Time Crafted

Link with Love Inspires Change

2012-02-14T09:58:00.000-08:00

Source: linkwithlove.typepad.com via Karen on Pinterest

I've had the Link with Love badge on my left side bar since Kal Barteski started this campaign (she loves Pinterest and shares her thoughts here). It's all about linking our images & pins back to the ORIGINAL source. Whether you are a writer, photographer, artist, or foodie & post your original recipes, your work should be credited when all the great information and inspiration are spread across the interwebs.

When I pull a pin from Pinterest and put it on my blog, I hunt down those original links or I don't use the image. And sometimes that's taken a lot of time. Why? Sometimes the links are simply broken, but often an image is pinned from the main site, not the specific url, linking directly to the page where it came from. Other times, it is pinned from someone else's site, but not the original source. That means going back three, four, sometimes five or more links to find the original source.

Kal has had her original artwork spread across the web (which she's not objecting to) and then copied and sold for profit by others (which, of course, she does object to). I applaud her proactive effort to encourage everyone to be the change.

Will you be the change? Go to the Link with Love site (here's the link to the specific page with this image) and pin the above image to one of your Pinterest boards. Spread the word, join the movement, and as Kal says, be the change!

Twenty-Twelve Color Pattern

2012-02-12T22:49:00.000-08:00

Last year (actually, beginning at the end of 2010), I seemed to be drawn to pinks, yellows, and reds over and over. I found myself using them for my own projects and pinning others' projects or photos from that palette.

And I'm quickly seeing a pattern of reaching for pink and teal this year. I just naturally gravitated towards the two colors, paired with gray, for my One Little Word album - they're great colors for my word Animate, don't you think?

Since I've noticed the emerging color theme, I thought I'd share a page from my art journal that I created last month.

Must admit, it was rather meditative to keep writing nearly the same words over and over again, across the page. I imagine it's similar to what I hear knitters feel like as they repeat a simple pattern.

Add in some pearlescent watercolor paint, my stand-by acrylic paints, and an assortment of black pens for this word doodled page to come together.

For me, it was a simple, colorful way to welcome in the new year. And a month later, I'm realizing that those colors I reached for first thing at the start of Twenty-Twelve, have developed into a personal trend. I'm curious to see where they'll appear again.

Do you ever find yourself riffing on your own personal color trend?

Friday Fun: Star Wars Geek Love

2012-02-10T18:45:00.000-08:00

In honor of Star Wars being re-released in 3-D today, starting with Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, I thought I'd share with you a li'l Star Wars Geek Love.

"A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away... "

Source: boingboing.net via Karen on Pinterest

...there was Steampunk R2-D2, made from a beer barrel...

Source: boingboing.net via Karen on Pinterest

...and he has a scrap metal, steampunk friend.

But, in case these aren't the droids you're looking for...

Source: ffffound.com via Karen on Pinterest

...there's always Google to help a Stormtrooper out.

"You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon? ...

Source: shitterwasfull.tumblr.com via Karen on Pinterest

... It’s the ship that made the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs."

But, if ships don't do it for you...

Source: mimuller.tumblr.com via Karen on Pinterest

"Laugh it up, Fuzzball!"

Let's get serious now...

“These blast points — too accurate for sandpeople. Only imperial stormtroopers are so precise.”

Source: manmadediy.com via Karen on Pinterest

Now, that's precise!

And in the end, Darth Vader has the right attitude...

Source: weheartit.com via Karen on Pinterest

...who knew Darth could be so zen?!

Maybe this is just before Luke pulls Anakin Skywalker's mask off, ya think??

"May the Force be with you."

December 31st

2012-02-10T09:27:00.000-08:00

Sitting at the only table left out – the rest had been cleared for the party - was the silver coifed woman. Her wooden chair, at the corner table, faced the bar’s interior, including the front door. Eyes wandering, they never failed to stop briefly at the glass door with each meandering sweep.

Singing out from speakers on either side of the stage was what young people today considered music, though she didn’t. Tonight, she was glad her advancing years had taken half her hearing. Only two more hours to wait; if he didn’t show, she’d be back again next New Year’s Eve.

All those years ago, when her raven hair tumbled from her head till it bounced upon her shoulders, her indigo eyes were clear, and her ears never missed a pin drop, they’d had a wickedly wild affair. She had never known a love could be as intense as its lust, until him.

He was a trademark tall, dark, and handsome. He was smooth, charming, and utterly lovely. Filling their days with the excitement of parties, the quiet of arm in arm strolls around the park, and all the murmurings of long nights in bed.

And he couldn’t stay, he’d said. He had to go; he couldn’t explain why. He told her wanted out, but was in too deep. Logic screamed at her that whatever he was into couldn’t be good. Intuitively, she knew he wouldn’t bring harm to her.

Forty years had passed since they parted. They agreed to meet again, if he could get out. He promised her, if he could, he would meet her at this bar, on New Year’s Eve. So, Betty came. December 31^st of every year, for the last forty years; she came, sat, and waited.

Anticipation filled the first five years of waiting. Her eyes would never leave the entrance. She eventually met a man she could love; she even married him. Loving her husband, building a life with him brought her metered joy as they grew older together. But, she never stopped coming to wait for her soul mate.

Midnight rang with its usual clamor. The excitement in the room, conversely matched her own disappointment. Rising, she shuffled her way out, struggling to stay on her feet amidst the hugging and kissing and jumping and dancing from the partiers. Her waiter found her; offering her his arm, he escorted her out.

On the street, the night’s excitement was still pinging through the air. With a heavy sigh, the weight that nearly buries her the last days of each year dissipates into the chilled night air. Looking back through the bar’s glass door one more time, she says good-bye.

Come this new year’s December 31^st though, the silver coifed woman will be waiting in the bar, at her table, hoping for her heart to come back home.

This week, Write on Edge pulled a prompt out of the Red Writing Hood vault from The Red Dress Club days. We were to pick four random numbers, 1-10, which would give us our character, setting, time, and situation.

Looking for the first four numbers I saw in my twitter stream, I chose, 7, 3, 1, 7 for an elderly woman, a party, winter, and reminiscing how things change.

It's official. My muse is still not with me. I'm not giving in though and attempting to write it out without said muse.

Typically, I hear the stories and characters chattering away in my head and I write from there. But, there's something about a new year that shuts down those voices and immerses me in color, shapes, and textures, taking creativity in a different, more visual and tactile direction. I suppose the real challenge is finding a way to intersect these two paths. I'll keep working on it!

Ten Years Ago

2012-02-09T07:30:00.000-08:00

Ten years ago, I was living in the same home I'm click clacking across the keyboard from today.

Ten years ago, this home was occupied by only my husband and two cats.

Ten years ago, sleep was only ever disturbed by one noisy and one bed stealing cat.

Ten years ago, scrapbooking was leisurely and liberally enjoyed.

Ten years ago, a craft room, guest room and office occupied the other bedrooms.

Ten years ago, I happily began converting said craft room into a nursery.

Ten years ago, I had zero appetite and world numbing nausea.

Ten years ago, I didn't know fresh grated ginger steeped into a tea helps calm nausea.

Ten years ago, pregnant with our first child, excitement seeped through the stomach churning.

Ten years ago, our home was happy and quiet; but in ten years how a family, noises filled with laughter and animation, can grow.

Writing along with Mama Kat today, using her second prompt: Start with the phrase "Ten years ago on this day, I was…".

I have no idea what I was doing on this particular day ten years ago, but I remember how our world was beginning to change while in my first trimester with our first child!

Red Writing Hood - Waiting

2012-02-03T09:37:00.000-08:00

Sitting between a woman in a suit and a man in sweats, holding his lunch in a crinkly plastic bag, she waited to be called. The head of sandy hair in front of her belonged to a man, tapping out a rhythm on his book. Several people looked his way, but his rhythm never faltered.

One at a time our names were called. After a few quick questions, answers that were never quite as quick, the Judge either told them to sit, stay, or go on their merry way.

Young woman, after young woman exited; they were all excused from serving. Whispers circulated; Tapping Man slowed his beat when the Judge spoke up.

“They’re all college students, in the middle of their semesters. This case is a capital offense and expected to last at least five months, which would delay their ability to graduate by an entire year, creating undue hardship. So, ‘no’, I’m not just excusing pretty young women.” Chuckling, he returned his eyes to his list and the next person on it.

Tapping Man’s rhythm picked right back up, but the beats shifted more erratically. The process of waiting to find out if she has to serve seemed more tiresome than actual jury service. If selected, would they call her yet again when another eighteen months pass?

Silence was suddenly startling; it was Tapping Man’s turn. Three abrupt pounds to his book signaled he was asked to stay. Sitting, his rhythm resumed fiercely.

The institutional room was still quite full. Tapping Man’s drumming was so incessant, she began pairing notes to it in her head while she waited. She always waited; not many people had last names that came after Zavattoni.

Waiting might as well be taken as a middle name. She was waiting, always waiting; waiting to take her path, waiting for her family’s path drenched in tradition to take her, waiting.

Eyeing her wrist’s new tattoo, she heard Tapping Man’s staccato end to his beats. The Judge had reached the ‘T’s and had as many people as the lawyers needed for this round of jury selection. Abruptly, they were excused.

Reaching the door to leave, the clerk recognized her, “Computer sure does like you. Guess we’ll see you in another eighteen months, huh?”

Adrianna returned the clerk’s impish smile. But, she was done waiting. Walking out the door, she was sure she would not be back.

My fiction muse has been on vacation, it would seem. Not quite sure she's back, but like Adrianna, I don't want to wait anymore. When I realized the last bit of fiction I shared was at the beginning of December, I decided to just write. Maybe she'll see me waving flags filled with color - begging her to return! lol

In the meantime, I've jumped back in with Write on Edge's prompt this week to use music to inspire a character or move a storyline. It didn't need to be any specific piece of music, so I ran with the beat of Tapping Man's drumming fingers here. Does it work?

Adrianna is part of a close friendship of four kindred spirits and this takes place in the week after Loose Spring.

Plane, Train, Automobile, or Armchair

2012-01-31T18:29:00.000-08:00

Is your soul filled with wanderlust? Are you most content at home? Do you travel the world? Do local experiences give you what you need? Does your mind do the wandering for you, across photos, books, websites, stories read and heard?

Me? I'm not a big traveller, though I did journey out of the area more before having kidlets. I married a homebody who is quite content to enjoy the nest. And while we (or I) still take some jaunts around California, traveling isn't something we're partaking a whole lot in right now.

Thankfully, my Four Musketeers and especially my brother, like to travel and fill my head with their out of area adventures. Wanderlust and my brother are very well acquainted with each other. Sometime back I shared just a bit from his summer trek up to Mt. Everest Base Camp and if I can convince him to let me, I'd love to share some of his other travels across the continents.

In the meantime, in addition to the well travelled loved ones in my life, guess where I've turned to, filling my eyes with magical locales and destinations? If you said that place where many of us just can't stop clicking 'See More Pins' one more time, Pinterest, you hit the mark.

I keep two boards primarily geared towards this new armchair travelling: Dreamy Destinations and Favorite Places and Spaces. The first are places that peak my interest or are simply beautiful; the second, are places or approximations of spaces I've been.

These boards actually began as something else entirely. They began as visual inspiration to use when I write, fiction and/or memoir. Having a photograph to spark a memory or as a jumping point for a scene can put an entirely different spin on words click clacked out across the keyboard.

And now? I use my boards for both writing inspiration and the ever fabulous, entirely inexpensive armchair travelling. One of these days, I'll get to some of the destinations on my list, but in the meantime, just one more reason to read tales in exotic locales, wander the web, listen to friends' adventures, and keep pinning!

When Julia travels to Burma to search for her missing lawyer father, she discovers much more than she expected. Join From Left to Write on February 1 and read posts inspired by the book, The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker.

As a member of From Left to Write, I received a copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

Animate January

2012-01-30T12:22:00.000-08:00

We're wrapping up January (can you believe it?!) and wanted to share just a bit of my One Little Word's 2012 travels.

I took Ali Edwards' One Little Word Workshop at Big Picture Classes last year and found that it helped me keep my 2011 word: Grow front and center. So, I'm taking it again this year to keep my 2012 word: Animate dancing on the front burner...so to speak. And I have the title page, as well as the page for January to share with you.

The title page is sweet and simple. I used the pdf from Ali's workshop for the small 4x6 title page that highlights my word, Animate. The gray is the pdf and I used Making Memories glitter stickers in pink & teal from my stash. (Just love it when I use some of the stuff I've been hoarding for far too long!)

Then flip the small title page to reveal the 9 pocket 7 1/2 x 10 page for January. (This particular pocket page protector is from an assorted set the I ordered extra of last year, but is no longer available. Though there are other 9 pocket protector options that can easily be found in the 8 1/2 x 11 size.)

Ali's pdf has prompts that encourage us to filter what we want from our words this year and where we think we might go. And then four open spaces to put in whatever you might like - anything from more writing to pattern paper to doodles to symbols to whatever. I used acrylic paints, Prismacolor marker, writing, and an old acrylic letter 'a' for animate on top of the words I used in the invitation prompt.

I adore the quote I found for 'Animate' and in case you can't read my scrawl:

"Today, a new sun rises for me; everything lives, everything is animated, everything seems to speak to me of my passion, everything invites me to cherish it."

~ Ninon de l'Enclos

It felt good to papercraft again, even if in the smallest way. Though a new year brings new inspiration and I've been dipping my hands in a variety of creative outlets. And while I'm only sharing one little bit with my one little word, let me tell you, these hands have been covered in ink and paint many of January's days.

And I'm lovin' it!

What about you? What has been your creative outlet so far in 2012?

Tangled up in Gaiman's Wondrous Web o' Words

2012-01-24T08:48:00.000-08:00

"May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself."

-Neil Gaiman

Rolling down my newsfeed on Facebook, I delightfully fell into this web of words, shared by From Left to Write and I just love it!

"good madness"

I think I might have let out an audible squeal at those two words meeting.

Gaiman's words are so filled with life and hope and great "good madness". And as surely as my paint stained hands before me click clack across the keyboard this morning, I'm determined to grab me some, if not gobs, of "good madness" in 2012!

How about you?

Quiet can be Loud

2012-01-18T20:48:00.000-08:00

Are you an introvert or extrovert? Author Susan Cain explores how introverts can be powerful in a world where being an extrovert is highly valued.

Join From Left to Write on January 19 as we discuss Quiet: The Power of Introverts by Susan Cain. We'll also be chatting live with Susan Cain at 9PM Eastern on January 26. As a member of From Left to Write, I received a copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

Are you an extrovert or introvert or a balance of the two, an ambivert?

Growing up, I would say I was an extrovert. I loved socializing, so much so, almost every school report card I had said, "Talks too much," and most people I'm friendly with today might even say the same thing. Yes, I can be quite chatty. I loved singing in choirs, playing in band, summer school drama classes, and definitely did not shy from attention.

Fast forward to my twenties. Something changed in me. I don't like being the center of attention, I prefer one on one or small groups, and I actually enjoy time alone now.

I'd even venture to say I'm more of an ambivert or possibly an introvert. So, I wasn't overly surprised when I took Susan Cain's Introvert Quiz and did indeed score as an Introvert. Whatever the reasons may be, I definitely no longer feel those extrovert qualities singing out.

There are lots of ways I've seen this shift factor into my life in the fifteen years since the shift began. I won't bore you with a long list, promise. Let's just stick to one way here: the creative growth in independent thought.

Susan Cain discusses the New Groupthink in her book in terms of how we as a society have jumped into that pool of thought that working in groups is better, more productive, more creative. Schools and companies have all jumped on this bandwagon.

I remember when group assignments in college went from on occasion to the norm during the 1990s. And I was never a fan. When working in groups, there was always a pack mentality and independent thought was watered down.

Cain shares Steve Wozniak's creative tech innovation and how it did not come to fruition in committee as an example of what an introverted thought process can bring to the table...after working independently.

For me, in these years since becoming more introverted, I've experienced a kind of creative rebirth. I absolutely love the creative energy that is shared in all directions being with creative friends. That energy is almost palpable and definitely inspiring. But, it is when I am on my own that I take that inspiration and try new things, take creative risks. It's where I feel free to explore a new medium, a new process, a new idea. When I have pulled it together, then I share.

Whether my old extroverted self will continue to haunt me in the shadows, pop out for some play on occasion or I develop my newer introverted nature or even learn to enjoy the best of both worlds, Susan Cain's Quiet has given me a lot of food for thought.

What about you? Are you an introvert? An extrovert? An ambivert? And whether you are a writer, a scientist, a rockin' awesome mama, an attorney, an artist, does it have an effect on your independent creative thought?

SOPA Strike

2012-01-17T23:53:00.000-08:00

Do you know about SOPA? What about it's counterpart, PIPA?

If you blog or use social media, you've probably heard about it. That's how I first heard about it several months ago - on Twitter.

If you don't already know about it, chances are you will by tomorrow.

January 18th is #SOPAstrike where many large websites (and even more smaller ones too) are going black for the day in protest to encourage everyone (because it truly will effect everyone who uses the internet for anything if passed) to contact your representatives in Congress.

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

(I found the video a bit jumpy in the beginning, but I suspect it was due to high traffic. It does settle down and I'm including it because I feel it's a worthwhile watch.)

I'm keeping this short & simple because I want to you click through to the links with more information.

www.sopastrike.com

www.americancensorship.org

Be informed!

Quotable Bits Zwei

2012-01-17T11:06:00.000-08:00

Source: mercurialme.com via Karen on Pinterest

If we live in the past, we take from our present and give ourselves no new future. That's something that has taken me years to learn. And while I still occasionally need reminders, thank goodness for a man from humanity's past to remind me!

Sidenote: Actually, there are so many uber awesome things that man said, wrote, gave to the world, I expect I'll be sharing another one or two from him again. :>

Guess what time it is? It's time for Bits of Bee's #QuotableBits! I loved her link up last week and am just beyond tickled pink that she enjoyed my { Magic } post so much that she's highlighted it as her favorite from her first meme! Thanks so much, Bianca!

If you are here, looking for my Write on Edge, RemembeRED post, scroll down or click here!

RemembeRED: Title & Tagline

2012-01-17T10:25:00.000-08:00

On the Move

After living on two coasts, in four states, twelve towns, sixteen abodes, standing still, she regained her momentum.

Our memoir prompt at Write on Edge is "to come up with a title and tagline that captures your life, or a moment from your life."

Easy peasy, right? Yeah, that's what I would have thought since microfiction and I are such fine friends.

But, micro memoir that's boiled down to a title & a tagline? Not so much! I wrote about a dozen or so, but this is the one I'm running with.

Color Wash

2012-01-12T22:32:00.000-08:00

Turning onto the main drag we look for a place to park without great success. Cars accessorized with different states’ plates, packed full of travelers gear, line both sides of the narrow lane. Just as we reach the street’s far west end, we find a small space to slide our car into.

We step up onto the crumbling concrete sidewalk, his hand opened wide, inviting my own. Grabbing it, we walk the familiar path eastward. The sky, donning its morning slate cardigan hovers above us. Salted air skims our skin; I drag it in deeply, filling my lungs with its pleasantly peaceful scent.

Trinket, tchotchke, souvenir shops with windows filled wave for our attention, but our eyes dial in our target up the small incline. One step in front of the other, stepping aside for groups walking back down – some returning to their cars, some to the bluffs, some to take their cooped up pup for a walk – like a folk dance, native to this small spec of a town.

Without a word exchanged, we step into the first of our routine stops. Pretty jewelry, nice paintings, some woodwork we stop to examine and the fat cat that’s always in the back gets a chin scratch.

Cross the street, up the white stairs, local artists’ work and one to chat with as we find a perfectly personal present to tuck away.

A few doors down, canvases steal our breath – our eyes fooled, rather than paint we see strokes of light. Jokes about the necessity of kids’ college funds routinely punctuate the visit. And with one last look we return to the crumbling sidewalk.

Pausing for a seafood lunch with a view we can see now that the coastal sky has shed her morning cardigan. We chat, we eat, we agree that nothing we’ve seen sparks us both, yet. Paying the overpriced tourist trap bill we readily signed up for, we walk up a block off the main drag. No sidewalks, just road. There are a handful more stops to make to make the day’s gallery walk complete.

We leisurely stroll back to the car. Not a painting in hand, but the hours’ zen color washed across us. It’s a favorite hue, bookmarked for our annual visit. Carrying it with us, one town north, we step into the next color waiting to paint our day, staining our memories…hopefully, permanently.

2012 has put The Creative back in the driver's seat - but, so far that has been via journaling; (different for me) scrapbooking; inking, painting, doodling in my art journal; trying new GFCF recipes; and lots of photo editing.

The Creative, however, had not joined me in the word pool until I found a little { Magic } in a Ronald Dahl quote, earlier this week. So, I'm tickled pink to finally be responding to a Write on Edge prompt this year!

The prompt is to write a piece, fiction or creative non-fiction, 400 words or less, sparked by "Flavor." Whether that be a taste, spice, or the quality or character found in something is up to us.

This began as a fictional piece, but it's so colored by memory it definitely falls into the creative non-fiction category. Can you feel the flavor of the memory?

{ MAGIC }

2012-01-09T22:52:00.000-08:00

Source: madiillustration.blogspot.com via Karen on Pinterest

~ Ronald Dahl

Magic bits of our days carry a key for me. That key unlocks all those little bits and pieces, small moments that make me smile.

Laughter floating through air, a leaf coasting upon it.

Sun shinning through a spider's night shift masterpiece.

Felines stretched long; furry bellies soaking up sun.

Painted toes, never seen beneath a warm winter shoe.

Fresh crayon boxes, filled with pointy rainbows.

Overflowing tubs of broken crayons; hand pressed stories in every break.

Rain water's curbside travels, breaking at each tiny pebble in its path.

So thankful to believe in the magic.

What about you?

Happy to be linking up with Bits of Bee today on her meme hosting maiden voyage! I have always been driven by, inspired by, made better by taking in the words of others. I've had quote journals, walls covered in quotes written on post-its, and now, thanks to Pinterest, a Letters Word Type Talk board celebrating words themselves.

And a meme dedicated to that very thing I love? Perfect.

I found the above image on Pinterest and via that, have had an opportunity to check out the rest of the artist's site. Definitely go see Madi Illustration for yourself!

Surprising Superbowl Spread Requests

2012-01-09T11:36:00.000-08:00

It was Wild Card weekend, aka the first round of NFL playoffs and my boy started thinking about Superbowl Sunday - from the big plays to the touchdowns to which teams might make it there to the food. Yes, the food.

Last year, we munched on some yummy GFCF goodness, including trying Pioneer Woman's Shrimpo de Gallo for the first time. I think he liked having a spread of munchies that were all safe for him to eat.

So, grabbing a cookbook, he went to his room to make a list.

I was quite impressed that with each item he was interested in, he was noting which ingredients he could have, as is, and which ones we'd need to either check for gluten or substitute something to make it GFCF. This was a fantastic first!

Now, here's the surprising part - check out what my elementary school aged boy asked if we could make:

Citrus Spiced Mixed Olives

Pork Satay

Grilled Trout in Grape Leaves

Wilted Escarole with Garlic & Potatoes

Seriously? Did he just ask for escarole?? Grape leaves? And trout?

I know my kids like great flavor and are willing to try new foods - actually, they usually beg for it. But, even my husband and I did not expect a Superbowl food request like this one.

As of right now, I have no idea what we're planning on making, but Yowza - I think my boy just scored a Touchdown!

What will you be having come Superbowl Sunday? And what teams do you think are going to make it there?

Worth the Click: Plugging back in for blogosphere great goodness!

2012-01-07T17:35:00.000-08:00

So, guess what marched its nasty ol' self into our home just after Christmas?

Mr. Stomach Bug

I'm rather sure I never painted a 'Welcome' sign, never sent out invitations, never lit the way. Yet, it's marched through multiple generations and the only person who was left standing was my husband.

Thankfully, while that pesky li'l bugger's shadows are still haunting, just a touch, it's making it's travel preparations to leave us....as long as said husband keeps using his magic Stay Away powers, avoiding it.

But, I didn't invite you to join me here for stomach bug tales o' woe. I thought you might like to check out some rockin' awesome places I've been visiting in the blogosphere over the last twenty-four hours as I plug back in.

Elsie shares her Bike Love, but really, I'm feeling the purple boot love.

And while visiting Elsie's A Beautiful Mess, I cannot help but get excited about her new Art Journal All Year e-course. I haven't committed to this creative course...yet. But, it sure does sound tempting.

Grab a cuppa and spend some time checking out the SITS Girls new look.

Ali Edwards put together a video tutorial for Printing Two 3x4 Images on a 4x6 - great for all kinds of uses, but also specifically for people who use Project Life.

I love the idea of monthly inspiration bulletin boards! And Kal Barteski is sharing hers for January on [i] Love Life.

Sunday's beyond exciting news that took 8 years, 11 months, 10 days to be able to say!

Alisa Burke has made some delish looking gluten/dairy free pumpkin muffins that make me want to riffle through my cupboards and get baking.

While photo a day challenges have been perking my interest for the last several years, this is not one I've dived into this year. But, for those that have & in case I ever do, Angry Julie's got How to Organize Project 365 & Stay Sane.

So many great goodies throughout the blogosphere this first week of Twenty Twelve off, don't you think?

May our uninvited guest finish packing its bags and exit with speed.

May Mr. Stomach Bug stay far away from your doorstep.

May you enjoy this round of Worth the Click as much as I have, clickin' my way through the goodness!

Linking up: It's Monday and I'm being "Miss Elaine-ous" over at The Miss Elaine-ous Life - join the fun!

Creative Everyday 2012

2012-01-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

I've seen Leah's Creative Everyday Challenge for the last two years. Since that's already a focus I try to have, I haven't joined in.

But, I've loved the premise of it. I've loved that it views 'creativity' in the broadest sense of the word; from something whipped up in the kitchen to words written on a page to images captured through a lens to paint spilled across a canvas.

It's part of why I started blogging: to alter personal time to include creativity in my daily life.
I have loved Leah's Creative Every Day Challenge.

And I still do.

And I want to connect with more people diving into whatever 'creative' is for them. So, I'm joining in for 2012! What about you?

One Little Word 2012

2012-01-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

On Friday, I wrapped up my online experience with my 2011 One Little Word and now that we're into the new year, I wanted to share with you my word for 2012.

For the last couple months of 2011, one word had been coming to me, at me, swirling around me, escaping my mouth. But, when I started thinking about committing to the word for the coming year, it didn't hit all the notes I wanted. And the search began for a word that would both simmer and excite me.

My 2012 One Little Word is

I am taking Ali Edwards workshop over at Big Picture Classes again this year and am excited to see where my word and I will go.

What about you? Do you select just one little word to guide you through your year?

We said Good-bye, We say Hello!

2012-01-01T15:29:00.000-08:00

Did you have fun ringing in 2012 last night? We were mellow, at home, kidlets asleep at their usual time, but there was a fun, fresh energy buzzing about that made me welcome in the New Year!

Before the kids went to sleep though, we had one last 2011 task. I printed out a li'l something I found at Pinterest:

Source: thirtyhandmadedays.com via Karen on Pinterest

Mique has great things to share at her site, 30 Handmade Days - go check it out, she's oh so Worth the Click!

I knew my girl would be all over this and she didn't disappoint. And while I thought my older boy wouldn't be too thrilled, he jumped right in and filled it out! Way to make this Mom happy!

I may be a tad late to the this tradition train, but I still think it's going to be pretty cool to have them fill something like this out every year and watch them grow.

I'll be back tomorrow with my One Little Word for 2012 to share. In the meantime, tell me what you did to welcome the New Year in last night, or even today!

Happy New Year!!!

2011 One Little Word Wrap-Up

2011-12-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

For the last two years, I've chosen One Little Word to guide me for the year. As a fan of Ali Edwards, her thoughts on the effects of choosing just one word, resonated with me. And so I began the process in the last days of 2009, choosing 'Live' for 2010 and 'Grow' for 2011.

As I began reflecting on this last year, I pleasantly discovered that I had accomplished several of my goals and did indeed, Grow in many ways. Sharing some of the ways I've grown on here at Time Crafted, seems only appropriate since so many of you have given me both inspiration and support.

I began the year taking Ali Edwards' year long One Little Word workshop at Big Picture Classes. And while it was great to see Andi, Siri, and other familiar, friendly faces, I mostly worked on this offline.

She's repeating the workshop for 2012 and I'm leaning towards signing up again. It definitely helped me keep 'Grow' close at heart throughout the year.

One night on Twitter, @thienkim urged me to check out The Sketchbook Challenge. Her enthusiasm was infectious and I was excited to create along.

Creating an art journal always seemed intimidating to me. It might sound silly, but many creative bloggers and artists I visit, have mad crazy talent and I fretted about not measuring up...until I realized that the goal isn't to 'measure up', but rather to grow, try new things, learn new skills, and improve on what I already do. So, I did.

After reading the creative writing goodness that Mandy weaves with her words, I wanted to get back into my own creative writing. I missed it and knew that it had been far too long since I swam with crazy colored words.

I decided to start small and began with a microfiction meme. It's the shortest of short fiction, written in 140 characters or less, including spaces & punctuation. Turns out, microfiction is a whole mess o' fun!

Looking at where Mandy was sharing her fiction with, I headed over to The Red Dress Club, which is now Write on Edge, a virtual writing community.

I began writing and sharing my fiction with their Red Writing Hood prompts, as well as some memoir with their RemembeRED prompts.

And then I got brave. In November, a group of writers within the Write on Edge community participated in NaNoWriMo and I joined in.

I didn't hit the word count, but I'm okay with my results. If you want to know what I thought was so cool about the whole process, check out my really short post: NaNoWriMo in 8 Sentences.

When Bruna, @beeswithhoney, said she wanted to feature me on her Let's BEE Friends series, I was tickled pink. And when Sarah, @MamaRiceCake, asked me to write a positive guest post for her, I went Dancing with Rainbows. Mandy asked me to guest post on Makes Fun and I wrote the low down on The Little Red Bear.

And speaking of writing, one more area I wanted to grow was right here on the blog. In this case, I wanted to literally grow...more posts, that is. I didn't set a goal or a specific number to hit; simply that I wanted to post more than I had last year. And with this post, I'm coming in with 51 more posts than in 2010. Grow Goal, accomplished.

I spent most of 2010 knowing that I ~~needed~~ ~~wanted~~ needed to upgrade my Point & Shoot camera. I had squeezed out every ounce I could from it and was itching for a DSLR. In February last year, it was time to take the leap. I bought a Nikon D3100 and while I'm still learning how the heck to use it in manual, photography is something I've grown to love since beginning this blogging journey.

2011 became the year of the virtual Book Clubs, starting with Andrea (a sweet Book Fairy) leading one on the SITS Girls site, which is now over on her site Great Thoughts. She selects great books and we wrap our reads up with fun monthly Twitter parties, tweeting with the books' authors, using the hashtag #Gr8Books. You should join us!

This fall, @thienkim asked me to be a From Left to Write Contributor. What's wonderfully unique about this book club is that we write posts inspired by the books we read. As a result I was able to share Who Will Tell Your Story?, as well as a favorite artist of ours, Michel LeRoux. Another unique bit is that the book selection here really varies, widening my viewpoints, and hopefully, others' too.

This was a looong post, I know. If you're still here, give yourself a pat on the back, a taste of Nutella, a cuppa java, or an ice cold martini. Thanks for hanging in there!

The One Little Word, Grow, has taken me on quite a journey this year! How about you? Do you chose just one little word to hold near your heart, to guide you, to focus you in your year ahead?

2011 Favorites

2011-12-28T20:33:00.000-08:00

Here we are, wrapping up the remaining days of 2011. Can you believe it? I barely can. And yet, when I was writing a wrap up post on my journey with my One Little Word for this year, I came across quite a few paths travelled.

But, that post is Friday, so do come back! Today, thanks to Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop, I'm sharing a favorite (or simply special) post for each month of 2011. Grab a cuppa and join me down memory lane.

January

Just before Christmas 2010, I got the uber brilliant idea that it was time to organize my son's crazy huge collection of Lego bricks. Actually, it was indeed a brilliant idea. My timing, though? Not so much.

And in January, I shared our results and what has become my most frequently visited post of 2011, From Lego Landslide to Organized!

In case you are wondering how well this organization system has worked, I can tell you that a year later, thousands and thousands of Lego bricks are still in their appropriate drawers after hundreds of building sessions!

February

My daughter's sweet face in the morning sunlight had me clicking my camera, capturing one of my favorite photos of the year: Sweet Lashes.

March

Good friends can make a person tick and I'm lucky enough to have a close friendship with three gals for well over twenty years now, who are like sisters, who keep my heart tick tocking in time.

In Gravity or Instinct, I Just Knew, I shared how I met one of these women, all those years ago.

April

In Even the Easter Bunny Gets Creative, you'll see how that Bunny likes to have fun in our house!

May

I took a stroll down Memory Lane to share this experience: Sushi Gone Wrong.

June

In R.S.V.P., the first of four fictional characters emerged, Cassie. If you like her, the next installment is Kick Ass Shoes!

July

Taking a day trip to the coast is a favorite activity for all of us; we Love the Ocean, Dig the Beach!

August

When listing 10 Places I Love to Be, I found that not all can be found on any kind of map. What about you? Can you look up your favorite places?

September

One of those favorite places in August's list led to For the love of bound paper... - obnoxious signage, promised treasures, and the sad reality that sank in.

October

If you're coming in from Mama Kat's (or one of the millions who read Pioneer Woman), you might remember the prompt that led to the post that showed me I have done more than I realize over the years. 22 things I { have } done

November

After an Unexpected adventure, I felt the impact that someone you don't even know can have.

December

My last piece of fiction shared here this year brings new characters and the beginning to a brand new story, The Doorbell Rang.

What about you? Where have you journeyed to in 2011? I hope you'll make one more stop back here this year, on Friday, looking where just One Little Word can take a person.

Santa's Smiling Treat

2011-12-27T22:45:00.000-08:00

Just a li'l Christmas share today, before wrapping up the holidays here.

The kidlets dutifully left Santa and his reindeer a thoughtful GFCF snack. They said they want Santa to be healthy. But, the kicker was the smiley face they left the Extreme Chocolate Mini Cookies, mug of unsweetened vanilla almond milk, and carrots in the shape of. (Yes, the carrots got a li'l wonky in transit from the kitchen to the living room. Nope, didn't fix it - it's their effort, I'm just documenting it!)

Guess they thought Santa deserved to be greeted by a smile upon arrival. They knew he had been traveling for quite a long time by the time he hit our house. Did you know he even visited the International Space Station this year? He did. That Santa Tracker that the kidlets had me refreshing on my computer all night said so!

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I regularly purchase Pamela's mini cookies (the ginger ones are my fav, the chocolate cookies are the kids' fav variety) and the Silk almond milk (it's delish in my coffee, when my son doesn't drink it all...the almond milk, not the coffee!) with my own money. Affiliate links are used in this post.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T16:15:00.000-08:00

It's been a whirlwind of Christmas activities in this li'l dot on the globe. And as exhausting as it all has been, every last bit has been worth it.

Our days have been filled with lights, tree hunting & decorating, school field trips, singing, bell ringing, Christmas crafts, shopping, wrapping, Advent Calendar ornament hanging, gingerbread house candying, card making, GFCF Christmas menu planning, more shopping, more wrapping, more singing, and a whole lotta family smiles and laughter.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! May the holidays that you celebrate be filled with loved ones, giggles, hugs, and fun!

#iPPP ~ Bird Ribbons

2011-12-21T07:22:00.000-08:00

We see these small birds every year, sometime in November or December, scavenging the remains of the harvested vineyards. The way they fly together and abruptly change directions make it look like there are ribbons dancing across the skies.

Last year, my brother snapped a couple pics on his iPhone to show me.....because he thought they were bats. Nope. Tiny little birds, flocking together.

I'm usually behind the wheel, driving when I see them and have never been able to take a photo, so I was stoked that he did. Aren't they cool? Their movement drops my jaw in awe, every year, every time.