January 19, 2012

Focus On: Home Work (Not Quite What You Think)

With the dawn of a new year naturally comes thoughts of fresh starts and resolutions.  For the last several years I have made the same resolution, to "use what I buy".  I originally was thinking groceries when I started this intention, especially produce and canned goods that go bad or get pushed to the back of the cabinet and forgotten.  I've since expanded my consciousness to include toiletries, makeup, art supplies, gardening tools, candles, etc.  I think I've been doing a fair job of it, and quiz myself before making purchases in the first place.

As 2011 was drawing to a close there was a lot of talk "on the blogs" about gearing up for year-long creative memory documentations like Project Life and Project 365 (well, 366 it being a leap year), and/or about choosing a "word" for 2012.  I wasn't planning on choosing a word, didn't consciously ponder any word possibilities, but apparently a seed was planted at some point because I literally opened my eyes one day with a strong proclamation:  Home Work.

Not to be confused with its close cousin, "House Work" (which evokes visions of dusting, vacuuming, mopping, toilet scrubbing, etc.) my revelation "Home Work" refers more to maintaining the bones of the house, like painting, repairing, upkeeping, do-it-yourself-ing type projects that are part and parcel of home ownership.  We've lived in this house for 16 years (!) now and have A LOT of things that we have not kept up with or just let go of altogether. 

I dedicated the inside front cover spread of my new art journal to laying down this new intention.



Gold paint-hard to see if the light's not hitting it quite right. 





 On page 2 and 3 I've started my To Do List.  Wish me luck!


Did you choose a word for 2012 or make any resolutions?


Thanks for visiting!

10 comments:

  1. Fantastic project! 2012 will be the kitchen makover year for us I think ;)

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  2. I love this idea, and have recently realized that our home needs work too. I also love it because my one little word was camera, a very concrete idea.

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  3. I love this work. So bright and fun. I feel so inspired : )

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  4. Oh, I love this!!! Amazing. Actually love the use what you have idea as well.

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  5. i'm so glad you photographed all the details so i could see how wonderful your art is! :)

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  6. This is so awesome, the word you chose and the art work you did for it. LOVE LOVE THIS!! Good luck in your adventures of DIY projects. Will you be keeping a art journal on your progress thru the year, I hope so. Thanks for sharing!!

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  7. such a great idea-your "work" is fabulous!!!

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  8. Lisa, you put a little note on my comment from Julie B's blog - the no more expections/25 strips of tape post, so I came over to visit! What a great way to document your commitment (& work in your journal!). Accountability helps in accomplishing tasks.

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  9. Beautiful pages - Your "home work" will bring you lots of joy!

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