Dear Diary, I am most proud of my failures.

UPDATE: since writing this post I have received so many letters, emails and even a glittered bat!  I am so grateful for the support and hope that our story encourages others to believe in their dreams and go for it!

Fingers crossed.....

Hopefully we will have an announcement soon!

I feel blessed to work in the craft industry! Not just because I get to make things (all the time) or that is perfectly acceptable to work in pj's all day with glitter on your face and Mod Podge on your clothes.

It is the artists, crafters and creative risk-takers that keep me inspired and keep me swinging my glittered baseball bat.  I love that the people are supportive and encouraging of each other.  I love that the people are authentic.  And, I love that the people respectfully learn from each other and grow with every brushstroke. 

Last year, I did an interview with my publisher {{Lark Crafts}} about my Crafty Enthusiasm.  Yesterday, I stumbled across the interview and realized how much has changed in just one short year. One response in the interview really stands out to me..... I was asked "what I was most proud of in my crafting career" and I responded... "So many things! My TV show, my books, my product lines, my failures and my dare devil attitude towards crafting are all on the top of the list for things I am proud of. If I had to pinpoint one thing I am most proud of, it would be that I have always made a living being creative."

Did you see that?  I said I was most proud of my failures. LOL.  Sounds crazy - but it's true.  Failures mean that I am swinging my glittered bat.  I have been asked many times about my success and I just now realized that having an idea, believing and taking a swing is the key to my success and creative happiness.

Steve and I, have been swinging so hard this past year and I think we are going to the World Series.  I know that no one will ever really know how many misses and strikes we have had.  Or how many glitter tears were shed.  I can tell you we had many misses....but I am counting the home-runs and staying proud of the misses.

Our Home-Runs!

1. We have a line launching in Michaels this summer that I could not be more proud of.  

2. A new show in development that would change food and crafts on TV.  

3. The craft room is half organized.

4. A craft show we helped produce is coming to TLC this summer.  

5. We stayed true to ourselves.

6. Hot Glue Gun Helpers are exploding at HSN and are being re-branded under Mod Podge.

7. We are developing ((two)) new top-secret lines for ((two)) major retailers.

Here is my formula....do what you love, believe in your ideas, take calculated risks, make cold calls, juggle well with a smile, say NEXT to the naysayers.....and be proud of your failures.

XO Cathie

p.s. I am off to find a bat to actually glitter and hang in the studio.