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. Miss Dot says…
    01/20/2008

    oh I like this too! I am thinking "look"
    Look towards
    Look inwards
    Look out
    Look for
    Look at me
    Look at you
    Look for love
    Look for signs
    Look
    it feels right for me. Thanks

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  2. Ladynred says…
    01/20/2008

    Wonderful idea. Thanks for the inspiration!!!

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  3. Ladynred says…
    01/20/2008

    Wonderful idea. Thanks for the inspiration!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Tera says…
    01/20/2008

    great idea!! Love this, have to start thinking.

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  5. Cresta Woodruff says…
    01/20/2008

    Awesom idea, Ali! Can't wait to try this!!

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  6. O says…
    01/20/2008

    I had to come back & comment again and thank you, Ali, for the link to the Mosaic Maker. It's so snazzy! You find all the neat stuff :) Hope your weekend is going well. How was the book signing? Do you sign books if someone were to send their own copy to you and include a SASE for the return? ---Anyhoo...have a great day!

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  7. Tiffany K says…
    01/20/2008

    Fun idea! :)

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  8. Rinda says…
    01/20/2008

    Here's a link to what I did!
    http://thumb13.webshots.net/t/50/750/5/13/26/2711513260099813153glZccS_th.jpg
    I love the idea and am working on two versions of "flow"
    Rinda

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  9. Dany bion says…
    01/20/2008

    Hi!!!! I from Brazil and I love your work!!! you are de best!!!!I have all books you Wrote!!! Congratulations

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  10. Carolyn says…
    01/20/2008

    I love this idea, and it gives me more reasons to take photos, so I love that! You truly are amazing, what a colorful piece... I'm almost tempted to use the word art as well as my word of the year - JOURNEY - is a little long and I already carry so much in my napsack on a daily basis... along with my purse. I'll think of something as I also like the idea of chronicling the journey I'm taking from this new perspective.

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  11. Christine Villacarlos says…
    01/20/2008

    what a fun and interesting idea, Ali!!

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  12. eef says…
    01/20/2008

    Hi ali, hope you've had a great weekend! I had a lot of fun with your weekend challenge :D you can see the pictures on my blog www.eefouwehand.typepad.com xoxo

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  13. Adla says…
    01/20/2008

    What a wonderful idea, shall look for some lettering and join in the fun. You have such an inspiring blog!

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  14. Erin H. says…
    01/20/2008

    LOVE this idea and I am totally gonna be on the look-out for some interesting letters and places!!!

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  15. Jill says…
    01/20/2008

    Oh man, all I could think was ... "I hope thye put the letters on a road and mix them up to say "TAR" "

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  16. Dagmar Leuenberger-Swift says…
    01/20/2008

    Hi Ali,
    So cool, I too have been collecting letters, and was just at a Pottery Barn Seminar this morning, and it was about freshening up, using graphics, and lots of color. Thanks for the inspiration!
    Dagmar

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  17. chanel says…
    01/20/2008

    super cool idea, i loved it so much i went straight to what i was doing, washing, pool, kids, dog ... and where my letter lives, my scrapbook room and snapped some shots. have put them on my blog ... its addictive! lol

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  18. Sharon says…
    01/21/2008

    Thanks for the challenge! I had fun doing it. I'm such a beginner, so it was really good for me to notice patterns, textures, etc. I'll be checking back every week to see what you've got up your sleeve. :) (Pics on my blog.)

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  19. janine says…
    01/21/2008

    Rather late, but better late than never! I had great fun thinking where to place my letters. Photos on my blog:)

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  20. Shannon says…
    01/21/2008

    I love this idea, thanks so much for sharing. My word is patience and I'm going to use just a P (also one of my initials). I am having a bit of a challenge getting my family to buy into the process :)
    Thanks again!

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  21. Patti Hoelzle says…
    01/21/2008

    Hey Ali! I wanted to share the mosaic I did with bighugelabs.com and your amazing idea...I had such a blast doing this little challenge all in one day!
    http://bighugelabs.com/photos/72e3fa2094fa68a0b0fd9969242b9120/mosaic7875053
    Thank you for the constant inspiration!
    Patti
    P.S. Happy birthday to little man SIMON!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. kimkt says…
    01/22/2008

    What creative, fun idea. I love it.
    My mantra this year is live creatively. And this fits right in.

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  23. catherine feegel-erhardt says…
    01/24/2008

    I strolled my neighborhood, camera and cocktail in hand... snapping my "e" ...
    www.creativeondemand.typepad.com
    take a peek and comment...
    xo
    catheine

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Jill says…
    01/26/2008

    Love this idea. I've been trying to think of something fun to do with my 2.5 year old son to help him learn the letters. I'm totally going to do this. A letter a week for us! You are so inspiring...thank YOU!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Karen says…
    01/27/2008

    huh!? Art really is EVERYWHERE!!! :)

    Reply 0 Replies

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