One Little Word, 2017

This is my seventh year participating in Ali Edwards' One Little Word. I started in 2011 with Balance (2011), then did Celebrate (2012), Try (2013), Enjoy (2014), Relax (2015) and Share (2016). Without exception, focusing on each of these words for a year has been very positive for me.

My One Little Word for 2017 is Connect.

I want to strengthen the connections with close friends and family, and reconnect with people I haven't seen in far too long. I want to build new connections within the blogging and crafting communities. I want to make connections with other parents as Trevor transitions from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts and from elementary school to middle school this year. I want to do a better job of connecting with you, my readers, through my blog and social media. 

I thought a puzzle piece would be the perfect symbol for Connect, so I built this year's tag around that. I'm not sure what made me choose eraser pink for my tag, but it's covered with little plus signs (actually, X's) to inspire me to make connections.

Coincidentally, Connect is the same word that Ali picked this year. None of her previous eleven words match any of my six, so it's surprising that we chose the same one this time.

As always, my new One Little Word does not replace the previous ones. Balance, Celebrate, Try, Enjoy, Relax and Share will be as much a part of 2017 for me as Connect. Here is Connect with all my other tags.

Did any of you choose One Little Word for 2017? I'd love to hear what it is and why you chose it!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

If you're reading this in your email or in a reader, you may not have noticed that I've made some changes here at My Creative Life. First, I've increased the width of the blog itself so that you are able to see more content on your screen without scrolling. This meant I needed a new header to fit the larger space. It no longer features my collection of One Little Word tags. I think it is more in line with my brand and serves as a better introduction for new readers.

I've also moved some things around. The month's most popular posts now appear directly below my photo rather than hidden further down. I hope this will make it easier for visitors to get a sense of what I share on my blog.

Finally, I've added a page of product recommendations. You can see it on the far right of the navigation bar under the header. I started with scrapbooking supplies, since people ask me all the time what adhesives I like, what trimmers I use, and what cardstock is best. I'll be adding other product recommendations soon.

More changes coming. All for the better. I promise. 

Predicting Trends for 2017

In five days, I will be headed to Phoenix for the Craft and Hobby Association's Creativation Show. I've literally been counting down the days since arriving home from last year's show. I always return recharged and so inspired to create, create, create!

I will be packing a ridiculous number of classes, events and activities into my time at the show. I'm registered for 13 classes related to blogging, social media, branding, and crafts. I'm attending the opening party, a craft blogger meet-up, the new product reception, the annual CHA business meeting and town hall, the keynote address and the after-party. I have meetings and roundtables. Between all that, I'll be spending about 24 hours over 3 days on the trade show floor, learning about new products and trends in crafting.

Yes, trends. It's well-established that I am not an especially trendy person (except for that one time when I was the most super-trendy person ever!) but I do love trying to predict and identify the trends that others will actually follow. Based on all the sneak peeks I've been seeing, it's time to share my predictions for....

I made this graphic with PicMonkey, using one of the color combinations I think will trend in 2017. I'm seeing a lot of teal, pink and black, with mint thrown in as well, particularly in patterned papers and planner supplies. I'm hoping Greenery will be evident at the show; I'm not seeing much of it in the sneak peeks. 

Here are some other trends I'm seeing that I think will be big this year:

What do you think will trend in 2017? Any predictions, thoughts or hopes?

Fun Family Crafts Round-Ups

Time to share the past few months of kids' craft round-ups I've made as Editor of Fun Family Crafts. First up, creative Halloween costumes. It was really hard to choose just 10 to feature. I think my favorite is the paintbrush. I've never seen anything like it! You might have noticed Trevor's toga costume in the mix. While it's not on par with the others in terms of creativity, I added it because it literally takes about 3 minutes to make and therefore is perfect for last-minute dress-up where there isn't even time to run to Target and buy something. I made this before we finished Trevor's campfire costume, which is why it's not included. 

Somehow, we didn't have a round-up of recycled crafts, despite there being over 1400 on the site. Situation resolved. One of my projects is amongst the ten featured. Do you recognize it?

Next, Hanukkah crafts. It's not a big category for us, but perhaps the roundup will prompt others to contribute their tutorials. 

I was really surprised we didn't already have a round-up of cardboard tube crafts. They're one of our most popular supplies. Two of my projects are in this collage. 

Next, hot cocoa crafts and recipes. There are three of mine in this round-up. I do love hot cocoa! I had a tough time arranging the 10 photos in this round-up. It's not especially well-balanced, but it was the best I could do with the photo sizes and orientations. I made up for it with the title block. I'm in love with the little hat sitting on the word 'Crafts.' 

Now, CD and DVD crafts. If only I'd thought of these ideas back when AOL was mailing out a CD every week! (Who else is old enough to remember that?) One of these crafts is mine. Do you recognize it?

Finally, crafts for Martin Luther King Day. It's another small category for us, but the 20+ crafts we do have are pretty awesome. 

As usual, I made all of these collages with PicMonkey. I have the Royale membership ($3.99/month and worth every penny), but if you don't need the fancy features, the free version of PicMonkey is pretty awesome too.

Conversation Hearts Bunny

I love conversation hearts and I love bunnies. Hence, this:

It only takes a few minutes to turn a box of conversation hearts into an adorable bunny. And you don't have to take apart the bunny to get to the candy!

I made this Conversation Hearts Bunny as part of the Valentine's Edition of Craft Lightning. Visit the links each day this week to see lots of other ideas for quick Valentine's Day crafts. 

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Conversation Hearts Bunny

Materials: 

• Box of conversation hearts
• White construction paper, approximately 6" square
• Scissors
• Glue
• Pink heart sticker (or pink cardstock and a heart-shaped punch)
• Sharpie
• White pom pom

Steps: 

Fold the construction paper around the box of candy, creasing it along each edge of the box. Unfold the paper. Leaving the center part intact, cut out rectangles on either side, as shown in the picture. Save the rectangles, as you'll use them later.

Line the bottom of the box up with the bottom of the paper. Make vertical snips along each fold line, down to the height of the box. These will be flaps to cover the top of the box.

Cut the tall center portion of the construction paper into the shape of bunny ears. Use the rectangle scraps from before to make a matching pair of bunny arms (slightly shorter and thicker than the ears). Cut a rectangle that is the same size as the box top.

Put the box UPSIDE DOWN on the construction paper. This lets you get at the candy without taking apart the bunny.

Glue the construction paper in place. Fold down the tabs and glue. 

Add the small rectangle to the top to hide any gaps. 

Use the Sharpie to add eyes, nose, mouth and whiskers to the bunny. Write a short message on the sticker, then attach it to the bunny's tummy. Glue the ams to the heart, making sure they don't cover the message.

Wrap the arms around the box and glue them in place. Add a pom pom tail and it's done!