Lists of Lists: 30 Days of Lists Challenge

As of Monday, I was so smugly proud of myself for being right on schedule with my lists. That lasted all the way till Tuesday, when whatever other things I was doing, I did instead of my lists. Here's a look at what I had been working on right up to Monday:

List #11 - Remembering September 11th

On this day I chose to do my own list topic to recognize the significance of the date. Since there's really no wrong way to participate in the 30 Days of Lists Challenge, I decided to do my own thing for list #11. I'm glad I did, and I know in years to come I will appreciate this list even more.

List #13

I think this list is on my list of favorites, right up there with my list of fictional places I'd like to live.

List #15

This list was fun to think about, and what a happy realization to see that I can think of more ways in which I am still young at heart than ways I know I am getting older.

List #17

That little journaling card is from one of the Smash journaling card pads and it's not really my style. But when I starting thinking about this list, this card seemed like the perfect fit -- a big mouth filled with excuses.

Want to know more about the 30 Days of Lists Challenge?

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More Lists: 30 Days of Lists Challenge

Halfway through this month of lists, and I love flipping through my little book. It's amazing that just a little list can tell so much about the kind of person I am and what my life is like right now. This is my first time participating in the 30 Days of Lists challenge, and I am enjoying it as a way to capture little details -- from the practical "goals for this month" list to the completely frivolous "fictional places I'd like to live" list (which is probably my favorite list so far), the lists tell lots about me, but all in a way that is fun and easy to document.

Here's a look at some of my recent lists:

List #8

This list lent itself to having a photo with it, since I knew I would be waving good-bye to them out my front door as they headed off to a Boston College football game.

List #10

List #12

List #14

Are you a September lister? If you're not a lister yet, it's not too late to join the fun -- click below to learn more:

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I Am a Lister: 30 Days of Lists Challenge

I was looking forward to several things about the start of September -- the start of school, the start of my favorite season, and the start of the 30 Days of Lists challenge. I love to make lists. I make lists at work and at home, on paper and on my phone, for big things and little. I had seen the list challenge floating around on the web for a while, and when I saw a new challenge was starting in September, I decided to join the listing fun.

It's been 10 days, and I have been enjoying this little project. Here's a look at some of my first few lists:

List #1

(The list: it keeps me organized; I like checking off items done; I would forget too many things; they calm me down when I'm stressed with too many to do's)

List #2

(The list: continue cleaning/organizing the house; get yard cleared; keep up with this list book; get together with friends; go apple picking)

List #3

(The list: kind, generous, nice, a worrier, loves her kids, talkative, creative, funny, a bookworm, a nerd, bossy, controlling, a perfectionist, friendly but shy)

List #4

(The list: go for a drive by myself with the windows down and/or the radio turned loud; take a nap; escape into a book; call my mom; play Tetris, browse Facebook or otherwise procrastinate; fold laundry upstairs; get a drink at Starbucks)

List #7

(The list: a spoonful of ice cream, a cookie, Wheat Thins, cheese, a glass of milk)

This is turning out to be a fun way to capture a little bit about me right now. It's something I look forward to working on, and it doesn't take long to complete. I created the 4x6 pages in advance, and then decorate as much or as a little as I'm in the mood for that day. I usually read the prompt in the morning and think about it during the day, then make my list in the evening when the boys go to bed.

It's not too late to join -- click below to learn more:

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Inspired by Pinterest in 2011

I started out using Tumblr at the beginning of 2011, but soon had to see what all the excitement was about with Pinterest. To me, Pinterest seems to have more crafts/creative ideas than I found on Tumblr, and I like being able to organize my pins into boards. I made the switch and have been addicted to browsing ever since. As I look back at my creativity in 2011, I owe much to Pinterest, including:

Learning to Crochet
I found so many lovely pins of crochet projects, I actually bought yarn and a hook and taught myself a few basic stitches. I'm proud to say I made two scarves sized just right for the boys, plus several scarves for their stuffed pals (good way to practice), and I'm nearly done with a scarf for myself.

Framed Word Art Gift
I printed the free Christmas scripture word art from A Simply Klassic Home and framed it as a gift for my older son's principal.

Good Eats
For Thanksgiving, I made this turkey(ish) veggies and dip platter, based on this Turkey Veggie Platter from Eating with Food Allergies.

Admittedly our turkey, made with a loaf of round pumpernickel to hold a spinach dip, is less artistically formed, but the boys had fun making it, and I received compliments for being so clever.

A few days before Christmas, the boys and I made up two yummy pretzel/chocolate treats I saw on Pinterest -- Holiday Pretzel Treats from Family Fun (also called Rudolph Noses on some pins, using only red MandMs) and Pretzel Hugs from Cookies and Cups. The boys loved helping and naming all the reindeer noses, and our family loved eating them -- I even got a few requests for the "recipes."

Christmas Elf Mischief

Since it was our third year with Sprinkles the Elf, we already had moved past the "sitting on the shelf" ideas to a few silly tricks and such, but thanks to Pinterest, Sprinkles had increasingly clever hiding places and mischief to make. Poor little elf, he had more inspiration than he had days or energy to execute! (Sprinkles hanging out in the freezer in the photo above was inspired by Beatrice.Killam's photo on Flickr.) 

30 Days of Gratitude Mini Book

Having pinned a few mini books from Lisa Ottosson, when I saw her Gratitude List Mini Book, I was inspired to make my own and keep a record throughout November. It was a perfect way to focus on a month of giving thanks.

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Thank you, Pinterest, for providing so much inspiration in 2011! If only I could drag myself away from the never-ending stream of creativity and MAKE more of what I pin. Here's to plenty of creativity and inspiration in 2012!

Counting My Blessings - 30 Days of Gratitude

A few years ago I was inspired to try to keep a list of things I was thankful for each day in November. I still have the notebook, but somehow I never completed the month-long list. I still liked the idea of focusing on daily thanks giving for November, and when I saw this lovely little gratitude list book by Lisa Ottosson, I was motivated to give the idea more than a passing thought. I noticed she used a journaling card from Crystal Wilkerson, which led me to the discovery of a whole set of journaling cards in Crystal's shop that I could see would make for easy pages.

I printed and cut the cards, stamped a date for each day, added a title card and some pretty ribbon, and in the end I had a cute little book I couldn't wait to fill. Each morning, I jotted down something from the previous day I was thankful for on a bit of scrap paper and every few days I added to the cards. I tried to focus on just one item from each day, but some days are more list-style. Since it's all about being thankful, I'm pretty sure I don't need to impose any rules on myself. On the opposite pages, I may add a photo or one of Crystal's gratitude quote cards.

I am truly enjoying this little project, and appreciating the reminder to look for the blessings in every day. With the start of Advent, I also feel this project has helped to give me a better perspective for the Christmas season too.

Hope you have been enjoying the season of thanksgiving and are looking forward to the Christmas season too.

(Supplies: Spring/Summer 2011 - Journaling Cards, by Crystal Wilkerson, binder rings, ribbon from Making Memories, date stamp from Staples)