One Little Word | Light | January 2015

I thought I would finally share some of my pages from the January prompt for One Little Word. This is a class taught by Ali Edwards. You can find information on it here.

I've participated with One Little Word since 2008 I think. Past words were simplify, savor, adventure, focus, awake, move, magic and now light. Some years I am intentional about it, other years I just listen and take note of the words that stand out. From my own experience, I am better with a word that is more broad. I'm a perfectionist and the all/none of a specific word really gets me down if I don't accomplish all my goals. Some years I have participated with the prompts and other years I just go with the flow and let the word be a part of my life. Either way has worked well for me. Last year there was no way I could keep up with the prompts. I just let "magic" work its magic and took note of how it worked out in my life. There were definitely tough times in 2014, but overall I hope I remember the magical times. The times when things worked out. When I noticed magic moments of our everyday life.  There were definitely some big things that changed as well. I'm still learning some lessons from my choices last year and I hope to keep them in mind as I move forward. Thank you Magic. You were much needed last year and I hope I can wrap up 2014 with embracing the good and the tough learning moments as well. To forgive myself of not so good choices made. To know that I needed to learn these lessons and that it is time to move forward.

Which brings me to 2015. 

I started noticing Light around the end of November. "Let Your Heart Be Light" was coming quite strongly to me. I picked up this print from Ali Edwards and I knew this would be my word this year. 

I knew this word was a complex one. There is light and there is dark in life. It's not all bokeh lights and shimmering twinkle lights. It's also the shadows. Learning how to find the light in dark places. Noticing the lights that are my loved ones and doing more to rekindle the flames of relationships and love. To LIGHTEN UP and give myself a break. Enjoy more laughter and silly moments. Not be so darn defensive and lighten up with my self talk. Embrace my imperfections and move on. Be patient with myself and be better with "living in the grey areas" as Ali calls it. So tough right now. I'm a planner. I want to know what I need to do and take action. Some things take time. I want to lighten my loads: take on fewer assignments that do not contribute to my family's and my own wellness and happiness. Lots of listening to my heart in this area: does it make my heart lighter or do I feel heaviness and stress? Making the deliberate decision toward choosing the light is making this year a happier one so far. Yes, it's fewer "big things" in the scrapbooking community, but it means more time to be with family and savor this time. To sink into being a working mom and my profession. I work to support my family. I work because I do love what I do. I just happen to have quite a few passions which can make it tough sometimes to focus on what matters most. I want to be lighter physically and do more to nourish my physical body. Let go of past failures and choose more healthy options. And to clear the clutter around me. Let go of overspending and clutter. Let the light of a simplified life lift me up. Travel lighter and let my true self shine.

Those are just a few of my random thoughts right now. It's definitely a work in progress. 

I've started with setting goals each month around a theme, but also being open to the other aspects of "light." January was lightening up the clutter around me and getting more organized. It was so helpful. The apartment is much cleaner and organized and I am liking how the other aspects of light are playing out in my life too. I'm also listening to the "Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin as well as reading "Embracing Imperfection" by Brene Brown. And I'm considering doing a 30 Day Minimalism challenge as well.

February is already here and my goals are to feel lighter physically and emotionally. I already feel like I need a restart for February! But I have some goals and I'm going to review them instead of getting down on myself and try again. Lighten up and embrace my imperfections, right?

So, finally I get to my pages. I guess I had a lot to say.

I am using a 9x12 white Handbook from Studio Calico for my One Little Word. I've purchased two so far and have already moved my past years into my other white album. You can find those here. I used my Silhouette to cut the word "light" from Ali's brush set Noel. You can find it here. The word cards are from Ali's One Little Word class and some of the filler cards: the quote cards / patterns are from Oh Snap! Boutique (find those here.) Stamps and word stickers are from Ali's First Story Stamp / Kit. You can find those here. (Please direct questions regarding the story kits/stamps to Ali's site for the most accurate information.)

The gold painted star page was created by me and my daughter having fun with some paints and a silkscreen from Studio Calico. (find similar ones here if they are available)

So there they are! I'm working on the February prompt and hope to finish that one up soon as it is quite messy!

How about you? Do you choose a One Little Word? If so I would love to hear your word and how it is going for you!

One Little Word: August Edition and a Farewell to a Friend

A simple prompt: a self portrait and a few self affirming words. 

I kept it simple. Just a snapshot while playing in Maggie's room. A few meaningful words.

I like how the album is coming together.

Happy I did this prompt. This is where I stopped last year. I know, sounds silly...such an easy prompt! Not sure why but I think it had to do with not embracing my imperfection. I wanted this super perfect portrait. Then I just gave up. Not that I didn't take quite a few so far this month that were downright not good at all; but when I found one I liked I just decided to go for it. I'm embracing the selfies right now. I have a layout I'm working on in my head and in my heart and hopefully will get on paper someday. But for now, this'll do. 

And one last thing about getting more pictures with ourselves in them: do it. A friend of mine from my college days passed away suddenly. He was a brilliant and talented man and much beloved by many. Among his many talents was a gift for photography. The last post on his blog was a self portrait in front of an area he loved. Unfortunately I had not kept in touch with him, so for me, this was a gift, as I am sure it will be for many. He will be greatly missed.

A few J.K. Rowling quotes have been running around in my head this week:

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." 
— J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1))

“Dumbledore watched her fly away, and as her silvery glow faded he turned back to Snape, and his eyes were full of tears.
"After all this time?"
"Always," said Snape.” 
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

“The ones that love us never really leave us."

-- J.K. Rowling

and because he had the most wonderful sense of humor:

“Nitwit, blubber, oddment, tweak.” 
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

May you always continue to fly, my friend.

One Little Word July prompt: Awake Soundtrack

Hello July 2012. Hello One Little Word prompt: create a playlist for your life right now.

This is another prompt I have been waiting for. I started in December trying to figure out my word. When I heard the song "Awake My Soul" by Mumford and Sons I knew that Awake was my word. Initially I thought it was Awaken. Ever so slightly different. It just felt right.

Each month I have added a song or two to my playlist. I don't listen to it all the time, but I do quite a bit. I had it on when I did the artsy project from last month. I find it really does refocus and uplift me.

So here's my playlist, my Awake Soundtrack for 2012. It's a fun playlist, full of optimism and encouragement sprinkled with bits of wisdom to keep moving forward but still enjoy the moment. Get moving but take time to rest and savor the life that is going on all around me.

I feel it has made me more aware of the most precious things in my life right now.

I still need to make some changes to really get me word to become truly alive in my life. I know what I need to do but it's still hard. Just do it. Today's the day. Do it now. These words are going around in my head so much.

It's helped with my work, but I still need to get it in gear with my health and fitness. My sisters have been such an inspiration to me. I know I want to change. Change will do you some good. That's my goal for the next six months: continue eating better and add in the moving more. Wake up and walk!

Here is my prompt using nine of the songs and bits of their lyrics that stand out to me. Then I burned a CD and included it in my album along with printing out a playlist and a mosaic of the cover art in iTunes.

This is going in my One Little Word binder along with my Move More Eat Well prompts. I call it my therapy binder.

Another project I want to do is create a playlist for my life, like an overall playlist. Now that one would be a wild and crazy mix. Here's to living in the moment, living with music and living with love.

Have a wonderful July!

One Little Word Update: June 2012

Just a quick post to share my June 2012 prompt for One Little Word. This month was about getting messy, having some creative play time with our word. My word is Awake.

I will share more when I have time. I took photos of the details and would love to share more about the process. But for now here's a look at my prompt. I gotta say it's probably my favorite prompt. Even more than the photography ones. Weird, huh? I love photography but find I am too perfectionistic when it comes to choosing the photos.

Maybe I let go more with this and don't stress about it being right or enough. I can just be me.

And I wouldn't call myself an art journaler. I really don't do a lot of stuff like this, but maybe I will do more. I really liked it.

"Awake My Soul" 

One Little Word 2012

Tuesday Fun Day: One Little Word Update

Happened to get lucky and have the day off. Did some errands and took some time to play. Worked on A Week in the Life from summer 2011. I am currently on Friday so it's time to push to the end to finish! I have the hardest time finishing projects. Love to start them but then the next cool thing comes up and bam, there I go. Not this time. It will be finished!!

Also took a bit and listened to the April prompt for One Little Word. It's all about writing a letter to your future self. Having done this prompt a year ago, it was fun to look back and see where I was then and how things have changed (or not). I am using the Pink Paislee page protectors from last year (out of print now). My self portrait is from the photo booth app on my iMac. Totally fun.

I also used patterned paper from Dear Lizzy- Hazy Horizon, fabric swatch from Ormolu, letter stickers from Pink Paislee, chipboard butterfly from Studio Calico, and the mini butterfly punch from Jenni Bowlin/Fiskars. Kept with my yellow and a little grey theme.

This One Little Word project is definitely a work in progress. I am a work in progress. And that is okay.

One Little Word Progress

Have some ideas for a post. But to honor my word, I am going to try to be getting in bed earlier so as to awake earlier. Thus, bedtime. More to come but just now this is a definite work in progress. However, something about just doing this January prompt from Ali Edwards's One Little Word class is helping me focus on my goals. I've been fighting it but I really do feel better when I get enough rest. Take care! Will post more soon.

Hello 2012

A new year, a fresh start. Love that. Just wanted to say Hello 2012!

My One Little Word for the year is Awake.

Awake my soul. Awake and alive. Awake.

I want to become the woman I have always wanted to be. I know I need to make some changes.

One thing at a time. One step at a time.

My goal is to embrace change with a positive perspective and lots of self kindness.

Balance will be a key. Being well rested will make a difference.

Breathe. Inhale. Exhale.

Here we go.


Photo credit: doctor_bob from morguefile.com

Move More Eat Well 2012

Okay, so I am working on December Daily. I've been taking a few photos each day and also jotting some ideas for each day on a sticky note and just putting that in my book for now.

Then today I remembered there was a One Little Word chat with Ali and luckily I was home! So I logged in and was totally inspired to get back on track and commit to a few things.

First, I have been thinking and thinking and thinking about taking Cathy Z's class Move More, Eat Well. This is an area I obviously need to improve. Is this the year? I vote yes! So I'm in. Now just need to go shopping for some new shoes!

Second, this year was very helpful with my One Little Word, Focus. I definitely needed it and have made some great changes because of it. I had put off registering for 2012 but no longer! I am in and actively pondering my 2012 word. I have a few front runners. I will probably choose one main word and maybe have a little "secret" word that is there in the background. That's kind of what I did this year. But I must say the main word had the most impact.

Happy that I am thinking about these now. I have a feeling December is going to fly! Now back to that other project!

One Little Word: July Edition

The prompt for July was right up my alley: make a soundtrack for your word for the year. After listening for the month, I came up with 18 songs for my main album, then threw another 18 on a second disc for a B sides album. Really fun, and inspiring too. I printed the song list in Itunes as well as the cover with the album art. I chose white mosaic and you can kind of play around with the mosaic to print it how you want. I burned a CD of each and it is on the 5x5 page between the album art and the song titles list. I used a green circles transparency from Hambly to see through a bit to the next page. The little letter stickers were tedious, but I like how they turned out. I added a little orange ink (Jenni Bowlin Chicken Feed) around the edges to tie them all togther. Next time letter stamps might have been easier, or maybe digital titles too. Anyways, I like how it turned out and it was a blast making these and I am loving my new playlists.

So next time you want a little inspiration, make a soundtrack of your life right now or whatever is inspiring you. I usually don't pay that much attention to lyrics, just the main ones, so it was interesting to dig deeper and see how songs could apply to my life. I've been keeping up pretty well in this class, thankful that the prompts are only once a month! So I will share more of my album in future posts. For now, "Don't Stop Believing....Hold on to that Feeling!" Come on, sing with with me now!