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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!









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103 comments
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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What an awesome idea --- I already my son that we are going to take on this project.
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This is just exactly the boost I need--on a weekly basis to step outside my creative box in this new year! Thanks!!!
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this is great - reminds me of the old sock monkey that would be mailed to friends around the country/world to be photographed and returned home ... only with a more focused, directed purpose. Something about that park bench though cracks me up. "ahhh, hey art ... has the bus already come by here?" or something. Definately doing diligence on my WOTY (word of the year) this weekend. Like this prompt and just may work it into my plans. have a happy day, Ali!
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OOOOH! Aah! the textures, so miksang! They're SINGING to me. What a kick-ass idea!
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AWESOME.
This is brilliant!
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what a fun adventure in "seeing"! love the idea and will start today. my kids will have a blast helping me :)
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What a great idea! LOVE how you took Art with you to so many different locales... thanks for the "push" to think differently... now I have to go think of my word for 2008! Great blog, glad I found you, all my best!
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thanks for the idea.
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http://flickr.com/photos/gingerkitty4/ Here are some of my pictures in case you didn't have a chance to see my vlog I posted in an earlier comment. Again thank you for this idea. I turned my friend on to you and she loves the artist life concept!
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Very cool!!!!
Wish I was in Savannah doing this!
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