Friday, January 20, 2012

One Little Word 2012


I have thought long and hard about my word for 2012.
(Last year's word - Joy)
Initially, I didn't plan to choose one.
No real reason - just wasn't going to pick one.

Then I started writing down my goals for the year and 
reading all your brilliant posts about your words.
Me = Inspired.

So I wrote a list of words.



 Narrowed it down to Simplify, Cherish, and Savor.


 I finally choose CHERISH.
verb
1.to hold or treat as dear; feel love for: to cherish one's native land.
2.to care for tenderly; nurture: to cherish a child.
3.to cling fondly to: to cherish a memory.


I want to treat this life God has given me dearly.
I don't want to take these moments for granted (especially with my kiddies).
I want to care for those in my life tenderly and 
focus on nurturing the gifts my children possess (mine as well). 
I want to cherish the big events, but also the small and 
everything in between.
 I think if I focus on cherishing the moments a by product will be 
a heart filled with gratitude.
That sounds pretty good to me! :)

I made this journal page the other day.
It went through a very ugly stage, a not so bad stage, and finally a 
"Hey, I like you!".
I used acrylics, Caran d'Ache crayons, PITT pens, Sharpies, Derwent Inktense pencils, 
lots of scribbling and lots of finger painting. :) Inspired by Traci Bautista!

I have to say...without that ugly duckling stage - the end result wouldn't be so sweet.  
I hope you have a beautiful weekend & I am wondering what are you 
cherishing these days? 



(Joining up today with Paint Party Friday & Studio Sneak Peek

39 comments:

  1. I really love your whimsical style and use of color. Gorgeous art.
    Best,
    Jenn from www.JustAddWaterSilly.com, hopping from in the studio
    (newest follower)

    ReplyDelete
  2. OOOOOh!l Love this ~ great colors, design and composition ~~ namaste, Carol (Share the Creative Journey) and A Creative Harbor

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great colors, vibrant, beautiful and with a true message! Cherish life!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a great choice of word! I love how you've showed your work in progress I think you are so right without the ugly duckling stage our paintings wouldn't be what they are. Great used of colour I love the energy in this too! :0)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love how you shared your process of choosing your word and also creating your journal page which is so full of energy. I think the word cherish is a very special word.
    I am cherishing the time I have now to create.

    ReplyDelete
  6. In real life sometimes we have to go through ugly duckling stages to get to where we should be. Your art is beautiful. The finished results have beautiful colors and design elements.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great word and thanks for sharing how you got to it... the page is a lovely celebration of it... happy ppf xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. It turned out fabulously! You are so right about the ugly stages - I am just starting to get comfortable with them - I must say, I have had some mighty ugly stages at times.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I haven't chosen a word for this year yet, either. In fact, I was about to give up on the idea. But you've inspired me here with your beautiful journal pages. I will go to my journal and give it a try. Thank you!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. this is lovely and the word you've chosen is wonderful. indeed we have to cherish every moment. thanks for sharing,
    hugs, peggy aplSEEDS

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sweet! I agree that things become better when it starts out not so great! Love how your journal turned out and you chose a great word for 2012! Greetings from the Philippines! Patsy.paterno (at) gmail.com from
    HeARTworks

    ReplyDelete
  12. Such a beautifully written post. I've also been feeling that sense of wanting to cherish each moment. Your pages shine with joy.
    Catherine Denton

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wonderful page!!...and excellent Word!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Jen! I just read another post that deals with "what is your word for 2012?" I am now faced with that question too! :) I suddenly wanted one for myself too.

    Great piece of art work as always, I am one of your many fans. Looking forward for more great crafts, stories and inspirations to CHERISH with you!

    ReplyDelete
  15. There is something about rescuing a piece from the ugly duckling stage that makes it that much more special, isn't there? This is a great journal page.

    ReplyDelete
  16. You do wonderful art and have a lovely blog!

    Great word for the year. I don't think I'm going to pick just one, but I've been toying with the idea of having a bunch of words to focus on for the year.

    Happy PPF!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love your page and your beautiful word, Jen! I love how choosing a word (or God choosing one for me :) gives my year focus. My mind and heart are opened, I learn and grow (growing pains included) and change. I love it and I love to see the transformation in my blog friends, too.

    ReplyDelete
  18. How inspiring of a word as we all need to cherish an d hold dear what means most to us. I love your pages so colorful and full of magic!! Xo

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wonderful word, wonderful art journaling!!! And I am so loving Almond Dream right now. It is my new non dairy fav, although I have to make sure not to eat it too much!!!

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. this is the perfect word because it can apply to everything...i love your happy art too....xxx

    ReplyDelete
  21. Excellent word and lovely painting.

    xox

    ReplyDelete
  22. What a great word to focus on for the year! Such a pretty journal page for your word. I agree, when our art goes through those 'umm... not liking this' phase, the end result is that much better! :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Cherish is truly a lovely word. I can only imagine that walking through your days with 'cherish' as your companion that insight and intimacy will be treasures endless.
    lovely art pages....

    ReplyDelete
  24. beautiful and inspirational. What i cherish are my loved ones and all the little things in life. Thanks for the lovely reminder

    ReplyDelete
  25. There is always an ugly stage before it becomes beautiful. :) I have that with all my paintings. Cherish is a wonderful word for the year. :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Cherish is a wonderful word for the year! We should all be doing that. It's too easy to take our blessings for granted when we should be cherishing them. I love that you added a little 2012 tab and didn't abandon the journal unfinished!

    ReplyDelete
  27. LOVE!!! Perfect word and beautiful (gorgeous, colorful) doodles to go with it - have a great week friend, xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  28. CHERISH is a wonderful word and the three make a great phrase. Your page to express it is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'ts a wonderful word and your page illustrates it with passion, looking forward to seeing more of your work this year!

    ~Scarlett

    ReplyDelete
  30. jen-love the word, the journal pages, the tab and your color combination!!! beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hey Jen...this journal page is full of colour and life!! :)..and 'Cherish' is a wonderful word .... Cherish every moment x

    ReplyDelete
  32. It's beautiful! I love your word. Cherish is such a great word that if we're not careful, we (I) can easily be in such a hurry that I forget to cherish the little things.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Just love your piece and your word! So great to find another artist participating in OLW and in the studio on Fridays...have a great week, fondly, Roberta

    ReplyDelete
  34. Beautiful word you've chosen and your painting came out wonderful!!!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I love your word - yes, to cherish is so important and just makes us feel good. Wonderful word!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Your word fits my goal for this year, too. I need to create more times to cherish and not let life pass me by. Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love your word CHERISH and all the wonderful images you shared.
    May your 2012 artistic journey be overflowing with moments you will treasure for a lifetime.
    Belated Happy PPF wishes.
    Sheri Cook/HappyHorseStudio

    ReplyDelete
  38. love the journal pages and your word for the year. Great art, great choice

    ReplyDelete
  39. Love this page!! It first looks so simple, then so complicated, then just really beautifully detailed lol gorgeous xxx

    ReplyDelete