So Long 2012

In 2012, I was met with grief as it was really difficult to say goodbye to my beloved German Shepherd in September. The pain of not having her a part of my daily routine left a gaping hole in my existence. I know it's a bit dramatic to say this, but for someone who is annoying and neurotic to a severe degree, there aren't many people who will tolerate my antics. Yet, for some bizarre reason, this rotund dog treated me like I was the most agreeable person in her world and was acutely tuned to my ever-revolving moods...Plus, she never shirked off my bear hugs. I miss her.

Looking back on this emotional year, I must now survey my attempt to meet the goals I set. I actually started a never-ending checklist that will not be posted because...well, it's pretty much a glorified shopping list, and I'm doubtful anyone would care to read it. (But there are tons of things crossed off!)  Ah, but here is the list of goals I made last January on LaPineDesign and how I faired.

Find a church to attend on a regular basis. UGH...Unfortunately, this was not met. Please pray for me that I find a church in my next community this spring.
Go to Moldova.  This did not happen. Instead I was able to take several classes this summer. I knew it would have been a longshot, but with God all things are possible, so I wanted to be expectant and open to the possibility.

Illustrate a children's book written by my cousin, Katie. I made a lot of sketches, but am still hoping to develop


this. I did illustrate a book that I wrote for a class. I forced myself to make the book rhyme, so it took forever. It's called The Passport of Ellen Magellen.  It's also the size of an actual passport..."And, he IS, he IS on TV."




Design www.JanaLaPine.com and launch site.  hahaha...nope.

Paint a pomegranate. I sketched a pomegranate on a canvas in hopes to paint it...Does that count? Here's the still life
photograph I settled on.

Read The Hobbit .  YES! And it was AMAZING! The film was fantastic too...don't try to tell me otherwise.



Refine the next 8 cards for the 2012 Line of Ice Box Cards. YUP! Finished these babies too!

To take a peek of the finished cards, click here.

Wear dresses more often. Yeppers! All the time!

Have a Titanic Party on April 14th, 2012. Well, this happened to be one of the highlights of my year. Thank you ladies...and dad, for making it so much fun!

Go water skiing. A clue...No.

Go rock climbing. hahahaha I know, I can't picture it either.

Record: "The Stairwell", "Photographs", "It's Christmas Time", "Sad Song", & "Overtly Overly." ha. Definitely didn't happen.

Beat my blog record from last year! (136) hmm...I reached 67. I'm okay with that.

Call my grandparents once a week.  Ah, I don't even think I made this happen once a month. You know I did call them, but I didn't always get to talk to them. A lot of voice mails. In my book this doesn't constitute as a good ol' call.

Become friends with James. I'd say there was a nice 2 week period when this was fulfilled. I don't know about the current status at the moment. This will be a carry over goal.

Draw my friends and family. hmm...haha I think I did draw Hannah early on in the year. It was a terrible likeness. I'd like to continue to work on this goal too.

Host 3 giveaways on LaPine Design. Okay, only hosted 1 giveaway.

Finish reading all the books I am in the middle of; Out of Africa, The Way of the Master, Anna Karenina (ughhhh. this is never going to happen), Sherlock Holmes: Volume 2, & Tom Jones. I'm still chiseling away at Sherlock Holmes: Volumn 2...that will totally happen. Not too concerned with finishing the others.

Make truffles. Um. I'm embarrassed to say this didn't happen. On second thought, I'm sure everyone is pleased that I didn't do this..

Be quiet. This sadly didn't happen either...working on it though.

Spend more time in prayer. I'd say this was better, but will definitely be a life long goal to spend more time in conversation with my Saviour.

Well, there's an awful amount of blue (unsuccessful) in this list. I'm hoping next year will bear favourable results. I have a feeling it's going to be crammed with a lot of accomplished goals.

Thanks for reading LaPine Design!

And have a Happy New Year!

Here's a little Mariah for you to ring in 2013:

Bag End

Good news, they're adding another installment to the Hobbit film. So, there are going to be three filmses now!

 

EEEEE!!!!

In honour of this announcement, I will show you a little project I worked on this summer.

Extreme-Home Make Over-Hobbit Edition...

I made the mushrooms from clay too. I could have worked on this for weeks! I was in my element.

Notice the broom made out of pine needles and the garbage cans made out of creamers.

In all actuality, this isn't to Hobbit scale, but it's Hobbit style.

Enjoy!

103 days away!

Keep Calm & Count Down

Only 142 days to go folks!

Additionally, I won't make the mistake of passing on this next time I come in contact with it...

Seriously, what is my deal?!?! This is such a great edition!

There and Back Again: Artist Appreciation- Alan Lee

Okay, so I got pretty worked up this past week when I learned that Peter Jackson will be directing the highly anticipated adaptation of The Hobbit. I can finally sleep at night. Oh, and I heard a rumor that Alan Lee, the conceptual artist for The Lord of the Rings trilogy will also be working on this project as well! My only let down is that James McAvoy will not be portraying Bilbo Baggins as I had once hoped. I'm sure I'll live ;) Here are some of Alan Lee's masterpieces that have inspired me.

And here are examples of how he has influenced my work: