One Little Word 2012, a New Planner and a Sneak Peek

I have been giving serious thought to my One Little Word for 2012.

One Little Word was initiated by Ali Edwards several years ago, as a way of choosing a word to inspire you for the year. You can read her post about it for this year right here, and also check out one of Ali's posts from January, 2011 with some suggested words here, as possibilities.

In 2009, the first time I participated in Ali Edwards' challenge, I chose the word focus. For that year, I tried to focus my attention on what was in front of me instead of being so scattered. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't.

2010 's word was Manage and I wrote about it here.

I wanted to manage my time, my health and my priorities better.

In 2011, my word was Simplify, I wrote about it here.

As it ended up, 2011 was anything but simple.

This year the word I've chosen as my One Little Word is

Celebrate!

2012 will be a year of changes for both David and me.
We've come through some struggles in 2011 and now it's time to be joyful!

I will write more as the year goes on but we will have lots to

Celebrate!

How about you? Can you chose one word to inspire you for an entire year?

I have never been a good journaler but this year I read about a great planner that I think will help me.
Vicki Chrisman, a wonderful source of inspiration, had a giveaway of this marvelous planner and the new Crafty Secrets Creating with Vintage Images CD. I had already purchased the CD so I went right to the source to order the planner, which can be found here. (Sadly, it is no longer available for 50% off)

There is a lot of room to write while also giving you the whole month at a glance.

At the beginning of each month there are pages to scrapbook or just slip in your favorite pictures.

Here is Vic's cover....

(courtesy of Vicki Chrisman)
 Here is my cover....this qualifies as my Pinned It and Did It for this month.

I save my pocket sized planners every year because they are the closest things I have to journals.
If you want to know where David and I had dinner on our first Anniversary in 1991...I can look it up!


I'm also showing a sneak peek of something that I made for a special little guy's birthday party.

These birds are winging their way to you Jo and should arrive Tuesday or Wednesday.
Let me know what you think :D

xoxo

Joyce

Happy New Year

It is New Year's Eve and as I read some of my favorite blogs, I'm struck with how many of us have had  our share of challenges this past year. Health issues, our own or those we care about; employment and financial issues, the death of someone we love, relocation, emotional concerns, worries about children...the list goes on and on.

I'm not one to make resolutions at the New Year. Too many times, I have set unreasonable expectations for myself and then feel let down before February arrives. Weight loss, exercise, being more organized...you get the picture. For now I'm just grateful for the return of my health, the love of my family and the care and support of friends...the ones I see often and the ones I've never met in person...my blogging friends.

Thank you for your prayers and kind words this past year.

I have appreciated every one of you more than I could adequately express.

I am so blessed.

My wish for the New Year is
Peace in our world,
Joy in our hearts,
Love in our homes.

Blessings,
Joyce

In the meadow we can build....

I wanted to share my new Christmas wreath with you. Actually, this one will probably stay up all winter. I was so happy when I opened the box from Deb at Say It With Letters and saw this wreath shape!

 So many ideas came to mind.

My first plan was to make a variation of the famous Martha Stewart clothespin wreath...

I covered the wreath shape with my favorite ledger paper...

but I could not for the life of me figure out a pleasing pattern for the clothespin placement!

I finally decided to wipe the slate clean and start over.
 This meant recovering the wreath shape and then decorating with
SNOW PEOPLE!!!

Wonderfully fun snow people!

The little song line was done on the computer and trimmed with a digital cardinal.

The snow folks were made with the Cricut (of course) and are from a cartridge called Snow Friends which, I'm afraid, is out of production. Some punched glittered snowflakes were the final touch.

Sometimes re-thinking a project and changing the plan can be a good thing.

Please take time to skip over to Deb's blog and see the beautiful creations for the other design team members. You will come away inspired!

xoxo

joyce

The Craft Shows are over but there are still orders to fill....

In the last 2 weeks, I have participated in  one very successful craft show and a not-so-successful one. It's always a gamble to know what buyers will find appealing. The second show was at the Garden Club of a friend and I had a great time, spoke with really nice women and listened and watched a very interesting speaker. The day was not a loss by any means. You just can't be a winner everywhere. I still have several orders to make and fill so I don't have time for a long post but I thought you'd like to see some pictures of what has been on my desk....and the kitchen table....and the coffee table....and in the living room (where my Cricut machine is for now). I have been churning out banners like mad and my shoulders and neck are paying the price. Still, I wouldn't change my craft for anything. I am constantly inspired and already thinking about some spring projects!

Some of the cake/candle stands

The banners...remember that you can click on the picture to enlarge

(Sandy, the mice are cut from the Winter Frolic cartridge and the saying was done on the computer in mixed fonts...I knew you'd want to know)

I missed photographing several banners, some of them can be seen hanging at the fair. I would be lost without the 3M hooks and mini clothespins...they make life so much easier!

For the Garden Club ladies, I wanted to offer some items that I thought would appeal to

gardeners and flower lovers...some decorated journals

Here are some better pictures of the wipe-off boards...

Each board is a 7X7-inch acrylic scalloped square, back with pretty paper and tied with vintage seam binding. They came with the stand and the pen.

More banners....

 

I've gone through a ton of paper and rolls and rolls of adhesive. I love making banners and will make more Christmas themed ones cause my peeps at work want to see them.

Let me ask you....do you have a favorite banner?

I hope to be visiting and commenting more this week but for now, I must get back to the banners.

Eight banners are almost complete and just to give you an idea...

there are 55 pieces to each Give Thanks banner. I have made 6 of them.

Thanks for taking the time to stop for a visit...I've missed you

but will visit soon!

xoxo

Joyce