Possibilities

 It's the start of a new year and, with it, comes a time for reflection; reflection on the past year and hope for what the new year might bring.  Do you make resolutions?  I don't.  What I do though, is set goals.  I've always been goal oriented and I can honestly say that every time I've set a goal, I have achieved it.  The problem I have with resolutions, is that they are based, in my opinion, on setting one's self up for failure.  Not only myself, but in those around me, I've witnessed time and again, the inability to turn a resolution into an accomplishment; whether it be to lose weight, advance in your professional life, save money.....and so forth. 

A goal, however, is a whole other animal.  According to my research, there are varying opinions on the differences between a resolution and a goal.  My experience leads me to believe that setting goals - actual, achievable goals, is the key to making real, true change in one's life.

Last year was an amazing year for me.   I realized a goal which has impacted me in ways that I never expected.  I never doubted that it would happen, and I shouldn't have been surprised when it did.

Let me briefly share the changes that took place in just one year:

1.  Six months after I started my own personal craft blog, I was asked to join two friends in forming a new, fun crafty site.  Although, it's not for profit, it is for fun!  Mountain Plains Crafters.  Look it up.

2.  Two months later:  I find out that the Craft and Hobby Association is having a big trade show in Atlanta, GA, just 2 short hours from where I live.  I'm not a member.  I'm not a big craft company.  I have no business even thinking about going.  But, I did.  I thought, and thought and thought some more.  Then, I decided to go on a campaign of sorts; a quest.  I called it, "The Quest for CHA".  (Look in my archives from June 2014)  I blogged about this quest for almost 2 months, campaigning to get in, in any way, shape and/or form.  I offered to set up tables, lay power cords...whatever it took to earn my keep.

I guess the powers-that-be, liked my quest.  I got the email, and then, the all-important phone call inviting me to attend.  But, not only was I invited to attend, I was asked to be the Guest Blogger and the Show Photographer.  A far cry from expecting to sweep floors.  It was a wonderful adventure and a life lesson in many ways.

3.  In turn, the experience has led to numerous opened doors and other opportunities.  I've made  connections, networked and formed relationships that will stay with me for as long as I choose to stay connected to the world in which I now find myself.  My year ended with more freelance blogging for several different companies.  Intentional goals obtained, specifically, for the learning experience and, to help me expand and grow in the crafty realm.

So what about 2015?  A lot of bloggers are sharing their "word" for the new year.  I would have to say that my word is "possibilities"; possibilities for what lies ahead - the new roads I might travel,  whether it be the world wide web or Interstate 20.

And yes, I have already set some goals for this year, not resolutions. 

 I plan to achieve, not fail.  

Goal #1 - Get on the design team of a major company.  I have much to learn.  Surround yourself with the best, and achieve maximum results.  I believe that.

Goal #2 - Turn a profit on my blog.  It's been very slow going.  I've recently joined some affiliate programs and am working towards that goal.  Time is a factor and I hope to spend more time learning the in's and out's.  I'm learning from those who have the answers.  Joining experienced blogger groups has been invaluable in learning and taking the steps to move forward.

Goal #3 - This goal is 2-fold.  I want to go back to a CHA trade show, next time as a member.  They now have a blogger membership.  Yes!  Now, I just need to have a profitable blog to justify the yearly membership fee.  I'm working on that too.  

I have a motto and my family is well familiar with this motto:

"If you don't ask, you don't get."  If you don't try, you'll never know.  So try.  And don't be surprised when the answer is yes.

#CHA #CHASHOW #cre8time

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Countdown to CHA, Day 2 ...Butterflies!

(To follow the entire saga, view my blog archives...this is my Quest to get into the Craft and Hobby association trade show in Atlanta......and I'm going!)

This is it.  The day before.  Butterflies are hitting hard so what better way to channel my energy than to get crafty and make, you guessed it,  butterflies.

The design team at Mountain Plains Crafters have all decided we should have a scrap swap amongst ourselves.  Any good crafter knows good and well that you save every little scrap.  Nothing goes to waste.  So I took some of my scraps and made butterflies with my Paper Smooches dies.  I especially love to make vintage or wordy butterflies.  I think the girls will love 'em.

With one day left, I piddled around with those apps some more and re-read all the instructions for photo ops and workshop supplies that I need to bring.  I spent some quality time at Starbucks yesterday on wifi, experimenting with the apps and my Kindle Fire HD.  Looks like I've got all my bases covered.  

I'm looking forward to Day 1; workshop day.  Right up my alley too.  What's that you say?  You want me to go to workshops and make stuff?  Crafty, awesome, super cool stuff with tools that look like dental instruments and hob nobbin' with Graphic 45, Sizzix and Spellbinders and Stephanie Barnard? Ok, can do, no need to twist my arm, particularly the left....kind of have a bum shoulder.

(Today, my Blogiversary giveaway goes live.  Be sure and enter here.  Ends 8/12/14.)

Quest for CHA, Part 10.

(To follow the entire saga, view my blog archives...this is my Quest to get into the Craft and Hobby association trade show in Atlanta!)

By the time I arrive at the Craft and Hobby Association's Inaugural Papercrafting Trade show (gosh, I really like how that rolls off my tongue), it will have been almost a month since my quest began.

You may not know this, but I was working angles, planning strategies and trying to  pull strings before this quest went public.  I'm still amazed how quickly everything fell into place. 

I've got about four different things I'm juggling at the moment, not including family.  Actually, I probably need to revise that number because I know it's more than four, but I dare not take the time to calculate the true number, hence becoming overwhelmed at the sheer number of tasks placed before me, which would then lead to me crawling into a dark corner somewhere, curling up into the fetal position and begin sucking my thumb!  Seriously?  It's not that bad.  Plus, I'm a really good juggler; just don't throw extra plates or balls at me.

Today I'm continuing to connect with CHA vendors.  I've looked at follow-up responses to my tweets and now I'm trying to familiarize myself with products.  Many of the vendors I know well (their products).  I know what kind of products they market, signature styles and lines,  who's vintage and who's not.  There are however, quite a few companies I'm NOT familiar with.  I'm enjoying spending time going to their websites and being introduced to new products.  I'm also discovering that there's a lot of emphasis on Christmas in July!  Wow, I never realized how much.  Hey, that's not a bad thing either.  I saw somewhere recently that Christmas is something like 23 weeks away?  Say it ain't so!  According to my CHA schedule, the holidays are a big emphasis at this event.  It's all about new products coming out and marketing strategies for Christmas...well not ALL, but I gather from my research that there will be a whole host of holiday unvealings.  Yours truly gets to be right smack in the middle of all that.  Yeah!  Don't think this is all being handed to me on a silver platter though.  I put some hard work into it, let me tell you.   It's not going to be a big party for me.  I'll be working my tush off, making sure I keep up my end of the bargain.  At the same time it WILL be fun!  Every day I do a little happy dance.  Kind of like Steve Carrell in Evan Almighty.  You need to see that movie, if only for the happy dance.  And the outtakes.  Oh my, the outtakes are hilarious!!  The hammer and the thumb??  You remember, right?! 

The Quest might take a break for the weekend and come back full throttle Monday with a weekend update.  I'm thinking...do we need to change the story from quest to countdown?  Tell me what you think?  Have a great weekend and dream a little dream.  Then go make it happen!

Quest for CHA, Part 5

(To catch up on the saga, scroll to the bottom and read Parts 1-4 of my quest to get into the Craft and Hobby association in Atlanta)

The quest took a break yesterday.  I was busy pretty much almost all day.  In between scouring tubs and doing laundry, I was on my phone networking; plugging Mountain Plains Crafters, chatting with the design team and working on posts for the blog and my personal site.  Crafting never sleeps!  Oh, and there's the boy who demands my attention too.  And the hubs.  He pretty much begged me to cook a good southern meal last night, so I obliged; country fried chicken tenderloins with homemade gravy (is there any other kind?), mashed potatoes (no instant here) and some steamed asparagus so I could at least have one healthy item in the mix. 

I said in my previous post that I would tell you about my Mother's dream at the age of 72.  Or maybe she's 73.  I can never remember.  She has it in her mind that some television network is going to do a reality show about her and her neighbor Carol, and their kooky adventures and call it "Gossip with Grandmas". 

Mom has been writing stories about our family for as long as I can remember, most with a comedic twist.  Yes, I was raised crazy and continue to live crazy.  I definitely have my mom's sense of humor. 

So mom contacted our friend awhile back, who works at A&E in New York (hi Margie!) to find out what she needs to do to get the ball rolling.  Yes, folks, she did.  And Margie told her she needs to come up with a "treatment".  Now my mother has been working on that treatment for a good 6 months or more.  I've prepared her for the fact that, they may reject her scipt.  So what's she going to do if it's rejected?  Submit it to the next network on her list.  Yup.  Mom's got a stubborn streak.  Guess what else?  She also wants to get one or both of her books published.  I'll admit that a part of me thinks my mom is a bit delusional.  But who am I to crush her dreams?  Anything is possible, right?  Getting into CHA might just be the first step towards a new crafty, direction.  I'll admit, another unspoken goal is to one day be designing crafty products.  There.  I've gone and said it out loud again.

Let me wrap this up by saying, CHA is calling me tomorrow.  Am I a nervous wreck?  Kind of, but not overly so.  Might something stupid come out of my mouth? Probably.  Haha.  Actually, I think I'm just nervous about the unknown; what they'll ask, what their ideas are, if something stupid will come out of my mouth.........

So as the song goes, say a little prayer for me.  And sing along with the bridal party from "My Best Friends Wedding" while you're at it (pictured).  #grin

The Quest for CHA, Part 4

Quest for CHA Part 3

The Quest for CHA, Part 2

The Quest for CHA, Part 1

My Pinterest-click here

The Quest for CHA Saga

You know this quest of mine is morphing into what, I'm not quite sure.  Much like the Twilight saga, this whole Quest thing feels like an ongoing story, minus the good looking vampire and wolves!  Let me share a few thoughts that are running rampant in my head:
 

Why am I doing this?  What do I expect to gain from this experience?

Well, even if I don't make it to CHA, the entire process has been extremely interesting, stimulating and at times, mind blowing.  I'm literally floored by the support from friends, family, online followers, private messages...you name it.  I've always been very goal oriented.  I've been working since the age of 15 and have a strong work ethic.  In the back of my mind, I always have plans for what I want to do in the future.  I don't necessarily verbalize these thoughts, but they're there.  I had goals when I started my blog, Waving My Wand.  I wanted to eventually be part of a joint crafting blog with sponsors and build a community.  I know, there's one on every corner, but that's a testimony to every person out there who has a love for crafting.  I have to thank Angela Magnuson of the Unity Stamp Co for bringing me together with my other two co-horts (hi Pam and Sheryl!) at Mountain Plains Crafters.  We have a wonderful design team in place and pretty great sponsors too.  This is the realization of an unspoken goal. 

So back to the question, what and why?  Or maybe it was why and what??  Regardless, this is my vision for CHA, should they let my sorry tail in the door.
(Yes, another checklist.  Deal with it.)

1.  Earn my keep.  I have no idea what kind of ideas they're bouncing around at CHA headquarters up there in Elmwood Park, N.J., but by golly, if these arthritic knees need to bare up under heavy lifting, then that's ok by me.  This chic is willing to work!

2.  Document my time there.  I want to blog about my experience from the perspective of your every day crafter.  We are a tight knit community and we crafters have that love for creating.  We love to not only create but we love the process; getting all inky, getting poked with sewing needles, letting fly a few choice words now and then....staring at that project and zoning out until lightning strikes and you lay down that next perfect piece.  Don't we all at some point wish we could meet some of our crafty idols?  The companies that make these fabulous products?  I want to meet some of our sponsors and personally THANK them.  No, I won't act like a Donny Osmond groupie (although I AM a Donny Osmond groupie!  Well maybe just a huge fan.  He spoke to me once.  He said, "take the picture already!"  Haha.  I have to duke out biggest Donny fan with my pal Megan Elizabeth from Above Rubies Studio!) 
Of course, I envision professional handshakes and courteous conversation.  But hey, they don't have to know I'll be  quivering like jello inside.  (I said but hey....just like on Duck Dynasty.)

3. Learn.  Yes, I want to learn!  I'm just a little goldfish swimming in a tank full of Peacock Gudgeon's.  (Wow, those suckers are expensive!  $15.99 @liveaquaria.com- see picture)  This journey has just begun and who knows where it will go.  We learn from the masters.  I'm hoping to meet some masters.

So there you go.  I've made 3 points, just like a good Baptist preacher.   Earlier today, I posted something on Twitter.  Something caught my eye.  CHA had marked my blog post as a favorite.  I don't know what that means but it's got to be good, right? 
 

(part 3 of my ongoing quest to go to CHA/Craft and Hobby Association's Big blowout trade show in Hotlanta!)

Bored?  Want to read the entire saga?

Quest for CHA Part 1

Quest for CHA Part 2

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