I haven't scrapbooked anything (minus December Daily) since October 2015.  Sometimes we all need a kick in the pants to get us motivated once we have taken a long break from something.  Challenges can be a really fun place to start when you are feeling unmotivated and intimadated by your photos, your products, and your blank page.  It just so happens that this month at Get It Scrapped, they are having a fun challenged called Calvinball.  If you are a fan of the Calvin and Hobbes comics by Bill Watterson you may be familiar with Calvin’s competitive game of Calvinball. It’s a random sport-type game with no rules, points for self-designated goals and the flexibility to change the game as you play.  Calvinball at Get It Scrapped is a month long scrapbooking competition with constantly changing rules to keep things fun and your momentum going.

#1 - Rock Your Scrapbooking Stash by Joining a Challenge

The fun has already started over at Get It Scrapped, and it is going to be a really awesome month!  You should totally check it out if you are looking for a boost in your creative mojo.  However, there a ton of challenge sites and prompts out there that can help inspire you to get started.  Simply Google or check out Pinterest for scrapbooking prompts and challenges.  I have always enjoyed using challenges and prompts to get me moving again.

#2 - Clear The Decks

Another thing that really helps me to feel inspired is to completed clean off my desk/workspace and put all the bits and pieces away.  This often includes finished projects, unfinished projects, and various products like sprays and inks.  Looking at a clean workspace can be oddly inspirational and it can help you break through your creative block.  I also use this time to put away my stack of completed layouts.  Far too often, my layouts pile up to several inches before they find their way into an album.  Plus, I find forgotten goodies that have been buried under other stuff on my table!

#3 - Create Page Kits

I love working with kits.  They simplify my decision making process so much.  I also come up with some interesting and unusual ways to use certain products when they are paired with other things, and I would never have come up with this inspiration without having a kit put together.  Since Calvinball is a month long challenge, I wanted to do a little prep over the weekend.  I decided to pull out all of the paper in one of my storage bins and create kits using every single paper that I possibly could.  Obviously, you don't need to go to this extreme - you could pull out one or two paper pads or even just several sheets of paper, depending on your available time.  The process of matching papers with similar colors and themes took me about an hour and then I stopped for the night.


When I came back for the next round, I started with my embellishment bin.  Inside this bin is everything from 6x6 paper pads, sticker sheets, diecuts, paper flowers, enamel dots, tags, DIY embellishments, cut-apart sheets, chipboard, flair, doilies, and other random bits.  I grabbed 10 of the paper kits and started matching up themes and colors once more.  I worked with one paper kit at a time and I went through ALL the embellishments.  I did this same process for each kit.  I just spread everything out on the floor in front of me and got to work.  I didn't include letter stickers, because I like to mix and match different font styles and colors.  I also haven't picked photos yet or titles for that matter so I just removed them from the equation for the moment.  For individual stickers, I used baby powder to remove the stickiness, and I applied it with a soft paintbrush.  Then, I added them to the kits so I could use the same sticker sheet for multiple kits.  By breaking down the paper kits into 10 or so layouts at a time, it made the whole process less overwhelming.  Over the weekend, I ended up with X number of prepped kits that I can now use for Calvinball.


The sky is the limit here.  Don't overwhelm yourself, but cater to how you scrapbook, adding those things that will help your process.  Do you need cut files as part of your process?  Then make sure you have them linked up with your kits or already cut.  Additional ideas could be incorporating stamps, stencils, ink pads, and spray mists.  You could also add any sketches, photos, title, and journaling to each kit, as well.  The whole idea is that when you have 10 - 15 minutes you can easily knock out a layout, because all of the decisions that you get stuck on have already been made.  This opens the process to more creative freedom without perfectionism getting in your way.  There is also a bit of magic in simply going through your stash of goodies that can be very inspiring.

I'm so excited to start playing with my new kits this month.  Stay tuned for more Calvinball updates and tips this month.  And don't forget to stop on by and play along with us - it's going to be a fun month!

Tips and Resources

I've been returning to my zendoodling background since I began this project.  I've been mainly working on Mixed Media Canson paper using Sharpie pens and Pigma Microns.  I'm really enjoying pushing myself to try new patterns and new ways to add contrast and depth to each piece.  In the last couple of pieces, I have added some lettering components which I want to continue to develop this year.
Anyone can join in with this challenge.  The real goal is to push yourself to try something new, different, or something you just feel is outside of your current skill set. 

Hello, lovelies, and Happy New Year!  How is 2016 treating you so far?  Well, if you're anything like me, this is the time of year that we think up resolutions and changes we want to make to our lives this year.  I've never been very successful with resolutions, so for the past five years I have been choosing a Word of the Year to encourage and guide me to make the changes that I desire in my life.  I have done a variety of words through the years from play to create to flow for last year.  So I spent my New Year's Eve drinking some lovely Serena wine and choosing on my Word of 2016!

When it came to deciding on my guiding word for this year, I struggled between three different words that all felt right for a variety of reasons.  The words that I wrestled with this year were Action, Focus, and Fearless.  I decided to try out Christine Kane's Word of the Year Discovery Tool in order to help me think through my reasons for each word.  You won't believe what I found when I dug deeper into how each of these three words would effect my life.  All three of my words ended up expanding into the same ideas and changes that I want to make with very slight differences in attitude and the process in which I would achieve these changes!  Truthfully, I debated for several moments if I should just rearrange my words into a phrase and call it good enough - Focused Fearless Action!

ac·tion

/ˈakSH(ə)n/

noun

• 1. the fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim (synonyms: measures, steps, activity, movement, work)
• 2. a thing done; an act (synonyms: deed, act, move, undertaking, exploit)

I felt like Action was the perfect word for the year.  I've known action was going to be my word for several months.  I have lots of projects, ideas, and stuff that I have got to get a move on in order to succeed this year!  Action would help move me towards my goals.  I knew that habits that encourage action would help me in all areas of my life.  Action would also cross-over to other areas of my life, not just art and work related, because it would help me get chores done, commitments achieved, and planning integrated into my life!  By committing to daily planning, I could determine my top 3 things that I have to get done and then through action I would work on achieving these goals and action steps in order to build upon my long-term goals for the year.  I would get more things done and stop procrastination in its tracks.

fo·cus

/ˈfōkəs/

noun

• 1. the center of interest or activity (synonyms: center, focal point, central point, center of attention, hub)
• 2. the state or quality of having or producing clear visual definition

verb

• 1. (of a person or their eyes) adapt to the prevailing level of light and become able to see clearly 
• 2. pay particular attention to

I believed that Focus was a great Word for the Year to guide me.  Focus would bring enhanced concentration on the important things that need doing every single day.  I’m trying to focus this year on really accomplishing my goals.  These goals range from developing my handmade business to expanding my YouTube, Blog, and Social Media presence.  Focus would move me towards success in batching my processes, routine creation, business development, and helping me move through my action steps with concentration on the most important items first instead of the busy work.

fear·less

/ˈfirləs/

adjective

1. lacking fear "a fearless defender of freedom" synonyms: bold, brave, courageous, intrepid, valiant

I briefly debated on Fearless.  Honestly, this was the most seredipitous of all the potential words.  I found this word in a zentangle piece that I created earlier in the year as I was flipping through my art journals.  And it made me go "Hmm..."  The reason this word felt so right was because I need to believe in what I'm doing 100%.  I need to act fearlessly and try things, experiment, and make changes when things aren’t working.  But above all of those things I have to remain fearless for the year, not allowing doubt to invade and destroy my dreams.  Being Fearless encourages taking risks daily, which doesn't allow fear to let in procrastination tendencies.  By allowing this word to guide my year, I would be braver by the end of it, and more willing to try new things, plus have new knowledge and training in new techniques from all the risk-taking throughout the year.

Know The Triggers that Stop Your Dreams

Another really helpful part of the Word of the Year Discovery Tool is the determination of your triggers that are stopping you from making these valuable changes in your life.  My three triggers are:

1. Procrastination - when something seems overwhelming, I don’t do any of it
2. Fear of Failure
3. Lack of Confidence in myself and my abilities

Basically, I get overwhelmed by everything I have to do without focusing on the most important steps and then I don’t do anything except sit on the couch and watch TV.  I'm sure I'm not the only one in the world like that right?  I struggle with the idea that anyone in the world actually cares about me, my projects, so I don’t take additional risks that would push the envelope.  I’m afraid that I will fail, even when I devote 100% of myself to something so I devote less than 10% and I still fail.

Ask Someone Close to Help with Your Word of the Year

Even after having completed the Toolkit, I couldn't decide between my three words.  Especially since, it was clear that except for some minor differences, I wanted the same end result between all three.  So I read it to my husband.  Everything that I had written!  Without telling him what the three potential words were.  Then I asked him what my word was.  The funniest part of this whole experience was that the first words out of his mouth were,

"Well, I know one of your words is Focus.  And I think that's the one you need to use this year."

And then we had an hour long discussion on exactly why that was my word.  So don't forget to let your friends or family help you if you're still stuck on a decision!  Sometimes, they know you better than you know yourself.  Other people can often see the things that we have put blinders on about or even things we are just avoiding.  And your best friends and close family are the people who will usually call you out about it!

Add New Habits to Help Embrace Your Word

So this year I'm going to try to incorporate these 5 new proactive habits and practices as a means of supporting embracing the word Focus more fully, because just choosing a word isn't enough.  Your word is not a magic pill to fix everything that is wrong in life.  Your word is simply a guiding force that you can use to bring about change, big or small, that you feel you need this year.

1. Daily Planning Sessions
2. One act of Fearless Creation Daily (more on this next week!)
3. Focusing on the top three action steps to complete my projects
4. Daily writing - tuning into myself, my feelings, and how I’m moving towards my goals
5. Prepping materials for projects in order to complete projects, but break down everything into actionable steps that can be scheduled into the day

I would love to hear what your word for the year is and what changes you are going to make to incorporate and live with your word this year!

It's officially fall, and you're planning that quintessential pumpkin patch trip with your family.  Your toddler had so much fun last year, and yet you didn't quite get the photos you wanted.  Nor did you enjoy it because you chased them around the whole day snapping 1000s of pictures.  Once you got home you were exhausted and had no desire to weed through all those photos.  When you finally got around to it, you just couldn't find the one that expressed the joy of your child's experience.  Your photos didn't capture those key moments - their wonder of the giant pumpkins, their excitement to walk the fields to find and pick their very own pumpkin.  Or their amazement at each turn of the corn maze.

Today, I've got 8 tips for you to help capture these key moments you want to remember, so you can get back to living those special, beautiful moments.  These tips really helped me get the most out of our trip to the pumpkin patch this year.  Last year's trip was frustrating and difficult due to having a one year old who didn't want to cooperate at all (after about an hour at the site)! 

This year, I knew I needed to be better prepared, because life has changed drastically for us.  Jamie's recent disability meant that I was going to be the one doing most of the activities with our daughter, instead of just snapping pictures of them.  Since Jamie is now wheelchair bound, he wouldn't be able to navigate the dirt and gravel pathways easily and definitely wouldn't be doing things with Atty like feeding the animals at the petting zoo and running through the corn maze with her.  So I came up with a quick and simple way to make the most of your pumpkin patch trip so that you get photos you love that truly capture your precious memories - plus allow you to get back to living and enjoying your experience with your family!  Double win!

1.  Get on your subject's level.  

When you get on your subject's level, it lets you see the world a bit more like they do.  Think about different angles that enhance the story of this experience.


Our local pumpkin patch ends up being a huge festival with tons of activities for the kiddos.  They have a petting zoo, mining camp, mini maze, hayrack rides, tractor rides, u-pick fields, corn maze, pony rides, and honestly, just a ton of stuff to do!  Here, I have an example of the difference between shooting at your eye level at your subject and getting on your subject's level.  This first photo is of my darling daughter looking at the young pigs.


However, for the this second photo, I got closer to her level to really capture her interest in the pigs.  I just love the intimate feeling you get from this photo.  The photo draws you into the scene, and you can almost feel the awe and joy she had when she experienced these piggies.  She was so excited to see all of the animals that she squealed at each and every one.  Additionally, she had to feed every single animal, even the crazy goats that I really thought were going to nibble on her fingers once she ran out of food!

2.  Capture the environment.

In your first couple of shots, capture the environment or event so that you can have those over and done with.  This gives your photos the feel of the place and the background for your stories.


This photo instantly captures the scene and environment of our trip to the pumpkin patch.  Not only does the patch have u-pick fields, but they have hundreds of pumpkins all over the site.  Before we even got activity tickets for the day, Atty had picked out three pumpkins to take home with us!  She loved running around this particular group of pumpkins while we waited for Daddy to get our tickets.  And she wasn't even phased when she sat down on the stem of a pumpkin and got an owie!

3.  Zoom in on the details.  

Use close up photos to expand on what made this experience special.  Was it the awe when your child saw their first pumpkin?  Or was it climbing on the biggest pumpkin on the site?  Focus on these unique aspects of the trip.


This photo of my daughter captures our hayrack ride out to the u-pick fields.  Honestly, I didn't realize it was going to be a 30 minute experience, which Jamie couldn't go on with us.  I thought we were just going out for a ride around the fields...It was our first time!  That's my excuse anyway!  So the story of this photo was that she was getting sleepy, and it was really close to time to go get in the car so she could take a nap on the way home.  Yet, she really enjoyed watching the fields go by, and she even insisted on getting out to pick another gourd herself! That was totally awesome!  And we would have missed out on this experience if I would have had my way, because the fussy baby was getting on Mommy's nerves.  But this hayrack ride gave both of us a slight break so we could have another great experience before we headed out.

4.  Capture relationships with family and found objects.

Capture your child's relationship with others in your family, as well as with things they find in the environment.  These things really help capture what made this experience special.


This is one of the few photos I got of Atty with her daddy.  We were debating on whether we would eat while we were at the festival or if we were just ready to go.  I love this photo because both Atty and Jamie are so sweetly touching each other.  They both needed a breather and a bit of a break, and I like the feeling of comforting each other that comes across through this photo.  Neither one likes big crowds and having a bunch of strange people around them, so experiences like this can be hard on both of them.  Despite this, they had each other to help get them through and they both had a blast together.


One of the great things about our local pumpkin patch are these wagons that they have for hauling the pumpkins.  Oh my goodness!  What a time and muscle saver these guys are.  And yes, despite the fact that I know children are not suppose to ride in them (there was also a big sign saying this, just in case people didn't think about it), Atty insisted and I let her.  It made getting around the huge site so much easier.  She didn't ride in the wagon the whole time, but there were moments that I was so glad we snagged one when we walked in (unlike last year - ugh).  In my defense, we bought pumpkins so I felt justified in using a wagon - it wasn't just for her!


Atty had so much fun with the wagon.  She quickly figured out how to get out of the wagon, as you can see above.  She also spent quite a bit of time pulling the wagon around and trying to push it into trees.  I love this photo (above) because it not only captures a bit of the overall scene in the background, but it also shows her in the process of climbing out of the wagon and pausing to see where she wants to go next.  What else does she want to go discover or play with?  It's kinda like she's pausing to take everything in.  So awesome!

5. Get in the photo with your child! 

Capture your child's relationship with you, even if you have to hand off your camera to someone.  This is really important if you're the primary photographer in your family, like me.  You can never have enough of these photos!


This photo was just a quick little selfie of our shoes that I took on our hayrack ride.  It's a little different, but it does document our relationship.  She's very close to me, standing on her own, but holding onto Mommy while we go through this new experience together.  She's not quite sure what's going to happen, but that's okay, because we'll be together.


This photo is another excellent one for documenting our relationship.  Jamie took this one, as Atty and I took part in her first pony ride.  She loved the ponies and wanted to go pet them from the moment we walked through the gates.  However, she was very nervous at the prospect of riding one.  There was a brief moment that I thought for sure there was going to be a toddler meltdown and we weren't going to do the pony ride after all.  Yet, she did so great!  She held on perfectly to the saddle horn (I think that's what it's called) and let Mommy stay close in case she started to slip.  I was a nervous wreck the whole time.  I had troubles keeping up with the pony and keeping her balanced as she tossed around a bit.  By the end of the ride, Atty didn't want to get off!  It was adorable.  For me, this photo is all about trust.  She trusts that Mommy is not going to let her fall off, and in turn, she had a blast.  I just want her to know that every step of the way, Momma's going to be right here.

6. Catch the curiosity and discoveries.

Capture your child's discoveries.  This is especially important for toddlers and young children.  They are constantly finding something new and exciting.


This photo is from the u-pick fields.  Atty decided we had to get off at the gourd fields (it was the second stop on the hayrack ride).  She wandered around the field for a couple of minutes tripping over the vines before she found this lovely yellow gourd (which looks a bit like a mini pumpkin).  She managed to pull it off the vine all by herself.  Not only did we get pumpkins again (like last year), but this year she was able to experience where they actually grow and pick one herself.  Totally love that!

7.  Grab some action.  

Kids are always on the go - especially toddlers!  Make sure you capture that part of their ever-changing personality.


This photo was just a quick snap of Atty running through the mini corn maze.  First, she explored it slowly going through all the turns.  Then she decided to have Mommy chase her through it, which of course turned into chasing Mommy through it.  Again, I tried to get closer to her eye level so that this child sized maze still had the same impact in the photo as it did on her in that moment.


Honestly, when I captured this photo I was just playing around with the phone while pushing her.  We were still waiting on Daddy to get the activity tickets and she noticed the swing.  I am so glad I got some of these photos though, because she ended up swinging on three separate occasions.  That girl loves to swing!  These types of pictures often capture that pure childhood joy that brings back the viewer's own childhood memories.

8.  Get them involved.  

Whether you decide to do selfies, hand over the camera to them, or have them help pick the spot for your family photos, let your kids help capture this experience.  This is especially good if your kids are camera shy, and it can often help you land more smiles and personality than forcing them to participate.


The selfie above was on our hayrack ride back from the u-pick fields.  I'm holding on to her as she sits on my lap, while she is clinging to her brand new, handpicked gourd.  I love that contrasting bright blue sky in the background!  And let's be completely honest here, she's two.  I don't really care that she isn't looking at the camera, because the photo captures that moment versus being a perfectly posed photo.


In this photo, you can see my daughter's favorite way to use the phone.  She loves to take selfies!  This is such a quirky part of her personality.  Whenever, I am flipping through my photos on my phone I find these little surprises.  I love that she is taking after her Momma and having fun taking photos!

With these 8 tips, you'll come away with at least 10 photos that you really love and that truly document your experience.  Plus by focusing on getting these kind of shots, you free yourself up to get back into the action yourself.  Take some photos and get back to living and loving these precious moments!  Plus going in with a plan with greatly lower your personal stress about documenting the trip "perfectly."

Day 5 - For this one I was inspired by day four (which I made with the intention of cutting the circles out) but I really liked the chevron design with those colors. This one came out a bit messier but I still like it.