Many Happy Returns!

The writers here at Seven Magpies would love to wish you all a Happy New Year!

What do you have planned for 2014?

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Well, 2013 was a very positive year of growth and expansion for me here at Tanglewood. My horseback riding lesson program grew to an almost unmanageable size, I travelled to England and learned to let go of some of my control-freak-travel-nerves by doing so all willy-nilly, and I started The Accidental Orchardist project!

While I had a few trying setbacks in the latter part of the year, I managed to maintain my positive outlook and plan to keep pluggin' away at any creative outlet I possibly can. I guess that's where the whole "new skills" thing comes in... :)

This year I plan to really apply myself to learning to:

1. Crochet well enough to pull off a vintage pattern or two.

2. Draft patterns from at least one piece of vintage clothing (though I have at least four getups in mind for this project).
3. Learn to graft fruit trees to expand my orcharding skills.
4. Improve my French language skills before I visit France in March!

Hopefully I'll learn some great new life lessons, meet some great new folk and go some great new places in 2014! I can't wait to share my year with you all.

- Emily

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Here's a card I collaged a few years ago!

 If I'm being completely honest, I've never been one for New Years Resolutions. I am usually a huge overachiever in this department and don't know if I've ever really completed one!

This year, though, I am hoping to work on a few skills that I only hold on a very elementary level.

1. Learn to sew - better! I'm hoping to sharpen my skills on the sewing machine so I can make a few pieces I've been wanting for months!

2.  Make all of the cards I give to others! Especially Thank Yous. I am currently in the process of making my own stamps for a more put together look.

3. DIY a furniture piece! This is an awfully big one that might not happen - but I'll be moving into a new apartment soon and here's to hoping I don't buy all my furniture!

I hope your 2014 is incomparable to your 2013!

-Ellen               

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I'm not huge into "Resolutions" persay. To me that word smacks of failure resulting in me downing an entire box of donuts on February 1st. Rather I love the idea of setting a goal of learning new things. Because, boy, do I love getting skills. Here are a few things I would love to accomplish in 2014. 

1. Learn the chicanery of how to set a sleeve into a garment. (my recent sewing escapades w/ sleeves have left me near tears. ugh.) 

 2. Learn how to be a competent enough fencer to qualify for tournaments. (fake stabbing people with blunt sword is fun!) 

 3. And finally, learn at least 5 new stategies of food photography. (I like my photos but I want them to be more awesome.) 

Happy New Year to you all! May 2014 bring so many more possibilities and new things to you! 

~Ash

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I am right there with fellow author's at Seven Magpies in that I've never been a huge believer in resolutions, mostly because I have consistently failed at every single one I've ever made. LOL! Instead every year I try to do better than I did the year before. Be a better mom, a better wife, better business person, cook more new recipes, etc., etc. Just to be the best version of myself that I can be. I'm not perfect, but I think (I hope) that over the many years, I've improved slightly with each year. 

I've recently made some huge changes in my professional and artistic life in that I rented a little studio space in Old Village in Plymouth. The space is very small but it's all my own and I love every square foot. I'm learning to trust in myself when I paint, to take everything I am learning online and do my own thing. It's very exciting for me, because I'm starting to love what I create and that's huge. Here is a little mixed media painting I did on gessoed cardboard with my cheap Martha Stewart paints and it's become one of my favorite creations.

So in this New Year, I am "resolving" to continue on this path of self-discovery and creativity, vowing to remain authentic and true to myself and to what makes me happy and healthy. 

Happy New Year to you!
Nancie