Jar of Joys for 2015


This year, I am starting a new tradition, a little jar of joys. In this jar, the moments that bring us joy will be written down and stored safely in the jar until New Year's Eve. As part of our celebration, we will read and relive all the little moments that made 2015. There are only a few moments recorded now.

From me and my husband:
The best date night ever, Seahawks Playoff Game at the Clink. Cam jumped the offensive line!

Seahawks NFC Champions! Super Bowl bound.

Budgie in a deep voice... Who took a little nibble of my sandwich?

From the bigger little:
McDonalds has Ninja Turtle TOYS!

From the littlest:
I got to make a card at school. It says I'm IN!

I decorated my jar with a handmade tag, ribbon, and some beads. To make the tag, I used kraft cardstock and stamped some deep blue circles lightly in the background. I added some washi, and then added dimension by using Smooch and glitter glue to highlight the stamping. I added some word stamps on the Washi, and hand lettered and fussy cut the word Joy. Once the flower was added, I felt the tag was ready to remind us to be full of joy.

The color scheme was part of SWATs Fresh Start Mood Board Challenge. Go ahead and join us by using this dreamy mood board to start your own project. Link up on the blog, and you will be entered to win a great prize! As always, I cannot wait to see your creations over at SWAT, and I wish you and yours many joyful moments.

~Venetia

One Little Word: Vivid



It is time again to reflect. The new year always seems fresh event though the day changes the same as any other dawn. "One Little Word" is a project designed by Ali Edwards. I like the idea of choosing a word to filter the year that lies ahead and have chosen several over the last few years. Two years ago, it was Joy. That year, I lost my father and grandfathers. That lead to Art, which I selected to help me navigate the changing world I felt overcome by.

This year, I select Vivid.

Why vivid?

I wanted a word that took me outside of myself. A word that embraced the person I am and want to be. I recently read Fierce Conversations and one of the take-aways I got from the book was that to be happy, the life you want and the life you live, the action you take must be in agreement. If it isn't unhappiness follows.


Vivid: 1. strikingly bright or intense, as color, light, etc.:
a vivid green.
2. full of life; lively; animated:
a vivid personality.
3. presenting the appearance, freshness, spirit, etc., of life; realistic:
a vivid account.
4. strong, distinct, or clearly perceptible:
a vivid recollection.
5. forming distinct and striking mental images:
a vivid imagination.

Synonyms
1. bright, brilliant, intense. 2. spirited, vivacious, intense.
 
The word comes from Latin roots, vie meaning to live.
 
What better word? Strong, real, bright, striking all things I want my year to be. I am going to live a vivid year and be the person I am keeping myself from. I plan to embrace the year, and grab moments that are spontaneous and real. I want to strive for more, for me.
 
 I created a canvas to celebrate my word. I think I captured the spirit well. I used a mix of acrylic paints, both fluid and regular. To make the star, I used foil, chipboard, spray paint and ink.
 
As always, SWAT wants you to play along, choose your own resolution or word, link up and earn a chance at a great prize!
 
Be vivid
~Venetia