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[Six new 3x3 mini-collages mounted on canvas panels.  These designs and more are available at my Etsy shop now!

"...you have so many branches,
and there are diversions -
birds that come and go..."

-From Dreams, by Mary Oliver [posted yesterday]

This is how I have been feeling lately, for many weeks in fact, and I cannot help but be reminded of the fall of 1995.  This was when I started Swirly - October 1995 to be precise - a time when I began a journey that had great big plans but no clear idea of how I would make them real.  I made it up as I went along, kept at it despite making a million tiny mistakes and bit by bit found my way towards the promised land of Goals Accomplished.  In Swirly's first days as a brand new business, I was giddy with excitement and thrilled with all the first orders, but as the holidays approached it slowly dawned on me that, hey, I needed to come up with a plan for what I would do after the holidays.  So many possibilities, so many ideas...where to go once the new year arrived?

I have come full circle, as I am now faced with similar questions for Ordinary Sparkling Moments.  So many possibilities, so many ideas - as an artist, a writer, a traveler, as someone who wants to make a positive difference in the world - where to go once the new year arrives?

"...so many branches,
and there are diversions -
birds that come and go..."

I have been exploring a lot of these branches, diversions and birds in my mind, trying my best to let my thoughts flow and wander, drift and twirl.  In wanting to give them as much room as possible to meander wherever they want to go, I have not done a whole lot of goal-oriented journaling or writing.  A few lists here and there, maybe a question or two I don't want to forget, but beyond that I have wanted my ideas to marinate slowly over a low, steady flame.  As I've sat on airplanes and taken road trips, this is what I have done.  Now that my traveling for the year is almost over, with just one quick trip up north coming up right before the new year, it feels like the right time to get a bit more deliberate, to answer those questions I've written down with careful thought and attention, to look ahead to 2009 and decide what my priorities are.  This is where I was thirteen years ago with Swirly, and it is strange, familiar, comforting and thrilling to be back in the same seat on this ship of dreams, staring out the window, watching the world go by, looking for clues as to where I am supposed to go next.  Book in hand, wild imaginings intact, I sail on.

*****

Holiday Extravaganza Announcements:

Yesterday:  Thank you for your orders!

Today:  I will be posting a new collection of mini-collages later today in my Etsy shop.  3" x 3" creations mounted on canvas panels, $24 each.  Remember - original art makes a lovely gift!  Leave a comment today and be entered in a drawing for "One Day at a Time" original mini-collage, shown above!

[Update:  They're up!]

Tomorrow:  Another giveaway from a spectacular woman

Comments

[Leslie]

Those canvases are not only beautiful . . . but quite profound. Each one contains a good reminder for me!! "One Day at a Time" is a very good one for me to remember at the moment!!

[valerie]

Thank you Christine for the constant inspiration.

[busymomma66]

They all speak to me, but especially Your Dreams Are Important.

How many times as a mom do I forget that!

[Jummy]

Oooh, "Nothing Fails" definitely spoke to me. Fear of failure is something that keeps me from daring to try something new.

These pieces are really beautiful.

[Anna]

I finally gifted my friend with one of your prints as a belated graduation gift this weekend.. she loved it!

Thanks for making such beautiful, heartfelt treasures!

[stacy kathryn]

I love all your little paintings, but I just impulsively had to buy the one that spoke to me the most. :)

[Lauren]

It's so great that you are passionate about what you do! I hope you achieve a lot of success in the future.

Please enter me!

-Lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

[lisa]

Your story is so inspirational.
And I love the message, "One day at a time." That is all we can do sometimes.
Congratulations on your success, Christine! You have much to celebrate...

[darlene]

i love the 'your dreams are important' because i have always known they were and they have carried me to such wonderful places :) and so we all keep dreaming and it is good i think ... i also think there are wonderful new things in store for you ...

[B]

I too have grand plans but am unsure of where to start. Here's to a decisive 2009...

[rowena]

I'm in a place of looking ahead at all my projects and trying to find what I want to focus on.

There seems to be a lot of that around. A lot of taking stock and people looking for their paths.

[Emma]

I have a feeling some wonderful new things are in store for you...

[Chris]

'Be Brave' just jumped out at me. I guess it's something I'm always striving for.

[Terri]

I love them all, but my favorite one would have to be " Your Dreams Are Important ".