Happy New Year! 2014 in Review...

With 2014 gone, I'm very pleased to welcome in 2015. Last year was a real rollercoaster of a year for me, there was really no down time and it was either massive highs or massive lows leaving me feeling a bit emotionally and physically wrung out come Christmas, especially after following what was one of the best years of my life in 2013. I spent the festive period disconnecting, resting, sleeping, grieving and just generally repairing myself, making myself stronger ready for next year.

2014 will be the year I remember as the year I...

* Took my product range from around 400 products to over 700 at last count, expanding into toys, bakeware, stationery and more

* Grew my company by almost 500% once again, I had thought this year would be quieter, apparently not! I don't think I'm programmed for quiet and laid back somehow...

* Launched lots of new product ranges including the World of Imagination, Charm Street Cuties and Dollybelles - you'll be seeing more of all of these this year!

* Won an award for my first ever toy just weeks after it's launch, it was also shortlisted for another prestigious award in association with John Lewis and was featured in the notonthehighstreet Christmas catalogue.

 

* Won a Spirit of Small Business Award acknowledging how far my business has come in just four years (I still can't quite believe it!) and appeared in a national newspaper

* Was appointed to the Board of Directors for CHA UK

* Launched our YouTube channel with a tour of Hurley HQ

* Did my first ever public speaking engagement at the CHA UK One Big Show (shortly followed by my second and third!)
* Exhibited at our first Trade Show - Top Drawer London and booked again for this year - yay!

* Had this quote sent to me by SO many people that it seemed to be everywhere I looked, it definitely kept me strong through some tough times.

* On a personal note, we lost my Dad, suddenly, unexpectedly, heartbreakingly, my Dad's loss overshadowed the whole year for me, with no time to grieve I was back on TV just a few days later (as he would have wanted) I coped the only way I know how, by throwing myself into my work, something where I feel in control, and keeping the faith.

 

* Spent all of my free time creating, drawing, writing, making, the results of which you'll see over the course of the next year or two...
* Collaborated with some fantastic companies including Freckled Fawn, DCWV, Filofax...

and Collectif London (who I'm continuing to be an ambassador for this year - yay!)

* Agreed and signed the biggest deal of my life in a Minnie Mouse onesie... (although I've already mentioned this a little bit, there will more about that next year too *wink*)

* Booked my first trip to the CHA Mega Show (next week - eeeeek!) and another public speaking engagement as I do my Creative Blogging seminar that I first done at the One Big Show, at the Mega Show for a bigger audience (there is still time to book here if you're attending!)

* Rediscovered my love of this geeky Harry Potter Game (I taught B to play so I'd have an opponent!) got some time to play with Lego (yay!) and snuggle this little snuggle buggle (I can't leave Fuzzybutt out of my round up as she spends every day by my side!)

Last year I chose a 'One Little Word' which was Sparkle, if I'm honest I'm not sure I managed it, I certainly didn't feel very sparkly at the end of it. This year I'm not sure I have a word, I do however have a plan (a big one!), goals and a direction, I've managed to change my life completely in the last four years and I've not finished yet! So for the year ahead, rather than a word, I'll be living by this...

Whenever you try to achieve something, there will always be doubters, haters, people who try and knock you back down (usually because they are scared you might actually do it, or because they are too unmotivated or scared to follow their own dreams - it's easier to criticise or laugh at someone else's!) I'd like to thank each and every one of them, their doubt, their laughter, their horrible  comments have all kept me going during the darkest of times and I'm very proud to be proving them wrong, while they focus on what I'm doing, I'm focusing on my dreams. (Please feel free to right click and save this quote as your desktop as a reminder to keep going for your dreams in 2015!)

Of course none of this would be possible without B (and Fuzzybutt!), my family, friends and team who keep me sane(ish), make me tea, wipe my tears and celebrate our successes and all of you for your support reading this blog, leaving me messages and comments here and on social media, visiting my website, buying my products and accompanying me on this journey, I love each and every one of you *mwah!* now lets put the kettle on and see what the year ahead has in store... 

Thank you for dropping by today!

Sarah x

Happy New Year! 2013 in Review...

Wow, the year has gone so fast and it's already 2014, I can't believe how much is different now to a year ago, I think I crammed a lot in! :o) So here is a quick recap...

2013 will be the year I remember as...

* The year I launched more new products than I ever dreamed of, including sewing kits, stamp & stitch, 'A Few of My Favourite Things...' kits, Doodle Dolls and the 'Special Editions' stamp line with Jaine and later in the year, Clare - taking me to over 400 products at last count!!
* Started to have my products stocked at Paperchase & Freckled Fawn with many more to come (I can't wait to spill some beans!!)

 

* Became one of Papercraft Inspirations magazines Crafty Experts

 

* Spent lots of time on trains between Essex and Peterborough on my way to and from Create & Craft for lots and lots of shows (picture courtesy of my friend Jen!) as much as I quite like trains I think I will be brave and retake my driving test this year!

* Grew my company by over 500% and took on an assistant to help me manage the craziness that I hadn't planned for just yet!
* Said "How did THAT happen???!" about 1,574,634 times - it's my new motto ;o)
* Started to share this...

 

* and gave you a little peek at this...

 

* and signed this...  (more about all of those in 2014!)

* I learned from my friend Di that it's OK to be open, not hold back so much, that sharing is a good thing and started to share a little more of my story - It's not something that I find easy, even with my friends, I was raised to keep things very private and not share personal things (which I know can sometimes come across as aloof or stuck up) but now I've started to open up and realised that Di is right, I've had so much support, so many lovely comments and emails and lots of people saying they can relate to things I've shared, if I can help or encourage or inspire one person by sharing then it's totally worth it!

* Was proud of myself for the very first time

* Learned a lot about forgiveness and letting go as I was reunited with my biological dad and discovered I had another sister and a nephew I knew nothing about! Some things can never be repaired but you can try and build something new and I've enjoyed my year getting to know my new family and trying to find my place in it

* I also enjoyed my first Christmas at home (couldn't leave that furry face out of my round up now, could I!)

This year I laughed a lot, cried a little, slept even less and pretty much had one of the best years of my life! and for 2014, I intend to carry on doing this...

A big 'Thank You' to my Mother in Law who bought me this for Christmas to go in my office - I know she doesn't always understand why I work so hard and thinks I should get off the pooter and do a nice spot of hoovering or make B a nice dinner, but she is unwavering in her help and support nonetheless and even works for me part time now - what a doll!

Last year my word for the year was 'Sparkle' and I think I well and truly achieved what I set out to when I picked it, so although I've wracked my brain trying to think of something more suitable for this year, I can't come up with anything I'd rather do than Sparkle again!

This year I resolve to let nothing and noone dull my sparkle once again, choose to focus on the positive and continue to follow the glitter along the path ahead seeing what lies in store, I'm already excited to have some big news to share with you next week and in February - can't wait!! - may it be even more shiny than last year!

I hope 2014 brings you everything you wish for and I hope you'll sparkle along with me all year long.

Thank you for dropping by today!

Sarah x

Welcome 2013!

Although I wasn't quite as keen to get rid of 2012 as I was say 2010 or 2011, I am still so happy to welcome in a new year and one that I'm sure will be even better than last year! There is some VERY exciting some stuff lined up which I will be telling you about just as soon as I can, including something publishing related and some travel... (must remember to renew my passport, eeek!) I do love a new beginning, some time to reflect (I've had even more than I expected due to being laid up with a horrible bug the last few days too, ick!) and make plans.

2012 was a rollercoaster year for me, it started with a bit of a low for me for a few reasons, which I won't harp on about, needless to say though I was left with a difficult decision to make, a bit of a mess to sort out and some dusting down and getting on with things to do! The course of how I thought things would go changed, but what seemed like a negative at the time, turned out to be the biggest blessing of all, I retained control of my brand, my work and the direction I was going in and that freedom turned out to be a huge blessing as I found out just weeks later - without that I wouldn't be in the position I'm in now or able to take up some of the fab offers that have come my way (some of which are still to be revealed - eeek!)

I managed to keep all of my resolutions, except one, my quilt never did get started, I was just too busy!

And so 2012 I will remember as the year I...

* changed direction and realised I COULD do it all by myself if I just had a little more faith in myself
* launched a ton of new products
* diversified into retail with the addition of my NOTHS shop
* partnered with some fab companies including Serif and Silhouette (with a few more yet to be revealed...)
* returned to Create & Craft
* launched Craft Academy and the Sarah Hurley Lookbook magazine
* learned to cook
* got excited about a Jubilee and Olympics I thought I didn't care about (ha! how wrong was I!)
* met lots of you at Donington
* laughed more and cried less than I can ever remember - got to be a good thing, right?

My one little word for 2012 was 'Believe' to believe in myself and my decisions, my gut instinct - I certainly did that and I'm VERY happy with the way that turned out! :o)

My one little word for 2013 is...

It may seem like a frivolous one this year but it's a reminder to myself, never let ANYONE dull my sparkle, there will always be people who try to drag you down, make you feel bad about yourself or insecure in what you can do (usually because they themselves feel insecure) people that bully (you'd think it stops in the playground, but sadly, no!) backstab and think they will appear better than you if they put you down or shout louder than you - but when you have sparkle, it shines brighter than any of that and noone can dull your sparkle unless you let them - so rise above it all and sparkle on! :o)

Here is my first sparkle of the year...

Don't mind me, I'm off to sparkle some more.... ;o)

Thank you for dropping by today!

Sarah x

A New Year, A New Start...

I love new beginnings, spring cleaning, organising, throwing out old things, re-focusing on goals and making plans, exciting times! New years resiolutions are the perfect way to do this.

Last Year my resolutions were:

To cut anyone toxic from my life - I think I pretty much achieved this and on doing so made room in my life to become closer to other people who are true friends, so glad I made this one!

To spend more time creating - I definitely did this!!!

To be Brave - I tried my very best and think I managed it pretty well

To be ME all of the time, not conform - yup!

To enjoy the moment - this one I struggled with the most and I will be working on it again this year, I've always been a 'whats next' type of person but I need to enjoy the here and now too

To concentrate on Change - (my one little word for last year) - well a lot of things changed so I guess this one is done too! :o)

And now for this years resolutions...

To be nicer to myself - a difficult one for most people but this year I resolve to cut out the doubting voices in my head, be more positive and not berate myself for little mistakes or when things don't go to plan, just change the plan!

To continue to be Brave - something to be reminded of on a daily basis - a great tool for me has been the Brave Girls Club daily emails - it gets my day off to a great start!

To start making a quilt - I've been collecting vintage fabrics for a quilt for years and still haven't started - this year is the year!

To get our home looking the way we want - this is something we constantly get distracted from in the busyness of everyday life but I'm determined to finish it before we get married next year

To enjoy the moment - I will master this this year - definitely!!

and my one little word for this year is...

I need to BELIEVE in myself, trust in my own decisions and not question myself and BELIEVE that things are happening for a reason even if they don't quite fit the plan - plans are adaptable and if things don't go quite right there is usually a good reason.

I know this is going to be a fantastic year and I can't wait to see what happens along the way!

if you've made a NY resolution post please leave me your link, I love to see what others are doing, it's so inspiring :o)

I hope you'll pop back tomorrow as I'm launching something brand new and exciting that myself and my design team have been working on for ages - we are literally bursting to tell! (so much so that I've posted a sneaky peek on my Facebook page today if you'd like to take a look) full details tomorrow - promise!

Sarah x

Spring Cleaning

It feels so murky outside at the moment with all the piles of dirty slush everywhere and the fog, its really horrible, it makes me want to get all the things at home shipshape and shiny for the New Year. B spent today cleaning the upstairs of the house (I just have to finish organising my studio) and tomorrow we are shopping for some organisational stuff, we desperately need more storage! I think every crafter thinks that the next box / pot or organiser will change their life, I'm hoping the next one will really get me on track :o)

I also need to transfer everything to my new diary and notebook and get my New Year 'To-Do' list ready to go, file away my old paperwork and make sure my accounts are done to the end of the year (thats actually B's job not mine, I'll just tip out a load of old bags and purses so he has all the receipts, LOL) Then I need to start listing my NY resolutions, I think I have all mine ready and I'm really looking forward to making some changes. I noticed on Facebook / Twitter etc.. that lots of people were talking about their "one little word" which I now know is related to the Ali Edwards class over at Big Picture. I think it's a great idea to have something to keep you on track and I'm pretty sure I know what mine will be. I just need to make something pretty with it on to keep on my desk for the whole year....

Speaking of pretty, check out the lovely ring I wore today *sigh*

Sarah x