about the passion behind why you create or a have a business.

A passion statement also gives you the possibilities to transform your everyday experience. Read it everyday as a reminder of why you do what you do, and why you are working so hard to succeed.

Writing your Passion Statement

This is a quick and easy process. It's a process you don't have to do all at once, and it will be something you will revise often, as you grow as a person, a artist, and in your business.

Write whatever is in you head, use your brainstorming list from earlier this week. Pull out a few things that describe you as an artist/business person and, write your basic statement.

Keep your statement brief. It should flow freely, and every time you hear it you should get a shot of energy. Share it with your family and friends, let them ask questions, or see if it inspires them. Use their feedback to get you to your core statement.

Here's my statement. I just started working on it and it's a work in progress. I would love your feedback, what do you think?

I am building a blog community to focus on inspiration, creative process, and business. Together we can share our journey and support each other in our artistic endeavors.

Now it is time for you to give it a try. Grab your journal and start writing. I would love to see what you come up with, if you want to share, leave me a comment.

It is officially winter here in Chicago. We got snow, and our first day with below zero wind chills. So, today's drink recipe is hot, rich, and creamy. Perfect for hanging out with friends, by a cozy a fire, enjoying a relaxing evening indoors.

Hot buttered Rum

1 2/3 oz - dark rum
1 slice - soft butter
1 teaspoon - brown sugar
1 small - cinnamon stick
1 pinch - grated nutmeg
4 drops - vanilla extract
2 oz - boiling water

Mix the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract in a heatproof wine glass until creamed. Add the rum and the boiling water. Stir. Serve hot.

This drink is a treat all by itself, and great for after dinner. Want to try something different, check out these recipes.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Candied Ginger and Hot Buttered Rum Sauce

Ingredients:
•- For the Bread Pudding -
•1 Loaf Rich Egg Bread (such as Challah or Brioche), about 1 Lb cut into 1 inch cubes
•1 Can Pure Pumpkin Puree (15 ounces)
•3 Large Eggs, lightly beaten
•2 Cups Whole Milk
•1/2 Cup Crystallized (Candied) Ginger, chopped into small pieces
•1 Cup Dark Brown Sugar, packed
•1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
•1 Teaspoon Nutmeg
•1/2 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
•2 Tablespoons of Dark Rum (optional)
•Pinch of Salt
•- For the Hot Buttered Rum Sauce -
•1 Stick (4 ounces) Unsalted Butter
•1 Cup Heavy Cream
•1 Cup Dark Brown Sugar, packed
•3 Tablespoons Dark Rum
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
For the Bread Pudding:

In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, eggs, milk, rum, salt and spices. Add the bread cubes and mix together. Fold in the candied ginger.

Pour ingredients into a 10-inch springform pan or deep baking dish. Let stand for 10 minutes to let the bread soak.

Place pan on a cookie sheet and place in oven. Bake until a toothpick or knife inserted into the center comes out clean, approximately 50 minutes. Good bread pudding is moist, so don't overcook.

For the Hot Buttered Rum Sauce:

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Whisk in the brown sugar and heavy cream. Let the mixture just come to a boil. Let cool a minute, then add the rum. The rum sauce can be made up to two days ahead of time. Reheat until just warm.

To Serve:

Cut the bread pudding into slices and place onto dessert plates. Drizzle the hot buttered rum sauce over the top. If you like, you can add whipped cream and extra candied ginger.

This recipe is from About.com: Gourmet Food

Live in a warmer climate or you just love ice cream, give this recipe a try:

Hot Buttered Rum Pecan Ice Cream Sundae

1 Tbls. butter
2 Tbls. brown sugar
1/2 cup pecan halves
1 Tbls. dark rum
vanilla ice cream
Makes enough for 1 big sundae or 2 smaller ones.

Melt the butter in a non-stick pan over medium heat.

Toss in the brown sugar. Stir to combine well. Break up any lumps of brown sugar with the back of your spoon. Let the sugar/butter mixture cook for a minute or two over medium heat, stirring frequently. It should start to bubble and smell really good. If it starts to burn or smoke, turn the heat down.

Add the nuts to the pan. Stir to coat the pecans well. Cook for a minute or two more on medium heat, stirring constantly. If you have a gas stove, turn the heat off completely (so that if you spill the rum, it doesn’t accidentally ignite and flare up).

Add the rum. It should immediately start to boil and give off a big poof of steam, so step back and watch your fingers (and long hair, etc.). Stir the pan immediately to incorporate the rum into the sauce and to reduce it a little.

Turn the heat back on low. Cook for maybe another minute, stirring constantly. The sauce is done when it’s nice and thick and the nuts are well coated.

Turn the heat off and leave the pan on the stove to stay warm. Scoop out the ice cream.
Spoon the topping over the ice cream.

***
Copyright 2008 The Hungry Mouse™/Jessica B. Konopa. All rights reserved.

Enjoy!

Photo's to Inspire - Space

Space n. 2. The expanse in which the solar system, stars, and galaxies exist: universe.

Be inspired by the colors and shapes of these amazing, beautiful, and fascinating pictures of Space, from Flickr.

2008-10-28 Rosette - B Kingsley by BAKINGSLEY

Galaxies Coming of Age in Cosmic Blobs by nasa1fan/MSFC

Horsehead Nebula by dgoodin

Astronomers Flip Over Cartwheel Galaxy by nasa1fan/MFSC

An island in space by Constantine.H

What visual images inspire you? Let me know and I will pull together a Flickr collection, and share that you are the source of inspiration for the week they are posted.

Creative Brainstorming

I recently did two posts, one asking you What does success mean to you? and the other What do you want in your life? If you have not had a chance to read them, take a few minutes and check them out.

Having the answer to these two question will give you a foundation to writing out your strategic plan for 2010. To figure out what you want to achieve, review your answers and start brainstorming.

Create a list of achievements you want for 2010, don't hold back, don't limit your answer's to budget constraints, not enough skills, or even time issues. Just start listing.

Once your list is done combine everything that is similar or will reach the same objective. When you are done you should have a good start to achievable goals.

Now, if you have learn a new skill, figure out your budget, or find a new effective marketing ideas, use this week to do some research. Find places you can take some classes, or do online classes, check out accounting software, create a list of where you can market.

Next week when you create you plan for 2010 you will want to be specific about how you are going to reach your objectives and this information will be necessary.

Are you ready to create a workable plan for 2010?

Creative Planning

I recently read an article in Success magazine called Goal Setting doesn't Work. In this article the writer talked about how you really can't achieve the success you want until you are ready to change yourself.

There were a few things that struck me in the article.

First, when you are creating your list of goals or plan for the new year, you want to state your goals in the positive. For example: I am going to have ____ amount of sales this year.

Second, you have to think about what you need to change to achieve your goals. Ask yourself: Who do I have to become to achieve this? Answer in the positive - for example: I am a smart, confident, and effective leader. I will feed my ideas and inspirations that will support my passion.

Third, you have to be willing and ready to work hard at achieving your goals to create your own success. Why not try starting each day reviewing your goals to reinforce your commitment to achieving them.

These steps will work for all the areas in your life, losing weight, changing a relationship, as well as building your business.

It's time to stop creating a wish list and create a plan!

I'm ready, are you ready to create a plan for the new year?

Explore - The Season

This is a stressful time of year and planning and preparing can drain your energy. You must find ways to relax and enjoy the season.

Try these easy ideas to recharge for the season.

Slow down - Try not to rush around, stay in for a day and enjoy being home.

Soften you Focus - While the details seem important "in the moment" try not to get caught up in them.

Roll with it - Forget about the little things. Your ribbon does not have to match your paper, and you can be 5 minutes late.

Observe - Try to see the people and the things around them as they are, not as you wish them to be.

Awaken your Taste - Instead of just eating to be eating, enjoy the food of the season, eat slowly and taste every bite.

Breath First - When things get stressed, take a moment to slow down, take a deep breath, and tell yourself you can get through it.

Enjoy the this time of year, make it your best holiday.

Shop News

I was very excited I got 2 orders from my 1000 markets shop this past week! I have only had two other orders this whole year. I hope I can get a few more before the year is over.

I had sales in my Etsy shop as well, not as many as I would have liked, but I am happy with the sales I had. I worked hard all week promoting, so people could find my shop, maybe they will find me next week.

I am going to get back on track taking pictures of my new items, so I can get all the new stuff I created online. The plan is to do that this week, so stop in my Etsy shop to see all the new items I will be adding.

ITEM OF THE WEEK

A special just for my blog readers.

When you place a order in my Etsy Shop

put BLOG in the comments section

I will send you a FREE GIFT with your purchase

This special is for this week only (12/6 - 12)

BLOG NEWS

This past week, on Wednesday I had a post about your plan for 2010. It is a post to get you started on your planning and goal setting for the new year. I will be doing a couple of more posts over the next couple of weeks about this process. Take a few minutes to read last weeks post to get you started on the process. These posts are to inspire you to not only create your goals, but to create a plan for success.

I also started my Holiday Spirit post's this past Friday, it is a great drink and easy appetizers. New recipe's will be added this Friday, so stop by and check it out.

I hope everyone has a great week of sales, and is full of holiday spirit!

Motivation

I am having one of those days, you know the kind, where you are sick of trying to get sales, you don't want to do a blog post, your sick of reading Twitter and Facebook, and all the other things you have to do to get noticed on the world wide web.

I know, I could just walk away and forget about it for a day or two, but I also know if I do that I will not have anyone look at my shop, or read my blog, which means no sales, and no money. With the holidays only a few weeks away, I am really feeling the pressure to keep up.

I am going to do my part today, at least for a couple of hours, and then I am going to walk away. Hopefully tomorrow my mood will change and things will be back on track.

Let's start a discussion - What do you do when you are feeling like all you do is work? How do you get inspired to market your business daily and still be creative? Share your stories.

I know motivation is key, and I could use some today, maybe you could too - Let's motivate each other!

Explore - Holiday Spirit

It's Friday, and it's time for some holiday spirit!

So grab some friends, and give this drink a try.

Desirable
1 2/3 oz - lemon vodka
1/2 0z - peach schnapps
1/2 oz - cognac
1 2/3 oz cranberry juice
1 2/3 - passion fruit juice
1/2 teaspoon - honey

Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake well to let the honey infuse. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange (or lime) spiral on the rim.


You got your drink, now you need some snacks. Give these two easy recipes a try, for appetizers you can create in a flash.

Star Puffs

Cut a sheet of puff pastry with a star-shaped cookie cutter (any shape will work). Arrange the stars on a non stick baking sheet; brush with olive oil and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and pepper. Bake at 400 degrees until puffed and crisp, about 15 minutes.


Wrap Party

Roll thin slices of roasted red pepper around a basil leaf and a mini mozzarella ball (bocconcini). Secure with toothpicks.

Want more easy to create appetizers - check out Food Network.com

Enjoy!

Photo's to Inspire - Abstract

Today's Flickr collection is a little different. It's everyday objects that have been photographed to look like abstract art. Take a look at the photo's, can you tell what they are? Share your opinion about what these photo's do for your creative process in the comments section.

Abstract colors by odecurtis

Red Wine Abstract by Floyd Slip

Abstract three by IHP

Abstract Series #1 by imago2007 (on & off, mostly off)

Abstract Heart by Aki Jinn

Abstract by tina manthorpe

What visual images inspire you? Let me know and I will pull together a Flickr collection, and share that you are the source of inspiration for the week they are posted.

Thursday Thought

"Your vision of where or who you want to be is the greatest asset you have. Without having a goal, it's difficult to score."

Paul Arden