Two
thousand and twelve. It is here! I am partial to numbers that I
think look balanced and beautiful, and I think 2012 is one of those
beautiful numbers. Sets a nice tone for the year, don't you think?
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| Illustration by Katie Daisy |
I wanted to share a few things that are inspiring me right now.
- Yukon and Alaska: Some of my favourite memories from 2011 are from a quick road trip I took with two friends to Yukon and Alaska last summer. (You know you must live too far north when you can use the words "quick" and "road trip to Alaska" in one sentence!) But seriously, we saw some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. At work I'm using a huge Mac, I don't even know the size of the screen, but lately I keep Yukon scenes as my wall paper: both are vast and beautiful!
- Time off over this holiday season has been wonderfully
rejuvenating. I've been reading some books about
modern-day and past heroes who embody true sacrifice and love. Sleeping in,
spending time with family and friends, cutting and gluing, handlettering...doing things that help me relax. My sister also served us a tremendous turkey dinner +
two rounds of turkey sandwiches...yum!
- Birthmas (my
birthday and Christmas, which fall near each other) is a joyful
time of giving and receiving sweet notes, handmade gifts and kindness. One of my favourite gifts was a bright and beautiful necklace by
Yeonhee, a local Korean jewelry designer who shows her craft at some of
our local farmer's markets. I sort of wish it matched my outfit every day.
- My talented brother's website design was featured in Applied Arts' December '11 magazine. So proud of that guy (not just for his talent, but for the man he is becoming, too). Did I mention that he's only recently graduated from design school? This was a project he completed while interning at Pylon in Toronto.
- A recent winter handlettering and illustration project of mine got great feedback both from clients and friends. My handlettering work feels even more personal than other, more digital work, and when I get so much kind feedback it is really encouraging.
- I finally upgraded my camera and am sort of wondering why it took me so long to do so. But, I was able to buy a camera from a friend, a win-win for both of us.
- We've had tremendously mild weather this fall and winter. All fall I was thinking "I better make the most of this nice weather, it will be over soon!" But our beautiful fall was has been followed by a lovely winter, too.
- Through Smile Train, I was able to give a needy child the gift of a cleft lip and palate surgery. Growing up in Brazil, I knew of several needy people who had this type of surgery done and it makes me so happy to be able to help a child in need. As my hero says, it is better to give than to receive.
- Just the fact that I even have time to post this is inspiring to
me, I am learning about time management and reading a book called Margin.
- As usual, I'm a bit slow to get on board with some new fads, but
I've finally created a Pinterest
(just as addicting as expected) and Twitter accounts.
Sometimes I find the internet a bit overwhelming, and I may use Twitter
more just to follow others, but Pinterest, well, it is
sheer genius.
Here's to 2012. I'm excited for this new year, and what it may hold!
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| Image source: http://slidingdownthestairs.blogspot.com/ |
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