What are your 2012 Goals?

One of my many goals is to read at least 1 book per month. 

 (I already surpassed my quota for January by getting sucked into the Hunger Games Trilogy. Soooo Good!)

A new year and a new set of goals is always invigorating.  I like the promise of all the wonderful goals to pump some life juice into my veins and give me that kick start into the year. So I ask you- Have you thought about things and goals you want for 2012?  What kind of things make the top of your list this year?

I have come up with a lose structure for my 2012 Goals and I am really looking forward to this year being the year I make do with my resolutions. At least sincerely try- lol. Here is a loose structure I am planning our business goals around, maybe they will be helpful for you too.

*New product goals- How many products do you want to release? When will they launch/ come out?

**Monetary goals- This one is hard, but having yearly goals as well as monthly goals are very important. What is realistic and what is your dream big scenario?

***Social media goals- Goals for fans/followers in 3-month goals on social media sites. 3-moths sound digestible. What are your thoughts, does 3-months sound doable?

*Marketing goals- I have been naive to neglect that people send out pitches to blogs and magazines every month. This needs to be at the top of my "scary but must-do" list of things to conquer. Maybe you can conquer this with me if it is on your list too ;)

**Wholesale goals- How many shops can I wholesale too and if more is needed how many stores shall we pitch to?

***Then a  BIG, The Sky is the Limit Goal for 2012!! What's your goal going to be? Ours is super exciting and a little nerve wracking, but we just got word that we are accepted into the Crafted at the port of Los Angeles Craft Market Place!!!

We are super elated about the market place and I am glad that my big goal for the year is something I am both excited for and confident in. Having a tangible "sky is the limit goal" to achieve is getting me hella pumped for 2012  :)
I would love to share details for you to make it a goal for yourself- shoot me an email and I can fully express why you should jump on board this great opportunity. OR or check out their Facebook for even more details.

Well, good luck on all your goals this 2012! More soon.

XOXO, KC

How-To's Day: Make Heat Pads/ Ice Packs

 (Here is an example of one I made for my Grandpa)

Before the Holidays, Sharon and I stumbled upon this amazing project on Pinterest from blogger elm street life. It is a DIY Heating pad that you can also put in the freezer and use as an ice pack.

 (image via elm street life)

Whitney's project is awesome so I will just be adding my tips and findings here.  For full instructions head over to her post here. 

What I wanted to show you today for the tutorial are some variations I came up with for mine that I am using as a neck warmer/ shoulder saver.  The holidays have taken most of my shoulder strength from me and this heating pad has been a great help with eliminating some of my chronic pain. I didn't stitch as many separate compartments to this heating pad so that it would mold to the curve of my shoulder and stay put.

Note: When cutting the 2 pieces of fabric I cut both pieces 13" X 6"

First thing I found was a bundle of dried Lavender as seen below.  The lavender is quite fragrant while stripping it (aka, get some air breeze of some sort or it will take you out!) Plus it takes a bit to strip it for yourself...

So, to help with time, cost , and hassle wise- My trick to using dried Lavender if you are in a pinch trying to source it is Trader Joe's has these sweet lavender dryer bags which you can dissect and get the dried lavender. As you can tell it varies a little from the Lavender I plucked from the bundle (it is the top one that has less color...).   

I did various tests between the two, the fragrance is pretty much the same; they just look different. If it comes to looks alone, stripping it yourself (minus the people who are awesome and have it in their gardens) can't begin to compare to the TJ's hack. 

Using any dried bean or corn (minus the popcorn-duh, but thought I should note anyway) as the stuffing works really well for the body of the pad.  I find the smaller beans heat more quickly and hold heat nicely. Also, I used a cup used to fill an iron to load the filling in the pouch. It not only helped with accurately pouring the pieces into the flipped holes of the fabric, but it also gave me a receptacle to mix all the ingredients together. :)

Everything else I followed Whitney guidance from her tutorial except I only stitched across the middle making two sections to the heating pad/ ice pack.

DIY: 4 Simple Goals: by Elsie Flannigan

The Creative Place's Blog did a post inspired by Elsie Flannigan over at A Beautiful Mess who posted a simple but fabulous challenge- creating 4 Simple Goals to complete by the end of 2010.  

So here are my 4 Simple Goals:
1. BRANDING FOR MAKE SHOP LIVE- When we started everything up I used the templates or may have made some icons when needed... But, there is no connecting thread in our Graphic Design and we need to get everything connected together.  

2. Take more pictures of the everyday- (This was one of The Creative Places Goals that we have in common)  I find cool things, do cool things, and see cool things every day... I need to document these moments better and organize everything be it on the blog or my journal.


3. GALLERY SHOW IDEAS-  I have an awesome idea for a project that I have been churning over during my injury and I want to get the outline and concept concrete and start brainstorming where the event/ show can be held.
 
4. DRAW EVERY DAY-  Even if it is a quick 15min. sketch I miss the drawing results I could achieve in College when I had drawing classes and had to draw more.  Even though my sketching skills are kinda child like you have to work at it to get decent at my drawing hand.
I am super excited for blogs like A Beautiful Mess- I am going to sponge up all these great blogs on my time off starting Monday.  I have a new Eee PC and I hope to catch up on a TON of reading during my recovery from my shoulder surgery.  I really wanted to get a "Dragon" that software where I can talk and type, but maybe at Christmas.  All of our Holiday show Applications are currently going on so all our money is going there first...

What about you? What goals do you have for the 4 Simple Goals Challenge? :)