12.31.2010

SYM1,000

I like this thing where I can stikk all kinds of numbers and phrases to my name. This one (1) is very useful.

Yesterday, I announced my 36$5 project, but guess what else I'm doing? I'm going to commit to completing 1,000 pieces in 2011. That's about double what I normally do. It's possible. I got this! Plus, I've got a third of them covered with the 365. Now, I'm not sure how this is going to work, but in my head, I think it'll be easier to count each piece than to give myself a daily quota. I tried that already.......didn't work. lol. So, that's 20 a week. When I type it like that it almost seems TOO easy. Well, wish me lukk guys, I'm goin in!

***I'm almost tempted to add an additional challenge and say I can't buy anymore paint until I run out. Things are looking umm...luscious in the paint room. I don't NEEEEEEED any paint. It's just that I have more colors than others. Like...13 bottles of blakk. *side-eyes self* I'll try to lay off the paint purchases for a little while. No promises though. I'm almost out of turquoise. I need that in my life.***

Happy New Year everybody! I wish you all many blessings in 2011 and PLEASE be safe tonight.

12.30.2010

My 36$5 Project

I learned something new today...the hard way. lol.

I wrote a blog a while bakk about this girl who had to do some kind of artwork involving apples every day for the entire school year. I can't find it. I suppose that's why you're supposed to label these things. That always seemed like an additionally tedious event. Not so much anymore.

Well, I was going to link you to that particular post to tell you that I've found something to do EVERY day! Along with the rest of the world, it seems, I will be doing a 365 project! Yay me! I won't be drawing apples though. I'd be bored. I'm going to give myself LOTS of freedom. I, SYM1, will be painting a 5x7 EVERY SINGLE DAY for an entire year starting SYM1.1.11. Even better, no matter what it is, I'm going to sell it for $5. That's almost cheaper than a gallon of gas, so no excuses about why you can't purchase anything.

This doesn't seem like much, but I don't paint everyday. Some days I may paint 5 pieces, then not paint anything else the next day. Tragic, right? I think so. However, next year will be different. I am FORCING myself to do what I want to do. I'm seeking my artistic voice. I think I found it already, but since most of my work is based on what ya'll would prefer and not what I might intend for it to be, I could be wrong. Just to be sure, the plan is to paint until I'm sure I saw what I think I already see. If I paint 365 things and put them together and still don't see it...we'll have a problem. I'm also trying to create a habit or two. One being to post more. The other being painting everyday.

I'm telling you about it, so I can't bakk out of it. Snazzy lil trikk I taught myself. I may often be delayed, but I'm not a liar! This blog is my promise to us.

12.29.2010

SYM1 Did It!!! for Christmas

Well, Christmas is over and as I stare at this tree thinking I could use two extra storage bins to put this stuff in, I can't help but think of what I'm going to add to it next year. We're two years in and our completely custom tree is nearly done. I say we have about 95% handmade items on it. I'm incredibly proud of us.

 We started last year with these sequined and ribbon covered ornaments.


I managed to get a few glittered ones in as well.


This year we didn't do many bulbs, but I did manage to make a two leopard print glass ornaments and we made a paper chain to encircle the entire tree. (Card stokk is EXPENSIVE!!)

Peep my animal print paper!

I honestly don't know what will be next, but I want to add some BIG stuff. We're slowly spreading the handmade holiday decor around the house, so I'm sure there will be plenty to do. This year I made these ribbon covered cone trees.
Next year, I'll start by giving them toppers.
Oh well, I've got plenty of time to think about it. In the meantime, I'm not looking forward to putting all this stuff away.

12.26.2010

POP Champagne: The Final Episode

Part One: Champagne bottle spontaneously explodes
Part Two: Service agent comes to retrieve broken bottle for investigation

Part Three: We received a big box from UPS. We open it and it's got a replacement bottle of Martini & Rossi. And guess what else? They wrapped it and included a note. With the name of a REAL person. How sweet.
I put it under the tree.
So, that was the not quite exciting conclusion to my story. A lesson in customer service. Can I really relate every life lesson or situation bakk to my business? Probably. Until next time...

12.08.2010

POP Champagne: Secret Service

So, do you remember my spontaneously exploding champagne bottle? Well, we finally called the company to file our complaint. The have an entire customer service department and I'm honestly wondering WHAT, other than spontaneously exploding bottles, could people possibly be complaining about. The lady was nice. She took our information, apologized...then, do you know what she said? "We'll be sending someone out to collect the bottle. We'll do a thorough investigation and contact you once it's complete. Someone will call to arrange an appropriate time for pikk up."

SERIOUSLY?! Somebody FROM THEIR COMPANY (not UPS or FedEx) is going to come over and GET this BROKEN bottle from my house, then they are going to INVESTIGATE it?! GET......OUT! I don't even need to pakk it up!? My TV broke last month. Nobody came to pikk it up. Nobody cared to investigate what had happened, even though it's less than 1 year old. Matter of fact, (as of right now) I won't be getting compensated for their faulty product (it's a Sylvania, btw), I have to PAY to get it fixed, but someone is coming to PIKK UP this champagne bottle that probably cost a 10th, if not less, of this darned TV. SNAZZY! Darn Italians. lol.

Sure enough, yesterday afternoon, we received a call saying that they would come by to pikk up the broken bottle this morning. I wish I wasn't asleep, so I could tell you how they came in some super snazzy blacked out vehicle, or if the woman was in a suit, or if she came with one of those hard body briefcases to deposit the remains of the bottle. I'm certainly not asking mommy, because it may ruin the fantasy for me. Just know that she came, took our bottle, and left us with this:

This looked much more clear...my bad.
This is beyond cool to me. I felt like they really cared about what happened to us, and want to investigate, so it doesn't happen to anyone else. Exploding champagne bottles are dangerous! I may be wrong though. Maybe they just want to make sure we're not trying to get free champagne (which is EXACTLY what will happen). Although I doubt the latter is true, please support me in my optimisim! This is NIIICE! I'm glad it popped. I've never seen/experienced anything like this before. I'll keep you guys posted on the pending investigation.

12.06.2010

FINALLY! All Seasons Have Hair

It's been two months, but I'm done! I think I'm happy with them all, for different reasons. Without further ado...

The Original: "Winter in My Hair" 
I don't have much to say about this one, it's already been said. It's my favorite of the set. Maybe just because I did it first. You can chekk out the original blog here.

The final piece: "Spring in My Hair"
This one gave me a hard time. First, I hated it. I had a gray bakkground with BIG blue rain drops. UGH! Then, the champagne explosion created an additional issue. This one suffered the most damage. I had to take care of the champagne, then the rain. Finally, after maybe 3 coats of white, I decided to do pink flowers instead. Now, I think it's cute!

Number 2: "Summer in My Hair"
This one came pretty easy. I had an idea. I did it. No problems. Since I was inspired by the beach, maybe my connection to the water made it easy? Who knows. Sounds good. I'll take it.

Number 3: "Fall in My Hair"
This one has an alternate name...an alter identity >> "Lay in My Hair." That's what it made me think of when I said " Fall in My Hair" and since I'm in charge, my thoughts matter, so we'll roll with that. iWin! I originally thought this one was a little sparse, but this is what it looked like outside my window. Naked trees...and sky. That's it. I suppose the leaves in her hair are a memory of fall 3 weeks ago.

I feel accomplished! I wanted to do something. I did it. I like them. I'm happy. Now, who wants to buy Fall, Summer, or Spring?