5 Random Things

I love lists. Lists help keep me sane when life gets crazy. I love them even more when they are just for fun.

My five random things are little parts of my life right now, where I am, who I am, and who I would like to be. I am happy to share my list with you.

1. I like bluegrass cover songs.
Correction, I LOVE them. My current favorite is "Picking on Modest Mouse". I cannot stop listening to the picking on series. It reminds me of being young and the guitars coming out and sing alongs happening. I wish I played guitar, or could sing. Luckily, I can listen to picking on.

2. I'm going back to college.
My life has rewound to a few moons ago. I am working blocks from where I was, accepted to where I went, and stressing over financial aid. It is eerily similar, familiar, and odd. 

3. I usually feel like a hot mess.
Is that normal? I feel like its not. Adulting is something I have not really figured out although the clock keeps ticking. Were all the adults in my life faking it? I wonder if the myth of the new feminist is part of it. You can't have it all. You can have parts of it all, but eventually you have to lower your standards, or pay for someone to pick up some of the slack. And I don't like housework, so I find other things to fill time (see #2).

4. I love Tacoma.
When I interviewed for my program the interviewer asked about my earlier college, and stated "Well you haven't gone far". I haven't. I grew up in the south, so I have lived other places. However, I stayed close. It is gorgeous here. Drive 2 hours and you are in the mountains, or at the ocean. A win either way. If I thought leaving would help me find myself, I might be more interested, but now, I am here.

5. I want a Jeep to play in.
Mountains (see #4). 

SWAT challenges you to try your hand at 5 random things. We all took a different take. Take a look, and link up for a great prize!

Jar of Joys for 2015

This year, I am starting a new tradition, a little jar of joys. In this jar, the moments that bring us joy will be written down and stored safely in the jar until New Year's Eve. As part of our celebration, we will read and relive all the little moments that made 2015. There are only a few moments recorded now.

From me and my husband:
The best date night ever, Seahawks Playoff Game at the Clink. Cam jumped the offensive line!

Seahawks NFC Champions! Super Bowl bound.

Budgie in a deep voice... Who took a little nibble of my sandwich?

From the bigger little:
McDonalds has Ninja Turtle TOYS!

From the littlest:
I got to make a card at school. It says I'm IN!

I decorated my jar with a handmade tag, ribbon, and some beads. To make the tag, I used kraft cardstock and stamped some deep blue circles lightly in the background. I added some washi, and then added dimension by using Smooch and glitter glue to highlight the stamping. I added some word stamps on the Washi, and hand lettered and fussy cut the word Joy. Once the flower was added, I felt the tag was ready to remind us to be full of joy.

The color scheme was part of SWATs Fresh Start Mood Board Challenge. Go ahead and join us by using this dreamy mood board to start your own project. Link up on the blog, and you will be entered to win a great prize! As always, I cannot wait to see your creations over at SWAT, and I wish you and yours many joyful moments.

~Venetia

One Little Word: Vivid

It is time again to reflect. The new year always seems fresh event though the day changes the same as any other dawn. "One Little Word" is a project designed by Ali Edwards. I like the idea of choosing a word to filter the year that lies ahead and have chosen several over the last few years. Two years ago, it was Joy. That year, I lost my father and grandfathers. That lead to Art, which I selected to help me navigate the changing world I felt overcome by.

This year, I select Vivid.

Why vivid?

I wanted a word that took me outside of myself. A word that embraced the person I am and want to be. I recently read Fierce Conversations and one of the take-aways I got from the book was that to be happy, the life you want and the life you live, the action you take must be in agreement. If it isn't unhappiness follows.


Vivid: 1. strikingly bright or intense, as color, light, etc.:

a vivid green.

2. full of life; lively; animated:

a vivid personality.

3. presenting the appearance, freshness, spirit, etc., of life; realistic:

a vivid account.

4. strong, distinct, or clearly perceptible:

a vivid recollection.

5. forming distinct and striking mental images:

a vivid imagination.

Synonyms

1. bright, brilliant, intense. 2. spirited, vivacious, intense.

 

The word comes from Latin roots, vie meaning to live.

 

What better word? Strong, real, bright, striking all things I want my year to be. I am going to live a vivid year and be the person I am keeping myself from. I plan to embrace the year, and grab moments that are spontaneous and real. I want to strive for more, for me.

 

 I created a canvas to celebrate my word. I think I captured the spirit well. I used a mix of acrylic paints, both fluid and regular. To make the star, I used foil, chipboard, spray paint and ink.

 

As always, SWAT wants you to play along, choose your own resolution or word, link up and earn a chance at a great prize!

 

Be vivid

~Venetia

SWAT Color challenge

Hi! It is time for another SWAT Challenge. This time, we are hosting a color challenge. For my take on this challenge, I decided the gold should definitely sparkle, because if you can, you should always shine!

I made a thank you gift for a friend who helped my husband with a major project. She adores Almond Roca, and I adore mason jars, and this is the combination of both!

I created a mixed media tag to include a special thank you note. I started with the Kraft base and added some Dylusions white spray. I selected my layering papers, and then added some ribbon flowers, sequins and buttons with collague pauge.

On the back, I added a white background and some washi and wrote my personal note. I decorated the jar with a chalk sticker on which I wrote thank you. To make it stick, I had to use some foam adhesive squares to keep the label secure.

I hope you are all well, and find someone to thank! Create a project using the color board, and of course use your own interpretation of the challenge. Don't forget to link up to SWAT to enter our great prize drawing.

This month we Have an amazing sponsor! And one lucky winner will win a $20 Gift Card to shop at......Flying Unicorn Store. How Awesome!

~Venetia