...But this time, it's ALL for the good!
2010 was all about wrapping my head around closing my own little store and collaborating. Then figuring out that collaborating was not as helpful as one would think, but I put my blinders on and forged ahead.
2011 was not my stellar year either....but looking back, I learned many, MANY lessons. I can just now see that through all the yuck. Lessons are good things. However, 2011 WAS also about meeting the lovely ladies of A Vintage Gathering.

They have no clue how important their cheerful outlooks were to me. Their genuine love of old stuff and COMPLETE lack of snarkiness pulled me through summer 2011. I would pull into the driveway and while I knew I had to put up a huge tent, set up tables, dodge raindrops (or escape HEAT depending on the month!), those gals throw off some happy vibes. Those were the best weekends of Summer 2011.
December 2011 was about pulling myself up by the boot straps and BOY HOWDY has that been paying off.
I put my name onto some waiting lists for local antique malls and BOOM....it all fell into my lap at once. I didn't choose small places...I reached for the stars. (What was I thinking??)
In the mere 9 days that 2012 has been around, each and every day has greeted me with either very good news, some of my favorite visitors from afar, happy circumstances, good phone calls, belly laughs, walks on the beach, cheerful texts, blasts from the pasts...and I LOVE it! This 2012 thing is pretty awesome so far.

I move into Camas Antiques this week and another bustling vintage mall in the next 30 days, but I'd like to wait to make sure it all works out correctly before I do a shout out to that space. I visit with the owner and my possible new space tomorrow....fingers crossed!
I am so happy that I made the step forward instead of looking back. "Back" was really drab. "Forward" is looking pretty fantastic already!
I refilled my space in Uncovered Ruby today.



After doing my "work" I had to wander....I always do. The quiet (they are closed on Mondays so most of the vendors restock that day), the lights and the artistic eyes of the various vendors always makes me feel like I am walking through my own personal magazine. My head spins and fills with so many ideas.



3 Photos above of My Shabby Passion's space

Photo above from Sally's space (owner of Uncovered Ruby)
Today I also sent off a pile of Etsy sales and it all made me feel even better about where I am headed.
My Etsy has been on fire...it's just what I needed, JUST when I needed it. I needed to light my creative fire and get working again! I have never been one to sit around and I remember why.



And to top it ALL off....when I least expected it was possible, my husband surprised me with the news of our upcoming trip.


Welcome 2012!
Hello treadmill, boot camp, veggies & chicken and you silly jump rope...........
I hope that you are experiencing a great start to a New Year as well. Cheers to looking ahead!