#reverb12 Day 26 Time, what is that?

Missed yesterday's #reverb12 for obvious reasons.  I hope Christmas was kind to you all this year, it was a quiet one for us.

So today's #reverb12 question is

How do you intend to carve out more time for the things that are the most important to you in 2013?

I think, one answer, keep away from the internet as much as I can.  Ironic, seeing I'm here writing this post. 

I really enjoy the internet, it's a great resource, great way to keep in contact with friends who are further away. And of course helps with the researching of the family tree.  But overall, I sometimes feel the internet is sucking out my creativity.  Like it's holding me back, sometimes.  So I plan to keep away as much as I can.  Cannot make any promises, the internet in away is a hard habit to break.   

#reverb12 Day 24 My most important habit

Decided to join Kat's #reverb12 question today.

What is the single most important habit you intend to cultivate in 2013?

So what single most important habit I want to cultivate in 2013?  Well it's going to have to be two things, reading and more creating away from the computer.

I don't read enough I feel, and I fully admit I'm a slow reader too. So I hope to improve the amount of books that I want to read in 2013.


I want to create more in 2013.  When I made my map Christmas wreath, I felt more at ease.  Creating on the computer is fun etc, but actually creating items with your hands, feeling the texture of paper, fabric or wool is just a little more satisfying.  So the habit of creating I want to cultivate in 2013.

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Image from here

#reverb12 Day 18 I was black & brown in 2012

It's been way too long since I last joined #reverb12, apologies Kat.  So today's question is:-

What colour best represents the year you had in 2012? And why?

What colour would you like to invite into your life in 2013? 

Images from Pinterest -Pantone

The best colour that represented 2012 was actually a combination of black and brown.  The first year after a death in the family is difficult. There are sometimes regrets, anger but most of all sadness.  Then there are the personal tragedies that you cannot mention to people, only a few close friends.  Yes it sounds like a bleak year, maybe it was. But what I do know, is that I was VERY thankful a person I love is here. 

Images from Pinterest - Pantone

So what colour do I want to invite into my life in 2013?  Well it's blue. Blue represents peace,stability, calmness, tranquility and confidence. I think that is what is needed in 2013.  So cheers to Blue. 

#reverb12 Day 13 Picture of me

It's been awhile since I joined in on #reverb12.  It's been chaotic here,  end of school and Christmas.  Anyway today's quest, I can join in. 

Please post your favourite picture of yourself from 2012, 

self-portrait or otherwise!

Well I looked for some photos of me taken during 2012 and would you believe there were none!  I have always been behind the camera!  The only photo I could find of me was with my family and taken over a year ago.  Not good. I will have to make more of an effort to make sure I'm in more photos. 

So to conclude I had to take one today.  Excuse the red face, it's 34 degrees out there!

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#reverb12 Day 9 My Favourite Book for 2012

I missed yesterday's #reverb12, life gets in the way, especially when we are moving closer to Christmas

Today's question is

What was the best book you read in 2012, and why?

I fully admit, I haven't quite finished this book, but I do know it has been the best book I've read in 2012.  Ellsworth-Jones has written a comprehensive book about the Bristol graffiti artist Banksy.  Banksy identity is a mystery to the world. He has risen from a street graffiti artist to an international artist who's work goes for thousands of pounds. 

I loved this because it's well researched. Not only does one get to read the steady rise of Banksy but also get an insight to what makes a graffiti artist tick. Why do they do it? What does it all mean? Also very interesting to read about the industry of  fake art and the shear amount of money that is made. 

Banksy: The Man behind the wall, is a must to read if you're interested in Banksy, art and political statements. 

This is one of my favourite Banksy pieces. 

#reverb12 Day 7 What will I take into 2013?

Unfortunately I missed a day of #reverb12, life just gets in the way of blogging!  Ahhh

So today's question is

What's the one thing you want to take with you into 2013?

My family and my health.  Many things have happened this year, it's a little quieter now, I want it to stay like this for 2013.  Not asking much. :-) :-)  

#reverb12 What was your dream destination?

What was your dream destination in 2012 and why? 

It can be a town, city, country or region -- real or imaginary -- 

and doesn't matter if you actually got there or not!

My dream destination for 2012 was to once again start approaching retail shops around Melbourne to see if they would except my stationery.  I did do this, I was turned down many times, but on the positive I was give some suggestions on how to promote my products to shops.
I am pleased to report that a shop has just recently accepted my suburban greeting cards.  Watch this space to hear more. 

#reverb12 Day 4 How will I celebrate me

How are you going to celebrate your 

self this festive season? 

Gee another difficult question. :-)  I don't usually think about myself at this time of year. I'm already thinking about 2013. What text books to get for my son for school next year, what Christmas presents should I buy. Are there any craft markets I want to attend next year?  The list goes on.  But think and celebrate me?  I feel almost guilty thinking about me. 

Well OK, I think I will celebrate myself, but cutting myself some slack and saying your OK. Also I will spend as much time as possible with my husband, son and family.  The last 12 months has taught me that life is so short. 

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#reverb12 Day 3 What do I really wish for

This is a deep question from Kat.

Imagine a scenario where you only had one year left to live. What is one thing 

that you really wish to do that you just haven't had the chance to accomplish yet?

I would like to add: what steps could you take (however small) to ensure 

that you accomplish this thing in 2013?

Another difficult question, by I guess my answer is very cliché. I want to travel to places I have been to before and a few I haven't been to. 

London:  

There are still so many museums I haven't visited as yet. It is true you would need a lifetime to explore London. 

New York:

I just want to visit all the museums and shops.  Hyde Park looks amazing. And I want to do the Sex and the City tour, if it's still going. 

Paris:

I have been to Paris for only 2 1/2 days with my husband and 3 year old.  Our son had a melt down just outside the Louvre, so we didn't have the pleasure of going in.  One day we will go back. 

Italy:

I personally don't have a yearning to visit Italy.  However my mother, husband and son want to go. So I wish I could take them there. 

Monument Valley:

I'm not sure about this place, but every time I see an image of those amazing rock formations, I'm just so drawn to them.  It's like I have to be there. 

So how would I accomplish this, probably sell the house.  

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#reverb12 Day 2 Your most significant spend

What was your most significant expenditure in 2012?

It doesn't have to be necessarily the biggest expenditure, 

just the one with the most impact.

What difference has it made to your life?

Kat, you ask some difficult questions. :-) :-)

So I thought, maybe that book or music I purchased many months ago, or was it that renovation we did just recently? Then I thought, it was the archival products for the family history which I purchased from Zetta Florence at the beginning of 2012.

I decided last year to research my husbands family tree (my mother is researching my side of the tree).  Little did I realise that it would take me on a huge journey.  Not only did I learn more about my husband and his family past. But I also learnt more about England and it's quaint villages, made contact with complete strangers who are VERY distant relatives to my husband. Also just learnt about genealogy and the skills that one learns.

I am really enjoying doing this research, I feel like a little detective.  The expenditure of the products has brought all this wealth of history together.  Finding an archival box big enough for a wedding dress was a happy moment to.

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#reverb12 Day 1 - How Am I Starting?

I'm taking part in another mini blog fest for December, #reverb12, hosted by the lovely Kat over at I Saw You Dancing.  The idea is to answer a few questions that are being put forward by her and others.   So here goes.

How are you starting this last month of 2012?

Take a moment, close your eyes, take a deep breath and ask yourself the question: how do you feel...

... in your body? in your mind? in your day job? in your creative life? in your heart? 


So how am I starting this last month of 2012?

To sum it up, tired and a little mellon collie.  I was going to do a lot in 2012.  I did start but personal life tends to take over.  I guess I'm still recovering from the end of 2011, when we ended up going to the UK twice in a space of 2 months. It took a lot out of us.

Creativity has come and gone throughout the year. But from what I hear, it happens to all creative types. I did have a little boost seeing Nic's fabulous work and venturing down Brunswick Street yesterday.  Lets hope the good creativity karma comes back.

In my heart a little sad, my son finishes primary school.  It's great that he has reached this milestone, but it's also it's an end of era. The little boy will never return.

Well cheers to December 2012 and then 2013.