Tuesday, January 5, 2010

52 Questions.

Ok, remember when I said that I had a few favorite blogs that I enjoyed looking at? Well, let me tell you about another one... it is Emily Falconbridge's blog. I think one of my favorite things about Emily is that she and I are so many leagues apart from each other. She homebirths her 10# baby, moves her family to Australia, has dread locks and named her kids Yindi and Banjo. I sure do like so much about her, but my little Bible belt living self probably can't do the dreads and name my baby Banjo. Although there is a deep part of me that would love to! I guess I could! Maybe next year my word will be Free. Free to do all kinds of crazy little things. But we will cross that bridge NEXT year! THIS year, I am still NESTing!
Soooo... the reason I was talking about Emily (before I saw that bird!), was that she had a challenge on her blog last year called 52 questions. Again.. giving credit where credit is due. Each week, she posted a question that called for the readers to make a little tag or other small art project to answer the question and draw or post a little picture along with it. I looked at the questions and took some directly from that challenge and actually thought about the MoJoy readers, most of whom are not into" fairies" or your "inner goddess"... and if you are, I apologize, but... I think the majority are not. So, I modified Emily's 52 questions and added a few that would make you reflect on your word and stay focused and most importantly, grateful and positive on a weekly basis! Ok, so go check Emily's out from last year....



Now realize that she is very artsy. That is why I love that blog. She inspires me with her artsy fartsy-ness! And I realize that not everyone who reads my blog a) has the time to be artsy (although I would really argue that point) and b) has the want to to make these cards. For that reason, we (Jessi and I ) are coming up with an alternative for you folks who are not trying to stretch yourself this year. or "Try" or "strive" or "create" or "balance" yorur artsy and worky sides. ANd YES I AM trying to guilt you into making it all yours with artsy flair.
Before we show you the shortcut, let me tell you about a couple of ways to make it your own. First, Emily used some basic tags that you can get at plain ol' Office Depot! I LOVE them. You can make it into a book with a simple ring at the end of the year, pin them to a corkboard, use clothespins and pin them to a string in front of a window to display them...etc.
I just happened upon this next site when I was hunting for Emily's...


Seems this girl did the challenge last year in a whole different way. She took all the pull out dealies from magazines and painted them with gesso. This made them all white and ready for modification. I thought this was such a cool idea. Then she used a hole punch to make it into a book. So, check it out too.
Another way to do it.

Alright, now that we have shown a couple of options, know that Jessi Mae will also be providing a file that you can simply print ( I say simply as if I would know how to download a file and print it! ha) it out on cardstock and use it as your "tag", "page", altered art, whatever!
The questions will come every ... hmmm... whatcha think? Sunday night? Would that be best? It gives everyone a week to complete the project. I loved thinking up the questions. I think it is going to keep you all in the right spirit/ mindset to stay focused on your words all year round. By the way... GOOD WORDS! Have I told you that? I have a bunch of intellects following my blog! I mean, seriously! Way to go, peeps!

Jessi has created a Flickr group for all to share their projects and get inspiration for the next week's 52Q. Go join the group and post your pictures! Soooo, here we go.

And this...
is the first question of the week.

What do I want to see more of in my life?
For those of you who are buying your tags, they are at Office Depot and are called Shipping Tags, 4 3/4" x 2 3/8". Or you can click the picture below and download printable tags. Just print them on cardstock and cut them out. We will be posting a downloadable tag each week with that week's question.

I will post my tag as soon as I make it. Sorry for being as behind as the rest of you, but by week three, we will be all ready to rock and roll. I see this as a chance to journal about why you chose your word and what more of that word in your life will look like come year's end! Use the back of your card for wordy things!

ANd for all you "simplify-ers", if this stresses you out, just skip it! Sit back and enjoy the ride! Those who are going to "voice" more, "Create", "flourish", "get more "me" time, "BE!", etc... you definitely need to participate!

Ok, let's do this!

Mo

32 comments:

connie said...

hey mo i cant down load the tag on your page help????

pickledfairy said...

I am psyched about this project! My brain is on overdrive thinking of how to creatively express my answer already, despite being laid up with a nasty c diff infection! Thank-you for the distraction Mo...it is just what this child life specialist needed!!

Sheridan

Anne said...

I missed your original post but am jumping onto the bandwagon. I love, love, love the idea of 52Q and picking a word for the year. My word is SIMPLIFY. I'm digging this!!

Anonymous said...

Mel,
The word that I pick for the 2010 year is "Love."

Thanks, Patchez Long

kendra said...

love the 52Q. already answered the 1st question and my word is the answer... PATIENCE

Patricia said...

Oh my!! I am obviously a "simplify-er"!! This is making my brain hurt!! :) I would prefer to see another video clip of Ellie and her sassy, southern drawl!! I love it! :)

jneman said...

What a great idea! I was working today with my boss on a project and shared my word with her - this way she can also be a support to me in my quest to REFLECT in the way of my work.

Denise said...

I'm all psyched up. Tomorrow I'll go out and get myself some cardstock to get me started. I am soooooo looking forward to this.
Hugs, Denise

Kim said...

Whoot Whoot ~ LOVING, LOVING, LOVING this word of the year and 52Q!!! I am sharing this all with a couple friends so we can do this together here!

You ROCK Mo!!

Monica said...

I think I've finally came up with my word, balance.. and I can't wait for these projects!! ohhh it's going to be fun!!
Monica

Zhohn said...

Oh gosh, I promise to give it a try!!! I may just answer the questions and skip the "artsy" part!

Visit my blog to find out my answer!

Dianne said...

Whew... after some consideration and anticipation of things to come, my word is "beginning."
Eli's Mommy

Kellye Hoogland said...

I love this idea! Even though simplify is my word, I can do these questions! This project will keep me focused on my goal to simplify things! Thanks for your motivation! Did you get my facebook message?

Amy K said...

I'm loving this creative, thought provoking activity! Thanks to you for challenging me in this way (and Jesse)- I REALLY need this.
My mind is racing with ideas for this using my Cricut and stamping/scrapping supplies!
~AK~

Firemom said...

This is overload for me too Mo, but that's okay...I can't wait to see what all of you do with it!
I changed my word of the year almost as soon as I had posted it a few days ago. There is so much I need to do in all areas of my little life and I think that FINISH is a better word. I'll let you know how that works out... ;-)

Christie said...

I am sooooo not artsy or creative. I buy everything that is creative or artsy. I may just answer the questions...lol Maybe this is something I can try to ACCOMPLISH this year.

Kathryn said...

You know I am loving this to the max! What fun. A small project a week, and the chance to learn new techniques! A chance to BE! Of course, I have 400 gungajillion ideas all screaming to be chosen, and I am going to stop now and cut some cardstock. BE! BE!

Aside: If I say that a lot, I am thinking I am getting real close to being Dr. Frankenstein. Ah well. BE! BE! BE!

connie said...

HEY MO i still cant get the tags so i can down load them and print them i have the card stock paper i just cant get the link to work HELP !! email them to me please thank you

Kathryn said...

I can't get the tag pattern link to work, either.

Oh, and I am columbianana on the flicker link.

Jill Gawrych said...

Ok, I'm slow in the game, but my word of the year is DELIBERATE. My reasons are over here http://jillandthekiddos.blogspot.com/2010/01/word-of-year-is.html.

Thanks for the inspiration!

Emily said...

I can't believe it, but you have finally talked me into one of your projects! I love the 52Q idea and think it is just simple enough for my needs, so I'm on board. I was even thinking I would get a simple wooden plate display rack to go on top of my entertainment center for my booklet to reside in while I build it-watcha think? I am going tonight to get my tags at Office Depot and a few supplies. Thanks for the inspiration!

snekcip said...

I so wanna do this! Great idea!!! That first "question" is a doozy, I may need several tags for that one!! LOL!! I'll try and summarize it though! I gotta go get my tags now~~I have loads of "artsy stuff" markers, etc just sitting in a box, now it gives me an excuse to USE it, instead of saying "I'm GONNA use that stuff ONE DAY"! Way to kick of 2010!

Sharidrew said...

Mo,
This is an awesome idea! Thank you for getting us all fired up! I'm not to artsy but I will definitely buy the tags or print yours and play along. Shoot, I may even get some stampin up stamps out and decorate them a bit. It will still be great to keep me focused on my word. Not everyone can be as creative as you, but we sure can have a great time trying!! LOL. Thanks again! Hug your babies!

Hugs from Missouri,
Shari

MaryH said...

Love the tag idea and the questions. My daughter just did a grapevine wreath as a Christmas gift for her good friend whose mother died of cancer in October. She had friends of their family send her notes and she printed them on card stock and then tied them on the wreath with thin lime green ribbon, attached some butterflies (that's Patti's sign to all of us) and then made a wide red velvet loop bow at the top. It was gorgeous and I was thinking it may just work for this project for me. My bare wreath would be filled with taggies with thoughts and messages and stories of successes or failures related to my "word" at Christmas time next year. It could be the best wreath I ever hung. Thanks for the inspiration, Mo.

Beverly said...

This is just what I need. I'm really excited about doing these. I always need a little push and a little acknowledgement and you've provided it! I needed a kick in the butt to get me off that sofa. THANK YOU, MO!!!!

snekcip said...

Love Mary H idea! What a keepsake to look back on!

The Shoemake Family said...

Love it. I have never commented before but have followed your blog for a long time, I found jake's blog through a prayer group and now am hooked on your blog. I have a son with an immune disorder so am always up to the prayer challenge. Love the word tags. I am for sure doing this. Cannot wait....
theshoemakefam.blogspot.com

SamC said...

I am excited about this! I'm going to work on my word and question tags tonight.

Christy said...

sounds like fun, I'm in.

Judy Cousans said...

OK-I finally got it....drum roll.....RESOLVE. I was leaning toward "change" but that is a kinda boring word, so Courtney helped me out by coming up some some synonyms for change. After giving the thumbs down to "mutate" (which she thought was HILARIOUS) and "vacillate" (which she couldn't pronounce correctly), we came up with RESOLVE. Because I have long wanted to change some things, but have not had the RESOLVE to do it. So there you have it, my word for 2010!

Beth E. said...

CONFUSION probably should have been my word. I have no idea what you're talking about, or why you are encouraging us to make tags??? Granted, I've been offline for a few days...I've got the creeping crud...but I'm totally lost. I read your post twice, and I'm still not sure of what, exactly, you're challenging us to do??? I must be having a senior moment!

Beth E. said...

Okay...sometimes reading something again on another day helps! lol