Create something new...

 

 

I was so busy being all "hearts" and "Valentine-y" last week, that I forgot to post my "ONE little WORD" for 2014.  As you might have guessed from the titles of my last two posts, my word is "CREATE".  I pondered many words and at first I thought I wanted something very powerful and full of strength (because Lord knows I need some power and strength lately), but I liked the versatility of "create" and what it means for myself, my feelings, and my art.

 

One of my first new adventures in 2014, is to join a Facebook group started by Kelly Hoernig, called "art aMUSEment".  It is a 52 week challenge to create a card (I'm using old math flashcards) following the prompt that we are given each week. I can't wait til Mondays to find out what each week's "word" is.  This last week, it was "artist", and I chose to imitate Georgia O'Keefe's art with a large flower and a quote from her.  The flower stamp is from Unity and I love it's simplicity and elegance.

 

 

 

 

The first week, our word prompt was "box".  I found this kind of tough, because I just kept thinking of box in the literal sense of the word.  I couldn't think "outside the box"! HA!  HA! HA!  I ended up playing with my new favorite DCWV stack--Burlap Stack.  It's a 6x6 pad of paper-backed burlap and I think it is AWESOME!  So, I decided to stick with my literal translation of "box" and had a party in a box.  Pretty simple for the first week, but hey--I was easing into this weekly challenge.

 

 

The second week word prompt was "STAMP".  I stamped a stamp and used a Fiskars postage stamp  to cut and pop it up after I heat embossed with some sparkly black embossing powder.  This would be a perfect start to a Valentine, but I'm keeping all of these art aMUSEment cards together and want to make a mini-book or slide them all onto a large ring.

 

 

Stay tuned...more cards will be coming up...at least one each week.  Unless I get behind and have to start lumping them together.  But, it's early in 2014 and I am thinking positive that I will be able to maintain a timely schedule. 

 

Have you started something new in 2014?  Do you have a "one little word" to motivate and inspire you?  Please share!

 

~Kelly

 

Be-lieve...

 BELIEVE...
Right now it is hard to believe that another year has gone by.  It is a year that I am happy to say goodbye to.  I want to BELIEVE that this next year is going to bring with it many blessings. 

 

I had a very difficult time deciding what my "one little word" should be this year.  In 2012, my word was "whatever".  In 2013, it was "be".

 

Here is the re-cap...

Be ready to celebrate

Be decorating

Be warm

Be wrapped in love

Be secretive

Be seasonal

Be daring

Be thankful

Be kitchen-inspired

Be seasonal (again)

Be a story teller

Be ready to soar

Be a friend

Be hopful

Be a singer

Be different

Be meditative

Be a memory keeper

Be on time

Be mixed up

Be a participant

Be out of the ordinary

Be scrappy

Be open

Be transported

Be prepared

Be excited

Be red, white, and blue

Be a saver

Be a gift-giver

Be the photographer

Be clever

Be open to new friendships

Be pushed out of your comfort zone

Be hoppy

Be a stamper

Be surprised

Be a light

Be earth conscious

Be my valentine

Be simple

Be efficient

Be warm (even when it's cold)

Be lifted

Be challenged

Be ready

 

and here are some of my favorite projects from this year

 

I'll be back soon with the announcement of my "one little word" for 2014 and some new projects.  Thanks for being a fan of my blog, blabbing, and blunders.

 

~Kelly

 



Whatever...my one little word

I didn't do so well with my "loving" word last year.  The perfectionist in me wants me to keep the word until I get it right, but instead I've let a new word find me.  I'm going with "whatever".  And while at first glance, it may seem like sort of a "blah", negative word (like, "what do you want for dinner--whatever").   It came to me in a Christmas card I received with this bible quote:

Whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable;
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things.
(Philippians 4:8) 

So, my word is "whatever".
I will take "whatever" wherever it will lead me.

Today, it has lead me to show you "whatever is sparkly".  These are my ATCs (artist trading cards) for the Disney swap over at Fiskateers.  And, if any of my swap partners are seeing this, they are getting a sneak peak before I pop these into the mail this week. 

I LOVE the movie "Finding Nemo" and I loved making these sparkly, dimensional cards.  I used glittery paper, my Copic markers (to color some free Nemo clip art I found on the internet), ribbon scraps, a Fiskars leafy border punch, and do you see those bubbles?  They are hot glue (actually, cooled hot glue). 

Creating in this small size may feel limiting to some, but to me, I'm thinking how much stuff can I get on a card that is 2 1/2" by 3 1/2"?  Answer...a lot!  And, it still fits in its card sleeve!

Best wishes for you, your one little word, your resolutions, and a wonderful 2012!

~Kelly

How do you measure a year?

365 days... 8,760 hours...525,600 minutes...31,536,000 seconds...(don't check my math).

I've been blessed with another year. A year of joys, tears, successes, fears, love.

2010 is the year I started this blog. And, while I may not have "chatted" as much as I would have liked, I am thankful to have this outlet. Even if no one is listening or reading or looking. It's mine.

In the last 24 hours, I've made a list.

11 goals for 2011.

I still have about 24 hours to change and re-arrange...

-----------------------------------------------

#1-Make time and take time to read.

#2-Finish our family Christmas photo mini-book. Book is made--it has no photos in it.

#3-Start a recipe scrapbook. Family favorites all in one place.

#4-Be ok with saying "no" to requests

#5-MOVE some everyday...even if it is 5 minutes. Preferably 15 minutes.

#6-Push, explore, and share my scrapping abilities. DT? I'm aiming for a secret something that I'm not willing to share yet.

#7-Initiate photo re-organization using Stacy Julian's Library of Memories method. Be ok with however far I get.

#8-Spend more time with girlfriends.

#9-Prayer and reflection everyday (and not in desperation)

#10- Dedication to a picture a day with...

#11- LOVING...my "one little word" for the year. Inspired by Ali Edwards project...read here for more details... http://aliedwards.com/2007/01/one-little-word-3.html . At the end of the year, I want to make a book with those 365 photos all reflecting on this one little word...LOVING

I'll focus on what I am LOVING each day. Finding something LOVING in each day. Recognizing LOVING that is happening in each day. What's your one little word?

These are my last layouts (from Fiskateers Liftateers) of 2010.

I am LOVING these.

Happy New Year~may it be a special one.