Weekly Challenge

New Years Resolutions.
Project Life.
To Do lists.
Momento. (on my Iphone)

There’s a lot of chatter this time of year and right now in the scrapbook community about recording things daily, making goals, how to keep a to do list, plans for the future, so I wanted to share a fun way to cross a few things off the list and challenge you to take a moment and think about what you want from the coming year.

I was recently reminded of a Millenium time capsule I made in 1999 at a New Year’s party I was hosting with roommates.  I had this piece of butcher paper and went around to partygoers to have them write thoughts on the coming year (I honestly don’t remember specifically what I asked them to write down, though.  It was a party on New Years Eve in 1999, you know.  At the time the world was going to come to an end, or so they said).  When I had the paper filled, I rolled it up, and we put it in the garage down that metal pipe that normally protects the hot water heater from the front of your car.  Know what I’m referring to?  Anyway, this one had a twist top and we just slipped it down inside and sealed it tight.  The “millennium time capsule” we called it. 

Unfortunately, the friend who owned that house no longer owns it.  I’m still debating whether to knock on the door and ask if I can go into a stranger’s garage and start taking things apart to retrieve it.  HA! For me personally, 2012 has a lot of changes coming my way.  In contemplating that as well, I thought it would be fun to create another time capsule for just myself, but this time tuck it away for just a year before opening to read it again.

My challenge to you is this:  Sit down with a pen and paper, or your laptop, and write a letter to yourself.  In mine I jotted down all the goals and thoughts I had for the coming year, things I intend to accomplish, even words of encouragement for my future self.  I have to tell you, it was a very empowering challenge for me.  I wrote out everything.  I talked about food and exercise, the hubby and the kids, and I didn’t hold anything back.  It was a personal letter, and when I open it again, it’s a letter only I intend to read.

I did this challenge a few years ago, and that time I created a paper pillow box and slipped the letter in.  This time, however, one of my New Year goals is to reduce the clutter, so I had to take that into consideration, and decided to do something I could add to my scrapbook albums now, on the very last page, so in the back of my mind I can think about my words each time I add a new layout (but I must be honest here, I have stacks unfiled right now, so it could be December before I see it again.  Ha!)

Because I am also participating in Project Life in 2012, I decided a page protector was the way to go, and because I have a mild love affair with my Pinterest account, I peeked around for ideas and went with a popular idea circulating for a couple of months now, and added confetti.  It’s a celebration, right?!  This is what I came up with:

I took a 12x12 page protector from American Crafts and stitched the different sections.  I did the bottom section first and stitched it closed before adding the next layer.  The envelope with my letter inside is sealed all around with thread.  When it comes time to read it again, I’m going to use a blade and slice the front of the page protector open and slip it out to devour.
My confetti is a mix of Studio Calico veneer, patterned paper trimmed with a simple hole punch, and Martha Stewart medallion punches.  The great big doily in the middle is the very first thing I’ve trimmed with my Cameo.  P.S.  I want to marry my Cameo.

My life is not only about me, but my family, so I had to include photos of both.  I also included patterned papers from the County Fair kit, some Memoir, and I also added a little Clementine from Project Life. 
Additional supplies: Autumn Press alpha stickers, Autumn Press die cut tags, Classic Calico Fabrips

My challenge for you this week is to write a letter to yourself and seal it up tight.  You don’t have to do anything fancy with it.  Just tuck it away to be read this time next year.  It’s a gift to yourself.  I hope you’ll play along! Happy New Year! 

Comments

[Julie Mitchell]

LOVE this idea. I am so doing this. 2012 will be a very hard year for me. I think this project could not come at a better time. This is something I need to do. Please remind us to open those letters in 2013!!

[Linda]

Davinie, what a great idea and challenge! I especially like the idea of the letter being completely sealed with thread! Thanks for your inspiration!

[krista]

Did it. Posted a photo in flikr. What a great idea. Already added it to my project life binder.

[krista]

K that link didn't work. Take two...the challenge can be found on my flikr page:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46456554@N08/6614749505/

[KATHY ( kathyb)]

I did this in 2008 as part of the Heidi Swapp clas at BPS. I have letters written to all 3 children my hubby and sister to be read in 2013- next year!! I can't remember if I wrote one to me, but I will now. Thanks for the challenge.

[Kasey]

Here is mine...

http://www.studiocalico.com/galleries/52270-new-year-s-letter-blog-challenge

[Kate aka stinkydudette]

This is amazing! Thanks for a great challenge, Davinie!

[Jen Day]

Totally going to do this. I feel as though I have allot weighing in my heart right now and this may be the answer...And it might just get those creative juices flowing again if I try to scrap it. Thanks!

[Shirley Lupton]

What a neat idea. I should do this. Wish me luck. Have a happy new year.

[Valentina]

I love this idea! I will totally do this as soon as I can get out of the internet... ;)Thanks for sharing this project with us.

[lindsay]

i will never get a chance to declutter anything if i keep getting inspired by you and the other ladies on this site!!!

[Pernilla Thorold]

Here is my layout:
http://www.studiocalico.com/galleries/52497-hopes-for-2012
Thanks for the inspiration!

[Jessica]

LOVE this idea!!!

[Denise van Deventer]

A great idea! I am definitely going to sit down this weekend and write a letter!

[lory]

It's an amazing idea! I count to work to my PL this weekend :) I'll do it for sure!

Love and thank you for sharing!

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This is really the great way you discuss this kind of topic. Good job.

[Patricia Roebuck]

Beautiful and great idea!

[Penny]

I combined this challenge with my "one little word" for the year. My letter is in the big brown Bazzill envelope!
http://www.studiocalico.com/galleries/52849-embrace-2012

[justlisa]

Loved this idea! I used it to write about what I want to be committed to this year...goals, dreams, etc.... and inserted in in my PL book to read at the end of the year. Thanks for the inspiration!

My OLW for 2012 is: Commitment!
http://www.studiocalico.com/system/gallery_pictures/images/000/083/642/original/PL%20letter%20to%20myself.jpg