Serious Play

Brighton www.simplebrighton.com

Monica http://scrapinspired.com/category/one-little-word/

Lisa http://backtoallen.com/category/challenges/one-little-word/

Jessica B http://jlfbarnes.blogspot.com/

Carolina www.micinnamons.blogspot.com

Cindy http://seriousplay.typepad.com <<< You are here

Amanda http://scrappnbee.blogspot.com <<< Next, go here!

Posted at 06:00 AM in One Little Word 2012 | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)

Technorati Tags: ali edwards, assignment, august, big picture classes, blog hop, olw, online class, self-portrait

OLW:: July 2012

So, this month's One Little Word assignment was all about music.

Technically, I did not follow the assignment directly. We were to find words and phrases from songs that speak to us in light of our OLW. As you can see, I did not do that.

But I did connect with the idea of music. I am not one of those who is up on all the latest hits and I do not download all the lastest albums. I do not know all the current artists, nor do I sing the words to many songs. Rather, I am drawn to classical music, with no words at all.

I love the emotion of music. I love the precise notes of music. I love the technical skills involved in playing music. But most of all, I love how music allows me to think.

Songs with words just jumble up the thoughts in my head. But when I listen to classical music, with no words at all, my mind is alive. Ideas, thoughts, connections and inspiration begin to swirl around in my brain and I feel happy. I love to fire up my iTunes playlists of my favourite composers and artists while working in my craft room.

So, instead of words and phrases, this month, I chose to focus on some of my favourite musical selections that OPEN my mind and bring out the creativity...

Sadly, I missed last month's OLW Blog Hop, but I did post my June assignment on my blog if you would like to visit it here.

Thank you so much for visiting today!

I am so encouraged when you visit.

If you are following along with our OLW Blog Hop through the BPC class with Ali Edwards,

your next stop is Kelly at http://mindingmynest.com

These blogs go live at 8am PST.

Lisa http://backtoallen.com/category/challenges/one-little-word/

Monica http://scrapinspired.com/tag/one-little-word/

Mrs. Wookie http://mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com/

Monica B http://questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com

Carolina www.micinnamons.blogspot.com

Cindy http://seriousplay.typepad.com <<< You are here.

Kelly http://mindingmynest.com <<< Now go here!

Brighton www.simplebrighton.com

Nikki http://www.inkyart.com.au

Posted at 06:00 AM in One Little Word 2012 | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)

Technorati Tags: album, ali edwards, big picture classes, blog hop, july assignment, OLW, one little word, online class

OLW:: June 2012

So, I am now half way through the One Little Word class.

Half the year gone already...

I missed the July 1 Blog Hop for this assignment as we had a family affair to attend to. Sean's grandmother, at 92, had a little mishap that landed her in the hospital for the past 2 months. As the month end came around, the owners of her apartment were putting pressure on to get her out of her room at the lodge. It was obvious that she would need assisted care now and she would have to move out of the lodge that she had been living in for a very long time, as they wanted to get it rented for the beginning of July.

Needless to say, we were called on to make the 6 hour drive to move her things out of the apartment and into her new dwelling. And so, I missed the Blog Hop. (Sorry Ladies)

However, better late than never, right?

The assignment for June was to create 9 canvases using paint and collage. We were to use a chosen colour scheme that is predominant in our album. Right from the start, I used a map as my colour inspiration for my OLW album. I love the blues and greens and yellows.

Here is my interpretation of this assignment...

I decided to treat the entire page as one canvas and I wanted it to loosely resemble a map. Ali wanted us to create in layers for this assignment, and that is exactly what I did.

I started by spritzing the page lightly with October Afternoon Sprinklers in the blue colour called Miss Mary Mack.

I am still hung up on doilies, so I laid a doily down and painted gesso overtop.

I used a nice thick layer in order to add dimension.

Before it dried completely, I carefully lifted the doily off, leaving the gesso that remained in the holes.

Next, I mixed up a pale green paint with acrylics purchased at the dollar store.

I began painting the green in random areas with the intention of it looking slightly like islands or countries surrounded by water.

I painted right over the gessoed doily and I love how it left texture on my page, sort of like a relief map.

I was using an actual map as my inspiration at this point...

Next, I mixed up a pale yellow paint and filled the middle of my 'countries'.

Again, using inspiration from the map, I added red squiggly lines for a little punch. I also drew in the grey grid lines to represent lattitude and longitude.

Finally, I cut the page into the nine 2x3 pieces to fit in a pocket page.

At this point, I had fully intended on treating each piece as it's own little canvas by adding all sorts of embellishments. But as I looked at it longer, I decided that I didn't want to cover up the overall collage, or hide any of the texture that I had worked so hard to create.

So instead, after tucking each piece into the pockets, I added only a few arrows cut from woodgrain paper by adhering them on top of the plastic protector.

And then it went in my album alongside the May assignment and my first half marathon.

I have to be honest here, and say that I was relieved that the June assignment allowed me to play and get messy and did not require me to draw meaning and significance from my OLW.

Back in December, I chose my OLW to be Open. I felt that there would be a lot that I could do with this word to help me grow. However, now, 6 months later, I am finding it hard to continue to milk this word. Have any of you OLW participants felt that way at any point? What did you do? Do I continue on and see if I can squeeze new meaning from it, or do I abandon it and choose another?

Still love this project, just not inspired by this word at the moment. I guess I'll see what the next assignment reveals...

Posted at 09:22 PM in One Little Word 2012 | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Technorati Tags: album, ali edwards, assignment, big picture classes, blog hop, canvas, collage, gesso, june, map, OLW, one little word, online class, scrapbook, texture

OLW Blog Hop 2012 :: May

So, today is already the One Little Word Blog Hop.

Our assignment this month was to create some goals around our word. I found this task a bit challenging. Not that I cannot make goals, but I realized that my word OPEN lends itself more to attitude and outlook on things rather than my actions.

I wrote down a few ideas this month, but didn't get much of a chance to work through them. I look forward to completing them over the next few months.

Finally, I included a full page photo of my half marathon race that I completed on May 20, 2012. Seeing how this has been a big part of my OLW this year, I thought this was the perfect place to add in a pic of me crossing the finish line.

I also created a few other albums to document my running that you may like...

Half Marathon Mini

11 Miles Mini

Thank you so much for visiting today!

I am so encouraged when you visit.

Edited: I have already visited all of the blogs listed below and left comments where I can (except for a few of you who were caught by the firewall here at work and I will revisit you this evening).

Some of you have restrictions on your comments and I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get signed in to comment. Many of you have left wonderful comments to me and I would like to return kind words. So, if I have not commented on your blog and you are a participant, please let me know how I can comment on your blog. Thanks!

If you are following along with our OLW Blog Hop through the BPC class with Ali Edwards,

your next stop is back up to the top with Margie at http://xnomads.typepad.com

And you are going to want to visit her as she has a Giveaway today!

These blogs go live at 8am PST.

Monica http://scrapinspired.com/tag/one-little-word/

Lisa http://backtoallen.com/category/challenges/one-little-word/

Monica B http://questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com/

Cheri http://scrapdreams.blogspot.com

Carolina www.micinnamons.blogspot.com

Missus Wookie http://www.mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com/

Brighton www.simplebrighton.com

Lisa http://backtoallen.com/category/challenges/one-little-word/

Cindy http://seriousplay.typepad.com

Posted at 06:00 AM in One Little Word 2012 | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBack (0)

Technorati Tags: ali edwards, big picture classes, blog hop, document, goals, half marathon, june, may, OLW, one little word, race, running, scrapbook

April OLW Blog Hop

So, we have flown through April and I am still going strong with my One Little Word.

Having my word OPEN has been very empowering over the last two months. Throughout both March and April, I have been training for a half-marathon...my first! I used my OLW to choose to do the marathon in the first place as I was challenging myself to OPEN my mind to something new.

I still have a few page protectors from last year's OLW project which were divided as pictured below, so I used those again this year, giving it a slightly different look than Ali's assignment example.

On the back of last month's 'goal sheet', I added another goal sheet and continued mapping my training progress through April. On the left hand side I inserted some map paper from an old book and used word stickers that applied.

My self-portrait was taken on my iPhone. I tried to take it from an interesting angle, resulting in a sun flare and my hair blowing in the breeze. I kept an OPEN mind about using this picture even though you can see right up my nose!

On the next two-page spread are my letters to myself. I just want to keep doing what I am doing. Life is good right now.

I run my race on May 20th and then I am not sure where my word OPEN will take me.

I am curious to see...

Thank you so much for visiting today!

I am so encouraged when you visit.

If you are following along with our OLW Blog Hop through the BPC class with Ali Edwards,

your next stop is Naomi at http://poeticaperture.com.

These blogs go live at 8am PST.

Margie http://xnomads.typepad.com/blog/one-little-word

Monica http://scrapinspired.com/

Jamie jmpgirl.blogspot.com

Monica B http://questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com/

Kaylea www.myscrappylife.com

Cindy http://www.cynthiacrysdale.com/

Carolina www.micinnamons-en.blogspot.com

Cindy http://seriousplay.typepad.com

Naomi http://poeticaperture.com

Rebekah http://istampscrapcraft.blogspot.com/

Brighton www.dearbrighton.com

Kristina http://hrinspirationfromthe403.blogspot.ca/

Missus Wookie http://mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com/

Enjoy the month of May!

Posted at 06:00 AM in One Little Word 2012 | Permalink | Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)

Technorati Tags: ali edwards, april, big picture classes, blog hop, half marathon, may, one little word, resolution, run, training

OLW Blog Hop 2012 :: Mar

So, my One Little Word for 2012 really spurred me on this month.

My word this year is OPEN. I just wanted to be open to the many changes that are taking place in our family this year, and open to new ideas, challenges, thinking, etc. But I had no idea back in December when I chose this word what would be coming my way!

At the beginning of March my cousin posted on Facebook that she was going to run a half marathon. I was so proud of her. I have always said I would like to run something like this, but just have never had the nudge I needed. She was my nudge! Before I knew it, I was agreeing to train with her and see how it goes before actually committing and signing up for the race, which is in May.

And then I was reminded that this is exactly what my OLW is for...to push me, make me reach for something that is just out of reach, to stretch me, to make me stronger.

Well, I started training on my aged dusty treadmill out in my dingy garage. Every time I finished a run I texted my cousin to tell her my time and really just to stay accountable. And every single time she flooded me with praise and encouragement.

I would text her when it hurt and didn't feel like I could go through with it. I would text her when I felt amazing. I would text her with questions about shoes and clothing and water sources and paces and bathrooms on the course. She was always there with an answer and a little more motivation.

Then last week, the text came from her...the earlybird deadline for the half marathon was at the end of the week. Decision time.

I am proud to say that I filled out that registration form, sent off my money to secure my spot in the lineup and committed whole-heartedly to running this race with her.

My cousin lives an hour away from me. We train during the week at our respective homes, sometimes on the treadmill, sometimes outside in our neighbourhood. But it always feels like she is there with me. Then we compare times, and paces and mileage through texting.

This past weekend, however, she drove down to my house. We had a girly weekend of shopping and giggling, but we also got serious and she helped me buy new running shoes (up until this point I was running in my crosstrainers!), explained about needing fuel on the course (as we will be running for over 2 hours), explored options for carrying water on us and shared her energy powder with me (which was disgusting, but I was grateful).

Yesterday morning we awoke to sunshine and birds chirping. We ate a solid breakfast and head out to run together. She started her training a few weeks ahead of me so her run was to be 9 miles and I was only needing to do 6 miles. We discussed options for me to walk after my 6 miles and she would continue then double back to catch up with me.

However, I was so inspired and happy to have a running partner that I ended up doing all 9 miles with her and we completed it in 1 hour and 45 minutes!

When I asked her why she decided to do this half marathon in the first place, she responded by saying that she wanted to do something beyond herself, something so challenging that it would be difficult, but that she would look back and be proud to know that she had accomplished it.

I liked that thinking, as it fit so well with my OLW and wanting to be OPEN...and I am forever grateful that I have her by my side.

Thank you so much for visiting today!

I am so encouraged when you visit.

If you are following along with our OLW Blog Hop through the BPC class with Ali Edwards,

your next stop is Beth at www.thesingularlyordinary.blogspot.com.

These blogs go live at 8am PST.

Margie http://xnomads.typepad.com/blog/one-little-word

Monica http://scrapinspired.com/

Catherine http://myview-catherine.blogspot.com

Lisa http://backtoallen.com/category/one-little-word/

Cindy http://www.cynthiacrysdale.com/

Coley www.coleybelle.blogspot.com

Naomi http://poeticaperture.com

Stephanie http://playinghouseinmaryland.blogspot.com

Eydie www.whatwecreate.net

Janet http://lifeinsideascrapbookroom.blogspot.com

Orange Gearle http://orangegearle.blogspot.com

Jen www.jenritchie.com

Melissa S http://blog.mshanhun.com

Kaylea www.myscrappylife.com

Missus Wookie http://www.mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.co.uk/

Cindy http://seriousplay.typepad.com <<< You are here

Beth www.thesingularlyordinary.blogspot.com <<< Now go here

Heidi http://mommy.heidimdavis.com

Have a super day!

Posted at 06:00 AM in One Little Word 2012 | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)

Technorati Tags: ali edwards, blog hop, commit, cousin, half marathon, miles, motivation, OLW, one little word, online class, pace, running shoes, training

OLW Blog Hop 2012 :: Feb

So, here is February's assignment for my OLW class at Big Picture Classes.

Welcome if you are visiting on the OLW Blog Hop!

My word this year is OPEN.

With two teenaged daughters that are about to graduate from high school, there is so much that is changing for me. Some is good...some not so good. Actually it is all good, I am just struggling with some of the changes. Hence my word.

I am using my word this year to approach all that will transform over the next months. I am going to try to stay open...to change, to possibilities, to letting go, to giving my girls independence, to the many evenings and outings without them.

There are so many signs around to remind me to stay open. Since Ali gave the assignment to photograph our word this month, it seemed only natural to capture those signs. Not only did I photograph them, but I took note of them.

At first I was searching for the open signs simply to complete this task. Soon, however, I began to notice those signs without looking. I took this as a sign, a reminder, that maybe I needed to be more open, or to just chill as my girls would say.

It seems like it should be easy. All mothers before me have let their children go. But for some reason, I am struggling. These are my girls. I have made decisions for them and about them and with them for 17 years. Now, I have to let them make decisions. I have to let them go out with their friends instead of having family movie night at home. I have to let them choose their clothes even if it is not what I would pick for them. I have to hold my tongue when they say they have too much homework to help with dishes. I have to let them make mistakes and learn life lessons and not try to fix everything for them.

I have to be more open.

I guess Albert is right. If I had my way, which to me seems like the best way, I may be holding them back from what they should be.

Every day is a struggle right now. But I am trying...

Thank you so much for visiting today!

I am so encouraged when you visit.

Welcome to all of the new ladies joining this class and our little Blog Hop this year!

If you are following along with our OLW Blog Hop, your next stop is Kaylea at http://www.myscrappylife.com

These blogs go live at 8am PST.

Melissa S http://blog.mshanhun.com

Sharyn http://LaVieEnChic.com

Cindy www.cynthiacrysdale.com

Monica http://scrapinspired.com/

Catherine http://myview-catherine.blogspot.com/

Jamie jmpgirl.blogspot.com

Coley www.coleybelle.blogspot.com

Melissa C www.smudgetime.com

Monica B http://questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com/

Lisa http://backtoallen.com/category/one-little-word/

Heidi D http://mommy.heidimdavis.com/

Devon http://www.youhadmeatneurotic.com

Brooklyn www.everysnapshot.com

Kristina http://hrinspirationfromthe403.blogspot.com/

Jen R http://jenritchie.com

Eydie www.whatwecreate.net

Jo http://www.mrsbeee.blogspot.com

Missus W http://www.mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com/

Marilee http://rose-brier.blogspot.com

Cindy http://seriousplay.typepad.com <<< You are here

Kaylea http://www.myscrappylife.com <<< Your next stop

Dawn G www.sunshineandcreativity.com

Rebekah http://istampscrapcraft.blogspot.com/

Becky www.becky-handforth.blogspot.com

Orange Gearle orangegearle.blogspot.com

Katrina www.katrinasimeck.com

Nicky Www.seejanebake.blogspot.com

Beth www.thesingularlyordinary.blogspot.com