2011 in Review

2011 has been one of the most amazing years of my life. So many dreams came true.

The year began with an email from Tracey Clark…. and an invitation to share at Shutter Sisters…..
goosebumps….serious goosebumps…..
My Mondo beyond dream…. came true….

Ben healed from his accident and grew into the love and light I needed in my life. Thank you again and again to each of you that ordered the Benjamin Collection, last year.... You helped save his life..... and I am so grateful for that. Some will say Ben's just a dog….but he's my life…. and one of the most amazing gifts I have ever received.

My site grew and flourished…..so many new friends stopped by. Pinch me. Seriously… Pinch me…..

Textures Tuesday was born.....and you all embraced it, loved it….. nurtured it…..and allowed it to grow into something beyond amazing.

I hopped on a plane to California….by myself…. scared to death….. I met my tribe. I made instant connections with so many beautiful women…. truly no words.
I found myself there. 
Forever changed…..

I fell in love with California and out of love with the prairies….and then fell back in love with the prairies….. Thanks much to all of you…. your wise words allowed me to move thru my California dreaming …..and find happiness, right here where i 'stand'…..

I became a part of Big Picture Classes. I can't wait to share more over there in 2012.

Beyond Layers was born….after a year of spinning round and round....in my head…… I've never been more excited. Truly… 'beyond'..... 

I shared my story (the good, the bad and the ugly) and my dreams....you all simply wrapped your arms around me...despite the flaws and set backs we have had.

I connected with all of you in a deeper and more meaningful way. Every single day I received love and support. I am blessed...beyond...belief.....Please know from the bottom of my heart….. I am incredibly grateful..... for every single note, comment, gift, card…. prayer…. virtual hug........every morsel……

Thank you! Thank you.

…..

2012, bring it on……

My word for 2012 is inspire….. and I can't wait…. 

Beyond Layers….look out.....Here we come… Are you in? I'd love to spend the year with you.

…..

So tell me beautiful friends… how was your year, have you chosen a word? what is it?

Please share with me today.

Happy New Year.....

p.s. I will be back tomorrow with our first texture for 2012.... See you then.....

p.s.s. linking back to my so long 2010 post.....

Comments

[peggy gatto]

I got to discover your informative and fun blog and enjoyed your textures tuesdays ..... to be continued in 2012!
thanks kim !!!

[Kate I]

I can so relate to your word "inspire"...that's the name of my blog! I love your textures and your openness...so inspiring. (lol...perfect word for you!) My word for 2012 is Embrace and I'm so very ready to open my arms and fully embrace life. May 2012 bring you all you wish for and more. Blessings.

[Meghan @ Life Refocused]

I have no doubt you will rock "inspire" this year. You already are if you ask me. One of my highlights of 2011 was meeting you at Camp. Hoping 2012 brings me more Kim Klassen!!

[creatissimo]

Happy new year to you too, Kim! Inspiring, wonderful and peaceful 2012! And thank you for everything - your textures, words, inspiration! <3

[Lissa @ lafcustomdesigns]

Happy New Year, Kim! You were part of my journey back to myself after challenges at work sent me out with a new Nikon D5000 to rediscover my love of photography, which blossomed more that ever before. I continue to learn and look forward to what your Beyond Layers brings. I am also participating in Ali Edwards' One Little Word 2012 and I've chosen ABUNDANCE. I'm already thinking that little word will bring so much. If you have time, visit my blog for my New Year's message and my Ansel Adams moment. http://www.lafcustomdesigns.com/2011/12/looking-back-standing-still-moving.html

Thank you so much for being you and sharing as you do!
Many more blessings!
laf

[Susan]

Thank you for sharing your amazing year with us, you have been an inspiration. My word for 2012 is "emerging". 2012 is the beginning of letting go and finding my way into the next part of my journey. I wish you and your family a blessed new year!

[Olivia]

I have two words for 2012--SAVOR and DISCOVER. In June, not only did I become unemployed after 30 years in the classroom as a high school English teacher, but my family also lost our home to a devastating fire, during which I suffered second and third degree burns to my right arm. It say that I was close to be being totally demoralized is an understatement. Now, six months later, I am still unemployed, but at least, I am healed physically from the burns I am still recovering from the emotional aspects of the fire.

In 2012, I plan to focus on savoring the things of the moment, my family, the things that we were able to salvage from the fire, just life itself. As I continue the job hunt, I will be discovering who I am. No longer "teacher," no longer full-time mom (one child graduated college in December, the other child has enlisted in the US Marine Corps and is awaiting his ship date to basic training in Parris Island, SC), I have to discover this "new" person. I want so much to be a photographer, but am so uncertain where to even begin.

So, my year will begin savoring and discovering, and I will take Kim and all of you with me on the journey.

[Macrina]

http://savoirwhy.blogspot.com/2011/12/goal.html

You will be a part of this.
As will many others.

[Jeri Taira]

Such an inspiration to be here and take part in all of this. Can't wait to hang out in 2012 be even more inspired and share the joy I find lingering here.

God bless and Happy New Year Kim and all the KK Cafe fam.

[Geri]

Kim, you've given so much through your blog. I had to drop out of TT due to my mom's failing health, but learned so much and had a lot of fun playing earlier in the year. I hope you will link into my blog hop with your word for 2012 and you can also add the code to inLinkz code to your blog too if you like.

[Elaine]

Can I have more than one word? :~) Quite a few spring to mind, but Hope is the one that encompasses all the others. It might be a rather unassertive word, but it's all I can aspire to right now.

Last year was not any different than most of the past 22, because of my health problems, but because of your Skinny-mini and Essentials classes, I started to realize a dream of almost 20 years~~to learn more about Photoshop! Your classes, along with discovering the magazine Digital Studio, have changed my life!

[A Garden of Threads]

Kim it has been wonderful meeting and connecting with you thru your beautiful blog and fantastic classes. I hope 2012 holds everything to hope to obtain. Take care, Jen.

[geetlee]

Happy New Year Kim :) I'm so excited about Beyond layers.
Thanks to you, I have been thinking about my word for this year. I have chosen PERCEIVE - to be able to see clearly without the imprisoning haze of self doubt and negativity :)
Here is wishing you a great year ahead!

[Sylvia]

Wish you and your family a wonderful new year, Kim, that all your dreams my come true !
In one of our super market magazines I read : 'Wonder is the key to Happiness' ...
love it, so my word for 2012 is 'WONDER'.
I'm looking forward to Beyond Layers :-)
Sylvia

[Marion]

Happy New Year Kim! One of the highlights of the past year for me was the day I stumbled upon a refernce to you on a Flickr page. I followed the link to your blog and from then on I became a follower. INSPIRE is definitely the word I associate with you, also warm, generous and creative. Thank you so much for all that you do. Looking forward to 'Beyond Layers' - maybe that will be my word for 2012 " BEYOND."

[kimB from Alaska]

Kim - your word, Inspire, suits you perfectly, my friend -- since my first visit to the Cafe, you have been an inspiration to me, both creatively and spiritually. I have signed up for Beyond Layers and am very much looking forward to spending the coming year with you and the other members of this endeavor!

My word for 2012 is Restore. Much has happened in my personal life during the past year -- great challenges, struggles and stressful events. Two wonderful things occured - the birth of our grandson in September and the healing of our marriage, which was very close to being torn asunder. But - income, ownership of our business and relationships within our family were lost and broken. We may lose our home to forclosure. One of our sons is in a custody battle for his two children and my Husband has an upcoming trial for a "non-chargeable offense" that occured in 2010.

I believe the Lord has told me that He "...will restore that which the locusts have eaten..." (Joel 2:24-26) and that 2012 will be the year for that restoration.

New Year's Hugs & Blessings to you and to your precious family -- <3

[Kelly]

My word for 2012 is BECOME...read about it here!
I can NOT wait for January 17!
woo hoo...happy dance!!!!
http://kelly-justaclickaway.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-word-is.html

[Susan Wilde]

Thank you for introducing me to textures through your Texture Tuesdays. I look forward to 2012 and learning through your kind sharing. Happy New Year and may 2012 be a year that fulfills all your dreams.

[Nadege]

You have inspired me with your images and use of textures. Looking to learn more, thanks to your kind sharing, in 2012.

[Dianne Poinski]

Happy New Year Kim and thank you for all your inspiration! 2011 had it's ups and downs, but I am excited about 2012. I think "confidence" is going to be my word of the year. Still thinking about it. Can't wait for "Beyond Layers" to being!

[Madelin C. Wolf]

2011 is a year that I am glad to see go. I struggled to be a caregiver to my husband (whose cancer had spread to his brain and hopefully not his liver which we will find out on Tuesday), keep my business going and make art. I feel that my ability to cope is in jeopardy. Still, I am determined to persevere and make art in spite of what is going on, even if it is only sporadically. My word for last year was Fearless. I think I will keep that one and add Action. Kinda resonates.

Kim, I appreciate all the many, wonderful free textures that I have downloaded with hopes of actually using them. I still have hopes! You ROCK as an awesome artist and role model! Best of luck with your endeavors for 2012!

[teresa]

Okay . . .I haven't read what you've all written . . . .yet . . . because I didn't want to be influenced or have my mind changed by your (sure to be )inspired words.
My word for this year is "GROWTH" . . .I've written it large because I want to grow a lot :-) I want to grow spiritually,creatively and commercially . . .there I've said it . . . . . .
Teresa xx