Oh My Oh My

How can it be 1 May already?

This little piece of blogland has been taken over by dust bunnies - thank goodness the same cannot be said for my crafting space!

And what does the first of every month bring?  Yes a One Little Word blog hop that I have forgotten all about.

So I need to leave you with a 'relevant' quote to my OLW 'Consistent' (one which is hopelessly apt for me this month)  and ask you to hurry along to Ruth who I am sure has something far more exciting for you to read.

I'm off to sweep away the cobwebs, throw open the windows and let in the light ... InkyArt will resume normal service in a jiffy -thanks for visiting.

Nikki

x

One on 1 March Update

Good day to all the fellow One on 1 blog hoppers and friends.  With the first quarter of the year now over, I am pleased to say I am loving how my word Consistency is appearing in my day to day life.

So to start with I have last month's 'homework' - the mood board.   I'm not sure if it was because I only had copies of Weight Watchers, Preventation and Woman's Health to hand to find inspiration but when I looked at the collection of photos it struck me that it was bang on target - health, strength, fitness, peace and positive affirmations.  When I thought about how I would explain this board it felt very personal but then I reflected on how all of these areas affect all of my family - healthy food to promote healthy minds and bodies and tackling  'opportunities' head on, is what we are all experiencing this year.  The children have embraced the healthy food - I won't lie, it did take a while for my teenage boy to come round, but now he is leaner and fitter for it and is quite proud.

I subscribe to a great blog written by Andrew Jobling - his articles are published on a Sunday morning - great timing for a little bit of reflection I find, and even though some weekends I never manage to open the email, I always find time in the week so go and have a read.  Last week it read ....

From now on ...

• 
  

  When there is an opportunity to do something you haven’t done before – say ‘yes’.

  
  


• 
  

  When someone invites you to a seminar, workshop or information evening – say ‘yes’.

  
  


• 
  

  When there is an chance to confront a fear – say ‘yes’

  
  


• 
  

  Stop procrastinating on things you have always wanted to do and – say ‘yes’. 

  
  

Great words!

So onto this month's task was to Take Action.  As I had just started a new full time job with a fair bit of travelling every day it seemed sensible that planning and time management was a good Action for me to concentrate on this month.

Its worked out well, good in fact, consistently being organised is how I like to be, and I think for most of the month that is what happened.  There was the odd hiccup here and there, and some difficult decisions had to be made (I stopped running card classes in the evening and therefore decided I won't be attending one of the highlights of the year the Stampin' Up! Convention) but I am surprising myself by being okay with this - letting go of the superwoman cape that has been strangling me for so long, has been very uplifting - not boring like I thought it would be.

Can't wait to see what's in store for April.

Have a happy and healthy month and I'll see you next time.  Time to hop along to visit Michelle

Nikki

x

 

 

One on 1 Blog Hop - February Update

Its that time again and guess what?  I'm not ready!

I've been thinking of making a vision board for a couple of years now but the passion to actaully gather the pieces and make some sense of it has evaded me this month.

Sorry I have nothing to show you - however, I can tell you I have consistently looked after myself, consistently looked after the family and today I started a brand new chapter in my life - a new job.

So February hasn't been totally unproductive.  I'll leave you with this inspirational quote (which will make an appearence on my vison board) and ask you to hop along to see how Melanie has been progressing this month.

Nikki

x

One LIttle Word Blog Hop for January

Lee Currie has taken over the reins for the One Little Word blog hop from Margie - thank you Lee.  

So this month we start afresh with our new words and our January assignment - and a new OLW badge - isn't it cool - thank you Melanie.  Welcome if you hopped over from Lynn's post ... and if you are starting here, great place to start!

I was still a little undecided about this word for most of January, but I feel very comfortable with it now.  It's perfect for where I am this year and will work well for me as I set off on new adventures.

I've created the twelve areas that I want to work with, however the assigment was to give each area a month or number.  As all of these would end up January or Number One .... I thought I'd leave that bit for now :o)

I plan to write a few ideas on the back of each card this month - just to remind myself of why of choose them and perhaps this will help for the word to work its magic in each area.  The little cards will be placed into pockets when I have completed this part.  Oh and I had better take a decent photo too I suppose.

CONSISTENT has played out well in January, I was consistently on holiday and I consistently did 'not a lot'. It was great fun!

I also addressed some of the areas I have highlighted this month - Strength and Fitness is being worked on with a neighbourhood boot camp - yes the neighbours have rallied together and twice a week we rock up on someone's front lawn and we are put through our paces by our local fitness guru - I even planked for five seconds ... yes five whole seconds and managed to run to the end of the Court and back without stopping (its a very long Court, honest)!

The Happiness area has me reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and this weekend I am joining a scrapbooking group which meets once a month - that's something new for Create.

Whilst I always wished I had achieved more, I am happy with my progress so far (especially the fitness bit - :o)).  

February will see me working on these areas and taking on a few new challenges.  I'll be working with Strength (strength of mind and character this time) as I attend interviews and settle on a new job, my Health as I give up alcohol for the month of February (is it coincidental that I chose the shortest month of the year to do this I wonder?) and Embrace, as I deal with the challenges and changes that are coming my way.  I'll also be giving my blog a little make over - more Creating.

Its time to hop along now to a very dear friend and OLW blog hopping partner in crime, Kathryn Ruddick  hope to see you next month.

Have a happy February.

Nikki

x 

 

 

One Little Word For 2013

I do hope you have been enjoying the festive season - isn't it great to take things more slowly every once in a while. 

I've booked myself in for the Ali Edwards One Little Word class at Big Picture Classes again, and I'm blog hopping with the lovely Margie again.  

It was August last year that I last wrote about my OLW for 2012 - FOCUS.  

Turned out I lost it right about then!  As I sat reflecting on this it suddenly occurred to me that I hadn't really lost the word, I had just lost the ability to be able to share my OLW journey as I focused on making a big change in my life.

In August I resigned from my job, a job which was consuming me and one I had done for almost 10 years.  Without boring you completely with all of the detail, I have almost fulfilled all of my commitments and am excited for what a New Year will bring.  

When I realised my new word I immediately looked up the definition and went on the hunt for quotations and inspiration and didn't like what I read.  My new word seemed to be ... well ... boring really.  

After several days of thinking I researched some more - and now I know the word is right for me for this year.  The word is 

CONSISTENT

After all that 2012 was, I realise that although I think it sounds boring, I am ready for a calmer more peaceful episode.  2013 will bring its own excitement with my husband finally coming home in June, my daughter finishing her Year 12 studies, my son entering the 'difficult teenage years' and my changing career.  Consistent and 2013 doesn't sound boring at all really does it!

I love this quote from Anthony Robbins:

'It's not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives.  It's what we do consistently.'

So there you have it, I'll be consistently consistent in 2013 and I look forward to sharing my progress with you.

Its time now to hop along to see Veronica -  Happy New Year fellow OLWers

Nikki

x

 

One On 1 Update - July

Hello fellow OLWers, welcome to August and my July update.

I'm travelling a month behind so I have some little canvasses to share with you.

I really enjoyed completing this task, gave me time to reflect on all the things that I am focusing on this year and how much progress (or not in some cases) I have made.

Still happy and still progressing.  Time to continue along on the blog hop - off to visit Amanda

Until next time

Nikki

x

One on 1 Blog Hop - July Update

Do you love it when reality bites?

FOCUS is playing a part in my life but unfortunately it doesn't always appear in my creative life.  So I apologise but I haven't completed this month's task.  Instead I thought I'd share last year's little canvasses for my word CHANGE.

I will be doing this for my 2012 word and will show you next month.

Just in case you think I've slacked off all month .... I have just read my five little focuses for the assignment last month and I am pleased to report that I  have had my eyes tested and I am in denial that I need bifocals (stop sniggering ... apparently its affecting 'young' people now) .... and I have been concentrating on healthy eating and exercise - albeit that I have twisted my pelvis by wearing some new trainers and its a bit ouchy ouch.  Oh and I've broken down the task of painting all the wooden woodwork in our home white and I've made a start :o)

Time to hop along to Jill Conveys - Jill is such an inspiration.  I stalk ... I mean follow .... her blog - and have gleamed many great ideas to live a happy and healthy life.

Til next month

Nikki

x 

 

One on 1 Blog Hop - June Update

Thanks to Margie I am taking part in another One on 1 blog hop.  

This month we were tasked to set some goals - to bring our word into the forefront of our minds.  My word has been eluding me of late.  So I was looking foward to this month.

I've decided to be 'kind' to myself and only set 5 tasks this year.  And I'm happy with these tasks - they look remarkably like last year's tasks lol.

And the flower?  Well I am away at a Stampin' Up! Convention this week and this little flower symbolises one of the groups I belong to - the Extra Special Aussie Demonstrators - or ESAD for short.

As I thought the page looked kinda bland, and I was busy taking photos of swaps and other samples I have made I thought I'd jazz this photo up a little and pop the flower in for good measure.

Isn't it cute.  If you want to know how to make it leave me a comment and I'll post you the link to the instructions.

Time to hope along now to visit the lovely Amanda and catch up with her progress through this One Little Word process.

Until next time.

Nikki

x

One on 1 Blog Hop - May Update

How quickly are the months hopping along?  Far too quickly.  Thanks to Margie we are hopping again to share our progress with One Little Word.

I had some catching up to do after last month so here's some photos to show you the progress - I am UP TO DATE yay!

Firstly here's the March 'set yourself a task and complete it' challenge ..... I did giggle when I read my blog from last month and I thank everyone who commented ... sometimes 'stuff' just happens doesn't it .... and really these projects don't take me long to do. Its part of the reason I love OLW - you don't have to spend long each month to keep the word in the forefront of your mind.

This page really did just summarise how 'full on' the month of March was and it was no wonder I didn't set a task, let alone complete one.

April's task was much easier, for I knew I really had to work hard to get my OLW FOCUS to be at the forefront of my mind again.

And here's April's update.  I read last year's letter to myself, especially the part about where I want to be one year from now and guess what ... I could have just copied it word for word.  

So I've written something more realistic this year and it feels good to be real for a change!

Thanks for joining me on my OLW journey for this month.  Time to hop along now to Amanda's blog  to see how her month has progressed.

Nikki

x

One on 1 Blog Hop - April Update

 

Well I could write I have failed .....

I could have opted out of the blog hop for the first time in 15 months ...

but I just wasn't prepared to do that!

So whilst my March plan hasn't worked out for me at all, I'm still here, haven't failed, just postponed and I WILL have completed everything by the time we hop again in May.

So I'll leave you with a photo that probably explains my month perfectly.  My husband was home for 12 whole days this month - completing a course in Melbourne (so we did a lot of gardening - well chopping down of trees).  The children know I hate it when he goes back to Sydney so Olivia made some cakes whilst I was out on the 2 hour airport run .... isn't she just the best daughter!

Til next month, be good and have fun - I've off to put together an Ikea desk with a sliding drawer and cupboard with shelves - currently flat pack .... wonder if I have been a little too over-ambitious ..... mother - daughter project - see I told you I hadn't failed - well not yet!

Its now time to hop along to visit Cindy.

Nikki

x

One On 1 Blog Hop - February Update

Well this blog hop snuck up on me so I am a little less than prepared but these are some of my photos for the month.  

With the word FOCUS these are some of the things I am trying very hard to keep in my sights this year:

• Scrapbooking - I've completed 2 months of the Twelve course and already I am behind, but I am okay with this - I am loving the inspiration this course is bringing me and the new friendships I am forging.


• Growing veggies - the summer patch hasn't been brilliant but I am learning and planning on the winter crops  - must make the patch 'Spencer' proof (my pooch who loves to eat tomatoes)!


• I downloaded the Project 365 app to my phone and I am trying very hard to take a photo a day - it is helping with my Project Life album - which I must photograph and show you sometime soon.


• Whilst Duken may not be for me (great book), I am concentrating on a living a healthy life.


• Little pots of goodness for the kids and I every day - encouraging healthy habits!


• My computer at work shows me focusing on the job I need to do - I run a business for someone and I need to remain focused for this to be a success.


• Water - I have to drink 2 litres every day!

I haven't achieved all of these tasks through February but I've had a very good go at them.  

March brings newness, clean slates and a determined FOCUSed mind.

Time to hop along to visit Devon for an update on her OLW journey.  Thanks for visiting this month and I hope to be able to show you some completed pages next month.

Nikki

x

Nikki http://www.inkyart.com.au/  <---you are here!!!

Devon http://www.youhadmeatneurotic.com

Amanda http://scrappnbee.blogspot.com/  

Brooklyn http://www.everysnapshot.com/  
Kristina http://hrinspirationfromthe403.blogspot.com/
Jen R http://jenritchie.com/
Kara http://iwannabemewhenigrowup.blogspot.com/
Eydie http://www.whatwecreate.net/ 
Ruth http://suburbansahm.blogspot.com/
Missus W http://www.mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com/
Marilee http://rose-brier.blogspot.com/ 
Cindy http://seriousplay.typepad.com/
Kaylea http://www.myscrappylife.com/
Dawn G http://www.sunshineandcreativity.com/
Rebekah http://istampscrapcraft.blogspot.com/
Becky http://www.becky-handforth.blogspot.com/
Orange Gearle http://orangegearle.blogspot.com/
Katrina http://www.katrinasimeck.com/
Jo http://www.mrsbeee.blogspot.com/ 
Nicky http://www.seejanebake.blogspot.com/
Beth http://www.thesingularlyordinary.blogspot.com/
Kelly http://mindingmynest.com/
Tere http://terecontodomicorazon.blogspot.com/
Margie http://xnomads.typepad.com/ (START/ Lost & Found)
Melissa S http://blog.mshanhun.com/
Sharyn http://lavieenchic.com/
Kimberlee http://scrapsandsass.blogspot.com/
Jill http://jillconyers.com/
Cheri http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com/
Cindy http://www.cynthiacrysdale.com/
Jenn http://www.studiojenn.blogspot.com/
Monica http://scrapinspired.com/
Catherine http://myview-catherine.blogspot.com/
Naomi http://poeticaperture.com/
Jamie http://jmpgirl.blogspot.com/
Coley http://www.coleybelle.blogspot.com/
Melissa C http://www.smudgetime.com/
Donna http://holimess.blogspot.com/
Monica B http://questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com/
Veronica http://www.veronicanorris.typepad.com/
Heidi D http://mommy.heidimdavis.com/
Lisa http://backtoallen.com/category/one-little-word/
Nikki http://www.inkyart.com.au/
Devon http://www.youhadmeatneurotic.com/

One On 1 Blog Hop - January Update

Welcome to a very large One on 1 blog hop.  Its an exciting time of the year having a new word and seeing how it will develop over the coming months.  Having already completed one year of this course last year I am already planning what I am going to include as each month unfolds.

One of the first tasks is to take a photo of yourself.  Its not the best photo but its serves the purpose.  The class does include instructions for overlaying the photo with the wording, but as I am yet to master this piece of software I have just taken a photo of myself with the camera on the computer and printed it off - yes mastering PhotoShop and overlaying photos is on my list of things to learn in 2012.

This month we have been exploring the meanings and noting the reasons for choosing the word.  This year I have chosen the Paisley Petals Designer Series Papers from Stampin' Up - I love these papers and they coordinate with a wide range of colours including Bravo Burgundy, Cajun Craze and Not Quite Navy (although for some reason when I was making this page I grabbed More Mustard - but it seems to work okay I think).

I used the Bigshot Timeless Type to create my word and embellished it with sparkly rhinestones.

I've used some of the new Bakers Twine from the Summer Mini and the Tiny Tag punch to create a little embellishment to show the year.

I can feel the preseence of my word FOCUS already this year, I've been decluttering and simplifying the house and trying really hard to remained focus on the task in hand - I can feel this isn't going to be easy but I do have faith that this will beome easier over time.

I really look foward to catching up with everyone again next month, its now time to hop along to meet Erin to discover how her word Mindfulness has been for her during January.

If you get lost along the way there's a list of participants below to help you.

Happy hopping

Nikki

x

Margie http://xnomads.typepad.com
Sharyn http://www.lavieenchic.com            
Jill http://jillconyers.com
Lynn http://www.crafty-creativity.blogspot.com
Jenn http://www.studiojenn.blogspot.com
Carmen http://www.carmenpaulsorthner.com
Marilee http://rose-brier.blogspot.com
Kristina http://hrinspirationfromthe403.blogspot.com
Cindy http://www.cynthiacrysdale.com
Kelly http://mindingmynest.com
Cheri http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com

Amanda  http://scrappnbee.blogspot.com
Cindy http://seriousplay.typepad.com
Brooke www.everysnapshot.com
Naomi www.poeticaperture.com
Melissa http://www.smudgetime.com
Karen http://breathenowsmile.blogspot.com
Melissa S http://blog.mshanhun.com
Devon http://www.youhadmeatneurotic.com
Donna http://holimess.blogspot.com 
Dawn www.sunshineandcreativity.com
Katrina www.katrinasimeck.com
Sam http://learncreatedo.wordpress.com  
Monica http://scrapinspired.com
Kimberlee http://scrapsandsass.blogspot.com
Missus W http://mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com
Kaylea http://www.myscrappylife.com  
THIS IS WHERE YOU ARE ----    Nikki www.inkyart.com.au
Erin http://erinsparkes.typepad.com/optimstic-fascination
Jo www.curlyscrapbooker.blogspot.com 
Coley http://coleybelle.blogspot.com/2012/01/focus-word-for-2012.html
Beth www.thesingularlyordinary.blogspot.com
Veronica http://www.veronicanorris.typepad.com
Jamie http://jmpgirl.blogspot.com
Monica B http://questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com
Lisa http://backtoallen.com/writers_blog
Rebekah http://istampscrapcraft.blogspot.com
Jan  http://mysimplelittlelife.typepad.com
Veronica http://www.veronicanorris.typepad.com
Cate http://www.lifebehindthepurpledoor.com
Stephanie http://www.scrapworthylives.com
Orange Gearle  http://orangegearle.blogspot.com
Tere  http://terecontodomicorazon.blogspot.com
Junelle http://yesandamenblog.blogspot.com
Ruth  http://suburbansahm.blogspot.com 
Becky http://www.becky-handforth.blogspot.com

One on 1 Blog Hop - Hello Endings and Hello Beginnings

Welcome to all the OLW blog hoppers, regulars and new visitors.  A full twelve months has passed and my One Little Word CHANGE has become a close friend - I will be sad to say goodbye.

December's task was to take a look back at the year, the facts and the feelings and to wrap up the year before searching for a new word to take us through 2012.

I never really understood the power of just One Little Word until this year.  As I appreciate symbolic gestures and items I would often find myself holding my Lisa Leonard necklace to remind myself that it was okay to CHANGE, or to embrace CHANGE, or to be brave enough to make a CHANGE.  I wore the necklace almost every day.  It was powerful, enlightening, grounding and fulfilling.   I am unsure what to do with my pendant - I will be replacing it with a new one for 2012 but if you have any ideas please  share them - I'd love to hear from you.

I spent a few hours on Boxing Day just finishing off all of the pages - I'm a few page protectors short but all the tasks are now finished.

 

I loved this experience and the One on 1 blog hop really did ensure that I completed each and every task - once again thanks to Margie for keeping me organised.

And so what's for 2012?

Having had what I would call an 'action' word for a year I was pondering a different type of word - I pondered words like Embrace, Nuture, Nourish, Cherish, Simplify or Do and really whilst writing this post I still wasn't sure which word to choose.  

So I cheated a little!  Being part of the alumni and One on 1 gang, I know that one of the first tasks for all OLWers is to check out the definition of your word in a Thesaurus - so that's just what I did.  I know what I want to set out to achieve this year I just wasn't sure which word was going to be by my side whilst I continue my journey.

So my word for 2012 is FOCUS.

Why did I choose this word?  I'm the world's best procrastinator; I want to achieve so much; I need more than 24 hours in one day or perhaps that should read ... I need to manage my time better; I am the master of excuses; I know what I should be doing but just don't follow it through; the list could go on and on!  This all needs to stop ..... I need to stop the waffle, the excuses and the time wasting and just FOCUS! 

I like the word FOCUS for I know that when I do just that I can achieve so much, and of course it isn't just about FOCUSing on the changes I have made but FOCUS on the everyday stuff, on the good and positive things in my life.  I am pleased I have finally settled on this word for 2012.

Its time now to hop on your way - next stop is Tere - thanks for stopping by my little piece of cyberspace - I hope you'll drop in again.  

Happy New Year

Nikki

x

List of participants in case you lose your way:

Margie http://xnomads.typepad.com <http://xnomads.typepad.com/>
 
Cheri  http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com <http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com/>
 
Veronica www.veronicanorris.typepad.com <http://www.veronicanorris.typepad.com/>
 
Kara http://iwannabemewhenigrowup.blogspot.com/ <http://iwannabemewhenigrowup.blogspot.com/>
 
Rebekah http://istampscrapcraft.blogspot.com/ <http://istampscrapcraft.blogspot.com/>
 
Sharyn http://www.LaVieEnChic.com <http://www.lavieenchic.com/>
 
Jill http://jillconyers.com <http://jillconyers.com/>
 
Lynn www.crafty-creativity.blogspot.com <http://www.crafty-creativity.blogspot.com/>
 
Monica http://scrapinspired.com/ <http://scrapinspired.com/>
 
Lisa http://backtoallen.com/writers_blog <http://backtoallen.com/writers_blog>
 
Cynthia H  http://paperpapereverywhere.blogspot.com <http://paperpapereverywhere.blogspot.com/>
 
Lee http://thelinarstudio.typepad.com/embracelife/ <http://thelinarstudio.typepad.com/embracelife/>
 
Abbey http://athomewiththerichardsfamily.blogspot.com/ <http://athomewiththerichardsfamily.blogspot.com/>
 
Monica B www.questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com <http://www.questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com/>
 
Nikki  http://www.inkyart.com.au <http://www.inkyart.com.au/>   YOU ARE HERE
 
Tere  http://terecontodomicorazon.blogspot.com/ <http://terecontodomicorazon.blogspot.com/>
 
Melissa S  http://blog.mshanhun.com <http://blog.mshanhun.com/>
 
Nicky http://seejanebake.blogspot.com <http://seejanebake.blogspot.com/>
 
Stephanie http://www.scrapworthylives.com/ <http://www.scrapworthylives.com/>
 
Jenn L  www.studiojenn.blogspot.com <http://www.studiojenn.blogspot.com/>
 
Cindy  http://seriousplay.typepad.com <http://seriousplay.typepad.com/>
 
Amanda http://scrappnbee.blogspot.com <http://scrappnbee.blogspot.com/>
 
Sam http://learncreatedo.wordpress.com/ <http://learncreatedo.wordpress.com/>

Jan  http://mysimplelittlelife.typepad.com <http://mysimplelittlelife.typepad.com/>
 
Jamie http://jmpgirl.blogspot.com <http://jmpgirl.blogspot.com/>
 
Karen http://breathenowsmile.blogspot.com/ <http://breathenowsmile.blogspot.com/>
  

Hurry Up 2012!

I'm not a huge fan of wishing your life away - I've always got so much to get done I'd like to slow life down just to give myself a head start most of the time ...

But ..... I've plenty of crafting planned for 2012 and I can't wait!

Have you noticed all the new buttons down the right hand side of my new look blog?  

I've signed up for several Big Picture classes next year including Stacey Julian's TWELVE; a brilliant scrapbooking course for three months and I've finally been able to buy a Becky Higgins' Project Life kit (I've gone for the Cobalt colourway) having missed out last year (can I tell you how unbelievably excited I am about that); and I am also embarking on Cathy Zielske's Eat Well Move More journey too.

We have our final One on 1 blog hop planned for tomorrow - the final chapter for 2011 and the grand reveal for 2012 - yes I'll be doing this again too.  I've loved loved loved One Little Word - its just 'ME' - tune in tomorrow for the wrap up on 2011 and to check out my new word for 2012.

Don't forget ladies, anyone can join up ..... its fun; check it out.

I'll be sharing my progress here throughout 2012, and of course, I'll always be showcasing the lovely Stampin' Up! goodies all year long too!

Happy New Year's Eve!

Love Nikki

x

 

 

One On 1 - For November

Can you believe that we are nearly at the end of the year?  We only have one more task left for the OLW in 2011.  As we come to the end of the year and the end of my first OLW journey I have been trying to sum up what this has meant to me.  Then today I read this from Ali Edwards .... 

A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow. From my own personal experience, it can be a catalyst for enriching your life.

In 2006, I began a tradition of choosing one word for myself each January - a word that I can focus on, meditate on, and reflect upon as I go about my daily life. My words have included play, peace, vitality, nurture, light, and story. These words have each become a part of my life in one way or another. They've been imbedded into who I am, and into who I'm becoming. They've been what I've needed (and didn't know I needed). They've helped me to breathe deeper, to see clearer, and to grow. 

... and I thought .... that's it in a nutshell - how can I express it better - I can't!

In keeping with the '11th hour type of girl' that I am (and have come to accept this year) - here I am at almost the 11th hour and 59th minute ..... completing the task (hence the dodgy photo).  If it wasn't for Margie and the rest of the One on 1 girls I would not be as up to date as I am - thank you.

So without further ado - thanks for visiting and don't forget to leave me a comment.  Away you go to visit the lovely Debra - I was having a little looksee through Debra's site just now - she has some lovely family photos - and she reminded me to wish a belated Happy Thanksgiving to all my American visitors.

Happy blog hopping and I'll see you again next time. 

Nikki

x

 

Its One on 1 Time Again

The start of a new month brings with it One on 1 time again.  Thanks to Debra for sending you along to my little piece of cyberspace.  

This month's task was to revisit photos of our word.  I struggled last time to find enough photos of my word and what it means to me but over the course of this year, I have opened my eyes to so many photos I want to include within my album now.   I haven't printed my photos yet, but here they are, these all remind me of changes that have come about in the past few months.

We moved offices - and with it left behind a heap of 'history' - a new start!  Whilst I never blog about my work - it is a really big part of my life - and has been one of the biggest changes this year.

The garden is quickly becoming a new passion of mine - I've even been weeding!  how to stop a naughty dog from digging up the new plants - now that is a mystery but I won't be beaten - hanging baskets I am thinking LOL

Taking time for myself - painted toenails (even if they aren't expertly done) ... give me so much pleasure!  I'm learning to look after me, starting with my feet .... and that will please my Mum xx

Cooking healthy food for the family.  With my husband being away so much it is very easy to 'slip' into snack mode .... the kids love this quiche (very good for you because it is made with filo pastry - and I add in 'yucky' green stuff - spinach to you and me) so I make one every week - and its devoured within hours. I love to cook and enjoy providing the children with healthy foods.

Sydney, regretably, is still going to be a prominent part of our lives as my husband embarks on a new posting with the Navy this month - one that will see him living there for at least another 12 months.  It isn't what we planned but moaning isn't going to change it - so we are all embracing this change knowing that one day he will be home with us again.

Olivia and I have become Mebourne Heart fans - KP always went to the matches with his Dad, now when Paul isn't in town he has to put up with some girlie company - secretly I think he likes this change very much.

I have a passion for quotes and I especially love this one - it kinda sums up where I am at right now - I am really loving how this One Little Word is working for me.

Over the course of the last few months I have found these few images which resonated with me and my word - I love the Change Button - how accurate is that .... we just need to be ready to press the button and change can happen.  And how true is the little verse; we can achieve so much if we are open to changing the way we think.

     
And two final photos, some lovely pink boxing gloves to remember to stop beating myself up over small trivial things and a clock - time is precious - I need to learn to use it wisely, cos really time does fly!

Time now to hop along to see Monica to hear how her month has gone. 

Hope to see you next month ... who can believe that we are in November already?  Two more months and it will be time to choose another word .... perhaps this time you will join me on this journey - I can really recommend it.

Thanks Margie for all that you do in keeping this hop hopping xxx

Nikki

x

 

One on 1 - Time To Choose a Battle

Welcome to another One on 1.  Thanks again to Margie for keeping us all in step.  Warning this is a long post - lots of waffle ... sorry!

Ali Edwards really made me think this month - to choose a battle and let go of another.

Sunday 25 September I had an epiphany – it involved a mailbox and an armful of envelopes.  
 
On 13 July I committed to take part in a swap showcasing the new ideas book and catalogue.  To cut a very long story short, finally last weekend, 34 days late, I changed the design time and time again as I struggled with the task and then sat for several hours and made all of the swaps.  I ticked the job off my list and instantly felt the release – already I was feeling my creating mojo returning – it had been lost for the whole of the month.  I packaged them all and popped the dogs on the lead and set off for the mailbox.
 
As the lid snapped shut with a loud bang (what is it with Aussie mailboxes – I often feel like I am going to lose a hand when I post a bulky item) taking with it 34 days of worry and stress it suddenly struck me.   What would it feel like to 'post' my one permanent goal in life. 

As I continued on my walk with the dogs I likened this experience to that of the one thing in my life I want to CHANGE.  The whole reason I started on this journey in the first place.  Yes I was committed, yes sometimes things in my life do, and will, become more important than the task itself, yes I make this task much larger than it needs to be, and yes I have heaps and heaps of excuses as to why I haven’t achieved my goal …. But honestly …. I just need to buckle down stop whinging and get on with it.

What would I feel like if I achieved the goal that is always top of my list – the mountain I have tried to climb for about the last 20 years and have never quite got to the top of, what would it feel like to be living a healthy lifestyle, to shed the unwanted and unloved excess kilos, and more importantly exercise was as much of my daily routine as preparing fresh meals every day or brushing my teeth?  

Yes it really did take a few swaps and a deadline for me to reach this point.  The expectations, letting friends down, receiving my pack of swaps knowing that I hadn’t kept my side of the bargain, the unfinished task, I’d let all of it overwhelmed me.  
 
So in asking myself, what would it feel like to be healthy and fit. To not stress if sometimes takeaway is all I have the energy for. To enjoy a glass of wine or coffee and cake with a friend without thinking I'm too fat to eat this ... or I shouldn't be eating this.

What would I feel like if I achieved the goal that is always top of my list – the mountain I have tried to climb for about the last 20 years and have never quite got to the top of, if exercise was as much of my daily routine as preparing fresh meals every day or brushing my teeth?  

I would be free to conquer another goal wouldn’t I! How cool would that be?  To have another goal in my life to focus on!  How far would that sense of achievement empower me to achieve other great things?
 
Food for thought as I drag myself out of bed at 5.45am each morning to honour my date with the treadmill J

Weight lost so far during 2011 – 11kgs (or 24lbs or 1.7 stones depending on where you live) – okay healthy lifestyle – you are the chosen battle for the rest of 2011 – this is it!
 
And whilst looking for pictures of an Aussie mailbox as mailboxes tend to differ around the world and some of you may not understand how much clanging happens here when you post bulky items LOL – I found this great image – isn’t it just perfect.  

I now have several of these little images stuck in prominent positions like the alarm clock and the treadmill.  Slow and steady but persistent and determined to win this battle.  

When it came to letting something go, that was a bit harder to decide on but I have decided that setting myself the task of cleaning out all of the cupboards was really a bit unnecessary - my husband may not agree but hey .... there is always the Christmas holidays to tackle that one!

And here's my album.  Somehow I seem to have ended up the wrong way round but that's okay - I'll fix it up.

Being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, the little butterflies are from the Kindness Matters set and the little snail, from the Button Buddies set.  And as I started with the Love Letters DSP I thought I'd keep it going throughout this year even though it is now retired.

Isn't the little snail cute - got a bit carried away with the aquapainter and Riding Hood Red ink to.

Time to hop along and visit the lovely Sam to see what battle she has chosen.

Thanks for stopping by .... and for getting to the end of this post.

Have a lovely month.

Nikki

x

Here's the list the OLW Sisters in case you get lost :o)

Margie http://xnomads.typepad.com
Julie Ann http://julieannshahin2.blogspot.com
Cheri http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com
Nikki www.inkyart.com.au <http://www.inkyart.com.au/>
Sam http://learncreatedo.wordpress.com/
Jan http://mysimplelittlelife.typepad.com
Jenn www.studiojenn.blogspot.com <http://www.studiojenn.blogspot.com>
Nicky www.seejanebake.blogspot.com <http://www.seejanebake.blogspot.com>
Jill http://jillconyers.typepad.com/ <http://jillconyers.typepad.com/%0A>
Monica http://questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com/
Lynn www.crafty-creativity.blogspot.com <http://www.crafty-creativity.blogspot.com>
Lisa http://backtoallen.com/writers_blog
Cindy http://seriousplay.typepad.com  
 
  

One on 1 hop for August

On A Journey

Welcome to another One on 1 blog hop - these come around so quickly.  Thanks to Margie for organising the hop once again and thanks to Ali Edwards for setting an easy task this month.  No sticking, cutting, or creativity required .... and for my part no printing either .... (oops)! This month's task was to include a photo of yourself on your OLW journey, adding a small amount of text. 

 I'm perfectly imperfect!

I don't have Photoshop so I'll be printing my words and pictures and sticking them together before placing them into my OLW album.

My husband took these photos during a recent visit to Sydney - I don't think I am alone when I say I don't like photos of me but I am learning to give the camera to other family members (just LOL) so that I too can be included in the memories.  I had been thinking of taking some more and finding one that I liked more but hey, accepting that perfectly imperfect is enough, is what I am striving for :o)

Time to hop along to see Cassie, enjoy your OLW journey.

Nikki

x

 

Margie               http://xnomads.typepad.com/blog     
Monica B            http://questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com
Julie Ann            http://julieannshahin2.blogspot.com

Jill                          http://jillconyers.typepad.com/ <http://jillconyers.typepad.com/>
Cheri                         http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com
Melissa            http://blog.mshanhun.com
Kathryn            http://www.katlodesigns.com
Amanda            http://scrappnbee.blogspot.com
Sam                        http://learncreatedo.wordpress.com/ <http://learncreatedo.wordpress.com/>
Chrissy            http://getcraftywithchrissy.blogspot.com/
Lynn                        www.crafty-creativity.blogspot.com
Lisa                        http://backtoallen.com/writers_blog
Jen                        http://byjen.com <http://byjen.com/>
Nikki                        http://www.inkyart.com.au/>
Cassie            http://craftycassiescorner.blogspot.com/
Jamie                        http://jmpgirl.blogspot.com <http://jmpgirl.blogspot.com/> 

One On 1 Blog Hop - July Update

Back for another month and part of a blog hop.  Its a full circle so if you are starting here hop on board, if you have arrived from Margie's blog you'll know the drill - and all the blogs will be live during the middle of the night (Oz time so if you don't find a connecting link - don't panic just check back later).

This month is all about music.  Music plays an important part in my life - but I couldn't find myself ten tunes that meant something to me and my OLW, so I have listed just a couple.   Adele and Rolling in the Deep is my favourite right now.  I love the singer, her voice, her look, her words .... and whilst I haven't been through what she is singing about I love the first line ..... 'There's a fire starting in my heart, reaching a fever pitch that's bring me out the dark' ..... that's how I feel about my OLW.

   The page isn't my usual style - but I am very time poor just now and I will revisit it when I have a bit more time to ponder and embellish.

As I reflect each month on my OLW I am very aware of how much of it is centred around healthy living and 'stopping to smell the roses' .... sometimes it is hard to do this but this month we as a family have introduced DEAR - Drop Everything And Read (thanks to Sue Madex for enlightening me).  

There are many tears and tantrums from number 2 child - the very child that needs this regular event and the sole reason for the introduction of it into our lives.  But .... it has also bought about 1/2 an hour or so of silence every day after dinner - no screens (computer, tv or phones) and I know I for one am benefitting from it.

So I am pleased to report I have read not one but two books this month - When God was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman and Jodi Picoult's latest book Sing You Home - very appropriate for this muscical themed post; and I have restarted The Secret Lives of Dress by Erin McKean.  It is great to have found my passion for reading again - I am enjoying this quiet time.

August brings for me a new start yet again.  For us in the Southern Hemisphere it is one month until Spring.   We are moving office / warehouse at work - a huge change and a huge step forward; and I am joining the local gym.  My weight loss has stalled yet again and I am using August to kick start it into action.

Hope to see you around next month - hop along and enjoy the update from Monica.

I'm off to dance around the kitchen - playing Adele oh so very loud :)  

Enjoy your month!

Nikki 

x

 

One on 1 Blog Hop - June Update

Its the 1st of July - that means it's One on 1 time.  Hello if you have arrived from Cherie's blog, lovely to welcome you to my little part of blogland.  If you are a regular reader, welcome too ... hop aboard you are in for a treat.

This month we had to get all 'arty' with our word.  To be honest with you, some of this was a little out of my comfort zone but I sat down and made myself complete the task in one sitting and yes ... I had fun.

We had to think about our word as we made our little canvases.  I've been struggling with a few things this month - nothing major just trying to keep myself focused on my goals, so this was good therapy for me.  I had a look through my stash for a few extra non Stampin' Up! things to use and spent two hours creating nine little works of art that are related to each other and individual at the same time.

The words Joy, Love and Create are reflecting the contentment I feel with the constant reminder of my word and its meaning for me during 2011.  I started this because every year I made New Year Resolutions and I never kept them - this year I started the OLW journey and now I make sure I do this hop every month to keep me focused on what I have set out to achieve.

The little saying 'Follow your heart for it knows the way' is just so true - whenever I listen to my 'instinct' ... 'gut reaction' or 'mother's intuition'  I am never wrong ... I know this path is right for me, does this work for you too?

I thought I'd show you the state of my desk by the time I had finished just for a smile - I know it is a small space but really, I ended up cleaning stamps on my lap - I had pulled everything out and didn't have anymore spare desk to clean the stamps on.  

This month has been a month of 'out of comfort zone moments' and I just know July will be too.   But I will follow my heart and I know it will lead me to where I want to be, and I'll keep trying to move from where I am comfortable into where I really want to be but am not brave enough to jump completely just yet - wish me luck!

And if you have any great ideas of how to shift from the weight loss plateau I have hit I'd love your tips - still 10 kgs lost - which is great ... but goodness me you'd think my body would have given up on holding onto the rest but nope - I'm stuck ... I'll beat it ... I know I will, but any tips would be gratefully received LOL

Have a great month doing whatever makes you happy.  Hop along now to visit Amanda's Blog to see how she has interpreted the task this month.

Come visiting again ...

Nikki