New Year’s Inspiration Challenge at Frilly and Funkie
Hello, Friends! Don’t you just love the start of a new year? It’s like writing on a fresh page in a new journal…all filled with promise and full of wonderful expectations. For our first Frilly and Funkie challenge of 2017, the theme is New Year’s Inspiration. Here’s what Linda, the owner of the Funkie Junkie Boutique has to say about this challenge:
New Years Inspiration
At the start of each New Year so many of us make plans and set goals for the futures. So for this challenge we want you to create a vintage or shabby chic project depicting what you are inspired to do/achieve in 2017.
The team will choose their top 4 picks with the winner being invited to join us for Guest Designer spot on the Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog. Three additional participants will receive badges to display on their blogs. Everyone who enters and follows the rules will be entered into a random drawing for a $25 shopping spree at the Funkie Junkie Boutique.
Nature Sketchbook Easel Card
I gave this challenge theme a lot of thought, and I had about a hundred different ideas in about as many different directions. But I finally settled upon this rather simple Nature Sketchbook Easel Card because the sentiment really spoke to me.
2016 was a real roller coaster of a year loaded with all kinds of highs and lows. We endured the stress of having our house on the market, selling our house…and having the contract fall through 3 times before we finally found a buyer who took it to the finish line. Then there was the stress of sorting through all our “stuff” and downsizing so that we could fit into our cozy new home. I had to get my new studio arranged in such a way that I could find a good work flow. I also had to remember where I’d put everything. (Labels save the day!)
In May, I learned that I had won a spot on the Graphic 45 Design Team, and that was a wonderful celebration as well as a new learning curve. And, on top of it all, Dale had ongoing health issues. There were lots of sweet happy times mixed in with not so fun challenging times. I found myself to be busier than I’ve been in years. I got tired. Exhausted, really. And my creativity began to wane. It all just felt like WORK. So. Much. Work.
Happiness is a Butterfly
I think that’s why this sentiment spoke to me. The whole idea of sitting down quietly…developing a quiet spirit in the midst of all kinds of hubbub…and then creating from that place…that is my goal for 2017. Making time to sit quietly and just BE.
Anyone who creates knows that you must feed your spirit in order to maintain a flow of creativity and inspiration. I want to remember to take the time to do that in the coming year. I’m hopeful that if I keep this card on my desk, it will remind me to sit quietly and reflect on all that I am thankful for in this beautiful mess we call life.
These fragile butterflies will remind me that in order to soar, I have to spend some time resting my mind and my spirit as I focus on the beauty of the life that surrounds me. And I have to remember to rest (and exercise!) my body in order to stay healthy and strong.
That about sums it up. But I’d love to hear from you. What are YOU inspired to do/achieve in 2017? If you’d like, you can share it with me in the comment section below. I’m hoping you’ll be inspired to join in on this fun challenge, and link up on the Frilly and Funkie blog. You’ll find all the necessary details HERE.
Thanks so much for letting me share my thoughts with you here today!
Cheerio,
kathy
Product Links to the Funkie Junkie Boutique
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Hi Kathy!
Well, you’ve totally rocked in the New Year with this fabulous beauty! I never for a moment would have thought your creativity ever waned. You seem to have an endless capacity for creating something new and fantastic with every single piece. I feel like I get to peek into your soul with each lovely work of art, and what I see there is pure beauty. I hope the New Year fills your life with blessings,
Love and Hugs,
Nancy
Beautiful card with a truly inspirational quote! And an even more inspiring post, written from the heart! I always enjoy reading your posts and this one was so touching! My heart goes out to you for the emotional roller coaster you have been on this passed year, and I pray that 2017 will indeed be a year you can sit back and take quiet time. I know it can only be better! Sending hugs!
Gorgeous sentiment and card. Wishing you a blessed healthy and calm new year! With plenty of time to create!
Sorry to hear about your hubby having healthy problems. Hopefully the new year has worked it’s magic and things are better now. Thanks for sharing this gorgeous easel card with us,
So enjoyed the Frilly and Funky designs. They give me so many ideas for paper combinations and embellishing. The butterflies, especially, are so bright and uplifting for a new year! Thanks.
This is just stunning Kathy! I am in love with that sentiment, and I so agree with your goal for the upcoming year. It’s one I adopted last year, so it seems we have switched. lol. Such a gorgeous reminder to take it slow and enjoy the little things. Breathe, appreciate and be amazed by the world around you!! I wish you all the best with this and everything you do in 2017, it’s been an honour to get to know this last year. Happy New Year!!!
Wow! I love your explosion of color! The sentiment is very nice and congrats on your Graphic 45 gig!! Wishing you a wonderful, creative new year!!
Thanks so much Jerrie! This collection from G45 is loaded with color and such fun to work with. It’s an honor to design for Frilly and Funkie and Graphic 45! I’m having a blast!
Your gorgeous card makes your inspirational sentiment simply pop. It feels like sitting in a beautiful garden watching the butterflies – so many beautiful details. I too struggle with taking the time to sit and breathe and when I do sit I still find my mind doesn’t want to relax. Sometimes we are own own worst enemy and just need to remember to love ourselves.
Hugs!
Cec
Hi Kathy,
a very Happy and Healthy New Year to you.
Love this super card and the design is amazing and very colourful too..
This is definitely what we need to cheer up a drab winter.
Sorry I haven’t been around for a while, I had a nasty cold just before Christmas, and that put me right out with my Christmas preperations for family staying.
So not had chance to blog for sometime.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.
This is beautiful Kathy and perfectly identifies the important need to get some quiet time in our lives. Wishing you a calmer and healthier 2017 xx
This card is so fresh and pretty. It’s a reminder to sit and get lost in thoughts, so important for all of us. I remember your events over the last year and got to know your resilience and strength. Keep going my friend you are doing well. I hope to be healthier this year after all of last year’s hospital trips and operations. I too would like to find peace of mind from all the other events in life. Looking forward to seeing your years creations . Hugs my friend xx