Friday, March 12, 2010

Layout of the Week - Believe Achieve (my words for 2010)

I just have to say, I love this layout.  It isn't very often as scrapbookers that we create layouts about themselves.  At the beginning of this year, I read a lot of different blog posts about finding a word for yourself for the year.  The word would be your theme word, giving you something to focus on throughout the year.  I started to think about myself and all the things I've done in my life and the things I'd like to do in the future.  Being the mom of a two year old, it has been a while since I've thought about my own goals or even thought much about myself at all.  I was just starting to get back to thinking about me when Delaney turned 6 and was at the end of her year of 1/2 day kindergarten.  It was nice to look ahead at the things I could start to do for me once she started school full time in September of 2007.  And then suddenly my world was turned upside down.  I found out I was pregnant with Jake in June of 2007, just a week before Delaney was done with kindergarten.  It was quite a shock after about 5 years trying to conceive and then coming to terms with our being a 3 person family.  I still can picture the look on Dave's face when Delaney & I told him we'd be having a baby.  I'll tell you more of this story another time, but suffice it to say, shock doesn't even come close.  So my thoughts took an about face, away from what I wanted to do with the "rest of my life" and toward raising another little one.

As I was reading these "word of the year" blog posts in January, I thought maybe I should think about me a little sooner this time and not wait until Jake was going to be in first grade...for goodness sake, I'll be 43 by then.  Here's my first Believe Achieve blog post.  And the thought of turning 40 this year also added to my eagerness to make plans that were mine alone.  For years, I've been involved in scrapbooking in some way, working on albums at home, helping my friend with projects, working at Whimzee's, writing my blog.  I also began another of my efforts at being healthier and losing weight this year.

Being someone who isn't short on words, I couldn't narrow my choices down to just one.  For my 2010 words of the year, I chose Believe and Achieve.  I chose them even before I walked into Jake's room to get him up from his nap and saw those exact words stenciled on a plaque on the wall in his room.  Dave chose it at a baby boutique when we were shopping for bedding & decorations for his room.  It hangs over his crib and someday we'll explain to him what they mean...right now, he just enjoys pointing out that there is an "A" on the sign.

These words are important for me to remember this year, because I have a few goals for myself.  I want to expand my blog and find a sponsor or two (if anyone has any suggestions, bring 'em on!) and I hope to be chosen for a Design Team of some sort in 2010.  I also want to continue with my efforts to work out, eat healthier and by doing those things, lose some weight.  One more important goal, for the whole family really, is to make smart money choices.

I think that I am moving toward all these goals, but I do have to remind myself everyday, that I have to Believe in myself and make efforts in order to Achieve them this year.  I created this layout to highlight my words and remind myself everyday of what I am working toward.  I challenge you to find a theme word or two, even three or four, who's counting.

In creating a layout that highlights my words, I wanted to use some of my favorite products.  The papers are from Lily Bee and the embellishments are from all sorts of places.  I wanted to show contrast in this layout.  Not only am I a mom and wife, I also have personal and professional goals outside of my family.  These goals will benefit my family in many ways, but they are my goals.  I chose to create contrast in my layout by placing the rhinestone "BELIEVE" on a distressed piece of corrogated cardboard.  The rhinestone title also contrasts nicely with the slick orange "ACHIEVE."  I created depth by using a cardboard circle covered with word filled paper.  I used pop dots to raise my photo above the background.  Again highlighting my words, I used Photoshop to print them on my photo.

I love this photo of me.  I asked my friend, Pandra, to shoot a photo of me to send in with a design team application.  I was planning on changing & doing my hair first, but she just got out her camera one night when we were hanging out with friends.  They started telling jokes & I couldn't keep a straight face.  It just all went downhill from the very beginning....  This first photo was the best of the bunch!  Thanks P! :)

Tips

Think of a theme word for the year & remind yourself of it everyday!

Create a layout or project highlighting your word and place it somewhere you will see it everyday!

Don't be afraid to create contrast with by using totally different embellishments in your layouts.  Rhinestone & cardboard...glitter & slick plastic.

Have a friend shoot some photos of you and create a layout that shows your personality or how you felt that day!

Supplies

Patterned Paper - Lily Bee
Rhinestone Title - Kaisercraft
ACHIEVE & 2010 - THICKERS by American Crafts
Paint - a variety of craft paints

This post shared on Today's Creative!  Be sure to check them out for links to all things creative and the best features of creative blogs on the internet!


13 comments:

robin said...

Love this! I really like the different angles in all the elements!
PS- Cute glasses!

Ann Harrison said...

Love the photo!
Love the layout!

I need to remind myself of my goals for this year. I'm slacking like a, like a... slacker!

Happy VGNO Julie

Upstatemamma said...

Great layout!! ANd great post. I never really focus on me. At all. I am too focused on my kids, my husband and my family in general. I may come read this again until it sinks in. A word to describe me - mommy doesn't count, right?

Carolee Hollenback said...

Love the layout, as usual.

But love the words, too!

Visiting late from VGNO

Mandala Michelle said...

It is like journaling but in scrapbook form! I really like that idea. Anything that helps us ladies think about ourselves and our needs for a little bit is great in my mind! Happy late VGNO.

eMeLiNe Seet said...

love the way this turns out :) !

avisiontoremember said...

I love that layout! super cute. Thanks for the comment on my blog :)
Keep in touch
Bobbie

Erin Bassett said...

Those are great words! This year my word is "grow".

Debbie's L'Bri said...

Being everything for family is a good thing, but if we are not relaxed and happy ... we are not going to be good for our family.
I am working my business this year and all so taking time to go out to lunch with friends.

Keep and even balance and When Mama is happy everyone is Happy.

Red Door Home said...

Thanks for visiting my blog. Love all your creative ideas. You might just convince me to start using paper for eome projects.

nest of posies said...

hello!

this is such a good reminder to renew or refresh what our goals were/are for the year. let's face it, life gets in the way - & a gentle reminder like this helps us to think back to our big plans for the year.

cute picture.

hope you have a great week!
kellie

Cate said...

I am 53 and raised two children while pursuing and active career as a musician and teacher. (I am still raising them, they are 21 and 17.) What I hope my generation can pass on to younger women is that 1) you can have it all, but not all at once and 2) do take time to touch base with yourself and value what you need. You will be happier and healthier.

I'm part of your web ring four so, nice to meet you!

Unknown said...

wow! this is really interesting!

dropping by to follow you back! thanks!

great blog! :)

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