31 December 2011

one little word-2012



Peace is my "one little word" for 2012.
For those of you who haven't heard of "one little word" be sure to read this.
Basically,  one little word is the word that you would like to sum up your new year.
It took me awhile to find the perfect word.  
Last year, my word came to me quickly.  This year I had to ruminate on it for awhile
A few months ago, I came across this on Pinterest..



I am a huge Gandhi fan, and when I read this, it was so 
"moving"  to me. 
Gandhi was so incredibly wise, and brilliant, and stood for so many things that I truly believe in.
Some of my favorite quotes and mantras of all time have been from Gandhi, such as:

Live simply

The weak can never forgive. forgiveness is an attribute only for the strong.

Strength does not come from physical capacity.  It comes from a indomitable will.

Be the change you wish to see in the world.

Where there is love, there is life.

A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.

Hate the sin, love the sinner.

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.

When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won.

 Those are the types of things that I want to focus on this year.  
These are the traits that I want to meditate on and surround myself with.
Unfortunately, I am looking for ONE little word; not alot of words :)
So, I thought hmmmm could my word be Gandhi? 
To me that is a name, not a word.  I wasn't feeling it.
Then I made a list of adjectives that I thought described Gandhi.
Again, I let these sink in and "peace" was the one that stuck with me.
So for me, the word Peace means so much more than that.
It's a symbolic word that stands for the person I want to be this year:

*  A person who can be the change.
*  A person who loves everyone
*  A forgiving person
*  A strong person
*  A happy person
*  A harmonious person
*  A peaceful person

 So this my friends, is what I leave you with :)

 I offer you peace.
I offer you love.
I offer you friendship.
I hear you cry
I see your beauty
I feel your pain
My wisdom flows from my spirit within
I salute that spirit in you
Let us work together for peace.
-Gandhi (and Janel)

xo
janel

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30 December 2011

2011 in review

I just had the best time going over all of my blog posts this past year and reminiscing on the wonderful times and memories.
My "one little word" for this year was Better.
My goal was to just be a better me.
That includes, being a better friend, no more fears and anxieties, being healthier, being more creative, being more outgoing...
just being better.
Reflecting on this past year, I can definitely say, with 100% certainty, that I accomplished that.
Here is a little, photo filled, re-cap of "Janel's better life via 2011."


What a lovely lovely year.
Full of blessings.
I am beyond thankful.

I am still working on my "one little word" for 2012.
I have a few words in mind, and I have my "concept" in my head, I am just not sure how to sum it all up in one word.
We shall see.
Have a blessed day my friends.
xo
janel

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29 December 2011

new blog design!

I thought it was only appropriate to start a brand new year with a fresh new blog design.
What do you think?

I, for one, am in love with it :)
I have seen so many blog banners that I love and then when I really started checking them out, I realized that they were all created by the same lovely girl!
So, I found her blog.
Checked out her shop.
and fell in love.
$25 dollars later, my blog is perfection.
Yes, TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS!!!!
Contact her, get a fresh start with your blog this 2012.  Tell her I sent you :)
She also has a ton of cute FREE "blog bling" downloads too.
Seriously she rocks!

Love love love,
Thank you Jess.


P.S. Don't forget to vote :) All it takes it two little clicks. Click To Vote For Us @ the Top Baby Blogs Directory! The most popular baby blogs

28 December 2011

the present.


Last year, my friend Katie posted her Christmas gift to her husband.
  I was so inspired!!  I knew that this was something that I wanted to do for Adam.
I immediately hopped on etsy and ordered a HUGE handmade journal.


The concept was this, I would write love letters to Adam all year from January 1, 2011 all the way until Christmas 2011.  I literally carried the book around with me EVERYWHERE.  Which is crazy because after I gave it to Adam, he said he had never seen it before.
I guess I was sneakier than I thought :)



I tried to document as much as possible.  I taped in ticket stubs, movie stubs, tons of photos, cards, postcards, and  I even made a couple of mixed CD's throughout the year and a couple of DVD's too.  
Here is a little sampling...






I tried to make sure that I wrote at least once a week but a lot of times I wrote even more than that.  It was addicting :)



Adam says it's the best present he has ever gotten.  He loves handmade gifts and I can tell that it really meant a lot to him. He read the whole thing, cover to cover, in a couple of hours.  It was awesome.
2011 was a wonderful year full of milestones for us, especially with our adoption.  I loved documenting it, I loved being sneaky.  
I will admit at the beginning I wasn't sure that I would stick with it, but I did, and I loved it.
 I think this was a great project to get me amped up for Project Life this year too!  Another year of documenting things the way that works for me :)
What is the best gift you gave this Christmas?

xo
janel


P.S. Don't forget to vote :) All it takes it two little clicks. Click To Vote For Us @ the Top Baby Blogs Directory! The most popular baby blogs

27 December 2011

Isaboo Designs Giveaway


Let's give a big Hello to one of our lovely partners this month, Isaboo Designs.  As soon as she emailed me, and I checked out her shop and blog, I knew that she would be a perfect fit for Run With Scissors this month :)  Her designs and creations are stunning and unique.

You can see for yourself by checking them out:

Isaboo Designs is also offering up one of their gorgeous crocheted banners for one lucky Run With Scissors Reader this month :)



 Isn't it lovely?
For a chance to win, all you can do any and ALL of the following:
1.  Visit the Isaboo Designs Etsy shop, and leave a comment on this blog post telling me which item is your fave :)
3. Be a follower of Run With Scissors.
4.  Tweet the following @janelrws is hosting an awesome giveaway from Isaboo Desings on her blog!

There you go! You have four ways to enter this giveaway!
You can enter every day too! Just make sure to leave separate comments for each entry.
This giveaway will end on New Year's Eve December 31.
Good Luck!


xo
janel

P.S. Don't forget to vote :) All it takes it two little clicks. Click To Vote For Us @ the Top Baby Blogs Directory! The most popular baby blogs

December Sponsor Spotlight

I am so excited to share the rest of my December Sponsors with you all!
 Their blogs and shops are absolutely adorable!
 Take some time today to search through the links below :)
Enjoy!








Yay!! Enjoy all of the inspiration and the wonderful deals this month!!!!  January ad spaces are already filling up so be sure to email me if you are interested!!! Thanks so much!!
xo
janel

P.S. Don't forget to vote :) All it takes it two little clicks. Click To Vote For Us @ the Top Baby Blogs Directory! The most popular baby blogs

project #9


As I mentioned before my wonderful Aunt and Uncle made me this A-Frame tent, for the nursery, for Christmas.  
We used this tutorial.
For Project #9 I made the fabric covering for it :)



I had to wait until I was gifted the tent before I could photograph it and get it up here.
I used the same tutorial but readjusted my measurements for the smaller size.
I found a pretty vintage sheet from my stash and sewed.



The covering was so easy to make and the directions were perfect!


Now we have the perfect little reading nook happening in the nursery :)



I scored that awesome wood grain floor pillow from Target's after Christmas sales and the quilt is hand-made.
I am happy to say that I completed all 10 of my projects in 10 days and I have been on a full-on creativity kick ever since.
I hope you all are relaxed and refreshed after the holiday.

On a side note:  Please pray for the family of one of my past students who was killed last night in a car accident :( My heart is breaking for her and her lovely family.  Thank you.

xo
janel

P.S. Don't forget to vote :) All it takes it two little clicks. Click To Vote For Us @ the Top Baby Blogs Directory! The most popular baby blogs