Empress Wu Designs with Wilma

The last time I wrote about New Year resolutions was in 2014 - in this post   . I still think that the five simple guidelines for happy living  is a wonderful way to reflect on behaviours for the year, and to continue every day of every year... I hope, this year, we will all try to be kinder to one another, expect the positive and judge less.  I am not so serious about  resolutions  and how to achieve them. I am aiming for doing the best I can each day.... There are so many websites which discuss the behaviourist theories behind successful  New Year resolutions. According to these experts, my approach is far too vague and should be more specific  and realistic  so if I were to translate this into action - a random act of kindness at least once a week, wake up each morning thinking of one positive thing which could occur in my day, hold my tongue when a quick judgement looms - this sounds ok for me. However,  I think it's so ...

2015 - celebrating the 100th birthday of Raggedy Ann. Cloth doll by Wilma Simmons from a Happy Hearts pattern.  “I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're doing something. So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life. Whatever it is you're scared of doing, do it. Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”  I wish I said this but the credit goes to  ―  Neil Gaiman

I have adopted the "5 simple rules for happiness"  as  a guide to my new year's resolutions. I don't think I usually harbour 'hatred", but I thought it was a good reminder to get rid of negativity in feelings and attitudes. Of course, I should have added "losing weight" to those 2014 goals... but I have for every year previously with mixed success. It is not surprising then to see the top 10 New Year's resolutions statistically are: 1 Lose Weight 2 Getting Organized 3 Spend Less, Save More 4 Enjoy Life to the Fullest 5 Staying Fit and Healthy 6 Learn Something Exciting 7 Quit Smoking 8 Help Others in Their Dreams 9 Fall in Love 10 Spend More Time with Family It is also then not surprising that  Google   searches  for "diet" surged by 82 percent immediately following New Year's Eve! However, statistically,  fewer than  50% of people who make resolutions on 1 January keep them beyond six months...

Polymer clay head by Bobbi Oliver Happy New Year - cheery fellow isn't he? What a creative beginning to 2013 I 've had. A visit to my friend's studio always motivates me. This week, I was there for only a few hours and came home with new knowledge and ideas.  Bobbi Oliver, from Lamboart   is a talented  figurative sculptor and art doll maker. Her partner, Jane Lambert ( hence the name, Lamboart) is also a talented paper artist. Their studio is alive with creativity, fun, laughter and joy.  Bobbi and some of her works in progress  Bobbi demonstrating clay techniques.  Bobbi has also helped me with the beginning of the "Spreading Wings" project for International Women's Day. Here is the link to the fantastic event, with a new sponsor -  the City of Newcastle , Making your Place program. Read more about this by following the link  ... in summary, " Spreading Wings " is a series of textile art skills workshops where small swa...

Happy New Year ... may 2012 be bountiful - full of love, fun, laughter and good times. And if the times prove not to be so great, may you find the courage, inspiration and support to remain positive.  Just sharing a great little Christmas crafty idea - created by my daughter -in-law. These cute little boxes were filled with sweets and little treasures which were prizes in our family Christmas treasure hunt . Our treasure hunt arms the children with individualized clue sheets ( to suit their ages) and they search the house for coloured Christmas baubles . When they return with the baubles, they receive a prize... 

Best wishes for a a very happy new year. I've been creating more feltfollies but must stop as we are off to the Blue Mountains ... I'll post again on Monday with more up to date news.