Random

I had the craziest thing happen to me.

Do you remember the “Start Being Awesome” artwork I made back in October?

This artwork is hands-down my favorite piece I’ve ever created. I am twitterpated.

And apparently you guys are too! Now here’s where the crazy story comes in…

I received a comment on the “Start Being Awesome” artwork post asking if I would be interested in making a 2nd one and selling it.

I emailed her back and told her that I would, but they were lots of work, so I would probably want to charge her too much. Oh, and she’d need to pay shipping too, and this sign is solid wood and huge, so that would probably be a lot too. I figured that is where the conversation would end.

She replied and offered me $175 plus all shipping costs if I would still make her one. She just wanted it in yellow, not gray.

Um, $175? DEAL!

Now the story gets even crazier…

I asked her to send me her shipping address so I could get a quote for the shipping charges.

SHE LIVES 4 MILES FROM MY HOUSE.

Is that wild or what?

And the craziest part of all? She had no clue I live in Austin, much less Texas. In fact, she said she had never even read my blog, but found my art on Pinterest.

We seriously have mutual friends. It is the weirdest online story ever.

After I stopped laughing from this wild story, I got to work on her art. Do you want to see it?

Now don’t get me wrong, I adore my gray sign. But I think I might like the yellow one even more.

What made it all worth it (besides the $175!) was to see her reaction when I dropped it off at her house. She might have jumped up and down and squealed out loud. THAT made it all worth it!

I LOVE that someone loves my art as much as I do. I love that I can make someone else so happy with something I’ve created. It is the best feeling.

And now I have another surprise!

I had just enough wood to create two additional signs (one for my client and one extra). The first sign I’ve already sold to the lady mentioned above, but the 2nd one is up for grabs!

It’s actually only half-finished. I stopped before I painted the yellow paint, so I can actually paint it whatever color you’d prefer (the letters will be white, but the main color is optional).

If I have a huge interest in the sign (or any other custom artwork) I will be more than happy to make anything commissioned. Just let me know.

So, if you want a custom, hand-painted “Start Being Awesome” artwork sign, either leave a comment and I’ll email you, or send me an email.

Also, I want to thank each of you for always being so supportive of my blog and me. You are awesome!

Fine Print: I will quote you a shipping price once I receive your address. I will ship anywhere worldwide, but please be aware shipping outside the USA will be pretty expensive. Payments will be accepted through Paypal only. I accept USD only. All artwork is custom made and there will be differences from one piece to the next. No two pieces of artwork are the exact same.

It’s hard to believe that 2011 has come and gone already. The older I get the quicker time moves. Anyone else feel that way?

I’m excited about a new year and a fresh new start. There’s nothing like January 1st to make you feel like you’ve got a clean slate to work with.

I want to take a minute (or three) to bid farewell to 2011 by sharing the best of HoH this past year.

Top 10 most viewed posts of 2011:

10. Create a Spa Bath Mat using IKEA outdoor decking

9. Cheese Dome turned Cloche

8. Cupcake cones: a new petite version

7. How to make adorable accessories from Duct Tape

6. The great soap makeover

5. How to make professional lined curtain panels

4. What everyone should know about painting perfect lines

3. How to make a cheap awesome professional curtain rod

2. Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese icing

1. My I-thought-I-had-an-original-idea-ice-cream-cone-cupcake-pan

These top 10 posts received the most views this past year. I’m surprised a few posts written in 2010 made the cut!

Most Commented Posts:

The following posts have received the most comments (besides giveaways). I’m surprised that many of these didn’t make the top 10 cut! You’d think comments and page views go hand-in-hand, but surprisingly they don’t. Weird.

#1 We all have skeletons, this is mine

#2 Why I plaster my logo on every photo

#3 My I-thought-I-had-an-original-idea-ice-cream-cone-cupcake-pan

#4 There’s a pumpkin in my dryer… oh wait.

#5 The great soap makeover

#6 Dollar Store Fall Decor

#7 Cheese Dome turned Cloche

#8 A Cooler Cooler

#9 My Candy Store

#10 Mean Comments; plus some blogging tips

Biggest Supporter:

I want to personally thank Sarah of Thrifty Decor Chick for sending almost 50,000 visitors to my blog this past year.

Anyone who has read my blog for more than like a day knows that Thrifty Decor Chick was my very first most favorite blog on this planet earth, and is still my favorite blog. For Sarah to like my blog enough to send so much of her traffic my way is humbling. Thank you Sarah for your continued support and friendship.

Just to put in perspective how many visitors 50,000 is, the 2nd top blog referrer sent me 3,000 visitors, which is also a lot! As you can see, TDC really has been my #1 fan and cheerleader and I’m forever grateful.

My Blog: The past, present, and future of HoH:

I started this blog for fun.

I became popular enough (lots of page views) to add some ads and make some pocket change.

I have never, nor will I ever put money or a paycheck over content. A $75 payment is not worth it to me if the post pisses you off and drives you away.

My readers (YOU!) come first, always.

I have turned down countless opportunities because I want to make sure that any choices I make keep you happy.

Even if my blog ever amounts to anything and I become wildly rich and famous, I want to always keep the attitude that this is for fun, I do it because I love it, and YOU come first.

Thank you so much for reading and commenting on my blog, and sharing my blog with your friends. This blog is nothing without you, and I will remain forever grateful that you actually care about what I have to say. Thank you for sharing your shoulder when I’ve been depressed, and cheering with me when awesome opportunities arose. Your comments, notes, and emails have made me smile, laugh, and {good} cry. So thank you!

And finally,

Goodbye 2011, Hello to the rest of my life. 2011 was great, but lets make 2012 even better.

When I shared my office filp-flop with you a few weeks ago, I showed off my cute glitter collection and storage basket.

Truth be told, I don’t really use glitter all that often, but I do love looking at baskets of pretty glitter.

Well, there was one two things that stuck out like a big ol’ fat sore thumb; those honkin’ big containers of sparkly white glitter.

I knew on my eternal quest for absolute cuteness that I could do so much better than those big eye sores. And a quick trip to my local Dollar Tree proved just the solution.

The dollar store has these fun big sugar shaker jars that I’ve been eying forever, but never could think of an excuse to buy them. Well, my glitter dilemma was just the excuse I needed!

(I also recently saw these sugar shakers at my local grocery store as well for just under $2 each).

Transplanting the glitter to its new home was as easy as removing both lids and pouring the glitter into the new container. Rocket Science right here folks.

I’d say my quest for cuteness was a success on the glitter front.

Yes, there are starving people and world wars to worry about, but I’m wasting my days pouring glitter from one jar to the next. (I obviously have too much time on my hands.)

But seriously, can a basket full of glitter be any cuter? I think not.

And now with Christmas hot on my heels, I think this glitter may actually get some use this month.

Before and after:
  

Trust me, there’s a cute solution for almost any problem; and the dollar store’s generally the answer.

I may not be the craftiest person on the planet, but darn it, my glitter basket looks cute.