Loving the Unexepected

Jayme Sudeth in Chicago, Illinois is spending a year Loving the Unexpected...

Why did you decide to do this project? I wanted to create happiness for people that I don't know. I have always enjoying giving gifts out of the blue to friends and even strangers on occasion. About a week after getting your book I decided on Giving the Unexpected for 365 days. Ranging from small acts of holding the door open to buying someone a warm cup of coffee.

How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? Loving the unexpected is how I am feeling about my 365 day challenge. I am loving the challenge of doing an act for a stranger everyday and unexpected things are happening for me! Doing kind things for people that I do not know leaves a smile on my face even when my day is not going so well. Often we think that the world revolves around us especially when our day is going bad. It is hard to realize that others are having bad days, and taking just a moment to give them something unexpected can turn your day and their day around! The biggest challenge I have faced is coming up with different acts each day.


See how unexpected Jayme's life has begun HERE.

365 Spiders

Amy Kopperude in Red Lion, Pennsylvania is making 365 Spiders. She says, "After finding a beaded spider tutorial on-line last summer, I haven’t been able to stop making beaded spiders. A year of spiders will force me to explore the creation of my 8-legged friends beyond just beads. I love experimenting with the shape and composition of a spider through diverse media, which is what this year is all about."...

Why did you decide to do this project? My friend Susan approached several of her friends, asking if we would be interested in participating in a 365 Days of Creativity project. I’m always making something, and if I’m not making something, I’m thinking about making something. So I was all over this idea right away. I figured I could finish some projects I’d started or explore some ideas I’d had. I have a room full of materials and books, magazines, and binders full of ideas. Certainly I could come up with 365 things to make with all of it.

How has doing a year-long/daily project affected your life? Whew! My first 24 days were exhausting. I didn’t start off with spiders. I was making a whole gamut of things and had a running list of what I was going to do next, a list that was becoming more disorganized and increasingly detailed and difficult because of my inability to simplify. I spent so much time on my creations that little else was being accomplished. Day 25 was going to be a spider day. I knew that ahead of time. But as the day approached, I started wishing that EVERY day were a spider day. I switched gears and started a list of spiders, a much easier endeavor with more promising results. And I heaved a big sigh of relief. I had found a way to simplify, which really is what makes the whole idea of this project successful even as it challenges me.

Making the spiders is very relaxing, believe it or not. Before the 365 Days of Creativity project, I had probably made in the neighborhood of 30 or more spiders to give to friends or sell on Etsy. Part of the creation process is predictable, but when certain elements just make sense together and come together just right, I love being rewarded by that ultimate sense of satisfaction: Today I finished something, and I finished it well. Because I’ve decided on a spider a day, I'm committed to a project that fits my schedule and lifestyle, and I know I can still think outside of the box to continually come up with different results. In addition, I've already had a lot of fun brainstorming with friends about future spiders. I can’t wait for Day 365. I picture my spiders canvassing a big empty wall. 365 spiders. Wow.

See all of Amy's spiders HERE.

A Snail A Day

Heidi Buzzelli in Auburn, California is making A Snail A Day using prompts from my book. She says, "I chose a few different themes and had family and friends vote, since I am very indecisive. I really love owls and collect them, I ALMOST chose owls as my theme but I wanted to do something different. my mom calls me the crazy owl lady...but after this project I just might become the crazy snail lady."...

Why did you decide to do this project? I decided to do this project because currently I'm not working and I have been so bored! I love anything to do with arts and crafts and I just thought it would help me be more creative, even if the project were small and simple.

How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? So far my snail a day project has affected my life by helping me be motivated. I haven't had too many grand experiences yet since I'm only done 10 days but I'm sure there will be tons coming my way. Having blog followers leave comments really encourages me and it wants me to help encourage them as well. I have always seen other projects done by people where they do something every day for a year and I have always wanted to do it, but I was afraid I couldn't. 10 days done, 355 more to go...so far so good!

See all of Heidi's snails on her site HERE.

Bonus 365 Merit Badge Video - The Happy Homemaker

A bonus 365 Merit Badge submission from my friend Madonna...

Weave A Day

Claire in London, UK is making a weaving a day for a year in Weavaday...

Why did you decide to do this project? I decided to do this as I was very inspired to see what others are doing, and it works well alongside the arts/crafts that I do. It is good to make something small from available materials.

How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? I have only been doing this for a few weeks but am really enjoying being resourceful with different materials. I am keeping the weavings small so that they are quick to complete and do not take up too much space. It is great to see that people are viewing the weavings on my blog.

See all of Claire's weaving HERE. 

365 Merit Badge Update

The final 365 Merit Badge contest submissions have arrived!

First from Wendy...

And then from Mirre...

And since Lauren's video arrived shortly after Mirre's she's getting a badge as well!

Thanks again to everyone who participated! And hey, if you've got a video in the works go ahead and finish and send it in and who knows maybe I'll find an extra badge for you too!

A Click A Day

Paola Suárez in Punta del Este, Uruguay, South America is making A click a day. She says, "based on the idea I have written on my inspiration board: 'we do not remember days, we remember moments', I decided to take pictures every day and choose the one that represents THAT special moment of the day, that will help me remember the entire day, even a year after. So the pictures can be about anything that inspires me that day, happened to me, how I was feeling, anything I´ve done, kind of a diary made of images.

Why did you decide to do this project? As a fashion design student I needed some kind of outlet for the creative energy that flows when you are on holidays, but I wanted to do something that wasn´t entirely related to fashion, but that will help me as inspiration, or just a way of getting to know myself better. Also I always wanted to be able to keep a journal or a diary for a whole year, and always struggled with taking time to write everyday, so this came up as a more fun and perfect diary, that will also help me improve my skills in photography.

How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? As I ´ve only been doing this project for a month so far, I suppose the answer will be kind of different after a year, but so long it´s been amazing.  It gives a completely new perspective on everyday things, everything looks much more interesting when you start to think that everything around you can make a great picture. So far, it´s been so much FUN.

See all of Paola's click's HERE.

365 Days in the Life of a Pup

Cori in Portland, Oregon is documenting her dog Ollee in 365 Days in the Life of a Pup. She says, "I adopted Ollee from the Oregon Humane Society on November 24th, 2010.  She was 2 months old – born September 22, 2010. They had named her Hard Candy Christmas, along with her two sisters; The Gambler, and Islands in the Stream (apparently someone at OHS loves Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers!). They think that she's a Bernese Mountain Dog and terrier mix – along with other things."...

Why did you decide to do this project? For awhile now, I've had friends doing the 365 projects, and I never really had a subject that would grab my attention enough to take a picture every day.  Then I adopted Ollee, and all that changed.  With my last dog, I made the mistake of never taking any pictures of her when she was a puppy (it was before digital cameras), so I decided with Ollee I wouldn't make that mistake.  This is a way of capturing her developing personality, as well as how fast she is growing!

How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? I am loving paying close attention to Ollee and seeing what she will do next.  I have always carried my camera with me in my purse, but now I try to always have it close by in the house so that I can capture her adventures.  It's a lot of fun to have a puppy, but knowing that I get to share her with others is even better.  I think that it has me making even more time for this, not so little, puppy.  The problem that is happening is that now when she sees the camera come out, she actually will pose and look right into it, or she will get WAY too close!  It makes taking a different fun picture a bit difficult, so at times, I am having to be quite creative in my picture taking.  I am really looking forward to what the rest of the year holds.

 

See all Cori's days with Ollee on her site HERE. 

365 Merit Badge Update

Three more terrific videos for the 365 merit badge giveaway contest...

From Amy, a dramatic entry...

From Andie...

And from Heather...

There are only 2 badges left to give away! Don't miss out, find out how to get yours HERE.

Crafting The Day – Everyday

Tatiana Kontouli, a graphic designer & artist who specializes in "everything paper made", based in Antiparos, Cyclades, Greece is Crafting The Day – Everyday...

Why did you decide to do this project? I intend (and already fulfilling) to make something (mostly) paper related every day, in order to challenge my creativity and to reach a whole new level. Also, along with graphic design, handmade stuff is my main income and by this way, I need to be motivated to create things and update my online shop everyday!
 

How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life?The project has affected me in a really creative way, although some days are difficult, but the result at the end of the day makes me so happy, so I am glad I started it!

See all of Tatiana's creations on her site HERE.

365 Merit Badge Update

More excellent 365 merit badge giveaway videos!...

From Zam...

From Susan...

And from Amy...

There are still 5 patches to be won! Find out how to get yours HERE.

Veronica's Make Something 365

Veronica Stewart in Annapolis, Maryland  has set off on her own Make Something 365 project....

Why did you decide to do this project? I learned of this project through Etsy. I was inspired by Crazy Rebecca's post about using up some of her stash. I bet that my stash is every bit as huge as hers! Also, I used to love making ATCs [Artist Trading Cards] but slowly got out of the habit...so now I can destash AND make more ATCs.

How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? I recently injured my knee and have to sit or lie much of the time. Doing this project has re-connected me to the joy of making these small, focused pieces. I'm sure that there's healing happening on multiple levels here!

See all of Veronica's creations HERE.

365 Merit Badge Update

Another batch of great videos has come in for the 365 merit badge giveaway contest...

From Freehand Prophet...

From Charlton...

From Esahn...

And from Zarah...

There's still time to enter to win one of the remaining 8! Get the details HERE.

365 Days and One Knight

Stace Dumoski in Placentia, California is documenting an 8-inch knight "on his daily adventures, misadventures and lack of adventures" in 365 Days and One Knight...

Why did you decide to do this project? As the end of the year approached, I was already toying with the idea of a 365 project for 2011, but when my 9-year-old daughter gave me your book as a Christmas gift, I knew I had to commit to something. But I wanted it to be something that would complement my current creative interests (mainly writing and photography) without detracting time and focus from already on-going projects. Then a friend gifted me with this marvelous 8-inch knight as a souvenir from his trip overseas. That he should become my model for a yearlong photography project seemed almost inevitable.

How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? I'm less than a month in, so I don't know if it's affected my life on a long-term basis just yet. Already, though, there have been days when the necessity of coming up with a photo idea seems more of an obligation than a pleasure, but I've done it anyway, which is part of the reason I wanted to do this challenge in the first place. I want to get myself in the habit of doing creative work even when I don't necessarily feel creative. I also think I'm learning to be a better photographer, which was my other goal. I'm experimenting more with exposure and lighting, and suffering the consequences (i.e. bad photos) when I'm too lazy to take the time to do it right!

See all of Stace's knights adventures HERE.