Like many, I've always thought that having a list of plans was the best way to jump start the New Year. My intention list I methodically created many times got lost on a very busy desk only to be rediscovered later on during that year. It always resulted in a disappointed feeling that time passed without successfully completed anything in January, February and so on and so on...

Lately I've celebrated New Year's with a big pile of shiny new books for 3 years now. This was an accidental tradition that has now become a habit. You have to admit, learning stuff is not a bad way to ring in 2015!

So many books so little time... and money! I discovered that ordering them early and setting them aside was a good hoarding technique. I research some, randomly pick others and find some on sale.  

It's never my intention to read all these books at once, but to savour ideas, jot notes and take snippets from parts of books. Believe me, I'd love to just stop and read for more than 20 minutes at a time but life, kids and the pursuit of continual work always takes the focus. 

Sometimes that 20 minutes is all I need. The benefits come with a break, a fresh brain, a good word or an idea to focus on, a mood shift, or a great new perspective I learn about myself. There's always something good that comes out of reading.   

What's on the list so far: 

• 2015 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market

• 2015 Artist's & Graphic Designer's Market 

• Media Writing: a practical introduction- by Craig Batty & Sandra Cain

• The True Secret of Writing- by Natalie Goldberg 

• The Art Of Non-Conformity- by Chris Guillebreau 

• The Design Entrepreneur- by Steven Heller & Lita Talarico 

• Punk Marketing- by Richard Laermer

• Packaging Your Crafts- by Viola E. Sutanto

• And for fun and inspiration, Vintage Patterns from the 1950's- by Marnie Fogg

Where do I find my books?

• Chapters/Indigo
• Book Depot
• My local library

I wish you a very successful, happy and healthy New Year! Happy creating! 
~ Holly