Archive for the 'goals' Category

Happy New Year

Published
by
robayre
on January 1, 2012
in General Update, goals and life
. 2 Comments

Happy New Year! Confetti balloons, idea from the wonderful @mandycrandell

Happy New Year! 2012, I think we are going to be great friends. I want to spend more time in my studio and less time on netflix. I want to eat better and move more. I want to drink more water. I want to track my to-do and daily lists more consistently. I want to be happier in my day to day, but doesn’t everyone?

Last night we went to my brother and sister in law’s house for New Year’s Eve festivities. Shortly before midnight we went to the park across the street and popped stuff in celebration. My sister bought party poppers and I blew up confetti balloons, pictured above. The idea came from here. Funny, when I was remembering her post I thought she used clear balloons and colorful square confetti. I thought I came up with the white balloons and silver stars myself, doh. While we were preparing for the evening, Matt started blowing one of the balloons up at home and it got away from him, spewing stars all over our living room. Tiny, miniature, shiny stars. Everywhere. I imagine we will be finding them for quite some time. We’ve picked up tons, but the light catches from a different direction and new ones are revealed. I most recently found one in our bedroom.


Another pretty awesome thing from last night was that my sister and I made Cornish Pasties. My sister snapped the picture above of our uncooked pasties. We made it simple, using store bought pie crust. They were so quick to make and everyone loved them. I can’t stop thinking about them. I think I am going to try and make them again tomorrow. Sorry, Madison, you might be seeing less of me.
Happy 2012!
Happy New Year!

Future Robyn

Published
by
robayre
on September 23, 2011
in General Update, goals and life
. 8 Comments

Yesterday was a great day! I usually take my birthday off so I don’t have to worry about people making a fuss at work. But this year, with having already taken off plenty days for the move, I decided to go in and use my day off later. I went to work and hoped that it would be a day like any other day in the office. Everything was going great and no one said anything. I’m sitting in my office in the afternoon when I hear “So this is where you work?” I turn around to see who is speaking, and realize it is my best friend Erica and she has this HUGE thing of birthday balloons. Oi. Talk about being embarrassed. Then naturally, the rest of the day everyone is coming in and wishing me happy birthday and asking about the balloons. It’s not that I don’t like my birthday, it’s just that we don’t “do birthdays” at my current employer, which then makes any to do seem kind of awkward. At my previous long term job it was a different story. Birthdays were huge and they went all out and bought cake, ice cream, balloons, a live plant as a gift, and they ALWAYS “tricked” you into coming into a room where everyone would be and they’d sing to you.

It's the anniversary of the crash of oceanic flight 815 AND my birthday! thank you #crabica for the balloons!

Here is a picture I took with all the balloons.

The balloons were wonderful and best friends know just how to make a gal feel loved. After work we had over friends and family. We ordered out pizza and my sister brought pie from Baker’s Square, which I ordered specifically because I haven’t had any in years and have been wanting it for a long time. Afterwards we played the Game of Things which everyone always enjoy and which always ends up being a source of hilarious catch phrases later. After everyone left, Matt and I put on the original Tron movie with Rifftrax. In one scene there was a screen capture that said “sept 22″ which was the date we were watching it, AND my birth date.

What are the chances? I made Matt pause it so I could take this picture. And while we are speaking of September 22nd, and if you are a Lost fan, you might remember that it is the anniversary of the crash of Oceanic Flight 815.

Earlier this week I read about a writing exercise on Elise’s blog The Argyle Wale, where you imagine yourself in your ideal future and list out the circumstances or qualities that you would have. I thought that this practice would be perfect for someone who just turned one year older. So here it goes:

This is how I’d like to envision my future self.

Robyn has a business license, making Robayre super duper official with all green lights set to go.
Robyn has updated her whole website and touches is up quarterly, each year.
Robyn has a schedule and updates her blog regularly.
Robyn’s artwork is licensed, produced and available commercially.
Robyn has no qualms about approaching stores to carry her items.
Robyn’s original pieces are sold in a select group of galleries and gift shops.
Robyn makes what she wants and what she wants to make is in demand.
Robyn’s etsy shop can’t stay stocked and the items that are listed sell out in a short amount of time.
Robyn is approached to sell and feature her artwork on websites, galleries and in stores.
Robyn started a monthly art/craft group with workshops and classes.
Robyn is surrounded by other like minded (art/design/craft) entrepreneurs.
Robyn eats a nutritionally balanced diet and has the energy to get things done.
Robyn is physically fit and carries herself with confidence.
Robyn has a wardrobe she is proud of and reflects her personal style.
Robyn’s home a creative reflection of Matt’s and Robyn styles.
Robyn rearranges and changes out the furniture and artwork in their home quarterly.
Robyn has a smart phone that doesn’t break the bank ;) ha, ha, yeah right
Robyn has time to do all the things she wants to do and doesn’t feel stressed about it.
Robyn goes on fun adventures with her friends and family.
Robyn keeps journals and scrapbooks to remember said adventures.

Okay, I could go on and on forever, but I think I’ll stop now otherwise this post will never be published. Maybe I’ll come back and update it if I think of things that definitely should be added to the list.

September is here

Published
by
robayre
on September 2, 2011
in General Update, goals, life and lists
. 2 Comments

Drive in movie, Indiana Dunes, birthday and ice cream cake, BBQ for a friend, stir fry, home decor, chalkboard paint, and sidewalk chalk, fall leaves, Sandwich Fair, new couch, settling in, open house, thrifting, Jonamac and a big chair photograph, sweaters, mailart, meeting goals, Last Fling, Renegade, walking in Illinois Prairie, road trip to enjoy the fall scenery

Daily Challenge for August

Published
by
robayre
on August 1, 2010
in General Update, Projects, goals and life
. 5 Comments

In the wee hours of this morning, Rosa updated her twitter to invite others to create something every day for the month of August. In an email she reminded me of my challenge from last year where I also invited others to create something everyday. Last year during August I created a new piece of mixed media artwork on a 9×9″ piece of watercolor paper everyday (M-F) and had quite a bit of fun in the process. Talking to my best friend on the phone earlier today, she inquired if I was up to the task, and reminded me that I did some nice work last year. I decided, yes, I would try to create something each day in August (M-F). But, this year I think I will do a variety of things. I have a list going of all sorts of things I want to do.

Last month (July) I barely stepped foot into my studio. If you look above at the before you probably can sympathize as to why I couldn’t cross any of my things off my list last month. So, to start the month fresh, with a nice new work space, I’ve cleaned up my drawing table, so I could actually work at it, imagine that! Hopefully with the challenge and the more organized work space I can get the ball rolling again.

Once again, I encourage everyone else to try to create something new every day for the month and share it on your blogs/flickr/twitter/facebook/etc. It need not be a large daily commitment. I’m sure there will be some days in there when I make a pin-back button and call it a day. You might just jot down a quick sketch everyday, or perhaps you have a larger project going and you can share your progress daily. If you decide to participate, please comment and let me know and I’ll share your link.

Thanks for the challenge, Rosa! Here we go!

A special day

Published
by
robayre
on May 26, 2010
in Fun, General Update, My Artwork, goals and life
. 2 Comments

Last week was my sister’s birthday. Happy Birthday Chris! I hope you had a great birthday and will have an AMAZING year ahead! She has always been a supporter of my artwork and is ALWAYS there for me when I need help, or an opinion and guidance.

For her birthday she wanted to go to the Museum of Science and Industry. It was an awesome day. I haven’t been there since I was in elementary school and could have spent a couple days there before reaching everything they have to offer.

Unexpectedly, I was also able to (semi) cross off two items on my To-Do-List for 2010. At the MSI now, your tickets to get in become a “sci-pass” where you can record the activities you participate in and then access them online later. They had a sound booth that was similar to the storycorp idea, where you could go in and interview other people. I went in and recorded a short interview with my sister, which was one part of number 23 on my list.

Number 12 on my to-do list was to get an old-timey picture done. In my mind, that meant REAL old photograph techniques, like daguerreotypes, as mentioned in a few posts ago, rather than some quick digital pics that have been converted to grayscale or sepia tone. That being said…  MSI had a photo studio set up where you can take quick digital old-timey pics in an old car, so we played.

I’m the one in the back with the straw hat on, my sister is next to me and my brother in front of me, and his friend Chad next to him. The portrait woman was cracking up at Chad’s leg sticking out.

I have some art to share, as usual. This was the fourth grass painting in the series. I know I always say it, but it has to be said again. I LOVED this painting. It has a watercolor look to it, but it’s acrylic on canvas. It went to my sister for her birthday. I also made her the brooch in the above picture (orange and aqua at the top right).

I also made her a ring, and then made this one for myself. I used this tutorial  from Makeitdo, that I found through the craft blog.

Three Awesome Things

Published
by
robayre
on May 17, 2010
in Cool Links, goals and life
. 0 Comments

1. Maybe you saw this already, maybe not. I love it and I wish for all adults to have the same positivity.


2. This soul version of a Wilco song.

3. I purchased my first glass marble to start off my collection

I bought it from Lithomancy Glassworks on Etsy and it’s absolutely beautiful. Now, I can cross #1 off my yearly list.

2010 Yearly List

Published
by
robayre
on January 31, 2010
in Projects, goals, life and lists
. 3 Comments

It’s the last day of January and I think I’ve finally finished my 2010 to-do list. Of course, as soon as I hit publish I’m sure I’ll remember more things I wanted on the list. Here is last year’s list.

1. Buy a marble and start my glass marble collection  (received May 17, 2010)
2. Make 5 simple animated gifs to post on my blog one two three
3. Buy a vintage globe and a huge map for the bedroom Globe
4. Leave 100% tip at a restaurant
5. Leave change in coin machine 5 times one, two, three, four, five
6. Send a care package to a soldier overseas
7. Build a storytelling shadowbox diorama
8. Upload a youtube video with my face and voice
9. Participate in wardrobe remix photography 4 times
10. Visit a drive in movie theater (completed June 8, 2011)
11. Visit two photobooths
12. Old timey picture (kind of did this at MS&I)
13. Document a tree changing colors, start sept. 1st
14. Purchase wool and spin yarn and make vest
15. Buy tall boots complete
16. Eat falaful
17. Visit the museum in sycamore
18. Fit into a size __ or reach __ lbs.
19. Create a paper moon photo set up to take portraits in
20. Publish second zine completed November
21. Go to teddywedgers for pasties Completed on March 27th
22. Go to the kane county flea market (completed July 2nd, 2011)
23. Record “storycorp” style interviews with family/friends (interviewed my sister at MS&I)
24. Rearrange furniture twice (1st time in July, second time in Nov)
25. Work in small scrapbook art/journal
26. Go to lothson’s chicken done 8.4.10
27. Pay off debt
28. Have a bonfire at the lagoon
29. Eat at two (new to me) truck stop diners
30. Organize a glue book week
31. Go camping this summer completed in July 2010 (we went camping/floating with tom and nikki)
32. Finish my mom’s challenge book

Leftovers from 2009 list

1. Found Art balloon idea
2. Visit one photobooth
3. Hot air balloon ride (already paid for) completed 10.9.10
4. Release art themed geocache
5. Complete C25K and run 5K
6. Decorate a mini journal (missed the opportunity from last year)
7. Go to a Hockey game (11.2.10)
8. Redesign my website.

the last NaBloPoMo Hurrah!

Published
by
robayre
on November 30, 2009
in General Update, goals and life
. 0 Comments

It is the last day of November and the last day of National Blog Posting Month. I got an email from NaBloPoMo today announcing that next month’s theme is Mitzvah and the challenge is to give something to someone everyday of the month and post about it. I LOVE that idea! BUT, I am so burnt out from this month and of all the things that fill my daily life. If only I had known that theme before I decided to take on this month’s challenge I might have held out for December.

That being said, my sister was so kind to point out to me that SewMamaSew’s Give-Away day is coming up. If I can’t give away things all month long the least I can do is one day and since I had so much fun participating in this in the past there is no chance I’d miss it.

Please check back and see what I will be giving away. I haven’t decided yet. If you have any suggestions I’d be glad to hear them.  Anything from my shop would be cool.

The Signature Room

Published
by
robayre
on November 16, 2009
in General Update, goals and life
. 2 Comments

This weekend I crossed one more item off my list for the year. Matt and I ate at the Signature Room, on the 95th floor of the Hancock Tower in Chicago.

A lot of people I know have been before and I’ve heard the stories and reviews of what it’s like. I thought it would be a fun experience to add to my list. See, in all honesty, I’m more the type of person who would get excited to gather friends and drive to a small town diner. But, when compiling my list of things to do for the year I wanted to add a few things that would stretch me.

I didn’t bring a camera, not knowing if it would be acceptable. Unfortunately, once there, there were constant flashes going off around us while waiters were snapping guests with the amazing view behind them. Sadly, I don’t have a picture of Matt and I all gussied up to remember the occasion. He did capture the above picture from his camera phone though.

We debated making dinner reservations or just waiting in line for drinks and dessert in the “lounge”. Once we got there we saw the loooooong first-come-first-serve line for the lounge, I immediately doubted myself and we considered just going elsewhere entirely. I’m so glad that we didn’t and I ended up calling and making reservations for dinner. We enjoyed ourselves walking around the magnificent mile, killing time until our reservation.

I’ve been up to the observation deck in the Hancock tower before, but I forgot how fast and high the elevator goes. Your ears pop while you go up. When we exited the elevator I was just thrust into the unexpected, in a very good way. The ceiling is super high, with windows all the way around. It was just beginning to be dark out and you could see the beginnings of clouds in the air right outside the windows. The restaurant is HUGE and completely dark with basically a single tea light on each table for lighting the entire place. Once it was completely dark out the lights from the city just popped and you realize why the restaurant is kept dark. It all adds to the romantic atmosphere.

We had an excellent evening and I highly recommend others to experience it at least once in their lifetime. You can request window seats, but make sure you ask for the city view. A coworker of mine asked for window seats, but were seated near the water and there isn’t much to see there. Oh, and dinner, it was delicious and filling, but the price you pay is really made up in ambiance, rather than what appears on your plate.

on and on and on

Published
by
robayre
on September 23, 2009
in Cool Links, General Update, Projects, goals and life
. 1 Comment

spiral, originally uploaded by robayre.
This is what your brain feels like after playing bejeweled blitz for too long. Fun times. And I’m still not even any good at it.

 

Last weekend I crocheted another cowl scarf. 3 skeins in 3 days. Someone is anxious for chilly weather. And, hey, what’s up with the cool summer and then warm september? The trees don’t know what to do, turn red, and lose all their leaves off the top, but stay green everywhere else.

Last weekend I was supposed to cross off no. 17 on this year’s list (ride in a hot air balloon).  But it rained, so we rescheduled. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the weather behaves for my next date. The night before my first scheduled launch I was able to capture an Etsy treasury and it was of course Hot Air Balloon themed. You can see what it looked like above.


At the fair, a few weeks ago, they had one of those booths where you can take “old timey” pictures. I’ve been thinking that I want to add it to my list of things to do in 2010. It was hard not to do it right then, but I started thinking about these pictures I had seen recently from one of my flickr contacts. Anna Allen is involved in living history and re-enactment activities and had her portrait taken at one recently. Yes, that picture above is a modern picture of her, not a scan of an old picture. I’ve been obsessed with these pictures she had taken and want to find a photographer who works in wet plate method and get my own photos taken. How cool is that? Check out Anna’s flickr to see more pictures.

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