Hopalong Hollow....

Hopalong Hollow, where the Blueberries grow sweet, and the moss feels soft beneath your feet.

Friday, January 1, 2016

A New Year, new plans, retrieving old ideas off the shelf..

     Okay, here we go again. Another year, another chance to make things right. Another year to do what we've not done, to become a better person, to accomplish a dream that has been sitting on the shelf. To lose that extra 10-20 lbs...for GOOD this time!
      Don't you relish a new beginning? It's a fresh start. I completely believe in New Year's Resolutions, and make my list each year, in earnest. Some resolutions don't survive the year, and many do come to pass.... but only if I work to make it happen. Last year, I made 90 characters from my books using needle-felting and mohair. It had been on my LIST of  TO DO for 2015, so I DID it... and it was fun, but it was also took a lot of effort.

 That is the key: Only WE can make our plans a reality. More often than not, that requires determination, grit, perseverance
AND
knowing that good things come to those who work... yes, I grew up in THAT generation; the generation that believed  you had to work for what you wanted.
 I spent the last 3 days rewriting, editing and compiling the stories I had cocooned in my messy "notebooks" for the last 2 years. ( These are SO messy, I would never show the insides to  anyone!)
Two of these will become completely illustrated books,  by the end of 2016...that's my
NEW YEARS RESOLUTION
 When stories are neatly typed out and feel right, then I find myself excited about working tirelessly on the artwork. So the battle is halfway won.

  In addition, my dear little ducklings have grown  into gangling 3 week olds
It seems everyone wants to adopt them.
from peahens...
.
Doggies
 and nearly ever other chicken and goose on the property... strangely enough, their REAL mother pays them no mind at all. But methinks she has a very small brain.

On warmer days, they come outside to play in an enclosed garden, but at night they sleep in the mudroom inside a pen.
ALFIE, Zazu, CYRUS, Daphne and Fezzywig.
They will definitely have a part in one of the books this year, as illustrations.
 I've mixed and carded different shades of wool to make duckling as 3-d sculptures also.
Because ducklings change SO quickly from downy little yellow fuzzballs, to lanky pale yellow youngsters, and then to the fat, white adult Pekins, I am drawing and sculpting them in all their stages of growth.
THAT is another New Years Resolution.
 So, I have started my New Years off with a bang of ideas, plans and action.

 Now, tell me , do YOU make a list of things to accomplish in 2016?
 I would love to hear about it!

33 comments:

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  2. Dear Jeri - whoops I caught a misspelled word. Your plans sound exciting for the new year. I am sure you will make them happen too with all your hard work and effort. There is something powerful that happens when one writes down their goals. As always your posts inspire me. Those little ducklings look like they are certainly flourishing under your great care too. Hope all your dreams for 2016 come to pass. Have a happy new year. Hugs!

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    1. Hi Debbie, It's as if writing your goals is a sort of commitment to yourself.And a reminder to actually DO IT!

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  3. The ducklings certainly grow up fast--love their names! I'm sure you will write lovely tales about them.
    I've been bantering around several ideas on projects and need to hone in on one and begin to buy supplies.
    Happy New Year, dear Jeri! ♥

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    1. Martha, I would love to see which projects you zero in on!

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  4. Jeri, you know I have the utmost respect for you. You make me proud to know you. One simply has to follow your blog to know you are a special person. You couldn't possibly accomplish all that you do without working tirelessly. So glad to hear about your resolutions and that you are off and running already. The babies are growing fast and I bet you are glad. Been through that before with little abandoned babies. 2016 sounds like it is going to be great and I can't wait to hear all about it.

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    1. Donna, Thank you and DITTO to you! Those ducklings are getting to be a real handful... I wish it weren't so cold outside, as they have not feathered out and it may be another 3 weeks before they do. I have a full time cleaning job with their inside pen, as they splash the water everywhere... you know ducks!

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  5. My dear, dear JERI LANDERS!

    I agree with you here; I am a very goal-oriented person and try to stay focused on one thing at a time so I can get it done. It feels GOOD to say, "I DID IT. I ACCOMPLISHED MY GOAL." And as I always tell my students in French, the more you take on or the more advanced skills you take on, the more likely you will MAKE MISTAKES. But that is OK. Errors are the rough edges to cut away, to erase, to polish. Let's hope that 2016 will be a year of sweeping up many mistakes because like the old saying goes, "A mistake is evidence that someone tried" and I'd rather have a heap of mistakes (I finally can say it now), rather than an empty portfolio to show at the end of the year.

    AND YOUR NEW ADDITIONS! My goodness, I am very excited about the wanderings and wonderings of this farm family! How I look forward to a new year with you!

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    1. Anita, I KNOW you are a goal oriented person, for sure.Very wise to tell your students that failing is okay, as long as we never quit, learn from the mistakes, change the plan, make it better and who knows what could happen?! Failing has taught me a lot.

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  6. Dear Mama Duck:)
    You inspire me! I actually love to hear that people work hard, and that's what makes them or breaks them if they don't work hard. I also loved reading Castles Crowns and Cottages comment about mistakes-that really spoke to me today...I so love to see your critters and your art. It has been a joy in my life to come to your blog and to get to know you. God bless you all at the Hollow!

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    1. Thank you Debra and it thrills me to know if I have inspired anyone. I've never known a successful person who didn't work hard, that is for certain. As a fellow artisan, you know all about hard work and persistence!

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  7. That is a real accomplishment, completing all of those critters! It is exciting to me to be commenting on one's blog who actually has published works and intends to publish more! I've never been able to make that leap and you are inspiring. The ducklings are still adorable. When we had chickens, it was fun to watch them grow up, but I was never all that fond of the awkward "teenage" time of their development. Happy 2016 to you! -Jenn

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  8. Hi Jenn, Yeah, I was sort of amazed I had made so many critters.
    Chickens really Do have that unattractive awkward stage, don't they!! Now, I must say, ducklings get lanky and tall, but they still have an adorableness to them

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  9. You are such an inspiration to me dear Jeri. Thank you.

    Your little ducklings are so cute and growing so fast. I look forward to seeing what you create with them as your inspiration. Writings and critters will be adorable.

    Have a wonderful 2016 ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Lorraine, I am sure you will have many projects in the works this year, you always accomplish quite a lot!

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  10. I wish you a sweet and happy New Year, Jeri, for you, your family and all your lovely animals.Your ducklings have grown up ! They are so cute ! They have found in you a very lovely loving mom
    This year will see the release of a debut album, a tale about Autumn, with rabbits, foxes and a fairy... I just started illustrations (pastel and watercolor)
    Nice evening Jeri !

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    1. Nathanaelle, That sounds fabulous! I hope you will journal some of your work on your blog so we can follow along.

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  11. I see now how you accomplish so much----definite goals and determination to just get on with it. You see so many multi-talented people who spread themselves so thin doing all those things that nothing ever seems to come to fruition. You are definitely not one of those----all your areas of interest get covered completely and well.

    I don't do resolutions but do intend to finish several projects that need to be completed and also begin to declutter the house at least a bit. A couple of people that I know are in the process of downsizing and clearing out houses prior to selling and it is a job and a half. Having lived in this house for 30 years we aren't thinking of downsizing but it helps when you do get to that point if you have been clearing out at least some of the detritus as you go along. Here's hoping that I follow through with this plan.

    Those ducklings are looking fat and happy.

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  12. Vic, De-cluttering is a HUGE job, and accomplishment. I try to de-clutter my studio once a year, not fun. Yeah, I know a few people that take on too many mediums at once, I try to keep it down to 2 at a time. I have a lot of goals that get placed on the back burner for lack of time. For years, I have wanted to transfer my art to punch needle kits and rug hooking kits..maybe that will wait till 2017!

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  13. That means you made almost 2 a week. You must have worked continuously on them all year long! You are devoted to your craft and your menagerie of animals, too. But then that IS what is necessary to accomplish the things that are important to us. I wish you great success on your books this year.

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    1. Cathy, I absolutely did work on them all year. I even took my supplies with me when we traveled. I didn't do any book illustration or paper-cutting at all. Now, it is time to get back to the books and just make a critter when the spirit moves.

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  14. Happy New Year, Jeri!
    You are, without a doubt, a woman that accomplishes her goals... 90 critters!
    Good gosh, I knew you had created many, but did not realize... I so admire your perseverance... God bless you dear friend... You are truly a wonder. You have been such an inspiration.. I cannot wait to see your felted ducklings...
    When I was growing up, you never said I am bored...Dad would always say, idle hands are a devils workshop. How true.. And working for what you want was always a given.
    My motto is.... A dream is only as far as one is willing to reach... So this year, I will reach for the stars. Bebe and I have one project I intend on finishing... I also want to expand my needle felting and work more on my bas reliefs...
    In the spring I will organize my little studio and try to make a bit more sense of it.. Get rid of clutter and a place for everything. Aslo Looking forward to planting flower seeds in the spring and smelling the sweet scent of my roses when they return. Nothing more satisfying that watching a spout come to life... I love working with the earth.
    Blessings to you in the Hollow, dear friend. I am looking forward to another year with you in little world.
    Penny



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    1. Penny, If ever we told our mom we were bored she would remedy THAT pretty quick.."Then go weed the garden!" or "Help me fold the laundry" That will keep a kid from saying they are bored, for sure. But really, we always stayed busy with something. You have such great plans and ideas for the year, it is a grand thing to have a goal, or 2 or 3! It wasn't until I counted all the critters in my photographs that I realized how many I had made, because I sold a lot of them along the way at the shows and then I would try to make a "replacement".

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  15. Jeri, you truly inspire on so many levels. From your beautiful gardens to your amazing array of art works, it is clear that you work very hard to achieve your goals. I too love the new year. It always feels like a new beginning and another chance to 'get it right'. I keep a journal, and it's always nice to sit down at the end of the year and write down the accomplishments of the year and the goals for the next one. Having specific goals is really important, I think. This year I have plans to complete stage one of a butterfly/cutting garden, enlarge the vegetable garden, design and make a line of garden/woodland inspired items for my Etsy shop, and yes, lose 10 pounds!! (brought that one with me from last year) I look forward to seeing your goals progress through the year. You are always an inspiration to me!!! Thank you for sharing what you do and happy new year!!

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    1. Star, I will love seeing what you do with your gardens, I am so stingy with cutting my flowers that I NEED a cutting garden as well... lots of Zinnias and Dahlias should do the trick. I love what you do with your stitching and mother natures bits and pieces, always lovely work comes from your hands.

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  16. Jeri, it's taken me until now to find time to take time to see this post. Thank you so much for reminding me of the importance of following through on plans and resolutions.

    I've got quite a few plans for the coming year and am sure to accomplish at least some of them. For the first time in my life, I actually had to work on New Year's Day, which in sense set another marker or catalyst to jolt me out of a familiar routine.

    Those ducklings are very cute, and I hope your weather doesn't suddenly turn as cold as ours has here in NYC. You are wise to be noting their current fluffy color ways with your wool fleece.

    Once again, I do thank you for sharing your Hollow with us. xo

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    1. Francis, Something tells me you follow through with your resolutions many of which must be the creation of beautiful objects, whether it be a painting or some wonderful knitted thingy in marvelous colors.
      Unfortunately, the weather did turn ugly, and I will have those ducklings (very tall now) in my mud room for at least another 2 weeks. But they make very nice models.

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  17. Those ducklings are just so darn cute! I only finished a few paintings last year since I was relocating to North Carolina. This year, I have almost 60 planned to be completed by November (but will likely have to do more than that.) It's grueling, but it's what I want to do to make things happen for myself (and the business, of course!)

    And then there's the matter of the 20-40 lbs. *grumble*

    looking forward to seeing your work this year!

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    1. 60 paintings! That IS grueling... but in a very satisfying way, even if you finish only half of them! Gosh, I get it on the weight, I am a real YO YO dieter, but determined I MEAN IT! DETERMINED to lose it for good this year.

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  18. Those little baby ducks just make me go SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! So adorable!! Oh Jeri, I can't wait to see all the fun stories and creations you have in store for this year. I too love a new beginning. Hoppy New Year dear friend!
    Shell

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    1. Shell,They have grown at least 4 more inches tall since I took these pictures, I wish they would slow down a little!

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  19. Your art works and animals are captivating.

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