Annual Review of 2016

I can barely believe that 2017 is just hours away, but here I am having my traditional nostalgic look back over my creations of the past 12 months and picking out my favourite projects.

This time last December I wrote that I'd 'only' written 206 posts (my fewest to date) but this year has been even fewer at just 196.  Yet I continue to believe that I've concentrated on quality rather than quantity.  

There have been an increasing number of clean and simple designs which I've been loving, although I still adore all my fancy flowers, ribbons and sparkly stuff so still sneak them in every now and again!  It's nice to create using both styles depending on my mood!

As well as already being part of the Lili of the Valley Design Creative I was so proud to be invited to join the Lili of the Valley Design Team which allows me to be among the the first to play with any gorgeous new releases!

As part of the Lili Design Team I was also invited to my first multiple page magazine spread which involved making 11 cards for a full feature length pull-out at Papercraft Essentials!  Talk about jumping in at the deep end, but in truth I absolutely LOVED it and my favourite card from the set was even featured on the front cover! :0)

I've also became 'Nutty Netty' at 'Squirrel's-Not-So-Random-Challenge', a fun new challenge which began in August.  One of our most interesting (for me) challenges is the current 'then and now' theme which asks us to look back to one of our early creations and 'recreate' it in our current style.  The difference in my 'then and now' creations was eye opening for me and although I'm still experimenting, learning and improving, I was delighted to see a huge improvement.  If you want to pop by the challenge please click on the link here but here's a quick reminder of my transition, from this (in October 2010):

   

to this in December 2016:

As usual I've made some new, and deepened some existing friendships with some lovely blogging buddies, and met up with a couple again which has been lovely.  That's what makes this such a special hobby for me. I can convert something which can be a solitary pursuit into something far more social.

Anyways, enough natter for now because being 31st December, I am doing my customary annual round up of my favourite projects from the last 12 months.

You'd better brace yourself for a photo heavy post, or just scroll to the bottom to see my aspirations for 2017 ...

I loved the image, the simple layout, and of course the pink!

I was pleased with my brushwork on this one, as well as the frilly bits perfect for the 'love' theme.

I love making non-card creations too, like this clock, as well as baggies and plaques.

I was pleased with my colouring on this one, as well as the layout and velvet ribbon, flowers etc.

This is one of my favourite Stamping Bella images, given full focus on this CAS layout.

I love making wedding cards since it's a great excuse to get pink and girlie with all the frills!

I had to include this one because it was my made for my first magazine feature.

Something different from me (not cute!) and I was so pleased with how it turned out.

My favourite shape and I was pleased with the brushwork and embellies too

I love personalised cards, and being pink, cute and fussy this was my favourite baby card this year

Another one featuring my favourite shape and lilac is my favourite colour for winter.

I was really pleased with how the brushwork on this pingu turned out

No list of favourites would be complete with out James the bear!

I'm usually not happy with my masculine cards, but this was an exception

And last but not least, was this stepper which I was so happy with.

Looking Back:

Well there's an awful lot of pink there, but a mix of fussy and clean & simple styles, perhaps leaning more to the CAS later in the year when I needed to increase my production of Christmas cards in time for December!  

Looking Forward:
So what are my optimistic resolutions for next year?   Well, although my resolutions this year are going the be similar to last year's, I'm going to be more specific this year, mainly because I've been failing miserably!  So my 2017 resolutions are more 'measurable' in an attempt to improve the likelihood of any resemblance of success! 

1. Make a minimum of 2 Christmas cards per month to reduce the late rush in December.
2. For every card using a newly purchased image, I must make 2 featuring an older image.
3. Make one male card per month (although this could be combined with #1).

Happy New Year:

Well that's all folks.  If you've stayed for the full post then I'm impressed! :0) It just leaves me to say thank you to all my lovely followers, old and new, and especially to everyone who has left me a comment or two this year.  I hope you've liked what you've seen, and hope you continue to pop back next year.

Happy New Year, and I hope that 2017 brings you health and happiness (and lots of crafting time too!)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx