Happiness jars, project #13

One of my favorite writers, Elizabeth Gilbert, who wrote a little fantastic book called Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia and it was so inspiring that I could barely put it down.  I think I did a marathon reading session for a few days on my bed and my hammock until my hand hurt from holding the book open.  Anyway, I started to follow her Facebook page when I was looking for inspiration.  She talked about Happiness Jars.  The thought behind them is to have a visual reminder of being happy or being grateful.  The jars help to focus us on the regular act of writing down moments or things that make us happy.  I decided to make one for myself on my desk.  I've been putting my gratitude notes inside of it.  It started me out of my funk with all the big changes in my life. 

Anyway, I used a pink vase from when my husband sent me flowers, since I love pink and it reminds me of him.  The heart origami is to remind me of being happy and that love is the key in life.  On the back, I put a series of pictures I took from a video of my husband, myself, and our friends doing a flash mob of Gangnam Style for our friend's birthday party.  Every time I see it, it cracks me up.  Hubby was such a good sport to dress up as Psy and really go for it with all the moves.

 Gummychild, if you're reading this, stop reading! ;-)  
 You can read the rest after I come by your place for craft night. 


So I thought I would make a few for some friends...

I used a jar from home.  I found this cute little angel photo holder and decided this little angel belonged inside the jar.  I used museum putty to affix it to the bottom.  A little note to declare the jar and its new owner...and it's ready for Gummychild.

I hope you had some fun looking at these jars.  I'm grateful that I get to share these projects and feel like a little kid again.  Thank you.  MUAH!

Heart balloons!

I saw this idea from Oh Happy Day blog. 


from Oh Happy Day blog
I just felt so giddy like a little kid seeing those beautiful, vibrant pictures of heart balloons pouring out of the closet with so much love and fun.  I can't wait to do this for our daughter when she is old enough to put her cute little chub hands over a doorknob and open up the door. 

I wonder what my husband would say if this happened once he opened the door.  Or maybe I should pop out of the closet (doing one of my favorite things) and blow a bunch of bubbles his way.  Gummychild, if you are reading this, I will help you do this (bubbles or balloons) for your Aiva when I come over in a few weeks if you want to surprise her.  I would love to capture the look of surprise on film!

Bookcase update, project # 12

 

Since I've been studying a lot in the past few weeks in our den area, I keep staring at the bookcase.  I thought I needed to update the drab bookcase in the room.  It was all black.  I saw other magazines and blogs as well as designer shows (like Home with Lisa Quinn on the Live Well Network) with this similar project.  I took my cues from them.  I took a wrapping paper I liked and just used double-sided tape against the backboard of the bookcase.  I think it gives it a fun pop of colors.  I used the same paper to cover a regular, old cardboard box to hold more books.  I took pushpins to create a little latch for that box.  It was cheap and easy enough.  I wonder if you can tell how much I love books from the pictures.  ;-)

Shoe house picture, project # 11

 

  My husband and I love this shoe house ceramic piece my sister-in-law made in high school.  I think it's so memorable and unique.  We had a hard titme getting the girl who could get herself anything.  I mean, she is very independent and resourceful.  The shoe house is at her parents' home, so I took a picture of it for her to have it in her craft room.  I wanted to make something for her craft room at her place to give her inspiration to make more fun items.  I hope this gives her a sense of being a true artist because someone else adores her work.

Studying inspirations

  It's January.   It signals a new start of the year.  It also causes anxiety in me since I now need to buckle down 
and concentrate on my boards for May.  It always nice to have some inspiration when you need to focus.  

Here's my set of inspirations today.  I hope they will inspire you in your own life.  

1) http://www.chicagonow.com/pace-of-chicago/2010/10/worth-1000-words/#/. (I have this article on my bulletin 
board to remind me of why I'mbusting myself to learn this material.)

I have met this kid and he is every bit of sunshine as he runs around the room.  Nothing will stop him!   
If you want to support him and his family, click on this link for team jj or PossAbilities. 

2) http://mda.org/. 

I remember some of those cute kids being so proud to race me down the hallway.  One kid was so happy
to go to camp and be with kids like him.  I miss seeing those guys.  
Kids with muscular disorders and their families need our help and if you can, visit their website to see how.

3) http://www.utterlyengaged.com/contest/

The fabulous girls of Utterly Engaged are Lucia and Henny.  I knew them before there was this amazing wedding 
magazine called Utterly Engaged.  Their dreams did come true to set the wedding beauty scene ablaze with their 
creative and keen style, not to mention their good hearts.  Their charity work is so beautiful and touching.  

What inspires you? 
Maybe I'll try to do a monthly inspiration post if it helps someone out there to feel excited or learn something new. 

Seconds of a moment, project #10

  I love the instant you see a smile cascading throughout a face.  I love seeing images of a movement progress from the start to the finish, for instance, the action sequences of a dance move or someone running.  I use the actionsnap app on my phone a lot.  It has multiple shutter movements every 0.5 seconds (or however you set the interval), so you take pictures of one moment with multiple frames.  Lomography also has a camera that has 4 lens, but it uses 35mm film.  My latest project was to capture a moment my husband and I love, which is our baby's laughter and smile on film.  I had a large frames with 6 slots and placed the pictures in sequential order.  I think it puts emphasis on the precious moment.  FYI my husband took these pictures of our girl.  He just took multiple shots on his camera phone.  Good job Honey!

Orphan earrings

  I was cleaning my closet for the new year and came across sad, orphaned earrings, missing their pair.  I felt bad throwing them out and decided to reuse them as decorative push pins on my message/inspiration board.  One earring I love was bought from Hawaii and now I can see it on my board and be reminded of that trip.  I love upcycling.

Compliment framed, project #9

  A while back, I saw a website (of which I wish I could remember its name) that had an instant compliment when you clicked on a button.  I thought wouldn't it be great if someone gave you a compliment that was framed so you could look at it and be happy or inspired.  I have this friend who has a passion for music and would like to try and work on his craft as a DJ.  He occasionally will send me a song he thinks I'll like.  He'll play Controller of the Radio when we drive together.

  It was easy to make. I just used Microsoft word and changed the font to look more graphic.  I hope he likes it or smiles when he sees it.

New Year, New Skill, New Try

HAPPY NEW YEAR: PICK UP A NEW SKILL by Gary Marcus

Reading this article was a reminder that it is never too late to learn or try something new.  The brain with its neuroplasticity has amazing ways to adapt and alter itself for survival and learn.  We see it all the time in stroke patients or traumatic brain injury patients who improve with lots of therapy and time.  It makes me wonder what else we all can try to learn or grow to be happier and more content people.

What else have you wanted to try?

I think I want to really give a good try at photography.  I feel like I've made excuses about not learning the components of a camera and all the tricks to manipulating light because I am scared of failing and feel overwhelmed with all the complexity.  How do we absorb the vast information well?  As the article suggests, we should break it down into smaller, more manageable units.  I think I'll try to figure out one by one.  Let's start clicking away.