Bulletin Boards

Last year I felt like one of my (many) areas for growth in my job was the planning and use of bulletin boards. In fact, I can't really remember what I did with my bulletin board space for most of last year.

This year I have tried to be more intentional. I planned one to start the school year, and I figured out that if I keep the first one up until the end of September, then do a fall one for October and November and a winter one for December and January, I can avoid having to change my bulletin board during my busy seasons, like book fair and Christmas break. I haven't quite decided what to do for second semester, but here are the three from this year so far. I've painted on my bulletin boards twice this year, and I liked the result, although it is a little scary because if it turns out crummy I have to pull the whole thing down and start from scratch. So far I haven't had to do that (Phew!).

"A-B-Sea Read with Me"

"Fall into a Good Book"

[After I took this picture, I added some laminated pictures of book covers and had them leaning on the tree and on the pumpkins.]

"Reading in a Winter Wonderland"

Art Journals

Lately I've become a little obsessed with Art Journals. I have a whole pinboard on Pinterest just for pinning images from other people's creations.

It probably has to do with the fact that I don't build enough time into my schedule to be crafty and creative. But I would love to be able to draw and express myself through art in this really cool way.

Do any of you do art journaling or doodling? Check out my pinboard and let me know what you think!

Project Life - My Way

 

For a long time, I was fascinated by the idea of Becky Higgins' scrapbooking system called Project Life. But I wasn't sure about the cost involved. But this winter I decided to take the plunge. 


The "system" includes a binder, divided page protectors and color coordinated cards like the ones shown in the picture above (purchased separately). They come in a box like this (one box per pattern, so you only get one box at a time):

The cards are mostly for journalling - for telling your story.


Most people use the system to document a week per set of pages. That didn't appeal to me. To start using the system, I decided to do a month per layout. I went through my 2011 pictures and set them in pages just to block out the sections. Some months there are hardly any pictures so those only have a single page. Some months had more vacation-y type pictures that could be a page or two on their own which nicely balanced the smaller months.

A couple hours of just sliding pictures into slots, I started feeling reconnected to the creative side of myself. I have a lot more to do - trim pictures to fit in the smaller slots, mat my photos because I have them printed as "true digital" so they aren't 6 inches long, and I have to do the journalling. And I'm looking forward to digging into my creative side again. So far I am thrilled with the system and the ways I can make it work for me.

One Little Word 2012

For the last few years I have tried to find a word to focus on for the year. Some years I have really worked with my word and other years I couldn't even remember what my word was.

For 2011, I picked "choose" or "choice." This has been a theme that cropped up a lot, mostly in sentiments like "I get to choose how I respond to this crummy thing going on."

I'm already thinking about what my word might be for 2012. Here are some choices I'm toying with:

1) Create - I have not been very crafty the last few months. I haven't scrapbooked in years, but my supplies and pictures continue to pile up. I have cross stitch patterns overflowing file cabinets. I'd like to be more crafty and creative this year.

2) Finish - one of my favorite bloggers is Jon Acuff. He recently issued a challenge to focus on finishing in 2012. I am a good starter, but a poor finisher. I like the idea of making an effort to finish something in 2012.

3) Twelve - I am taking a scrapbooking class online in January called Twelve. I like the idea of planning some "twelves" for the new year - twelve projects to focus on, twelve books to read, etc. 


Will you choose a word for 2012? What word are you thinking about?

Inspired by.... cute and creative

One of my favorite websites right now is Lettering Delights. It is a great resource for fonts and graphics with different themes and styles. Everything on this display board - except the 6 Traits Posters on the two sides - was made with products from Creative Delights. I have also used their products in scrapbooks, newsletters, and things for my Creative Writing Club like these:

The products are strictly for personal use (unless you buy one with a commercial license), but I have not had any trouble getting my money's worth out of the things I have found there! Their products inspire me to create.