OLW Blog Hop - Endings and Beginnings...

Hello, dear readers and Happy New Year! I am so excited to welcome you to this month's One Little Word Blog Hop. Regular readers are familiar with the OLW concept. For anyone new to my blog, it is an idea originated by Ali Edwards that has taken off like wildfire. In 2011 Ali teamed up with Big Picture Classes to offer a guided yearlong workshop devoted to discovering and documenting your one little word. I am happy to report that the class will be offered again in 2012. Ali describes the experience like this:

 "Last year I decided I wanted to do something even more tangible with my One Little Word. I've found that, just like a resolution, it's easy to lose sight of the things you set forward to embark on as regular life gets busy throughout the course of the year. To combat this I plan to bring my word into my life more consciously and concretely and make it more visible by creating an album to hold my thoughts, challenges and inspirations."

The final prompt for 2011's class centered around reflection. Ali designed a wonderful tool to record facts and feelings about our OLW. I LOVED using this tool to record my final thoughts related to my OLW dream. As I pondered the journey that I had taken with my dreams this past year, I was at peace. My journey had been fruitful. I learned what I want and I know how to make it happen. I know that a need to be creative drives me. I know that I have talent. I know that I have a unique voice and perspective - one that can educate, encourage and inspire my fellow creatives. I know that I want to pursue my own business. Someday I will work for myself. I'm not quite sure what this business will be exactly and I'm okay with that. Because I know that I don't have to have all the answers right now. I just have to believe in my dreams.

 In 2010 I focused on hope. In 2011 I defined my dreams. As the year comes to a close, I am ready, eager actually, to move onto a new word. Excited to see where this new journey will take me. And confident that I am able to handle what's in store for the future. But I carry these words of years past in my soul. These words continue to speak to me, guiding and leading me even as I venture into uncharted waters. These words are comfortable, like my favorite pair of jeans. These words are familiar, like old friends holding my hand as I embark upon a new path. These words are loved.

And yet, I find myself longing for a change, something new and strange and wonderful. I feel ready to take on the world. I welcome 2012 with open arms. I've ordered a new planner. I've cracked the spine on my new journal. I am restless, filled with anticipation. I need to do something.

Do.

Hello world, a new little word is born.

 In 2012 I will do more. Do more creating. Do more documenting. Do more learning. Do more reading. Do more exercising. Do more healthy cooking (to be perfectly honest, do any cooking). Do more good.

Just do.

I completed the pre-class assignment for this year's class, consisting of a title page for my OLW album. I used foam Thickers on template created by Ali. Then I stamped a grid onto the title page and created mini collages in each space. I love the completed look. It echoes the look of last year's title page but is still different enought to be interesting. Here's a photo:

 Up next in the blog hop is Cindy. Check out her amazing work here.

Thank you for following along with the OLW hop! If you are interested in joining Ali's One Little Word class for 2012, you can register here. I loved this journey last year. I look forward to the upcoming journey this year. I hope you'll be joining us.

Remember, just do.