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Celebrating Each Step...looking back on September 2010

Glittering Shards: Celebrating Each Step...looking back on September 2010

Glittering Shards

Saturday, October 02, 2010

Celebrating Each Step...looking back on September 2010


Hello lovely blog readers...happy Autumn!

Firstly, thank you to all of you who have commented my "You Catch My Tears" mosaic, both on blog / Facebook and in person. The piece is very close to the heart and to know that it struck a chord in others has meant a lot to me. Sorry for being so quiet here for over a week (the longest gap in my blogging since I restarted in June 2009!). There's been lots of good stuff happening which has brought with it necessary extra workload. The stress of trying to get everything done had me hyperventilating last weekend (not helped by the fact that I got ill) but I can gladly report that I am now remembering to breathe!
Some of you are familiar with this monthly "Celebrating" post. But for those to whom it is new, this space is an antidote to rushing and diving headlong into the next thing on the to do list. It is an attempt to momentarily slow down the speedy pace of life so that we can look back and celebrate what we have actually achieved rather than be forever focused on what there is still to do. Very apt for me at the moment, so I am going to take my own advice, look back on September and do some acknowledging and celebrating, right now!  Glad you can join me ;)  

Here's my list of what I got done and got through in the last month and I invite you to look back on September and make your own list. If you want, you can put your list in the comments section or (if you run a blog) write your own "Celebrating" post and pop the link at the end of this post so that others can hop over and celebrate with you too!

So, in September 2010...
  • I finished a piece of art I am very proud of, called "You Catch My Tears..." (go back one post and you can see it and read about it)
  •  I finally fulfilled a creative dream of making mosaic jewellery - and have already sold two pieces!
  • I have done lots of hard thinking and planning for a total restructure of my web site and blog and have commissioned web designers (watch this space!)

    • I have had a children's mosaic tutorial published in Disney's Family Fun magazine in the States- currently on the newsstands - yay!
     
    •  In partnership with a local refugee group, Star KKF, we successfully secured a grant to fund a series of mosaic workshops for young people to make a mosaic patchwork on the theme of hope. The mosaic will be featured in my forthcoming exhibition in December. Our workshops start next week, which I am really looking forward to.
    • I am participating in my first ever Artists Open House - today was the first day and it was great! I loved meeting many local people, explaining my work and feel very chuffed to have sold pieces.  If you are local, do pop by (3rd, 9th and 10th October). Map and details here.
    • On a family note, my sweet little girl started "big school" . She settled in almost immediately and is very much enjoying it. What a big transition for us all...I am very proud of her (and of her little brother who has had to adjust to the change)
     
    •  We are now a family of six, with the arrival of our little rescue kittens, PomPom and Rosie! Now they are here, I realise how much I have missed having cats in the house. They are gorgeous, have made themselves right at home and the kids love them so much.
     
    Lastly, I know the above list can read like a lot (and it is - I do feel good that I have achieved all this), but its not always like this. I know that its not just what we achieve but how we are in the process. I still struggle with being ok in the midst of the stress. At times I feel I manage and at other  times I really don't think I care for myself well enough. Its a huge challenge to me. Stroking the new cats helps a lot!

    How about you? What do you want to mark or celebrate from the last month? And how have you been in the process?

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    11 Comments:

    • Concetta, I enjoyed each word of this post. You are indeed Enjoying the Ride! Your daughter is adorable. The cats so cute. This post has inpired me. I am always trying to see the glass half full instead of half empty. This is the only way we can slow down and celebrate each step! Have a wonderful weekend!

      By Anonymous Elizabeth, at 3 October 2010 at 01:04  

    • Dearest Concetta, such a wonderful inspiring post! Im so happy to read all of your wonderful achivements! A call for celebration! I really adore your mosaic jewellery!! They are gorgeous. :) As for me, i would like to celebrate that i was accepted to poppytalk "Indie love" market. I've submitted my work a few times and finally got accepted. Happy! Have a lovely merry happy weekend and love to you!

      By Anonymous jacqueline, at 3 October 2010 at 02:43  

    • What a good idea! Could be another antidote to the blahs I've been experiencing lately.

      By Blogger suzanna leigh, at 3 October 2010 at 02:45  

    • Hello my London friend. :)Congrats, so much going on personally and professionally! I've recently cleared out my garage to make room for my very own studio space. My husband is very happy that we can reclaim the kitchen table finally. He got pretty tired of it being covered in my art supplies. Best wishes for the open house!
      ♥Jenny

      By Blogger Unknown, at 3 October 2010 at 16:06  

    • Stroking the cat is one of my favorite ways to relax and distress, I love your new additions to the family :)
      I can't report much for last month except that I've finally started sort of a comic now, something I wanted to do for a long time and I've finally gone and done it! You can take a look at it here if you like: http://www.secretfashiondiary.com/
      This month my goal is to try out new illustration and painting styles, I really fancy challenging myself a bit more so hopefully at this time next month I can report some good progress :)

      By Anonymous Veronika, at 3 October 2010 at 19:17  

    • Oh my goodness you have done well in a month! Love the leaf mosaic, beautiful colours. My boy also started school this month, in a few weeks he has grown in so many ways. Good luck with your open studio, sounds like fun!

      By Blogger Kate Kelleher, at 3 October 2010 at 21:07  

    • hi there you - glad to hear the open house went well. It's a lovely event for meeting the local community and making friends isn't it?

      I am not so good about looking after myself at times as I always make myself so busy, but then like you say, I achieve quite a lot. My biggest one this month is securing a place on the MA Fine Art course that I've been longing to do since I graduated 3 years ago. However, I like the idea of doing my own blog post inspired by your 'celebrating each step' so I think I'll do one over at mine soon. Today's post is a little more emotional than usual given the other goings on ie. achieving and working at the ole parenting brownie points ;)

      Hugs,

      Amelia.x

      By Blogger Amelia, at 4 October 2010 at 14:56  

    • You have a lot to be proud of, Concetta! Kudos to you.

      By Blogger AG Ambroult, at 13 October 2010 at 16:33  

    • Thanks so much for all the lovely celebratory comments ;) Hope October is going well for everyone x

      By Blogger Concetta, at 13 October 2010 at 20:29  

    • Wow, you have so much going on. And to see that you have a little girl at home too, I'm sure you feel the push and pull of trying to balance family and work. It sounds to me like you are doing very well and getting everything accomplished. Good for you!

      By Blogger Suzanne, at 18 October 2010 at 16:12  

    • Thanks Suzanne, I actually have two, born 15 months apart - phew! It is a big juggle and while its all very exciting I am looking forward to a little quiet season when this flurry is over. x

      By Blogger Concetta, at 18 October 2010 at 18:24  

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