One Little Word

I've been thinking about my One Little Word (OLW) for a couple of weeks and am going with (re)focus. Without going into too many details, I feel like I need to refocus on some things I've let slide. I need to focus my energy on my days off and be productive. I need to focus on what I actually want to accomplish instead of wasting time online. I need to focus on healthy habits for myself.

I'm not taking Ali Edwards' class because I never seem to keep up with it. I don't feel the need to make an album about my OLW but want to keep it visible. I printed out this picture and put it in my Happy Planner so I'll see it every day.

What's your One Little Word this year? How do you keep it in mind throughout the year?

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Trying Brush Script

So I've been infatuated with Kal Barteski's brush script art for quite some time now. I have almost zero experience with painting so I didn't think it was something I could do. But when Mom and I went to one of our classes at CKC Charlotte, we tried brush script. We picked a preprinted phrase, cut it out, and inserted it into a vellum bag. Then we used india ink to trace the phrase onto the bag. The india ink dries a little lighter than I prefer. Part of what I like about Kal's work is how stark and graphic the black words are against the white background. She uses other colors too, but the black and whites are my favorite. Maybe. I'm kind of digging the ones with color behind the words. I'll take one of everything, please!

One night I decided to sign up for Studio Calico's class called Life Scripted. It includes several videos where Kal teaches you how to do brush script. I LOVED THE CLASS!! At first, I used acrylic paint and was somewhat satisfied with it. I went to Michael's later that night and got the medium that Kal uses - it's called gouache ("gwash"). It's sort of an opaque watercolor.

I also practiced the alphabet. I used plain printer paper (cheap!) and a little mixed media sketch book I got at Michael's. I felt a little bit like an artist with all these pieces of paper scattered all over my craft room!

I didn't have quite enough gouache on my brush here. I was also using a larger brush than I wanted. I couldn't find small size 2 or size 4 bamboo brushes at Michael's or Hobby Lobby. I did find some online and they're on their way to me! Can't wait to try them out.

This is actually painted on a light blue piece of card stock. My camera wasn't cooperating with me, but that's okay. I plan to cut this down and put it into my sadly neglected One Little Word binder (which I've actually been working on recently. More to come soonish).

Have you tried brush script?

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Elevate - One Little Word for 2014

This year, I decided to participate in a workshop called One Little Word.  Every month, I'll receive a lesson to help me focus on, be inspired by, and remember my word for the year. This isn't a New Years resolution - it's just a way to stay focused for the year and improve your life. I've chosen "elevate" because I want to take everything in my life to the next level and make it even better than it already is - marriage, family, relationships, health, career, creativity and more.

This picture was taken from my first week of PL 2014. I wanted my word to be involved in PL throughout the year. The first week was the best place to start!

Look at this pretty "Radiant Orchid" binder. So pretty!!

I wanted a symbol for my word, so I have chosen a little mountain based off that button in the second picture. I used my Cameo software to trace the image and used digital papers to perfectly match Crate Paper's On Trend paper collection. LOVE THEM!

I got a later start on putting my book together, but there's no time like the present!

Love this little leopard print mountain. Went a little crazy on the enamel dots but they're too cute!

This is why I chose my word and my quote.

Cute little collage in the bottom corner:

Here I gave some thought to several questions - how Elevate is already in my life, what I want more of and less of this year, What I'm most afraid of this year, and what I'm most excited about this year.

My intentions for using my word throughout 2014 - 

This is a spot to record monthly thoughts or accomplishments or highs and lows. I cut up some grid paper and the small sheets will go on top of each of the patterned papers. I stuck a couple of the small sheets down in the bottom 2 pockets so you can see what it will look like.

Are you participating? What's your word?

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