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Welcome to episode 020 of the Me Being Crafty podcast, where we explore creativity in your life.

In this episode I am talking about my word for the year – EMBRACE – as well as plans for 2015. We are moving again at some point and I am embracing just being able to do what I can do. I long ago gave up control over moving because I don’t get to pick when and where (for the most part anyway), and giving up that control has only been a positive thing. Because we are moving, I have to start making some plans such as our interest in having a giveaway for our friends here and all that involves. Embrace also means that I will be intentional with my creativity, with sharing what I know, and also with what I want the podcast and my business to look like.

Today I mention that I started picking a word for the year several years ago and although there are many websites and maybe even apps around this idea, I discovered it because of Ali Edwards. I may have missed a year or two over the past almost ten years, but for the most part I pick a word and I think it is just a fun exercise to do in order to add something to your every day life. I also sometimes buy a piece of handmade jewelry that says my word on it, and I did this year. I love the items that Lisa Lehmann produces at Studio Jewel, so be sure to check her out if you are interested in wearing your word.

And finally, just one more plug for the tools I am using this year in my business planning. I so love the year of making and I hope you had the chance to grab the ebook! I also love the Your Best Year so if you need a creative business planner this is the one for you.

I have been blogging in one form or another since at least 2004 so I am really excited about this year. Everyday can feel like a fresh start, but of course unless you take action you will never be happy. This must be something I have needed to hear because for the past couple of days I’ve heard my friend Faydra saying just that – you need to take action. Faydra is someone I recently met thanks to the Stretch Yourself Challenge last October at Solo Smarts and I have really enjoyed what she has to share. She is America’s Crisis Coach, and although I am not in crisis, she has great words of wisdom to share.

A reminder of where you can find me –Tsoniki on Instagram – Me Being Crafty facebook page – Tsoniki on Twitter 

Listen to episode 020 and let me know your word for the year and how far into 2015 you are planning.

Leave me a comment and let me know how you were creative today. Me, I’m making lists of quilts to make, block bees that I am in, and getting ready to mail swap packages.

Head over to iTunes and subscribe to Me Being Crafty so you don’t miss an episode! You can also subscribe on stitcher.

Welcome to episode 019 of the Me Being Crafty podcast, where we explore creativity in your life.

In this episode I am talking about what is coming in 2015 on the Me Being Crafty podcast and for my business.

I am excited to bring you more conversations with creative people in 2015 and also excited to talk with more Native American artists, crafters, quilters, designers, musicians, and more. Our community is full of makers and I am happy to be able to bring them on the show for you.

I’d love to hear your feedback on the podcast, leave me a rating and review on ITunes if that is where you are listening to the show, and don’t forget to click subscribe so you don’t miss out on any future shows.

A reminder of where you can find me – Me Being Crafty facebook page – Tsoniki on Instagram – Tsoniki on Twitter 

Listen to episode 019 and let me know what you are working on for 2015! Have you made plans yet, do you have a to do list, how many quilts are you planning on making?

Leave me a comment and let me know how you were creative today. Me, I’m enjoying this first day of 2015 by sewing a little and also doing some beadwork.

Head over to iTunes and subscribe to Me Being Crafty so you don’t miss an episode! You can also subscribe on stitcher.

Welcome to episode 018 of the Me Being Crafty podcast, where we explore creativity in your life.

In this episode I am talking about three things that I am using as we go into 2015 to help with being creative and to help with my business. The first is a productivity workbook and planner by Lisa Jacobs, the second is the bullet journal, and the third is the Year of Making ebook by Kim Werker.

Link to the PDF version (this is the one I have! Print it out and put it in a binder): Your Best Year 2015 Productivity Workbook and Creative Business Planner

Amazon link: Your Best Year 2015 Productivity Workbook and Creative Business Planner

Bullet Journal – I have modified how I use my journal, I don’t use the same icons as he describes, though I do separate out the tasks once there are a few that are related. I also realized that if there was something I kept putting off, I either decided it just didn’t need to get done or I found someone else to do it for me (like asking my husband to make the dentist appointments last month when I kept putting it off).

I use this white Moleskine notebook, it’s the one with the grid inside. Mine came with a pen that clips to the cover, but I found that the ink soaked through the pages too much so I use other pens. I love these notebooks.

Kim Werker’s episode 4 of Compulsory and her interview with Mariam Felton regarding the Year of Making. I started my year of making a few days ago, friend me on instagram so you don’t miss what I am making and I can find you to see what you are making! Here is Kim’s ebook Year of Making on etsy, buy this today while it has a special launch price which is good until January 5, 2015. I bought this and printed a few pages. I hung up the page that keeps track of what you made (just a simple fill in the blank for you to make a note on each day) on a cabinet in my sewing area.

A reminder of where you can find me – Me Being Crafty facebook page – Tsoniki on Instagram – Tsoniki on Twitter 

Listen to episode 018 and let me know if you buy either the Your Best Year Productivity Workbook and Creative Business Planner or the Year of Making ebook. I would love to connect with you and support you in 2015!

Leave me a comment and let me know how you were creative today. Me, I’m working on really old WIPs, check out my instagram for a picture, look for the picture with two curved quilt blocks. That is a quilt from a class I took in 2008. It’s time to get this one finished.

Head over to iTunes and subscribe to Me Being Crafty so you don’t miss an episode! You can also subscribe on stitcher.

Welcome to episode 017 of the Me Being Crafty podcast, where we explore creativity in your life.

In this episode I have a holiday message from my family to yours! I don’t have an interview to share today, but I wanted to say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from my family to yours.

Be kind to each other and those who do not have what you have – share in the grief that people may be sharing so their grief is not a burden – whether you have faith or spirituality and regardless of the religion you may or may not be a part of – we wish for you and your family peace, good health, joy, and happiness.

Listen to episode 017, it will take just a few minutes.

Leave me a comment and let me know how you were creative today. Me, I’m enjoying Christmas with my family and loving that we can facetime our family in the US.

Head over to iTunes and subscribe to Me Being Crafty so you don’t miss an episode! You can also subscribe on stitcher.

Welcome to episode 016 of the Me Being Crafty podcast, where we explore creativity in your life.

In this episode I talk to Lee Monroe of May Chappell about her creative journey including changing her major in college to becoming a graphic designer and falling in love with quilting five years ago. Lee is the President (soon to be Vice President) of her local modern quilt guild and has turned her creative love of quilting into a business. She has published quilt patterns and is also teaching quilting classes.

I have been reading Lee’s website for a couple of years now and I just love her tutorials and the Tuesday Tip she features weekly. We talk about how the tips can feel like they are obvious things, but to someone new, seeing that tip offers a moment of clarity. Thanks again for being on the show Lee!

Where you can find Lee – May Chappell on facebook – May Chappell Craftsy patterns – May Chappell on pinterest – May Chappell on instagram – Lee on flickr

Lee and I had a great talk about her changing creative journey from full time graphic designer to now having a creative business. She is teaching locally in North Carolina, and expanding that in 2015. Lee has really great quilt patterns available for sale so I encourage you to check them out! She is involved in organizing the Modern Quilt Guild’s Leadership Conference that is the day after QuiltCon ends in February, 2015, in Austin, TX. I really wish I were attending because the conference looks so good!

Pablo Picasso said, “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist,” what a great quote for Lee to share. I definitely agree with this – you need a foundation to build on before you can start breaking the rules. I hope you are building your foundation so we can look forward to you breaking some rules!

Listen to episode 015 and let me know what prompted your start with being creative, did you love your crayons from the age of two? My daughter is one who has been creative from that age, and I love watching her artistic ability grow and change over the years.

Leave me a comment and let me know how you were creative today. Me, I’m planning more cookies because we gave away a batch and the kids ate what we had left. 🙂