Ali Edwards's Blog, page 203
February 2, 2015
The Weekend Lens | When Doing Nothing Is The Very Best Thing
There have been many weekends when the kids were with Chris where I worked (
to catch up or to get ahead), or traveled, or had plans with friends, or grieved, or had a specific agenda in place.
This weekend I decided to set everything else aside and do nothing.
Aaron stopped by during the day on Saturday (
while running his own errands) to pick something up and took this photo of me and George and Woody hanging out together. I was in-between documentaries on Netflix at this moment if I remember correctly.
The
big brown couch continues to be a wonderful gathering place after years of use.
Okay, so the truth is I didn't really do nothing. I think the key was that I didn't have a specific agenda in place and I didn't work - I simply took a break and went where the moment took me. And I definitely stayed in my PJ's most of the day (even when I ran a couple errands - it's how I roll).
Here's a look at what I did do on Saturday and Sunday:
Watched one movie and three documentaries on Netflix: Short Term 12 (based on a recommendation from Cathy), Fat, Sick And Nearly Dead, Forks Over Knives, and Hungry For Change.
Went grocery shopping for the week at Trader Joes because after watching all those documentaries it's hard not to rethink some of my current habits and stock up on vegetables.
Took a whole car load of stuff from the garage to Goodwill in-between movies. I also stopped at Home Depot and picked up a Shop Vac and vacuumed the car when I got back to the house. Those are two things that have been on my list for way too long.
Did yoga twice (using the Studio Yoga app - it's been great).
Last night Simon joined me for a one-on-one night. We skipped the Superbowl (no cable) and opted for The Prisoner Of Azkaban instead.
Did some laundry and the dishes and moved a shelf out of the garage into Anna's room that better fits her larger books.Had a dream about meeting Dave Matthews. Yep. Any one out there have any connections to help me make that a reality? Ha. For Aaron the mega-fan of course.
So yeah, I didn't really do nothing.
It was slow and deliberate and quiet and rejuvenating in the best ways.
February 1, 2015
Give Sunday | 04
This year, in honor of my One Little Word® "give," I'm sharing a hand-drawn quote each Sunday here on my blog.
Today I'm featuring one of my personal favorite quotes from Goethe. It's one I think about regularly as I consider the ways in which I'm spending my time and energy. Sometimes I find myself in that place where really and truly things that matter a whole lot less are being given a whole lot more attention than they truly deserve. This quote often acts as a wonderful compass to pull me back in line and re-focus on what really matters.
And obviously, as most of you are aware, there are times in our life where we wish with all our heart that we didn't have to give something so much attention but simply have to - for whatever the reason. During those times I've found it to be so much about putting one foot in front of the other and figuring out ways to give to that particular thing/experience/person without giving it more than I have to. It's hard, actually super hard. It's often during those times that it becomes even more clear what you value most.
Where are you giving your precious time and attention and energy to lately? Is it in alignment with what matters most to you? How can you change things up or make choices that will get you back to that place of focusing on what matters most.
Click here to read my initial post and download the #givesunday word art title and checklist for helping you to give a little something today.
Click here to download the #givesunday 04 quote. Please note:If you are reading this post via email you need to click through to the actual blog post to download the file.
You're invited to join me. What will you give today?
Have a wonderful Sunday.
January 30, 2015
Project Life® 2015 | Week Three
Cheering myself on over here.
Making it happen by doing a little bit at a time, keeping it out in my office on a table, keeping it pretty simple and by making time for it (as in I think it's important enough to spend a little time on every couple of days so it doesn't feel so overwhelming doing it all at once).
It's nothing new. It's words and photos and a bit of stamping and pieces of my life all together in one place.
Sometimes I don't have a lot to say about it other than, it is what it is. And I like it.
Here's a look at Week Three:
It was a birthday week so I've included a 6 x 12 inch insert (this time I just cut a Design A page protector in half) to hold the additional photos. Here's a look at the spread with the insert page turned:
Lots of words this week = happy Ali.
The "birthday" card was stamped using my Birthday Stamp Set.
"We Gather Because" is from my Story Kit™ this month and the red & black letter stickers are from the new sets now available in my shop. I HAVE A SHOP :). It's fun.
Here's a look at the front and back of the insert:
The gold transparent piece is from the Heidi Swapp set available at Michael's.
The "this is why we gather together" half-cirlce is from the chipboard set in the Gatherings Story Kit™.
What happened last week? How do you feel about it? What was awesome? What was a struggle? What do you love right now? What do you wish was different? What do you absolutely not want to forget? What filled you up? What took your breath away? What made you weepy? What do you wish you could experience again? What little thing was the best thing?
"Let's party" card is from the Gatherings Story Kit™.
SUPPLIESPage Protectors | 12 x 12 Design A, 6 x 12Kits | Story Kit™ (included pieces from both Firsts and Gatherings), Studio Calico Letter Stickers | AE Alpha Sticker BundlePens | Uniball Vision Elite, Stapler | Tim Holtz Tiny AttacherPrinter | Epson PictureMate ShowRolling Date StampStamps | Birthday
January 28, 2015
13
Last week, Simon turned 13.
THIRTEEN.
For real.
This kid.
I've been sharing his stories in this space since he was 2 years old. I've shared stories of challenges and stories of successes because that's what it's all about isn't it?
Celebrating
all of it: lessons learned, things overcome and the wonderful joy of being together.
Our own little modern family gathered to celebrate him on his actual birthday at the restaurant of his choice (Twin Dragon for MarFar Chicken) because he is so very loved.
He's not a fan of the signing so much.
But he does love making a wish and blowing out the candles.
And yes, Anna can't wait until it's her birthday in a few weeks.
It was a birthday that featured many new Lego sets because that continues to be one of his main loves (seen above photographing some of his new sets).
He's also really into mysteries and the classic movie Clue. He's spent a good deal of time transcribing the screenplay recently.
On Sunday he had a friend party here at my house.
The plan was to watch Clue, eat pizza and Doritos and Skittles and cake. Because that's what he wanted.
Three boys from his class were able to come - two we've know since kindergarten. They are all in Simon's program at school and it was so, so awesome to have them here and watch them interact and chat and laugh and explain things to each other.
They ended up playing Super Mario on the Wii (all four together at the same time) for a bit in the beginning before starting the movie.
I don't think there are enough words available for me to express how these moments of positive social interaction with peers make my heart sing.
Chris and I stood in the kitchen listening and smiling at each other and commenting in hushed voices about how it was going.
It went really, really well.
Chocolate cake. Standard.
Lego mini-figures were shared.
It was a really good day.
Hey Simon -
You are a really good dude.
No matter what we are always, always on your team and we will love you forever and ever.
I'm so proud to be your Mom.
January 26, 2015
The Things I Brought Home With Me From Alt Summit
I attended my first Alt Summit event in Salt Lake City, Utah last summer (you can read about my first experience here).
This time I came back as a speaker on a panel about launching a product or shop - because, you know, it's part of what I do here.
This time around Alt was full of introductions and old friends and conversations and hugs and lots of "how's it going for you?" and "what are you working on right now?" and "what's next?"
In addition to my responsibilities as a panelist, I decided to go again this year to find
something. I never know what it is until after the experience - it's one of the ways I approach the world. I know, without a doubt, that each time I go somewhere I will be surprised and delighted by something if I am open to it. There is always a gem (and often more than one) that turns out to be exactly what I needed to see or hear or experience at that very point in time.
Here are some of the memories and things I brought home in my head, with my hands and in my heart:
• Meeting my fellow panelists and loving our pre-panel conversation and the realization, once again, that we are all a work in progress, that nothing happens overnight and it takes doing the work and dedication to the process and product to make it happen. And it will happen. I loved that each of us have pretty different experiences with bringing products to market (mine being more the partnership and licensing route) and I loved hearing their stories. Check out Erin at earnesthomeco.com (home decor and furniture), Alexis at Alexis Mattox Design (stationery, party supplies, and more), and Caitlin of Caitlin Wilson Textiles.
• Meeting illustrator Ashley Mae Hoiland who does absolutely beautiful work. She came up to me after my panel and shared one of her self-published children's books (Animal Parade) and she shared her story with me and I was an immediate fan. Check out her we.brave.women campaign which is just getting started and is super inspiring. I just ordered her Brave Women print because that's the kind of stuff I want my kids to see and remember hanging in their house growing up. She included the following words on one of her promotional pieces and I wanted to share it with you here about her mission:
"I've been thinking about how to teach my little girl to find her voice in this wild world, and not just find it, but use it, speak with it. Let it rise and fall, and speak again until it is heard. I want her to know that the voice she finds will be clumsy, wrong sometimes, in need of trimming and shaping and re-saying a thousand times over, but I also want her to know that if she works honestly and hard, there will be times when that voice does have the perfect thing to say, at just the right moments. I want her to know that her voice will turn to actions, and those actions will be the stories that shape the world around her."
• Re-connecting with Jane from To The Market and Rachel from Handmade Charlotte and Karen Walrond (a friend of many years). All three of us attended the ONE Girls And Women AYA Summit last fall. I love connecting with these women who are passionate about taking action for the good of others.
• Hanging out with these four: Amber, Sam, Lisa and April from
Studio Calico. We do a pretty good mix of business and life talk and I love that about our relationship.
• I brought home a rad pair of socks (
A Whale Of A Tale) from my friend Alma Loveland's (Caravan Shoppe) new launch called Woven Pear.
• I enjoyed meeting the following people in person that I've followed/admired for many years:
Erin Lochner (Design For Mankind, Clementine Daily), Alex Beauchamp (a pioneer in blogging and the inter-webs - now with Airbnb who has a really cool new campaign centered around the idea of "belonging"), Liz Stanley (Say Yes), and Heather Armstrong (Dooce).
• I also brought home a
New Beginnings bangle from Alex and Ani that was a gift from my friends from my friends Ginny and Jeannine at The ONE Campaign. Through December 2015, 20% of the proceeds received by Alex and Ani from selling this bangle (with a minimum $25,000 donation) will be donated to The ONE Campaign. When I opened the little bag that was holding the bangle there were some words on the card I wanted to share with you here because they took my breath away:
"A perfectly crafted, 8-sided sun represents the universal law that life's outcomes are a reflection of your efforts. You have limitless opportunity to positively lead and affect others. Empower yourself to shine brighter than yesterday, to let your passions spark action. Astound yourself and those around you with your abilities. Embrace the energy of this powerful charm and create your own new beginning."
• Probably the absolute best thing I brought home were some messages delivered on the last day by keynote speaker
Dallas Clayton. I knew nothing of Dallas before the closing keynote and almost skipped it. I am so, so glad I didn't. His illustrations, his messages, his delivery, his passion - so awesome. It was the thing I needed but didn't know I needed. Definitely check him out.
• On Saturday I sent an impromptu email to
Courtney Carver of Be More With Less to see if she was available to meet up for coffee or lunch before my flight home. We've met in person once before and she's one of those people who consistently inspires me with her writing on minimalism and the ways in which she was grown her business. Super thankful she was available to meet for lunch because it was soul-nourishing.
• The last crazy thing that happened on this whirlwind trip was while I was walking through the airport in Salt Lake on my way to my gate. I ended up walking alongside Ethan Hawke and as we walked along I might have simply turned to him and said, "thank you for sharing your gift" and he might have looked right at me and smiled and said "thank you."
I arrived home filled up with the super clear knowledge that I want to fill my life with
I want to choose to see good and be good and do good.
That's a pretty darn good take-away if you ask me.
January 25, 2015
Give Sunday | 03
This year, in honor of my
One Little Word® "give," I'm planning to share a hand-drawn quote each Sunday here on my blog.
Today's quote comes from the amazing Maya Angelou.
Click
here to read my initial post and download the word art title and checklist.
Click here to download the #givesunday 03 quote. Please note: If you are reading this post via email you need to click through to the actual blog post to download the file.
You're invited to join me. What will you give today?
Have a wonderful Sunday.
January 23, 2015
Project Life® 2015 | Week Two
Keep it simple. Keep it simple. Keep it simple.
When I worked on this spread what I kept trying to keep myself focused on the following questions, "What do I want to remember?" and "What do I care enough about from our week to include in here?"
In this format (divided pocket pages) it's usually the photos that lead my stories. That's not always the case with my traditional layouts and I like that differentiation between the two. Loving the one or two sentences right on top of the photos either printed or handwritten. I know that some of my weeks will be more embellished than others, but it feels good to just stick with the wonderfully basic words and photos.
And here's a look at Week Two:
For products in these spreads I'm really doing a lot of grabbing what is already out on my table.
This time that includes products from some of the Studio Calico Project Life® kits from last year. I'm also including products from my Story Kits™ and Story Stamps™ when they fit the stories I'm including (like the "celebrate this first" card above).
The letter stickers I used for "Go Ducks" are my new awesomely classic alphas. They are now available in my shop:
They come in 11 different colors.
Last summer Katie and Aaron and I had so much fun brainstorming the names for the colors in this first collection. I wanted all Northwest (Oregon and Washington) names and landmarks - places I love or have a connection to in one way or another: Astoria, Black Butte, Cannon Beach, Cascade, Columbia, Deschutes, Multnomah, Pendleton, St. Helens, Tillamook and Willamette.
The awesome large plastic 4 is from this Tim Holtz set.
That ridiculously inappropriate cat t-shirt is a gift from Aaron. It's one I can only wear when I'm at home by myself. It makes me laugh so hard and man there are times when I really, really need that. And I love cats.
More thoughts running through my head as I worked on this spread: What do I care about? What makes a spread enough? Who's this really for?
The "celebrate this story" stamp is from my Celebrate Stamp set available in my shop.
January 21, 2015
AE Digital Creative Team | Layout Inspiration
The very talented
Digital Creative Team is back again this week sharing some awesome ideas for using some of my 2015 digital products.
Don't forget to click on their name to visit their blogs - if they have written up a post about their project with more details we've linked to that otherwise it goes to their main blog page.
First up:
Twenty Fifteen - a fun set of word art that can be used throughout the year as you tell the stories of your life.
Annette Haring | Annette's rocking the Silhouette this week for her 2015 title page.
Cristina C. | I really want to try this hand-stitching technique. Click here to read about Cristina's process.
Teresa Victor | One of the thing I've encouraged my team to do is use these products as they want - that means including other products from other designers as well. I personally love seeing the mix and I love seeing how people pick and choose things to work togehter. I love the mixture of products Teresa has collected here. Also, if you do nothing else today you must click through to check out Teresa's 30 Days Of Thankful album.
Stephanie Baxter | Stephanie cut out "hello twenty fifteen" and slipped it into the pocket. Love that.
Next up:
2015 Date Stamps
The cover page for Pam's gratitude journal. How much do I love this? And while she was at it she made one for her son too:
Pam Baldwin | Click here to check out Pam's tutorial on working with these and some Studio Calico products.
Sasha Farina | A lovely page from Sasha were she combined the 2015 date stamps with the Prompts Digital set ("currently").
Donya Gjerdingen | Click through to read more about her plans for Project Life® in 2015. She printed the date stamp on vellum and slipped it into the pocket.
Celine Navarro | On this layout from Celine she used the "15" to mean 15 years together vs. 2015. Love that photo too.
Next up:
Hello Life Boxes 2015
Emily Webster | The start of Emily's 2015 Project Life® album includes the Hello Life Box + Firsts (the little diamond) + Messy Daily Circles.
Trisha Harrison | Seeing this page from Trisha totally makes me want to include this page protector configuration in my album.
Kelly Schmidt | Kelly also used the Everyday Boxes set here ("capturing the realness of daily life"). Love the black and white and yellow color scheme.
And finally today:
Firsts Digital
Carly Robertson | I love how Carly positioned the "the story of the first________" alongside her journaling.
Ginny Hughes | Awesome journaling.
Lindsay Bateman | Love how Lindsay collaged a bunch of the brushes together to create her gathering of word art below the photos.
Paige Taylor Evans | And yeah, Paige rocking the Silhouette again. The cool thing about this one is that she took that one little shape from the stamp set and enlarged it (awesome use of scale) to create her background pattern.
January 19, 2015
I Couldn't Stop Myself
I'm not making any specific promises one way or another, but I'm here to tell you today that I still love the structure of weekly Project Life® spreads.
I thought I could let them go and have a more go-with-the-flow approach this year (thanks for cheering me on with that plan by the way - you are rad), but when it came time to actually do something all I wanted to do was stick my words and photos into Design A page protectors.
So that's what I did and I'm so, so happy.
Even though I haven't been doing it regularly for months, I found myself missing the structure because, less face it, I'm that kind of person. I also realized the following:
I actually really, really love the week-at-a-glance format. I thought I could let it go but it feels like home to me now. And you know what? Sometimes home is boring and it needs a face-lift or a reconnect or it needs to be purged or something to remind you that it's something special - that it's yours. That became pretty darn clear to me yesterday. I love printing my photos and this format allows me to pick the highlights that comprise our week and tell the awesome bits & pieces stories of our lives. The Story Kit™ and Story Stamps™ layouts I'm creating for the classroom content are really allowing me to fill my need for longer stories. I did five layouts for the theme this month and I might even do more. Maybe they will still be kept in this album and maybe not. Time will tell as I create more pages in the coming months.Instead of a full-on plan of this or that or this vs. that (which was never really my plan anyway), I'm going to just have fun and enjoy myself and do it the way I want to do it when I want to do it with whatever feels good at the time.
Because really, isn't that the point?
Here's a look at Week One:
Sigh. I'm happy.
This week at least. Ha.
Nothing earth shattering in the creativity department here, just a glance at a few stories and bits from our life. I didn't even add any embellishments besides stamping and one sticker.
The white heart was punched from cardstock using this heart punch and added on top of a recent Studio Calico Project Life® kit card.
The "collect moments" card is from my Gatherings Story Kit™. Remember This speech bubble is from this digital set: Story Bubbles.
I'm planning on putting more of Anna's artwork to good use.
The "Yes to" card is from an older Studio Calico Project Life® kit.
"Together is the best time" card is from my Gatherings Story Kit™.
"Today" stamp is from my Week In The Life™ kit. We have some kits without albums available if you are looking at wanting any of the products that were included. You can check out my archives on that project here.
Hope you guys have an awesome week!
January 18, 2015
Give Sunday | 02
This year, in honor of my One Little Word® "give," I'm planning to share a hand-drawn quote each Sunday here on my blog.
Today's quote is from Helen Keller.
Sometimes those daring adventures of life are really freaking hard and I wish I could get off the ride. It's all about perspective and taking it one day at a time.
Click here to read my initial post and download the word art title and checklist.
Click here to download the #givesunday 02 quote. Please note: If you are reading this post via email you need to click through to the actual blog post to download the file.
You're invited to join me. What will you give today?
Have a wonderful Sunday.
