Introducing:

Weekendcreative_3


One of the things I am focusing on in 2008 is how to bring more creativity into my everyday in different ways. I am broadening my scope, checking out new things, finding different ways of seeing the world around me. I also want to work on including my family in some of these creative activities so that we can all grow in this area.


Here's the plan: Each Friday I will post a new prompt/thought/project to think about/do/add to you list for the weekend. Sometimes they will be really simple and other times a bit more involved. Sometimes you won't have to do anything other than consider a concept and other times, such as this weekend, there will be the potential for you to add a little project to plans you may already have in place. Some will be scrapbook-related and others will focus on different areas of crafts, photography, and creativity.


Ready?


Last November I got to spend some time with girlfriends down in Southern California. There was lots of laughing and sharing and shopping and eating - all those good things to do when getting together with friends. On one of our outings I grabbed these three letters that were sitting on Emily's fireplace and decided to take them along as a creative project for the day. (Tara had picked these up for Emily at Timeless Treasures in San Francisco.)


Art1


Our creative plan was simple: bring the letters + photograph them in different environments throughout the day. And that is exactly what we did.


Art2


Art3


Art4


This is a project in seeing. A project where you place something into a new context. As I was placing the letters here and there I was especially looking for textures and contrast. It brought a different twist to our shopping + eating + chatting adventure.


Here's something to consider: your word for the year.


What if this weekend you gathered up some letters (could be ABC blocks, alphabet magnets, metal letters (check your supply stash for letters), typeset letters, etc) and took them along with you as you go about your weekend adventures. What interesting, creative photos could you take? Remember, this is an exercise in seeing, in becoming aware of the environment we are in at the moment.


Art5


Art6


Art7


Art8


Art9


If you really get into this it could become a something of a series that you work on throughout the year in relation to your word. Consider choosing letters that are small enough to keep in your purse/bag and then photograph them at interesting times and in interesting environments.


Maybe your kids or spouse will want to get involved. Or maybe this will be something just for you.


Whatever you decide, have a great weekend.

PS: Don't forget to come by Scrapbook Attack in Portland tomorrow from 1pm-2:30pm for a book signing (I will be bringing some albums along that you can check out). Hope to see you there! And then afterwards...Ikea here I come!

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103 thoughts

  1. alexandra says…
    01/18/2008

    Absolutely love this idea, Ali!!
    I'm off to find my letters now!
    A.

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  2. Michelle Shuman says…
    01/18/2008

    Oh, I think this is such a cool idea! I'm going to a wedding this weekend at this cool old hotel (it's a historical site) about an hour up the road...I'll definitely have to find some letters to take with me. It would be a great place to look for those juxtapositions of textures and colors and old and new! I'm thinking maybe just some typewriter keys that I could fit into a change pocket inside my purse, since I like the idea of doing this as an on-going series. {love it!}
    Thanks for the inspiration, Ali!
    ~Michelle :o)

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  3. Marilyn Tan says…
    01/18/2008

    this is awesome! Thanks, Ali for inspiring me again!

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  4. Angie says…
    01/18/2008

    What a great idea, thank you!

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  5. scrappysue says…
    01/18/2008

    Cool idea Ali! And since my word is focus, I could practice focusing on the word, or on the items all around it, oh this could be so much fun (and maybe, just maybe I will learn how to use my camera properly, LOL!). Sue

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  6. Jennier says…
    01/18/2008

    What an awesome idea! I think I may try to do this as well. Sounds like a great, creative challenge!

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  7. Colleen says…
    01/18/2008

    LOVE this idea and those letters in the different colours are great too!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Karen says…
    01/18/2008

    The ABC blocks that my husband gave me for Christmas are ready for action! What a fun idea. I think my word for the year is going to be FUN.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Shalini says…
    01/18/2008

    Sounds like a very fun idea...I am in

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  10. Mary says…
    01/18/2008

    Since its late to start the 365 project, I think this will be a good substitute for that. Now, I just have to think of a word and also I can use the pictures for my one word of the month project similar to the calendar that you just did. Great thinking Ali! Have a good weekend!
    MAry

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  11. Lauren Z says…
    01/18/2008

    Awesome Idea! My word is on the long side- so I may need to find some smaller letters than those- but I love the idea. Thanks :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Erin says…
    01/18/2008

    Hey Ali - What is that font you used for Weekend??? It's cute!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. melissa deakin says…
    01/18/2008

    love this idea so much.
    i love the idea of keeping them in my purse.
    how fun is that!
    thanks for the continuous inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Ingrid says…
    01/18/2008

    Hahaha! I'm doing the same sort of thing with "Flat Stanley" right now- the taking pics in random places part not the creative/artistic part(from the book- my niece sent him to me and I'm supposed to document his week with me) so far we have brought him to Disneyland, the beach and the Farmer's Market and took pictures of him at all of these places. I'll bet you got the same looks with your letters as I got with Flat Stanley! It sure is a conversation starter! :)

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  15. Lydia says…
    01/18/2008

    Love this idea! Sounds like so much fun. I'd like to make it part of an art journal about my word for 2008. Mary, it's never too late to start any project, just make it 365 days from today!
    Thanks for the inspiration, Ali!

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  16. Amanda says…
    01/18/2008

    what an awesome idea! i already fiund my letters out of ny son's wooden blocks. They are all ready for the next timeI go out. thanks for the inspiration!

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  17. Holly De Nike says…
    01/18/2008

    Can't tell you how great an idea this is! Thank you for including us in it.

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  18. beth says…
    01/18/2008

    what a cool idea!

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  19. Tryshia says…
    01/18/2008

    What a good idea!
    Your ideas are so fresh and motivating, I love it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. MelissaL88 says…
    01/18/2008

    What a totally cool idea, Ali! I can't wait to try this out over the weekend :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. ChristineMM says…
    01/18/2008

    Love this idea. What interesting places you found to photograph. Great job!

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  22. Nicky Anderson says…
    01/18/2008

    Fun - Fun - Fun!!!
    Love the idea.
    Let's see what we can come up with.
    Have a great weekend.
    Have fun at your book signing - wish I lived in the area!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. vera says…
    01/18/2008

    Great idea! I've already gotten started! :-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Natalea says…
    01/18/2008

    thank you for this inspiring idea! I love it! My word for this year is "Acceptance".
    xo natalea

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. VICKI DALTON says…
    01/18/2008

    will totally do this!!!!!!!!
    {vicki}

    Reply 0 Replies

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