Introducing:
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.)
Our creative plan was simple: bring the letters + photograph them in different environments throughout the day. And that is exactly what we did.
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.
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!
Ingenious ~ that's what you are woman!!
Love this idea. Love, love, love it!!
Blessings, p.
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Thanks Ali - another reason to look forward to the weekend!
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I love this idea and looking at thing differently.. from a different perspective and including creativity to mean *all* sorts of creativity. I look forward to your weekend creative prompts. I still am working on narrowing down my word for the year. So many seem fitting. I've given myself the deadline of Sunday. Hope you have a great (and wonderfully creative) weekend!
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Very cool! Love the letters!
Last time my hubby and I took a trip to the mountains I took a little jelly frog and photographed him in different places we visited...
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ohh ohh love the idea! getting busy already....and I just got home from IKEA. what fun!
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what a fantastic idea...thanks for the inspiration!
xo
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Super cool idea :-)
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Oh, so stinkin' cool, Ali...I have these huge wooden letters (my family's first letter in our names) and this would be fun to take pictures of my kids with their letter, in an unexpected environment. Thank you thank you thank you!!
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that is just plain cool. Love it!
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why does "Mr Bill" come into mind while looking at all of your pics? Ha Ha
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What a great project! I will look forward to it each week! Can't wait to see what places I find to put my word!
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What a great idea! Thanks for sharing this with 'us'.
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loved it then, love it now!
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What a fabulous idea! I cannot wait to find my letters and get started...Thanks for all the inspiration!!!
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Ah yes! Saw that gorgeous new Ikea when we were over there for the holidays. Have fun!
And... meant to mention: have you been to Beppe and Gianni's on 19th near the University? If not, GO! The BEST Italian food I've had on either of the coasts!
Great art idea. I might just have to try it. Happy Weekend!
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What a great idea! Thanks for the inspiration.
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Brilliant idea...thanks for the jumping off point. Now...to only find small enough letters to make up my word for the year, which is a long word: 'possibilities'. lol Maybe I'll pick a secondary word...hmmm. Anyhoo, have a great weekend!
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Hey Ali --
Great idea. Sounds like fun. I see someone else has the word FOCUS. I think this will be very fun to experiment with.
On another note -- I am a subscriber to a mail order catalog called Chinaberry. They also have a web site www.Chinaberry.com. I just received their Spring catalog and saw something I just have to share with you Ali, and your readers. On page 7 of the catalog is a beautiful framed pewter heart. It is made to look like puzzle pieces fitted together with one piece missing, and has an inscription on the back that reads "The pieces of the puzzle are Connected by Love". The artist who created this is Cynthia Webb. Apparently, she has a nephew who has autism and is making a donation to Autism support charities for each heart sold. Again, I am in no way affilitated with either of these, but know that autism is an issue close to your heart, Ali. Just thought you would like to know about this --if you don't already.
Take care and have a great evening.
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Interesting visions I'm having right now. We're going to the Everglades this weekend. Visions of sugar plums? No. Alligators and wooden letters? Maybe. I'll have to see what the weekend brings. Thanks for, ah, interesting inspiration.
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excellent!
love your brain!
catherine
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Ohhhhh - very cool.
My take on this is going to be to take my fave photo of my kiddies with me and photograph that in interesting places we visit!
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Love this idea! Thanks for sharing!
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I RAN OUT OF MY HOUSE and did this right away only I didn't use a word. Please see my vlog http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFuVsVdV8tU I include my photos.
Love you You are a guru of inspiration.
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oh my goodness Ali! what an amazing and creative idea....cool beans for sure!!!
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thanx for an inspiring weekend!
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