52 Questions.

Ok, remember when I said that I had a few favorite blogs that I enjoyed looking at? Well, let me tell you about another one... it is Emily Falconbridge's blog. I think one of my favorite things about Emily is that she and I are so many leagues apart from each other. She homebirths her 10# baby, moves her family to Australia, has dread locks and named her kids Yindi and Banjo. I sure do like so much about her, but my little Bible belt living self probably can't do the dreads and name my baby Banjo. Although there is a deep part of me that would love to! I guess I could! Maybe next year my word will be Free. Free to do all kinds of crazy little things. But we will cross that bridge NEXT year! THIS year, I am still NESTing!

Soooo... the reason I was talking about Emily (before I saw that bird!), was that she had a challenge on her blog last year called 52 questions. Again.. giving credit where credit is due. Each week, she posted a question that called for the readers to make a little tag or other small art project to answer the question and draw or post a little picture along with it. I looked at the questions and took some directly from that challenge and actually thought about the MoJoy readers, most of whom are not into" fairies" or your "inner goddess"... and if you are, I apologize, but... I think the majority are not. So, I modified Emily's 52 questions and added a few that would make you reflect on your word and stay focused and most importantly, grateful and positive on a weekly basis! Ok, so go check Emily's out from last year....

Emily's 52 Q...

Now realize that she is very artsy. That is why I love that blog. She inspires me with her artsy fartsy-ness! And I realize that not everyone who reads my blog a) has the time to be artsy (although I would really argue that point) and b) has the want to to make these cards. For that reason, we (Jessi and I ) are coming up with an alternative for you folks who are not trying to stretch yourself this year. or "Try" or "strive" or "create" or "balance" yorur artsy and worky sides. ANd YES I AM trying to guilt you into making it all yours with artsy flair.

Before we show you the shortcut, let me tell you about a couple of ways to make it your own. First, Emily used some basic tags that you can get at plain ol' Office Depot! I LOVE them. You can make it into a book with a simple ring at the end of the year, pin them to a corkboard, use clothespins and pin them to a string in front of a window to display them...etc.

I just happened upon this next site when I was hunting for Emily's...

Seems this girl did the challenge last year in a whole different way. She took all the pull out dealies from magazines and painted them with gesso. This made them all white and ready for modification. I thought this was such a cool idea. Then she used a hole punch to make it into a book. So, check it out too.

Another way to do it.

Alright, now that we have shown a couple of options, know that Jessi Mae will also be providing a file that you can simply print ( I say simply as if I would know how to download a file and print it! ha) it out on cardstock and use it as your "tag", "page", altered art, whatever!

The questions will come every ... hmmm... whatcha think? Sunday night? Would that be best? It gives everyone a week to complete the project. I loved thinking up the questions. I think it is going to keep you all in the right spirit/ mindset to stay focused on your words all year round. By the way... GOOD WORDS! Have I told you that? I have a bunch of intellects following my blog! I mean, seriously! Way to go, peeps!

Jessi has created a Flickr group for all to share their projects and get inspiration for the next week's 52Q. Go join the group and post your pictures! Soooo, here we go.

And this...

is the first question of the week.

What do I want to see more of in my life?

For those of you who are buying your tags, they are at Office Depot and are called Shipping Tags, 4 3/4" x 2 3/8". Or you can click the picture below and download printable tags. Just print them on cardstock and cut them out. We will be posting a downloadable tag each week with that week's question.

I will post my tag as soon as I make it. Sorry for being as behind as the rest of you, but by week three, we will be all ready to rock and roll. I see this as a chance to journal about why you chose your word and what more of that word in your life will look like come year's end! Use the back of your card for wordy things!

ANd for all you "simplify-ers", if this stresses you out, just skip it! Sit back and enjoy the ride! Those who are going to "voice" more, "Create", "flourish", "get more "me" time, "BE!", etc... you definitely need to participate!

Ok, let's do this!

Mo