My word to live by for 2012 came swiftly and effortlessly. It made a sudden appearance in my mind and camped out there, no plans to go away.
So I embraced it. 'Give' it will be. Giving brings so much satisfaction, doesn't it? It is indeed "more blessed to give than to receive".
Giving is a spirit, an attitude...who wants to be a taker or a keeper, right? I already know that if I give a little bit of my resources, my time, myself each day this year that I will end the year richer, fuller, more blessed than ever.
Do you choose a word to live by each year? I would love to hear what it is and how you came to choose it.
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Here is a walk-through of a fun project you could adopt for your word...
Print your word in the size you'd like, then trace onto fabric lightly with pencil like so...
Outline stitch over the pencil marks...
Begin stitching organically around the outside of the outlines, using assorted threads, seed beads, french knots, etc...
The nice thing about this project is that you can stop at any time. Mine can be finished as it is, or I may decide to add to it as the year goes along.
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And speaking of giving, please visit my Haiti blog where we've started a fabric scrap drive. We all clean out and de-clutter in January, right? That neat, organized start to the new year feels so refreshing and calming.
May 2012 be all it should be for you and yours!
Beautiful word and fantastic project for it!
My word this year is FEARLESS.
Posted by: Alisa | 05 January 2012 at 10:13
Gorgeous! Funny, but a couple months ago I was journaling [in one of your journals] and the word 'GIVE' came to me, and I did a full page on the word...just decorating and embellishing it. On the back of the page I wrote about how I planned to give more, and the word give has stuck with me ever since. I have tried each day to give more of myself, and I have been so blessed! My new word for 2012 is 'RENEWAL'. Thanks for the project too! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Posted by: rachel | 05 January 2012 at 10:18
love love love this!! so inspiring! totally doing this with my word of the year...emerge...
thank for the inspiration! as always!
Posted by: amy | 05 January 2012 at 11:01
HOPE! I can never have enough hope. I'm in a particularly trying and intense time of mothering with my 6 and 3 year old boys...super active, super intense, super...well, super everything! Requires so much of me each day. It is my heart's desire to fill them, to give them everything I can, but I fall short so often. We also homeschool...something we deeply desire...but it is another layer of giving needed mostly by me. So, HOPE is truly what keeps me going. Hope that what I'm doing matters; hope that on our bad days/weeks/months, things will be good again; and hope that some day I will be with the Lord!
God bless you always, Rebecca!
Posted by: Kelly | 05 January 2012 at 11:12
What a beautiful word you chose (and a cute project too).
I am having a hard time narrowing down all my ideas/thougts/expectations to one word, but if I had to, it would be "creativity" this year.
Posted by: Anya @ SAS-does | 05 January 2012 at 11:48
What a great word. I'm still mulling over mine for this year.
I love the negative space concept in this design of yours. Embroidering around the letters is a brilliant idea.
May this year be full of the awareness of God's good gifts to you and your family, Rebecca.
Posted by: Lorrie | 05 January 2012 at 11:59
no word yet...but i love your stitching project..
Posted by: jenni | 05 January 2012 at 12:51
Give...such a good word:) My word for 2012 is "seek". Happy New Year to you & yours!
Posted by: Leah C | 05 January 2012 at 13:27
Perfect!
My word for the year is lovingkindness.
My dad was a pastor and the one sermon of his that stuck in my mind was the one on Lovingkindness. I can remember him sharing the background and his enthusiasm for the truths found as he studied for that sermon. Dad has been gone for 12 years now. When pondering which word to focus on, lovingkindness kept coming back over and over again.
I think Dad would be pleased.
Blessings on you in 2012 as you focus on giving.
I think I must consider making a sewing project such as yours. Very inspiring. As always.
xo
Posted by: Dawn | 05 January 2012 at 13:47
Oh so beautiful! I chose Hope last year and courage this year, as my husband is terminally ill. What a great project. I need projects to keep my hands and mind busy! Thanks, Rebecca!
Fondly,
Suz
Posted by: Susan Reaney | 05 January 2012 at 14:24
Beautiful word this year... Thanks for sharing your inspiration.
I didn't just chose 1 word this year, I am focusing on "following my bliss". Listening to what makes my heart sing and acting upon it. Spending quality time with my family and friends. Being content with just being me. Taking time to rejuvenate my creative passions and sharing them.
Posted by: Sheila R | 05 January 2012 at 19:47
This is a great idea, and pretty! "Focus" is my focus this year. :)
Off to check out your other blog. Happy New Year, Rebecca!
Posted by: pattisj | 05 January 2012 at 20:59
Oh Rebecca.
I am pretty sure "give" isn't just your word for the year,MIT seems to be your word for your life.
Speaking of life, the journal with the word "life" embroidered on the blue linen cover is my 2012 journal.
I think I just found my word for 2012....
Posted by: Robin Thomas | 05 January 2012 at 21:53
Oh that is so fun. I would love to try your technique when my word for 2012 comes to me.
Also, I am excited to find out more about your fabric drive because I am in the midst of PURGING my studio and I have a LOT of fabric that needs a good home. If it can help your Haiti project, all the better!!!
Happy New year!
Posted by: Heather | 05 January 2012 at 23:21
LOVE this Rebecca...as i do everything that comes from your heart and hands. xoxo happy new year!
Posted by: pam | 06 January 2012 at 02:00
yes, it does seem as though it's your word for life :) great project...my 2012 is INSPIRE. something I want to really do for my 15 yo daughter
Posted by: Dawn | 06 January 2012 at 07:41
My word is Care as in take better care of myself & those I love. I want to be more aware of the needs of my family & friends & lend my help to take care of them.
Posted by: ginny | 06 January 2012 at 08:43
Lovely, lovely work as usual ... a great idea and motivating, too. My word is more of a mantra/soul phrase. It is "find your voice". Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: KateinCleveland | 06 January 2012 at 10:41
Vraiment sympa, I love.
Posted by: Liberty | 06 January 2012 at 12:23
What an inspiration! The project is a perfect way to remind ourselves of our 'word' throughout year. Thank you!
Posted by: Donna Rae Barrow | 06 January 2012 at 15:13
My word this year is "emerge", chosen as I began to realize that I am finding my way again after a very difficult time in my life. I love your project and am off to pull out a recently purchased piece of linen. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Susan | 06 January 2012 at 20:27
My word is Thrive. Not just exist, so much more than succeed... I need to grow, expand, live and THRIVE :)
Posted by: Amy P | 06 January 2012 at 21:25
Such a wonderful choice for your word! I love, love, love your stitching project for it! May your hopes and dreams for 2012 be realized!
Posted by: MichelleGB | 07 January 2012 at 07:20
My word is to ACCEPT GOD'S Will for me. Everyone has such wonderful words. I love how you did your word GIVE.
Posted by: Barbara York | 07 January 2012 at 18:14
What fun to read what everyones word is for this year...mine is "try" Try new art, If something new comes my way...give it a try...I've already put it to good use.
Posted by: laurie | 07 January 2012 at 23:07