One Little Word Revisited: Becoming Organized

Back HERE in January I claimed the word Become or Becoming for the year. The list of all the different ways I want to "become more" is quite hefty, but one of the areas topping my list is becoming more organized. One of the main reasons I want more organization in my life is to free up creative time. Who's with me? The time I dedicate to playing in my art studio can sometimes be thrown to the side because I have a hard time...finding the time. Sounds pretty funny, but it is true. All kinds of things can get in the way of actually sitting and getting my hands messy with paint or getting focused time working on a project. 

I've kinda thought about planning my time like we have planned our household budget. My Hubby always says that, "A budget is freeing." At first I was like...what? Are you kidding me. How? (He will be pleased that I am quoting him and further saying he is right! He loves a good "told you so moment.") I have to admit, he is right. If I know exactly what I have to spend on any given item or area on our budget there is no guessing. There is no wondering. There is no worrying about whether or not I have enough. If I have $50 budgeted for scrap-booking supplies this month, when I am out looking around I can spend it all or bank it and save up. The same goes for using a planner. If I have two hours allotted for studio time on Monday morning, I am going to use it! I wont worry about allllllll the other things on my list. They will have their "budgeted time" later. See....freeing! :)

So, now that I want to become more organized, thank goodness me & my BIG ideas just recently developed a fantastic new line called Create 365™ The Happy Planner™. It is an easy to use planner system that not only includes the planner, but all kinds of goodies to make it creatively fun. It is absolutely something I can make my own. If I want a lot of color, stickers, embellishments, pictures, or "fancying up," I can do that. If I want mellow, simplified, or neutral I can do that too. 

I have had the chance to work with this system while planning my March and I have loved it! At the beginning of March, I sat down and loosely planned out the whole month. I used the March calendar & only put down the things I already knew were coming that month (birthdays, volunteer days, baseball games, sports practices, appointments, etc). Then each Sunday I take a little time to plan out the following week with more detail and more fun additions like washi tape, clips, tags, quotes, stickies, small banners, etc. It can actually get a little addicting....even for this complete planner newbie! 

Here is a weekly spread with my grocery list, a quote card, and a cute clip added. The Arc system that The Happy Planner™ uses allows items to be added and taken away. SO awesome!

The best part - so far, I am carving out MORE time for creativity. YES! If you are interested in planners and want to see more you can visit the me & my BIG ideas website. The Happy Planner™ will be arriving in stores and in their shop in April. Also, if you would like more inspiration come visit me on Instagram @sadieinspired !!

Happy Creating!

My One Little Word 2015

Hello January! (That would seems much more fitting if I was writing at the beginning of January, instead of a couple days before it's end. Ha!) 

To be honest, I was really waiting for January to get here. I really was. It's not like 2014 or December were horrible & I needed them put to rest. But, I was absolutely feeling the need for a clean slate, fresh start, wiped away, wide open, kinda vibe. I always feel that way around the new year. I was ready!

I was also ready to choose a guiding word for 2015. (2013, 2012)

At first, I seemed so indecisive about even having a word or which one to choose, that I almost decided to bow out again this year (I didn't choose a word for 2014). But, I made a list of words I had swirling around in my head & took some time to think about it. Getting creative always helps too, so I made a 12 x 12 layout using some of those words I had written down.

For this layout I used me & my BIG ideas paper, stickers, & embellishments. To read about it, visit their blog right HERE!

After some creating, thinking & reading about everyone else's words...I came to a decision. I had a word. It came for me, jumped on my back and would not leave me alone. :) 

BECOME

verb 

begin to BE

There it is. My word. It really came down to three words - create, become & begin. But, in the end I choose become after I looked at some of the synonyms for the word.

emerge as, grow into, be reformed, be transformed into,

metamorphose

I mean, how great are those!? There are so many things I want to do, try, and accomplish. Sometimes I spend so much time thinking about these things I fail to follow through or actually get things done! 

2015 is the year I make intentional steps to becoming...

becoming my dreams, 

becoming what GOD has intended,

becoming healthier, 

becoming stronger,

becoming more patient, 

becoming more organized,

becoming fearless,

becoming more ____ (fill in the blank!)

There is lots to come in 2015 & I can't wait!

What is your word this year??

  If you are not familiar with One Little Word, read about it right HERE on Ali Edward's Blog.

One Little Word - 2013

Oh my goodness it has taken me a long time to choose a word for 2013. I thought I would pass on choosing one this year. BUT, I started reading all the posts about your motivating words. Inspired! I just can't help it. You are all just so inspiring! The same thing happened last year too. :) I felt that since I had a word last year and the year before - why stop now. Right?

8 x 10 Mixed Media Canvas - Acrylic paint & various pens

The hard part was narrowing down my choices. Uggg! I can be super indecisive sometimes and this being the 24th of January is a prime example. Ha! I had  basically narrowed it down to embrace or able. Embrace seemed a little more romantic, and beautiful - but the word able would not leave me alone. I have read several blog posts about the words sometimes choosing you. I think mine found me. It just wouldn't go away. It kept popping into my head. 

A couple weeks ago, my family and I were driving up to the mountains to go snowboarding (I apparently need waaay more practice). Right along the snowy mountain, nestled back a bit in a glistening white field was a small, weathered shack with huge letters painted above the door - A B L E. Now, believe me the blogger and picture taking fool that I am wanted to jump out and take a  picture...but, we were with people in a little caravan and I didn't think we could. Lol. Needless to say it made me smile to see that word sitting there for me. :)

 Finally a couple of nights ago I committed to my word of 2013 - when I painted this in the middle of a sleepless night. 

You are able

 I am able

We are able

...to do anything we put our minds to, even if I start with one step at a time.

Believe in yourself and know that you were wonderfully made...

just the way you are.

 

This is an Instagram from a couple days ago. If you are Insta-obsessed 

like me, come find me @sadieinspired!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13 

 

Cherish the in Between

 My word for 2012 is cherish. I am finding moments in my day that fill my heart. I am hoping that by sharing them here - I will not only record them, but seek to find life's abundant treasures. Life is a journey, and I am learning to cherish the big, the small, and everything in between. :)

• little conversations between my two Love Bugs while playing together
• stolen moments for creating...10 minutes here...10 minutes there
• dress shopping with my little princess for the Father/Daughter dance
• little hands in Play-Doh
• my almost 3 year old who loves Toy Story & thinks he is Buzz Lightyear
• Sharpie pens & watercolors
• sunshine through the clouds on rainy days
• Yummy vegan food at Real Food Daily
• sweet comments from other artists and bloggers (They make my day so sweet!)
• a cup of coffee and devotions
• a warm bowl of homemade soup on a cold day
• the ability to hold my baby when he is sick 

Journal page in process - Sharpie & watercolors

 Hope little moments to cherish are finding you today.

XOXO,

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 )