oh shoot

One Little Word// Focus

If you are unfamiliar with "One Little Word" then read this. 

I decided that I would going to join in picking one word for this year. I picked the word focus because this year I want to focus on me and my dreams. 

Last year was a really hard for me (I think it was for a lot of people.) I lost track of what I really wanted and I stopped caring. Even though I had some hard times in 2011 it did not break me--I see that now. 

I want to spend 2012 making dreams come true. I want to stop sitting around waiting for good things to happen for me. I know if I want something, I need to work hard and go get it. 

I want to focus on me 

I want to focus on saving money 

I want to focus on moving to New York City 

I want to focus on being more creative 

I want to focus on clean eating 

I want to focus on laughing more 

I want to focus on family and friends 

I want to focus on changing my style 

I want to focus on riding my bike more 

I want to focus on this moment 

What is your word for this year? 

December Daily

(all photos belong to Elise from enjoy it)

I have been using Elise season mini books this year and I love them. They come pre-made with 20 something pages. These little mini books make it easy for you to document your season. I will be doing my December daily with the holiday mini book. You can get your own here.

 What is December Daily? December Daily is an album project that documents the 25 days leading up to Christmas.

How are you documenting your holiday season?

30 days of Journaling

My friend CAL and I were talking the other day about wanting to start art journaling again. We decided that we were going to journal a page a day in the month of November. I thought it would be fun to share the list that I came up with here on the blog in case you wanted to join in.

Here is a list of prompts for one month of art journaling. You can go off this list or do your own thing.

1. Fresh start- It is a new month and you get a fresh start to something new
2. Love is in the air- you could be in love or falling in love or even just loving something at the moment.
3. Music to my ears- What is on your record player right now? Make a playlist for this month.
4. Hiding place- Sometimes we just need to get away. Where is your hiding place?
5. One day- One day I will....
6. This time last year- What were you doing last year on this day?
7. One photo one word- Find a photo or take a photo and write one word.
8. If only I could- If you could do anything in the world right now, what would it be?
9. Color- What color or colors are you loving right now?
10. Map- Use a map on your page 
11. Letter to self- Write a letter to yourself. It could be your younger self or your older self 
12. Plant yourself- This world is moving so fast everyday. Plant yourself. Make a list of things that keep you grounded
13. Currently- What is currently going on in your life right now.
14. Breathe- This goes a long with day 12- breathe in all the love and breathe out all the hate. Just remember to breathe
15. Tonight- What are you doing tonight?
16. Phone call- What was your last phone? Who did you talk to? what was something about the phone call that you want to remember?
17. Explore- Explore something new. Explore something old and then write about it.
18. At the movies- What is your fav movie? Make this page movie themed
19. Getting Lost- Going wonder and get lost and write your thoughts down. Get lost with someone.
20. Neon Summer- If feels like summer is never ending. Write about the things you loved most about this Neon Summer. 
21. My City- Write about your city or a city that you love. Title the page "love letter to my city"
22. Day Dreaming- It's always nice to day dream. What have you been day dreaming about?
23. Freestyle- do your own prompt today. Freestyle!!
24. Thankful- what are you thankful for today and everyday?
25. Quote- Find a quote you love and journal about it.
26. Something to remember- did something happen this month that you want to remember? Journal about it.
27. This feeling- Sometime we get these feelings good or bad. What are you feeling today?
28. Twirling- Do a little twirl and make a pretty page about anything
29. Something New- is there something new in your life that you are loving right now.
30. Goal setting- Write out your goals for next month or recap on your goals from this month. 

You can read more on journaling here and see some of my art journals here.

Wedding Album// Gift to J&N

 

(This photo belongs to J&N)

This past weekend I went to summer camp. I never went to summer camp as a kid and even though I was not there for summer camp, but for a wedding I am guessing this is what summer camp would feel like. My very good friends J&N got married at a real summer camp!!! We stayed in cabins, sang around a campfire, danced until the sun came up, laughed and had the best time.  I am so lucky to have the friends I have and my heart is filled with love.

For their wedding shower we were asked to make album page and because I love art journaling, I decided to go that route. For about 2 weeks, I researched love songs and bugged my friends about love songs they liked. My plan was to make them a mixed tape of love songs and somehow hid it on the album page. I wanted both sides of the album page to represent love and somehow have a feel that was J&N. If you ever get a chance to meet these two lovely people, you will see from the start how much they love one another.

(Front side)

For the front side, I went with the theme “SEA” because I had this lovely photo of them on their boat. One of my favorite songs by Tom Waits (I know that he is not the original writer if this song) is “Sea of Love.” There is something so beautiful about this song with his voice.

Come with me my love
To the sea
The sea of love
I want to tell you
How much I love you

Do you remember
When we met?
That's the day I knew you were my pet
I want to tell you
How much I love you

(backside)

For the backside, I went with the theme “dance” because I was making them a mixed tape and I came across this “Bella” by Angus and Julia Stone. I was so excited that they had a photo dancing because it fit so perfect with the theme if this page.

So you took her hand and she gave a look that sent you to the moon
And there you spoke the words of a gentleman
Can I have this dance with you
Can I share this dance with you

New York City mini travel book

(Letterpress tutorial from Pugly Pixel)

I will be leaving for NYC on August 19th for one week. I am so excited!!! I have decided to make a little mini travel book for this trip. Last year I took Elise Big Mini Workshop and I wanted to use what I learn from the workshop with my NYC mini book.

The colors that I am going with are black, eco-white, curry, peacock from Paper Source. I have decided to go with pre-cut card stock (Flat cards) in 4 1/2"x 6 1/4" for the main pages of my mini. I wanted to keep it simple because I am super busy as it is and I don't need another project that I don't have time to finish.

 

The whole idea for this mini is "keep it simple" everything about it will have an easy relaxed feeling to it. I am not planning on adding any photos until I get back. Unless, I have some printed the last day that I am there and add them on my flight home. I want to keep all the photos black and white and the ink (pens) black and white too.

When I am there I will take at least 10mins a day to write in my little handmade journal. I want to take it all in and document it along the way. Again, I am super excited for this trip. I don't really have anything planned, but I do have a list of places that I would love to check out.

I will share photos of my NYC mini before I leave. I do plan on blogging while in NYC :)