Project 365 Challenge: Day 1/A Scrapbook Layout

So day one didn't go exactly how I was thinking. The day sort of slipped away when I slid into my studio after watching a movie with Dan and Ashley. I threw caution to the wind, starting cutting up some leftover papers into 1 inch squares and grabbed a mini pack of tag papers I picked up in the dollar bin at Joann's and started roughing out a scrapbook layout. I flipped through some prints to match up photos to my papers and surprised myself by successfully completing my first project in under 2 hours. I really didn't keep track of time so it may have been closer to an hour and 15! I will tell you what, there is great freedom in taking a carefree, trial and error attitude. I placed the papers in a pattern, then decided I wanted to do a scribble design near the bottom which was a total FAILURE, but I was able to cover it with a photo. So, I encourage trying things and taking risks in the new year cause most of the time there is a creative fix if it doesn't turn out like you were thinking.

Here are some photos of the layout with close up images of the title and embellishments.

I also completed my day 2 project, a card made with some of the leftover squares from the layout. That is another suggestion I have for making the 365 day challenge a little easier...use leftovers from previous days' projects or if you are short on time, just create a small element that can be used on a bigger project later.

After flipping through an old scrapbook with a friend the other day, I realized how way behind I am on my scrapbooking and I will say that day 1 made me very happy giving me a big sense of accomplishment towards one day being all caught up on my scrapbook layouts. LOL, like that day will ever happen. I have creativity dyslexia so I doubt I will ever be truly caught up.

Project 365 Personal Challenge

During one of the segments of our whirlwind trip to Georgia that to truly live life creatively, I needed to do a little experiment. You see, I get such a thrill when I am using my mind creatively. It lifts my spirit, boosts my energy and makes me feel like I can tackle anything. So why not want feel like that all year long? This is why I created my Project 365 Personal Challenge to allow myself to experience a little piece of that in each day of the new year.

Are you maybe thinking of joining in on this challenge? I really hope so! Hang in there with me and let's give this a try. The project doesn't even have to be something big...it can even be a tag or a small element that will later be incorporated into a bigger project. So don't be intimidated!!!

So what exactly does this involve? For me, it will be doing something creative each day, i.e. making a card, gift, scrapbook page, designing a new set or elements of a set — anything other than a customer’s project or work assignment...something that fills my jar back up! Now I know your mind may already have thought of two or three reasons that this isn’t possible to do each and every day, but it is, if you get a little bit creative! You know most of us crafters are night owls, so if you stay up late and get on a roll, you can knock out two projects in one session! Say you’re sick and not feeling up to something big, doodle or write about how you are feeling, crumble up the paper and tack it up as a reminder of how much better you feel the next day. On a family vacation and don't have your computer, drawing or crafting supplies with you? This happened to me on our recent trip. I had all this creative energy and no where to put it...not a notepad or marker to be found in the dark abyss of my purse, so I grabbed one of the magazines I brought along and started doodling in ballpoint pen on the pages. I threw perfection out the window with each bump in the road and I will be turning these creations into a new set or two! Another idea while traveling is to take out your camera and shoot a picture from an interesting perspective or from a view that you don't even see what it is you're photographing, but the color and texture becomes art. You see, it is possible, so come join me as I will post the results of my Project 365 Personal Challenge here on my blog! Comment on my blog and leave me a link back to yours. I would love to see how you live life creatively!