One Little Word

2012 is fast approaching and there is talk everywhere about your "word" for the new year.  I've never had success with resolutions -- too many I will NOT's when I know of course that I will.  But a word is more of an intention for the year. My word for 2012 is organize.  I didn't struggle to find a word, organize just seemed to be the natural choice.  In my professional life and with a BIG sigh of relief, I have let go of governmental auditing.  Without those audits hanging out there, I'm actually looking forward to tax season.  And I'm organizing and loving it!

Once again, I'm participating in Ali Edward's "One Little Word 2012."  There are lots of websites and blogs with activities, suggestions and even worksheets for choosing your word.  I like Ali's monthly prompts and having something tangible to remind me throughout the year.  For 2011 my word was nurture, and you can read about it here.  I was very new to all of this creative stuff and suffering from the "perfection malady".  I'm happy to say that I've mostly gotten over it.  And this year I have supplies!!  How fun is this going to be.  2012 isn't even here and I have already created my pre-class assignment.

I'm thinking that I'll continue with the 2011 prompts (no, I didn't do all of the assignments) for nurture, along with the 2012.  After all, we can't nurture ourselves too much.

Photo Session

Yesterday I did a photo session.  I planned it so that I would have the morning light coming in on the Christmas tree -- it was a Christmas photo session, of course.  The subject needed to look nice, so I combed her hair.  And she was decked out in her Christmas attire -- a Martha Stewart holiday collar which was 50% off at Petsmart this week.  And I had a Santa hat from the year before.

Once I got over the fact that she just wasn't going to wear the Santa hat, the session went very well.  Meggie patiently posed for numerous shots -- and if you know anything about Airedale Terriers, this was akin to a Christmas miracle!  This is my third year for doing a photo of Meggie and this is the first time that I had a selection to choose from for our Christmas cards.  Below is the final version.  The only photoshop-ing was to crop and add a date.  Meggie is an incredibly sweet and kind dog, and I sort of think it comes across in this photo. 

Merry Christmas from Lady Margaret of Penleigh House aka Meggie.

I don't know how I did it

I see these beautiful, pale photos that have been layered until they have such a "dreamy" look to them.  I wanted to make one.  A search through my macro photos for something that was in the pale pink family produced this Gerber Daisy.  Perfect.

I added a texture layer, and then started playing with the adjustments.  To my surprise, pale and dreamy isn't what appeared.

But I love it!  I can see it framed with lots of white border -- maybe even a white frame.  And my first thought was what a beautiful scarf in a soft, sheer fabric.  A scarf that would coordinate with everything in my closet.  Or maybe even a vintage style dress -- like something from the 40's.  Fabric.  Yes, definitely fabric.  Fabric making would probably be taking my dabbling a bit too far -- so, I'll have to go with the framed lots of white border.  This certainly wasn't what I set out to achieve -- it's my found art!

Free Birdie

Lots of art thoughts, but little actual art these past couple of weeks.  I've been busy working.  I spend a lot of time working and I'm thankful that I enjoy it.  Much of my work I consider a puzzle to solve -- and I love puzzles.  Sure, there are days when it's a chore, but I try not to let that define me or my work.  And this brings me to my "Free Birdie".  (I said in this post that you would be seeing this birdie again.)

I truly believe the sentiment I used on this piece.  I believe that it is our thoughts that make us free.  It is so easy to imprison ourselves with thoughts of what we can and can't do.  We create cages with negative thoughts and negative self-talk.  "I'll never _____, and I'll always be _____."  Who has not had that thought with the blanks filled in with whatever zip through (or maybe even constantly replay!) their mind?  I wish you a day as free as this little birdie.