Reasons to smile #1
(Reflections on 2010)

Most bloggers use the last week of the year to reflect on the year that’s gone
by, but since the top 2000 will be up and runnin’ by then (see post on top!),
I thought I do it now. Not all at once,ย  but I will use the next blog posts to
reflect on something creative I did last year.
(And yes, there will be some new work to show every now and then!)

Like a lot of bloggers, I picked a ‘word of the year’ for 2010.
So let’s see what became of that…

..

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My word was SMILE!
This is what I wrote about it:

“… this is what I want to do more in 2010: live my life with more light
and sunshine, colour and fun and smiles (and who knows, even laughter!)
I want to look at the bright things in life and approach people with more trust.”

And did I smile in 2010?
Hell yes! I had all reasons too!

Reason to smile #1

I started my own website and wrote (taught) three workshops last year.
Everyone who took a workshop was enthusiastic about it, and it gave me
such a boost and trust that I’m on the right track!

Let it Loose

The first workshop that run on my online community.
I remember being a bit nervous when I put this in my
shop, but in no time there were a lot of participants
who loved the class and made wonderful art pieces
with my lessons! Last September, the workshop run
for a second time and right after, I was asked
whether I was willing to teach this again, this time for
Dutchies only
. Wowzah, this workshop is popular!

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A Creative Art Journey

For my second workshop, I focused on art history.
Since I graduated as an art teacher, which also
includes art history, I thought this would be fun.
I guess it scared people off though. Maybe they
thought it was about ‘studying tough theoretical
stuff’… there were only a few ‘students’ in this class.
That was a bit disappointing since it is a fun workshop!
Yep, the lessons handle some theory and the prompts
are based on art from certain periods, but with several
prompts per lesson to choose from I think it is a versatile workshop!
Anyway, it will run again in January/February if there are enough
people interested in following this workshop. (see side menu)

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Mixed Emotions

After writing two workshops on my own, I thought it
would be fun to ask a ‘guest teacher’ for a change.
Michelle LaPoint Rydell said ‘yes’ right away. This
workshop wants to inspire people to make art journal
pages based on all kinds of emotions. Michelle and I
took turns writing and teaching lessons. There were
different approaches and ways of teaching, but I think
the students liked that. The last lesson was uploaded
last week. Michelle and I will evaluate this workshop
and the process of working later but I think it’s safe to say it was a success!

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So all in all; starting a website with an online community where I
teach workshops was, and still is, a huge reason to smile!

I will go on with it and I am already planning a – somewhat different –
workshop in the Summer of 2011. Of course I will publish the info
on the website (next Spring) but if you subscribe to the newsletter
you will be sure that you won’t miss a thing!

I leave you with a lay-out that hopefully will make you smile too.
I made this in the last workshop with one of Michelle’s lessons.
(we worked on each others lessons together with the students.)

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I hope you have a joyful weekend with a lot of smiles!

I’ll be back next week, with some new work and more reasons to smile!
See you then!

Je t’embrasse!

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17 Responses to “Reasons to smile #1
(Reflections on 2010)”

  • April Lewis Says:

    Congrats on all you had to smile about in 2010.

  • Jennifer Says:

    Looks like you’ve had a lot to smile about!

  • Peggy Says:

    En hopelijk gaat dat lachen gewoon door in 2011…
    Liefs xxx Peggy

  • Vicky Says:

    Een paar weekends geleden in Heesch hebben we dat ook zo veel kunnen doen, getuige hiervan de foto’s van jou en Peggy, waar al mooie LO’s over gemaakt zijn.
    Ik kijk er in elk geval al uit om รฉรฉn van je cursussen te volgen en je gauw nog eens vlug te zien.
    Greeetz and hugs
    Vickske

  • Michele H. Says:

    you definitely have a reason to smile…those are some awesome accomplishments this year. here’s to 2011:)

  • Julie Tucker-Wolek Says:

    EEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK! I loveeeeeeeeeeeee that this was your word was SMILE!!! {{I wonder why???}} I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee your journal page!! GORGEOUS! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

  • yyam Says:

    So many things to be grateful for in 2010 Marit! ๐Ÿ™‚
    I know 2011 will be even better my friend! ๐Ÿ™‚

    I’m always inspired by your art journaling pages! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Annemarie Says:

    I am glad you chose the word smile. My word two years ago was discipline. I wanted to stay organized to create a comfortable home for my children to grow up in. For the most part I mostly thought about it and didn’t do much, but this year I find I am slowly pulling it all together.

    Thanks for making me smile throughout this year.

  • Petra Coolen Says:

    Gaaaaave layout Marit! Hoe krijg je het toch voor mekaar.
    Tip voor 2011: gewoon doorgaan met SMILE (staat je goed ๐Ÿ˜‰

  • sandra Says:

    Marit, I am so glad you started your website this year. I loved the two classes I took from you. I learned so much Android I can’t wait for the next one. Keep smiling, beautiful.

  • Viv Says:

    Deze LO vind ik echt geweldig, Marit!! JOY spet echt van de pagina af ๐Ÿ™‚ En je workshops zijn echt een aanrader, beide workshops heb ik met heel veel plezier gevolgd (hopelijk kan ik dit weekend aan mijn laatste pagina`s werken).

    Fijn weekend en keep on smiling, liefs Viv

  • jess Says:

    I smile every time I read your blog posts! Beautiful pg. loooove that weaving…it looks incredible!

  • Michelle Rydell Says:

    You really have accomplished alot this year my friend! I am so happy for you!!!

  • Theresa Says:

    Hi Marit. congrats on a successful year. i was so very happy to find your blog and be a part of your classes. I’m looking forward to the new things you have in store for all of us.

    =)

  • Chris Aiton Says:

    What a happy word! and what a great year with your classes and art! Really love this layout! I have been thinking about this past year also and will be blogging a bit about it – so looking forward to the Top 2000!!!!

  • Jenneke Says:

    Nou Marit, als ik deze post lees, viel er in 2011 in ieder geval op creatief gebied genoeg te lachen voor jou!! Als deelnemer van je eerste workshop รจn als fotograaf van de ‘smile’-foto’s met Peggy kan ik er over meepraten: je hebt je woord-van-het-jaar eer aangedaan!!
    Keep on smiling, Marit!! Gun het je van harte!!!

    Wens je een fijne week!

    XXXJenneke

  • Thinkie Says:

    too bad there weren’t many participants for the creative art journey, there’s so much inspiration to be found in art from whatever period and art history is so interesting!
    Leuke LO!