#augustbreak2014

This month, I'm playing along with Susannah Conway's August Break 2014.  What is it all about? Essentially, it's an invitation to take ONE photo a day all this month.

It's rare that I participate in a photo challenge, but I loved that this one a) includes a daily email with visual goodness (aka beautiful images) and a few photo tips.; b) basically has no rules (think: anything goes!); c) has a decent size community of women and men (1500+) participating.

I learned about #augustbreak2014 from Ali Edwards, but I've been a fan of Susannah Conway since reading her book, This I Know: Notes on Unraveling the Heart.

Have you read it? It's part memoir, part creative journal, and I loved it. Maybe I should use the present tense: I love it.  It lives on my iPhone in the Kindle application, and even now, two years later, I go back and reread sections of it and try out some of the exercises.

I could go on and on about Ms. Conway's book, but let's get back to the August Break.

It's only the first week of the month (we'll see how long I make it), but I'm enjoying documenting my everyday life. My goal each day is simple: To snap a photo, edit it (if I have time), and post it to Instagram.

Here's a look at the first five photos I've shared.

 August 1 | Our niece, Zoey

 August 2 | Jelly Beadz

 August 3 | Cousin Love (theme: window)

 August 4 | Orange Toys (theme: orange)

 

August 5 | Hello Praying Mantis (theme: three)

Want to play along, too?

Instagram: Use the hashtag, #augustbreak2014.

Flickr: August Break Flickr group

If you're sharing your photos on your blog (like I'm doing here), be sure to add your blog to this blog roll. 

Happy shooting and sharing!

*This post contains affiliate links. What does that mean? If you click on a link and make a purchase, I'll receive a small commission, which helps to keep my blog humming along.  Thanks, in advance, for your support!

One Little Word Update

Now that it's 2012, I thought it would be fun to share the second half of my 2011 One Little Word album.  Back in April, I wrote this post about the first half of my album.  As you may remember, my One Little Word for 2011 was FAITH.

In MAY, I documented five actions or goals I was currently working toward or hoped to tackle in the near future.

  

In JUNE, I decided to forgo Ali Edward's assignment and photocopied an article from the book, You Can Adopt.  The piece, written by an adoptive father, really resonated with me and I knew this album would be the perfect place to keep it.   

In JULY, per the prompt, I searched for song lyrics that discussed faith, hope, love or strength.  Ultimately, I chose songs that spoke to me, that encouraged me, that inspired me. 

In AUGUST, I snapped a picture of myself, and then added two paper strips and some writing around the edge using a Sharpie marker.

In SEPTEMBER, I placed this Real Simple magazine article, The Miracle of Faith, in my album.

In OCTOBER, I searched through my recent photographs and selected 10 pictures that I felt represented faith.  Faith in the adoption process, faith in the institution of marriage, faith in the power of scrapbooking, faith in friendship, faith in my students.  

In NOVEMBER, I completed the following prompts: I know, I am, I believe, I love, I am thankful for, This word, and I learned.

I also included a quote I found on Pinterest: "Let your FAITH be bigger than your fear."

In DECEMBER, I spent time reflecting on my faith and writing down some facts and feelings about my One Little Word.     

As I say goodbye to my word this year I want to remember:  

How much I enjoyed this class.  It was such a great experience: The writing, the photography, the reading, the reflecting, the art.  It all helped me to become more faithful. And even though I have chosen a new word for 2012--JOY--my faith necklace will continue to serve as a reminder to have faith in myself, faith in others, and faith in God. 

  

Want to join Ali Edwards for the 2012 One Little Word class?  Click here.   

J