One of the first things I do after Christmas is to get my new planner ready for the new year.  I have been purchasing the same planner from Target for the last couple of years but thought this year I wanted to personalize one a little bit so I picked up an expensive plain one from Walmart.


I always use a big 8.5 x 11 week a glance planner because I am a writer and note taker and this size gives me plenty of space to do both.



I picked this pretty teal blue color because I new I had some new Pink Paislee paper that I was itching to tear into.


And I mean that literally...


I started off by deciding what paper I wanted where and then started tearing and placing them jigsaw puzzle style until I was satisfied with the result.


Then I just started modge podging it down in reverse order.  (I always take a picture with my camera phone for reference at this stage.)


Once it was all down and dried a bit I started adding paint and stamps and doodling...


Then I finished the right side edges off with a couple of rows of washi tape.


I love the idea of having a single word to inspire you throughout the year and had already decided mine would be "home"...as in stay home more and get stuff done...home comes first...love your home, etc.  but then as always happens, I started reading other peoples words and was having second thoughts about mine.


That's when it hit me to make a list of all the words and phrases that I want to live by in 2014 and put them on the cover of my planner.  You'll notice that I left just enough room on the bottom to add another word or two if I am inspired to do so.


I varied the fonts and mixed up the placement and I really like how it turned out.  I used another layer of modge podge to adhere the words down and finish it off.

Now all I have to do is put all the important dates inside and write my list of one year and five year goals on the back cover.  I love starting the new year off organized, even if it doesn't last as long as I wish it would.  What about you?  Do you have a day planner for the new year?  Will you write down any hopes and dreams?  I'd love to hear them.  I'll share mine tomorrow as well as my list that I started 2013 off with.

xo, Patty

btw...If you'd like a copy of my words and phrases just let me know and I'd be happy to email you one.

It is always a little sad to see the beauty of Christmas come down each year.  The white twinkling lights and pretty ornaments add such cheer to our little cottage.  The oohs and aahs as we open up the boxes of decorations and lovingly find the perfect spot for them each year is such a perfect beginning to the holiday season. 


Even so, come the New Year I am always anxious to have order restored.  I love giving everything a good cleaning and placing our every day things back in place.


 This shelf of pretty glasses (some vintage, some new) reminds that there is still beauty in the ordinary.  Twinkling lights and special ornaments aren't the only way to bring cheer. 


That brings me to my question...

Do you use your pretty things or are your ordinary everyday dishes just that...ordinary?

I have to admit sometimes I forget to pull down a pretty glass for a drink of water or my favorite mug for my morning coffee. 


Not this year.  Living my life with passion can mean something as simple as enjoying a cool glass of water from a silly lemonade glass instead of the plain one tucked behind the cupboard door, or drinking my coffee from my Anthropologie splurge mug instead of the matched set hanging by the coffee pot.

I think I'm going like this passionate living thing!

xo, Patty

This is absolutely my favorite night of the year.  I know it's silly but this night holds all the hopes and dreams that I've dared to imagine in a brand new, never been touched year.   I realize that any day can hold the same opportunities but there is just something about the turning of the calendar year that ignites fresh possibilities.


For as long as I can remember I have been a lover of new beginnings...a new box of crayons, a new school year, new flower beds, new houses and the granddaddy of them all...a whole New Year. 


This is the stuff that the dreamer in me lives for.  Making lists and plans and setting new goals.  I gave up a long time ago calling them resolutions, that term seems to place a period after any failed attempts.  Hopes and dreams allow for the chance to try and fail and revamp and try again. 


Since this is 2012, I thought I'd list my top twelve hopes and dreams for the year.  Of course this list is subject to editing because life never goes according to plans. 

I found my pretty 2012 day planner at Target...don't you love it?  I"ll write my list inside the front cover that way every time I open it I can be reminded to keep focused on what I want to accomplish and to assess just what I'm doing to live the life I dream of living.



Right next to the day planners at Target was this handy dandy label maker.  I think it goes hand in hand with being purposeful about living life.   So here's my list...

1.  Pray more.
2.  Write more thank you cards.
3.  Be more organized.
4.  Walk regularly.
5.  Learn to cook new things.
6.  Take more pictures.
7.  Spend more time in my studio.
8.  Open an Etsy shop or booth.
9.  Be a better friend.
10. Spend more quality time with my husband.
11. Be content.
12. Give to others more purposely.

That's it...nothing earth shattering but hopefully life changing for me and those in my sphere of influence.  I have been given so much, I really want this to my year to give back.

What about you?  Any hopes and dreams you'd like to share?  I'd love to hear them.

Have a happy, joyful and content New Year my friends.  Thank you for all your encouragement and kind words in 2011.

Patty