Step Into & Commit To Your Creative Zone

Happy, Happy New Year!

2012 really does have a nice ring to it!  Thank you to all of you for being part of an amazing 2011! From being named Brand Ambassador for 3M to being included in the semi-final round of HGTV’s Design Star to taping 40 Episodes of Hola Martin in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to then find myself nominated for an Imagen Award and hosting the pre-show, to then be taping 40 episodes of my own show Be Handy Con Carmen in Los Angeles, to launching You Can Do It! Magazine AND then capping it all off with the thought that I am given the opportunity to share my creativity in 17 countries – leaves me humbled, grateful and down right blown away. Thank you. Thank you God.

Thank you to my friends and family and thank you to all of you who send me blessings and good energy every single day!! My goal is to share….all of it—the “how-to” knowledge, the cost-saving tips, the creative inspiration, the fun AND the adventures! With all of this love, and appreciation flying around, I want nothing more than to share my passions and crazy antics so YOU, too, can flex that creative muscle, save money and feel the empowerment of not having to depend on anyone else to “get things done” in your life, your home and how you reflect your personality and YOUR creativity!

With more than 160 projects developed and put on-camera this past year alone, I dare say that my mind is racing with more ideas and more projects I can’t wait to get to. I want to try new techniques and combine non-traditional materials. I want to explore more ways to recycle, re-purpose and re-use. I want to weld metal garden sculptures and do more woodturning. The list goes on and on!

In 2012, I personally invite you to step into the creative zone every once in a while…and DO that thing you are always saying you “always want to do.” Things such as buying that power tool, or taking that class in cabinet making, stained glass window or mosaic art. If you don’t plan it or make an intention, you won’t do it.

So as 2012 is just getting started, ask yourself what it is that you have always wanted to try or explore and commit to it. The truth of the matter is: “You Can Do IT!” I am attaching a couple of images of the turnings I have done in the last few weeks. Woodturning is a wonderful example of something I “always wanted to do” and I finally got all the “ducks in a row” to take a class, buy the tools and learn. I am SO happy I did! Happy 2012!!!! Lot’s of exciting things on the horizon!!!

Carmen De La Paz

Carmen De La Paz 2012 Woodturning with Maple from Table Legs

Carmen De La Paz 2012 Woodturning with Sycamore. Pyrography or "burned" lines done freehand with a burning pen