* Freewheelin’ Friday*
The New Year is one week old, and it’s time to tell you my word for this year.
Yes, I too choose ‘One Little Word’ for 2011.
Do I have to explain to you what that is?
I guess not, but for those who aren’t familiar with this concept:
A few years ago, Ali Edwards began a tradition of choosing one word
for herself each January – and a lot of bloggers followed the tradition.
The idea is to choose one word that sums up what you want for yourself in
the New Year. A word that you can focus on, mediate on, and reflect upon
in your daily life. Last year my word was something I wanted to bring
into my life more often – and I admirably succeeded in that!
My word in 2010 was smile…
…
…
I began thinking about my word in December.
It didn’t take me long to know what the word had to be about,
but it took me quite some time to find the matching word.
It had to include the fact that I try to stay close to myself –
in my art as well as in the decisions I make in daily life –
“core”, “close” and “authenticity” weren’t exactly what I meant
because
it also has to include that I keep looking at other people’s needs –
and keep realizing how my words and actions have an impact on others….
it’s difficult to explain what I mean with this exactly – and it is even
more difficult to find a word that includes this.
“alert”, “modest” and “humble” somehow felt too negative
And then I found this:
AWARENESS
Here is the Merriam-Webster Definition
: an awareness of one’s own personality or individuality
Definition of AWARE
1 archaic : watchful, wary
2 : having or showing realization, perception, or knowledge
I made the first page in my brand new art journal about this word…
I thought my word has something “Zen-ish” (whatever that is… it just felt
that way to me) and that’s why I used that gorgeous, mystic photo from
a magazine. I made this page on Monday, still a bit puzzled…
Did I choose the right word?
Well yes!
‘Cause yesterday, I went into town to buy ribbon (band?) to use
for bookbinding. There is this haberdashery shop in Eindhoven
that almost explodes: from top to bottom it is packed with lace,
ribbon, buttons, thread and so on.
In the middle of that store, at a big table, sits a man who cuts the
materials to your preferred length. As long as I can remember (and
I live in this town for over 25 years now) he sits there and knows
just about everything about fabrics and sewing techniques.
I came to his table with the materials I’d picked to let him name
the prize and cut the length… and out of the blue he looks at me
and says:
“I am Zen.”
That man.
I never, ever heared him talk about anything else then fabrics,
and now this. Wow! He started a conversation about life, Zen and
(yes!) awareness. Is this a weird coincidence or what?
I like to see it as a sign that I choose the right word for 2011.
Now I will try to incorporate the word into my life –
(Oh, and the new challenge at Dutch Dares is to scrap about
your little word of 2011 – so I submit this page!)
This post is getting long… so I won’t spill much words
and lead you straight to this page:
I made it for A Year in the Life of an Art Journal
The challenge is the one from October 30th – FREE
(I still have to make 4 challenges: slowly but surely I will finish this project.
And a funny card I made!
This is for my brother, who was called “Rick de Kikker” (Rick the frog)
when he was young. When I saw Theresa had used paper with frogs on it for
an assignment in my workshop, I asked her which brand it was and explained
the “Rick the frog” story. She kindly offered to mail me some left overs she had
and I received them last month. Thank you so much sweetie!!!
Isn’t the scrappers world amazing? This paper was send to me all the way from
America, and now this card is on it’s way to Canada, where my brother lives.
One last remark before we dance into the weekend (see, I also take
the positive attitude from last year – ‘smile’ – with me into 2011!)
Monday, January 10, the workshop Let it Loose will re-start.
This time, the lessons and the comments on the community
will be in Dutch only.
Dus ben je een Nederlandse scrapbookster, kaartenmaakster –
of op een andere manier creatief, en wil je meer leren over
art journaling en je creativiteit op een persoonlijke manier
uitbreiden? Lees dan meer over deze workshop hier.
Inschrijven is mogelijk tot 17 Januari!!!
Wow, wat een lange post! Goed hoor! En wat een prachtige layout heb je gemaakt over je woord (en wat een weloverwogen woord!!). Leuk ook dat je meedoet met de Dutch Dares 🙂 thx!
Leuk verhaal ook over die kikkers. Goed gevoel hè om zomaar van iemand zo’n gebaar te krijgen.
Fijn weekend!
Monique
Natuurlijk is dat een teken! Ik geloof vast in het lot, en jouw lot was het de bevestiging op jouw vraag vanuit deze kant te krijgen.
Een heel fijn weekend – Irma
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeee those pages and that CUTEEEEEEEEEEEEEE card!!! And I would say that Mr. Fabric man was sooooooooo giving you a sign… think you have chosen the right word! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
Een bijzonder woord en een bijzonder mooie uitwerking. Ik hoop dat het een bijzonder leidraadje door 2011 zal zijn!
En eh, leuk dat je je lo hebt ingezonden voor de Dutch Dare 😉
Wow – I think you certainly did choose the right word!
Sounds like your word was fate to me! Love the art journal pages, especially the awareness one!!!!
Love your pages and your word. Isn’t funny how life shows you signs, you just have to notice them 🙂
I haven’t picked a word, but if I do it should be something to do with living healthy
prachtig woord, thanks voor het meedoen !
Great new word. Lots of growing and exploring around that one.
I haven’t chosen a word yet. Don’t know if I will. This first week of the New Year seems to be about kind of refocusing myself inward so maybe a word will come. I think it is just about doing things in my own way and in my own time right now…
Wishing you the happiest of New Years !
Love your card. I like the word aware…it can mean so many things…
I am taking Ali Edwards One Little Word class this year – I love the page you made and your word! I chose “Release” but am still in thinking/not creating stages. Very cute card!!!
Love the word you chose and the art journal pages are beautiful!
Seriously….I am Zen….that is so weird..a good weird! wow! your new year of creating amazing art has begun with these beautiful creations!
hope your brother enjoys his card..that is too cute!
i received your card today…so awesome…i must say that i received more christmas and new year cards from my scrapbooking friends then i did from my family..lol! i love it…thank you my friend! have a beautiful 2011!
heel mooi woord en pagina! ik vind je hele blog trouwens heel inspirerend!
Great word for 2011!!! Your work looks fab as always 😀 Love it!
Marit, wat een geweldige post weer!! Er is altijd zoveel te zien en te lezen hier bij jou! Prachtig woord en ongelooflijk verhaal over die man in de winkel..
Die kikkers vind ik helemaal te gek!! Toen ik mijn man 😉 net kende, noemde ik hem ook Kermit, dus ik vind dat papier en die kaart natuurlijk helemaal super!!
Ben druk bezig met m’n layouts voor CMF. Bereid je dus maar vast voor op nieuw schrijfwerk!
Fijn weekend, Jenneke
GREAT word!! Love your page for year in the life of an art journal!!
love your word!
Hi Marit, Happy New Year! What a wonderful post you wrote, thank you for sharing. Amazing how the man in the ribbonshop connected with you! I also love the way you explained your search for the word. Beautiful artwork you made and the layout! Thank you for playing along with the Dutch Dares!
your word suits you and makes me think of what my young son always talks about (he’s studying psychology at VA Tech) … the ‘beginner’s mind’…that is all about being aware and open…
your Zen man experience is amazing and what a fun place THAT must be!!!
As always I adore what you’ve created and YES you are such a free spirit and huge inspiration my art sista!
Happy Weekend to you and your beloved!
oxo
Thanks for playing a long with us!!! Love the page and the story!
Great word! I think it was meant to be.
I love the synchronicity! so validating!!!
and that is a good choice!
that’s a really cool pix on your awareness page! and your flowing, free spirit hair!!! : .)
haberdashery. omigosh..wish there was a shop like that around where i live! cool! love your word, and your work is soooo inspiring!
good morning Marit. it is morning here and I’m doing a little blogging. =) I do not have the words for your wonderful pages. Your word is terrific and that interpretation of it with the exotic photo, is beautiful. I love it. I’m always so in awe of your work. love what your mind creates. =) and I must say that your card is fantastic. just think of all the locations that paper has traveled. Have a great day!!
xo
Love your projects Marit! Especially the card! Can’t wait to see where your word takes you creatively this year! 🙂
Hahaha, weet welke winkel je bedoelt, en die is ge-wel-dig! Inderdaad 1 grote ontploffing, maar ik MOET altijd snuffelen als ik er ben… Wat een mooie dingen weer, die kikkers zijn enorm schattig, en je LO met het woord voor 2011 is een vondst (en een wake-up voor mij, zou voor mij eigenlijk ook wel een toepasselijk woord zijn)!
Liefs, Natalie
Your post may be long, but it was extremely interesting, Marit! LOVE your “word” for 2011! How interesting to hear about the man who cuts the fabrics! I would have taken it as a a positive sign too! Love your work!!! Hugs, Terri xoxo
Ach, wat ben ik weer nalatig om nu pas weer eens een blogrondje te doen….
Je woord en het bijbehorende werk is fantastisch!! Wat ik echt mooi vind is dat de tekst een soort patroon maakt.
Je “free spirit” werk vind ik vooral mooi van kleur en die grote stempels, die blijf ik geweldig vinden!! Stempelen met verf ziet er toch zo mooit uit hé!!
De kikker kaart is zooo leuk, heb je al een reactie van je broer??
wat bijzonder dat die man over jouw ‘woord’ begon! mooi verhaal en mooi werk en wat een ontzettend leuke kikker kaart! fijne week gewenst!
Excellent word!! I kicked a few words around but settled on the word FOCUS, because I think I need more of that in my life. I hope your word will bring everything you want for this year.
Prachtig woord Marit en het goede woord voor je, echt een teken! Gave ervaring of niet?
En je page is geweldig..helemaal zen 😉
Je Free Spirit page is ook al zo mooi. Je werk is altijd mooi en zo’n inspiratie!