Hello February

Thinking about:


  • Maximizing. Working on not being enveloped in "busyness" without results. Taking action vs. planning and planning and planning and talking and thinking and thinking and thinking again and not ever taking the next step.

  • Office organizing. Katie and I are working towards maximizing (there's that word again) our office space and really getting it set up for making stuff. Talking a lot about what we think will work (like stations and laminate floor) and what we need to make that happen.

  • Editing clothes and goods. Specifically kids clothes. One too many socks of Simon's have holes worn through the heels. One too many shirts in his closet are way too small or he will never wear. Feeling that desire to really edit things down to what's really used and loved.

  • Daydreaming about being outside when the sun is actually shining (hence by Pinterest "outdoor home" board above). Spent a bit of time walking around my yard in my rain boots this weekend - planning, dreaming, scheming things I'd like to do out there. I'm always amazed to see the evidence of the cycles of life right in front of me - the death and rebirth of my yard is amazing to witness.

  • Being open. And patient. And present. And light-hearted.


Here's a few other updates as we begin month two of 2013:

A BIG WELCOME BACK to Aby Garvey and Simplify101.com as a sponsor. They've got a great Organize Your Creative Space workshop coming up. She's got options for self-paced or expert-guided to help you find the right educational fit for you. "I created Organize Your Creative Space because I am passionate about helping creative people find the perfect balance between creativity and organization, that place where a space is organized just right so it supports your creative process and inspires you. In the workshop I share my top tips and strategies for setting up an organized area that truly works for you. You’ll find out how to pull together a space that looks like you, thinks like you and allows you to enjoy your creative work even more. Best of all, you’ll learn how to create an organized space that inspires you and fuels your creativity."

ONE LITTLE WORD workshop is in full-swing over at Big Picture Classes with a new set of prompts for 2013. Registration is open throughout the year and the message board and gallery have been really inspiring. If you're looking for a way to make your word more visible in 2013 you should definitely check it out. Click here for more information.

31 THINGS WORKSHOP. If getting more details of your personal story told is on your list for 2013 you should check out my self-paced workshop over at Big Picture Classes called 31 Things. Over the course of 31 days you'll receive a daily email that prompts you to document one story from your everyday life. Each email will include a specific word/theme for the day, a detailed writing prompt with suggestions on how to tell the story, and a photo prompt. For those of you that have already taken this workshop I do still have the intention to do another round of 31 More Things sometime in the near future.

I'll be sharing my Day In The Life from last week either tomorrow or Wednesday over on the projects blog with a tutorial for working with the new layered template set. 

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19 thoughts

  1. Amber says…
    02/04/2013

    Yes, love your list. I hear you on simplifying the kids clothes. I am currently doing this and I can not believe how my girls aquired so many clothes! I can't wait to we what you do with your office/studio. I always find the studio magazines inspiring.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Susan says…
    02/04/2013

    and if your not in Ali's OLW you need to be because February's prompt is absolutely amazing!!!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Jo-Anne from ZA says…
    02/04/2013

    Yippie yippie super excited for your workshops!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Lisa W. says…
    02/04/2013

    Just all GOOD good stuff:) Very inspiring for a very snowy Monday here in Michigan!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Jo-Anne from ZA says…
    02/04/2013

    Hey Ali

    Once again this doesn't have much to do with today's topic on your blog.

    I was watching your video tutorial about working with layered templates and just wanted to know if you use the Collages you have designed in the same way? Do the collages also have layers like the templates in Elements 11?

    It is quite difficult working with layers but i suppose once you get the hang of it, it gets easier:-)

    Another question i wanted to ask you is which photo printer do you use that can take 12x12 cardstock or photo paper if you print your digital pages from home? Do they even make 12x12 photo paper?? I would prefer to print my own pages but my Epson photo printer doesn't take 12x12 paper or cardstock (to thick).

    Thanks again for your awesome work! You really are very talented:-)

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Ali says…
      02/04/2013

      Hi Jo-Anne - yes, the templates/collages are the same thing (you use the "masking" technique to insert photos into the shapes designed for photos). Definitely a bit of a learning curve but you can do it! For photo enlargements I use an Epson R2000 printer. It prints up to 13x19. When I print 12x12 pages on there I use 13x19 paper and cut the layout/photo down after it's printed.

    2. Jo-Anne from ZA says…
      02/05/2013

      Thanks for the information Ali!

      off to practice, practice, practice:-)

  6. Jackie Bremer says…
    02/04/2013

    Great post! Even though Spring is a ways away in Michigan, walking around in the snow is inspiring. It is much to easy for me to spend my time organizing and not actually exercising my creative talent.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Paula says…
    02/04/2013

    Great post Ali, Happy Monday and hope you have a great week. Can I just say "ditto" to everything you are trying to do? Seems like I am always adding to a list of things that have been on that same list for so long...partly because of prioritizing as things come up...but I can do for some maximizing for sure! And some re-evaluating! Your last sentence put tears in my eyes...trying to be open and patient and lighthearted too...I think I have the "present" part down...and maybe that's what's making the rest hard. My biggest challenge is to be lighthearted when my kids challenges in life draw me into worry and tenseness so often, because I love them so much and their needs are different than the average family. Trying to find the right affirmations and mindset to make 2013 a year that is open and lighthearted.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Christy says…
    02/04/2013

    I so agree with you about clothing too many! Few years ago My son had about 20 to 30 tops but he only wears 10 favorites and other barely worn So now I realized that Boys dont need too many clothes because it is overwhelmed for them too many choices so I reduced to 10 and it is lot easier for him to pick what to wear for school. Now that my son is 12 and going to be 13 on April and his fashion is simple that he love wear short almost all year round since We live in Coastal SoCal. I let him pick his favorite outfit when we shop. I use 10 shirts, 10 shorts, 5 jean pants and two identical zip hooded jacket so that one can go laundry and one he wear to school switching every week in same pattern.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Marilyn says…
    02/04/2013

    Some many of us are on the same path, we are seeing the excess in our lives and taking the steps to reduce. I said to myself just yesterday that today would be a good day to organize my craft room. So now that the snow has been shoveled I can get started. Later I will sit back with a cup of tea, feeling accomplished, and dream of sunny warm days.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Cynthia H says…
    02/04/2013

    That first maximizing bullet point so resonates with me right now -- thanks for sharing!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Jenny says…
    02/04/2013

    I am amazed how few clothes my boys wear. They wear clothes, I wash them, they get put on top in the drawer and they wear the same ones again, probably because they are also favorites.

    Feeling the getting close to spring cleaning, purging feeling also!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Elle A. says…
    02/04/2013

    This isn't really about your post other than what you wrote about 'maximizing' and it made me realize how I admire & respect how much you accomplish each day. I wish you continued strength, passion & direction for each new day!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      02/04/2013

      Thank you - I'm trying!

  13. Denise KC says…
    02/04/2013

    I can relate....Especially in the taking action vs just thinking and rethinking and no action. Although, it makes me feel a little bit better to know that you, being such a doer, go through that thought process as well...But not for long, eh?!!

    Happy take action-February!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Alida says…
    02/05/2013

    Hi Ali, great post and a lot I can relate to. But I'll use my space to ask this question: Would you mind sharing how you got that screenshot of your Pinterest board? Would love to know.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. AE | Inspiration | Ali Edwards says…
    02/08/2013

    [...] wallpaper I found via the fabulous blog How About Orange. It’s been helping me on my quest to maximize via taking action. Love having a visual reminder like this to spur me on to the next [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. learn how to color says…
    04/09/2013

    How would you manage to create this type of wonderful masses regarding commenters to your website?

    Reply 0 Replies

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