Saturday, January 03, 2009

The Challenge......

I can't believe we are already into January! In a few short weeks I have Morgan's 5th birthday, CHA, and Disneyland! We still have Christmas decorations to put away! Is anyone else in the same boat as me? It's practically time to get Valentines together for Morgan's school party! At least it feels that way....
When I first started my December daily album it really helped get me in the holiday spirit. Unfortunately, the rest of the month whipped by so fast I didn't finish it!
I hate feeling like I "failed" at something... I don't like to start things and not finish them. That's why I didn't really make a New Years Resolution. One of my projects for the 2peas Garden this month was a pillow box. Inside is a letter to myself. I wrote it to my future self and on 1.1.10 I'm going to open the box and read it again. I wrote about my personal goals for the New Year, and I'm anxious to see what kind of person I am on 1.1.10 when I read my letter again. I hope I am an improved and happy girl! In it I wrote about things I hope to accomplish for myself and the kids, and things like that. Not specific goals like "I hope to lose 15 pounds" or anything like that. Just general things like wanting to work out more, and working out towards a certain number of times per week. And cooking more. And making hair appointments at 7-8 weeks rather than when my roots are driving me nuts. lol
With attainable goals in mind, I wanted to pursue another project in my family record keeping. I first talked about it in this post. I admire anyone who was able to do Project 365 and take a photo a day. I honestly could never do it. I didn't even finish my December Daily! But I love the concept and the idea of summarizing your daily life.
The December kit at Studio Calico had a package of Jenni Bowlin 6x6 calendar cards. At the time I didn't know what to do with them, because they were for 2009. And they weren't large enough to use for a family calendar. And I don't have a place to set them as a desk calendar or anything. Instead, I decided to pursue my own project for 2009.
The concept is this. Whether you take one photo in a month, or 30, it doesn't matter. The object of the "game" is to record your life. And at the end of every month, you go through the photos you have taken, and do a layout summarizing the happenings that month.
My plan is to do 2 page layouts, and use the JB cards each month. At the end of the year I plan to turn my 12 layouts into an album for 2009. I thought that would be fun. There was a discussion similar to this on 2peas and someone called it Project 12. I love that idea. But I think I'll have to come up with another name for it....
You could use the cards on each layout as part of the design, or you could even use the cards in your 2009 album as a page divider for each month. Maybe you mount them on cardstock. Maybe you put them on a transparency. Maybe you punch a hole in one corner and just put them in front of your monthly layout. It doesn't matter. I just thought it would be fun to use them with your monthly layouts.
I thought it might also be fun to make this a monthly challenge here. And because they are so super cool, I even have a very generous sponsor for January.
This is the challenge: Do a layout for January. Link me to it by February 15. I'll start a thread on February 1st to link to. After that I will draw a winner from those who participated and you will get a fun prize for playing along.
How does that sound?
To start, I wanted to give away a set of the Jenni Bowlin calendar cards:



You don't have to use these with your layouts... I just wanted to share what I'm going to use for mine. And you don't even have to play along with the monthly challenge, but I hope you will! Leave me a comment here about what you are doing this weekend, and I'll draw a winner at the first of the week.
Steve and I didn't have any luck finding a couch the other day, so we are taking the kids to the inlaws and hunting again today. We really need one! We are hoping to make it a long afternoon and have plans to go see Benjamin Button if we find something. I hear it's 3 hours long, though, so we might be cutting it tight on time. But I really want to see Brad Pitt! lol Last night I somehow fell into watching Legends of the Fall, and I'm allllll over some more Brad Pitt lovin' today. hee heeee.

Wish us luck! Happy New Year!

Davinie

52 comments:

  1. I'm trying to take more photos this year -- especially every day photos. A month in review project is a great idea.

    This weekend...I went back to the gym for the first time in 3 months. We went to see Slumdog Millionaire. It was really good. Then we ate at California Pizza Kitchen. I think we'll just kick back for the rest of the weekend.

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  2. I love this idea for an album, Davinie. I did the Project 365 last year and wanted to take a break this year, but I love the idea of summarizing a month like that. TFS!!

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  3. Anonymous12:24 PM

    Let us know how the movie went. This weekend I am scrapbooking my Christmas pictures of my children and baking some yummy cookies. TFS.

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  4. I can actually do THIS project---12 layouts?? Looking back on my year?? Can do. I end up only scrapping vacation pictures and missing out on all the other days of the year!. And....I think those calendar cards would be AWESOME for a double page layout of each month. Sort of tie the whole album together.

    This weekend......watching the NFL playoffs and doing my first scrapping of the year. Maybe cleaning up my scraproom??

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  5. Could be from Brazil???

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  6. Anonymous12:54 PM

    What a fabulous idea Davinie! I love it. This weekend I am focusing on my house. I am going to keep it clean and tidy from now on. Then I am going to give my scraproom a makeover. Who knows when it will be done. Hopefully before this time next year!

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  7. Awesome challenge! I was going to try 365 but I know I would fail so this 12's challenge I can do.
    This weekend we are chillin at home since the kiddies go back to school on Monday. I'm going to scrap some and try to figure out what to get Avery for her 3rd Bday on 1/9.
    Have a great weekend enjoy the hubby time!

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  8. Love that album idea ... and those cute little calendars. This weekend I did some early morning shopping (trying to beat the freezing rain that is on its way) in search of new jeans. Now I'm snuggled in my studio for the rest of the day ... and probably tomorrow too. Thanks for the chance to win & for the great interview on Caardvarks.

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  9. this weekend...we drove to OKC yesterday to do some shopping (and hunt for a bed for our son...no luck for us yet either) today...just hanging out, which is nice for a change!

    i'd love that set of calendars--i am planning on taking on your challenge!

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  10. This weekend we are hanging out as a family---hooray! No big plans...nothing huge...just playing it by year and we'll see what happens!

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  11. What a great idea! I read about Project 365 elsewhere, and thought that was a good idea too, but decided was too large an undertaking for myself. I adapted it such that I'm challenging myself to keep a journal and write in it at least week by week, ie project 52! This weekend, I'm catching up on some Christmas scrapping :)

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  12. Anonymous3:33 PM

    I'm so happy your doing this challenge Davinie, it will really inspire me to use those cards (I love them so!) and will be fun to play along with you!
    This weekend my best friend and I and our girls are heading out to a NEW scrapbook store, yay :o) It's been open for about a month and I've been itching to check it out, should be very fun! (as long as the girls behave themselves, they are 3 and 4.5).
    Have a great weekend!

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  13. Hi, I'm from BR and this week I and my family are at home, we are watch TV, I'm cooking for them and We have good moments and fun.
    I loved your idea and I'll do my month album.
    With my best wishes...

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  14. Sounds like a great challange. I have gone through some of my scrap stuff so I can tell what I have! LOL! I also made my card to post on that challenge you made a card for! My 1st challenge!

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  15. great challenge idea!

    this weekend is pretty quiet at my house (other than the screaming 1 and 4 year olds!). i'm starting to organize my scrapbook room and trying to put away all the christmas decorations!

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  16. Cute calendar cards!

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  17. That is a GREAT idea!! I'm totally doing this. :)

    This weekend we are working at getting all of our Christmas stuff taken down & toys & clothes & gifts organized and put away. I am also taking my 4 year old to the movies tomorrow. I can't wait!!

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  18. I love those cards! Your ideas for 09 sound awesome!! I had a spurt of energy this weekend and put my Christmas decorations away and put up Valentine's Day decorations. I don't know what's gotten into me...I was so far behind in December that I didn't even attempt to do Christmas cards. If only this energy would last...

    I love Brad Pitt...well, let me restate that...I loved Brad Pitt...now not so much. But he is still cute and sexy and pure eye candy! Legends of the Fall is an awesome movie. How did you like Benjamin Button?

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  19. I love the Jenni Bowlin calendar cards, would love to win them!

    This weekend I'm getting organized... a bit anyway. I haven't put away all the Christmas stuff, though... But I've cleared out some clutter today already!

    Hope you have a great weekend!

    Christine in Southern California

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  20. Anonymous6:49 PM

    The idea of a project 12 is much doable than 365! Thanks for the great idea! I want to do something to keep track of everything that goes on while my husband is gone, this will be perfect.

    This weekend DH took DS5 to see monster trucks. Tomorrow we will be doing laundry and some shopping to get my husband ready for Iraq.

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  21. Great challenge too! I've been meaning to send you some love and congrats to all the wonderful things happening to you in this AWESOME industry! I'm so excited for you...and believe you truly deserve EVERY good thing that comes your way! You are an inspiration and a truely delightful friend and person! YAY YOU! xoxo
    Loves and blessing to you!
    K

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  22. This year I am going to try and do a monthly LO. There is no way I can do the 365 project, I'm not that good at daily photos/journaling.

    This weekend, we made an improptu trip to visit the IL's and some extended family we haven't seen in AGES and tomorrow we are finishing up the holiday decor clean up. Can't wait. :)

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  23. just found your blog, love all the inspiration!!

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  24. I am just taking it easy. Relaxing. I wish I had seen me some Brad Pitt, I loved him in Legend of the Falls.

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  25. Anonymous9:44 PM

    Love the challenge Davinie! I don't have the JB cards but I do have some other ones that I will be using! This is going to be so much fun!

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  26. Davinie, first congrats on you PP design team spot...AWESOME.
    I love your idea about the 12 months for 2009...seems more manageable. I will try to play if I can.
    Thanks for the wonderful giveaway of Jenni Bowlin calendar cards...very cute.
    Busy weekend with kids sports, birthday party and maybe a bit of scrappin.

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  27. I seem to have the same resolutions every year. It might help if I tried to actually keep them past the 1st day....

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  28. this weekend i will be doing some scrapping, house-cleaning and getting ready to get back to work. :)

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  29. This is a wonderful idea . . . one LO a month to document our life is very doable! :)

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  30. Cool challenge! So... did you get a new couch? I'm jealous!

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  31. I love those calendar cards! I'm giving the Project 365 a try this year so hopefully I'll have plenty of photos each month to do a layout. I love the idea of layouts each month to make a yearly album. Laying low this weekend and catching up on stuff around the house after the holidays.

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  32. Anonymous12:37 PM

    hi davinie!
    great idea for the little JB cards! you've inspired me to give it a try. :)

    and big congrats on all your good news. well deserved - you've got amazing talent that should be shared!

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  33. Great challenge. This weekend I am chilling out with the family and planning for my week ahead at work. Mainly keeping out of the cold!

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  34. Anonymous4:43 PM

    this sounds like a GREAT challenge and I am looking forward to doing it. I spent the better part of my weekend cleaning, reoganizing and doing a major purge of my scrapspace.

    Linda :)

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  35. Hi just had a calm weekend - have been recovering from surgery and that is the best for me. THe fam went to church and my DH took my youngest bowling. My girls go back to school on Monday, so it was our last hurrah for an easy pace. I enjoy your blog.

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  36. WOW Great Challenge... Congrats on all your accomplishments!!!! Long time since I have ben here!

    This weekend our family finally got together to celebrate Christmas after all the snow!!!!

    I hope to get some scraping done!

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  37. Perhaps it is too late (the weekend is almost over, hehe) but we spent the whole weekend outside! Planting bulbs, cementing a border, getting the kids handprints in said cement...it was fun!

    Love the idea of a Project 12!

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  38. Anonymous9:01 PM

    What a great idea for a challenge. I hate committing to "anything a day" challenges because life always gets in the way. But I'm certainly going to try this one. And with my daughter in the All County Band and a new grand nephew due, I don't think I'll be lacking for photos. As for what I did this weekend. I had a very scrappy Friday (Saturday too if it counts that I scrapped until 2 a.m.!) And today, I took my daughter to see Marley and Me.

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  39. Congrats on 2Ps, SC and PP Davinie! How very, very exciting!

    I'm workin' on getting to the bottom of my scrappy mess. Then I hope to get goin' on some scrappy goodness again! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  40. I am going to do my best to keep up with project 365 this year. I did complete my first December Daily, but it was a challenge. I like your idea of the 12 LO's. I definately want to give that a try. This weekend we took down our Christmas decorations. Hope I didn't miss any. LOL! Spent the rest of time trying to get organized and ready to go back to work (after being on vacation for 2 weeks!)

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  41. Love your idea, Davinie! I was so inspired by Leigh's photos and her finished 365 project she just recently posted at CMK. Really got me thinking that I want to document more from each year. Instead of just the random yearly photos, I really do want to do some sort of progression each month. Just imagine the changes we'll see in our kiddos. I have started taking a daily photo.....but it's only been 4 days. I'm really not sure I can keep it up. So, I love your idea. Keeping up some is better than not at all. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  42. This weekend I re-organized my scrap space and got some scrapping done - esecially finished up an 8x8 page swap I am in. I am doing Project 365 (alas missed out on the kit thanks to the mess) so I got organized for that, too.

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  43. This weekend we painted - it feels so much more homey in our house now - for those bingo cards I plan on creating a mini book where I add a photo highlighting what happened each month.

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  44. John was complaining about Brad Pitt last night and how he can't stand him and how he isn't in any good movies LOL....
    and I begged to differ using Legends of the Fall as my example. I love that damn movie.

    Cool idea with your album! And congrats on all of your recent accomplishments Dav. I think it's awesome!

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  45. Your idea is wonderful, I am going to have to give this some thought and work on something like it. It would be fun to look back and see the highlights/everyday each month.
    As for weekend plans, I just worked. I have to make a paycheck in order to spend it. :)
    Congrats on all the good news, that's sure a great way to start a new year.

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  46. Ive decided to do my own project 365. A little more simply than Beckys. I love your challenge and plan to participate. You will love Benjamin Button, not really a kids movie, but definately worth seeing! This weekend we saw Valkyrie--we're big movie watchers!

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  47. Anonymous3:25 PM

    What a neat project :) I have just started making a Year In review Album from 2008. But difinitly going to join in on this challange and do it as the year progresses.

    I love the calender cards! I have been looking everywhere for something like that. But there isn't alot of LSS where I live.

    Kylie

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  48. Thanks for the sweet comment on 2peas! Your work is stunningly beautiful:)
    Laura

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  49. I just found your site and just love your work!! I tried to do a similar project last year but didn't last past April - obviously I'm not disciplined enough.
    This weekend I'll be doing the same as most weekends this time of the year - spending it in the hockey rink with one of my sons.

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  50. I really love your idea and will try and play along :) This weekend we are going to my cousin's wedding - should be lots of fun!

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  51. Anonymous9:53 AM

    Please let us know how that movie was, I am wanting to see it too. Those are cute Jenni Bowlin thigs!

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  52. Great idea for an album, Davinie!!
    Those JB calendars are gorgeous.

    This weekend I came home from holiday celebrations in Sweden, made and ate sushi with my dear boyfriend, made some cards, and just relaxed. :)

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