One Little Word - "SIMPLE" Vision Boards

The One Little Word assignment for March is to create a Vision Board for your word.  This is probably my favorite prompt of the year and this year was no exception.

Initially, I went straight to making a digital version.  My Pinterest Boards and a few bits of digi-scrapbook stash allowed me to create this version.  And I was pretty happy with it.

But I still wanted to try my hand at a cut and paste and get messy version.  That required a trip to the thrift store to pick up some magazines.  By choosing only the ones that had blue tickets (blue tickets were 75% off that day), I was able to snag eight different magazines (Oprah, Real Simple, Fitness, Martha Stewart Living, Family Circle, and Everyday with Rachel Ray) for the princely sum of fifty three cents!  One evening of clipping in front of the television and a week of play later....

I've got layered images and words, a little bit of play with paints and textures, a couple of rub-ons, and some dimensional butterflies sprinkled around. All based on a 14 x 18" canvas board which I am going to hang in my office. I love the bright happy colors I was able to incorporate and all the positive words and messages.

What surprised me about this exercise is that for a gal whose word is "SIMPLE", my creations ended up being anything but!  In fact, I think both feel a little chaotic and wild, but in a good way, if that makes any sense. Maybe just a reflection of how my life feels right now. Seeing them together, do you see any themes jumping out at you to which I should be paying attention? Do you prefer one over the other? Why?

FIT & OLW Update

It occurs to me that I haven't really updated on my FIT and OLW (SIMPLE) journey since I posted some ridiculously embarassing numbers at the beginning of the year.  Here is what has been happening:

I closed out January with this mini layout. Just because I loved the meme when it popped up on Facebook!

My starting numbers and plan for February. Change is happening excruciatingly slowly, but it is happening!

I upped my daily step goal to 5500 steps.

 And I tried to keep the FIT mantra in mind as I was checking (or not checking as the case may be) boxes ... strive for PROGRESS, not perfection!

By the end of February, I had met my step goals 20 out of 29 days. That is roughly 66% which wasn't enough to convince me to push the goal to the next level just yet. But in the process, I've gone from rarely working out to going regularly to a Fitness Class, Tai Chi, and visiting a gym with my friend Rachel where we get to talk while hitting the treadmill for a half hour. That has been a HUGE change for me!

The prompt for One Little Word for February was "Practice" something for 30 days and chart it. I decided to "practice" making sure to log my food everyday. I managed 25 out of 29 days.  I have found being out and about on the weekends makes it harder to track. It may be time to download an app to my phone and stop making excuses.  Wanting to add that little enamel dot every day really helped keep me honest.  And keeping honest led to this:

My numbers for March 1st.  I am down a total of 6 pounds and 6 1/2" from the beginning of the year.  It is slow, but it is all in the right direction. I'm somewhat amazed at how much WORK it takes to get rid of a single pound and I'm hoping to keep my attitude and my work ethic strong so I can accomplish my goals.  I have had a few days (hmmm, maybe more than a few) where my inner critic has strongly suggested that I throw in the towel and eat the cookies. I've succumbed a few times, but I am finding it is getting a little easier to resist that nasty little voice in my head!

The March prompt for One Little Work is to create a vision board of our word.  I had so much fun playing with a digi version:

I uploaded this one in a slightly larger format, so you should be able to click on it and make it bigger to read all the smaller items.  Although my vision board doesn't seem all that focused on the concept of "SIMPLE", it is clearly focused on the things I am working on right now.  And I plan to make a cut and paste version too, but need to source some magazines first.  I'm also reusing February's prompt and will be practicing decluttering for the month of March.  Seriously hoping to fill that card!!!

Even if you aren't in these classes, are you practicing anything specific in March?

Hello 2016!

Hello 2016! I am ready for the best year of my life!

I know this post is a week late in coming. It literally took me through the fifth of the month just to fully wrap my brain around my intentions for the year. But I'm ready now, and easing into turning those intentions into realities. Fair warning - this post is long. 

My primary intention for 2016 is to take my health in hand - get fit, lose weight, and break my sugar addiction.  I joined Cathy Zielski's FIT class and was thrilled to have Melissa, Alexa, Karen, and Alison also join in the class.  It's not too late if you are interested - introductory pricing of $26 for the whole year is good through January 15! I'm excited about this class and my blog friends joining in for the factor of accountability. I need to be accountable outside of myself or I just don't get things done.

 My FIT title page. I tweaked Cathy's colors just a bit.

My first page of the many cards Cathy provides for tracking.  I'm not going to use all of the cards she provides - just the ones that fit my needs for each month. I'm absolutely cringing at putting the numbers out there, but I'm trying to be honest and real with myself and accept that this is where I am at right now. It's the heaviest I've been in my entire adult life and I do not like it - not one little bit! I'm hoping that putting these mortifying numbers out there will give me the needed motivation (or kick in the pants if you will) to actually make some changes in my life!

The little red dress in the photos is very similar to the one I bought (mine is a little longer) and haven't yet worn. I bought it when I was at least 14 lbs lighter than I am now and at the time, I really needed to lose another 5 pounds to make it look good. I will never have the leggy look of the model wearing this dress, but this photo gives me a tangible goal to strive for that isn't tied to the number on the scale.

The daily step goal of 5000 steps will be adjusted as I start to consistently reach my goal. Right now, left to my normal sedentary work day, I only get in about 3500 steps. So yes, even a mere 5000 is pushing me out of my comfort zone - just not too far. I'm hoping to rack up some success before I up the goal!

I was inspired by the one page tracker Melissa is using to track her quiet time. But I needed something that would fit my 6x8 album and I didn't want to pay for a download I would have to change anyway.  So I created this one in PSE. I'll be tracking every day that I eat sugar free! I hope to see a LOT of colored squares by the end of the year!  If anyone would like this tracker, say the word and I'll email you a printable file. I can leave the subject line blank or fill it in with your choice of topic.







I'm also participating in Ali Edward's One Little Word class again this year.  My word for 2016 is SIMPLE.

In an attempt to honor my word, I've kept the title page simple. In fact, all that white space kind of bothers me. But I'm trying it on for a bit to see how it feels!

back side of title page

I think the following pages largely speak for themselves. :)

this should read "unnecessary clutter and busyness" - but I haven't gone back and corrected my spelling mistakes on the card yet. Not sure if I will.

I didn't have room on the page to get more specific with the creative intentions. Getting FIT is my primary intention, but addressing my Creativity is a close second for me in terms of importance. I intend to use Rinda's method and focus on one area of creativity each month. I hope to cover the following topics in 2016:

• paper scrapbooking
• digital scrapbooking
• planner pages
• art journaling
• card making
• mixed media
• photography

and anything else I happen to think of during the year. I may give some topics two months and really delve in. I'm hoping this approach will be easier than trying to hit everything each month.

Have you chosen a word for 2016? How does it tie in to your intentions for the year?