I'm not one for making resolutions at the beginning of the year. I'd much rather reflect on the past year and recognize all I have done. I find that empowering and motivating.
I am a list maker. Big lists of things I need to do. Little lists of stuff to remember. Daily notes of tasks to accomplish. And in January I have a ritual of making a Ta-Da list. I start with the end of December and work my way back to the first of the year, making notes of everything I have done. It is easier to start with the most recent self-imposed assignments. Eventually I recall a full list of achievements, missions, chores, and projects that leaves me feeling really good. Sure, there are always things on my To-Do list....but they are not huge goals. Just things I can manage at the time. When you move items from your To-Do list to your Ta-Da list you celebrate what you've completed...that's much better than worrying about what didn't get done, right?
To encourage your Ta-Da list making I have prepared two files for you. They open in Adober Reader and fit 8.5" x 11" at 300 dpi. One is a full sheet, the other is two sheets on a page. Print, fill out, and put in your journal to celebrate what you've done and to empower you to do more.
EDIT: by request (thanks Judy) I have added a list for 2012, and edited the half-sheet to include both 2011 and 2012.
Download GPP C59 PRINT LIST 300dpi Download GPP C59 PRINT LIST 2012 300dpi Download GPP C59 PRINT LIST x2 revised 300dpi
What you put on your list is personal and you don't need to show us all the details. Just share that you did it and that it's tucked in your journal. You could include everything from art you made or swapped, to getting the fence painted. Did you finally clean you fridge? Sweep behind the sofa? Learn to knit a scarf? How many books did you read? Did you aim to drink less coffee or drink more water? It all counts. Been wanting to join our crusades? DO it, and add it to the list!
Let's begin 2012 by patting ourselves on the back for all we completed in 2011. Make a Ta-Da list, because it's way more fun than a To-Do list! And it you have a long To-Do list for the month or the year, get started turning that into you-know-what!
Love this. It fits in so nicely with what I'm doing in my journal and my life right now. I really wanted to play last month because I had a recent and rare nice photo of myself. I'll be doing the crusade before long, though, now that the holiday rush is over!
Posted by: Zura | January 02, 2012 at 01:21 PM
Celebrating, writing lists, documenting life = some of my favorite things! Here is my list:
http://www.ihanna.nu/blog/2012/01/list-of-creative-achievements-2011/
Happy New Creative Year everyone!
Posted by: iHanna | January 02, 2012 at 05:51 PM
Oooh, thanks for the Ta-Da lists. Perfect timing. Happy to get started on this tonight...
Posted by: Cath S | January 02, 2012 at 07:17 PM
Love the challenge! Just found your blog - what a great site! Will follow along for sure. Be back soon!
Posted by: Anita Scroggins | January 04, 2012 at 01:27 PM
Michelle, my dear.....
I have started planning my pages but find that in making my ta-da list for 2011 I am also creating a to-do list for 2012. I thought I might just try to doctor your form but am wondering if it would be too difficult or if you had the time to change the 2011 to 2012 and provide a second set of forms. I know I ask alot but love the layout of your form.
If you don't have time I will just fix something up for myself.
Great crusade, as usual, great tips too. Can't wait to get started. Now what colors do I want to use?!
Until later,
Judy
Posted by: Judy N | January 04, 2012 at 01:44 PM
Ah, what a great idea, although I have no idea of what dates I may have done stuff. I have a hard enough time remembering what I did yesterday. LOL
Posted by: Viki | January 05, 2012 at 04:07 AM
This is a great idea! I think I'll start one for this year! All the to do lists I made last year are all over the place!
Posted by: patsy | January 06, 2012 at 09:54 PM
...so maybe I stretched the meaning of "Ta-Da!" a bit, but I'm loving your concept, as usual. Here's just ONE, so everyone else can think: "....heck, at least I did more than ONE thing..."
http://lisahoffman.typepad.com/lisa_hoffman/2012/01/ta-dathe-evolution-of-a-solution.html
Posted by: Lisa Hoffman | January 07, 2012 at 07:21 PM
Thanks for the comments, and thank you Hanna and Lisa for meeting the challenge already.
Judy - I listened to you and edited the post to include a 2012 list, and I revised the half-sheets to include both this year and last year. I appreciate that you made the request out lous as others have asked the same.
Posted by: michelle ward | January 07, 2012 at 09:53 PM
Michelle,
The lists you put together are terrific, as usual... your graphics are just amazing!!! I know a lot of work went into this particular Challenge post and my hat is off to you, girlfriend! Once again, you ROCK!!! Happy 2012, hope all is well with you and your loved ones!
xoxo
K.
Posted by: Kathy McCreedy | January 07, 2012 at 10:10 PM
Michelle!
Thank-you! I know you listen but I also know how busy you are and that you have lots of other commitments. I appreciate you taking the time for the 2012 form, challenging us with the crusades every month and for just being you!
Until later,
Judy
xoxo
Posted by: Judy N | January 08, 2012 at 12:46 PM
PS - LOVE that you altered the 2012 list with the sun and the moon. Yuo are so clever!
Until later,
Judy
XOXO
Posted by: Judy N | January 08, 2012 at 12:51 PM
My entry: http://ototusia.blogspot.com/2012/01/gpp-tada-list.html
Fantastic theme - I had to sit and think about previous year, and I discovere that.... it was fantastic year :) I felt only, that it was very busy year, but above being tired all the time I saw, how wonderful time it was :) Thank you Michelle :*
Posted by: Tusia | January 09, 2012 at 05:06 AM
Here is my contribution! What fun! It's great to review all that has been accomplished and to see how my work has developed:
http://aztecmichelle.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/gpp-no-50-my-ta-da-list-for-2011/
I have also added a "Ta-Da" photo collage!
Posted by: Michelle | January 09, 2012 at 10:44 PM
I am still working on my list - but I wanted to share the journal I made for my friend to use for the crusades. We just found the site and love it!
http://theflamingochronicals.blogspot.com/2012/01/gpp-crusade-59.html
Posted by: Anita Scroggins | January 11, 2012 at 09:27 PM
This is perfect to kick off my art journal which I have been wanting to start ever since I found this site. I'm a scrapbooker at heart and always will be but your work is so inspiring that I simply HAVE to try it.
Posted by: Nolene | January 12, 2012 at 06:45 AM
Hi ! Happy 2012!
Can you perhaps share where you got your kraft paper journal? I love the look!
Posted by: marie | January 15, 2012 at 03:06 PM
Marie - the craft journal in the first photo is made from file folders, punched with my Rubicoil. You can get kraft file folders from Staples. The journal in the second photo is a Paperchase kraft paper journal (thin paper) that were available at Borders. (I miss both the store and those journals!)
Posted by: michelle ward | January 15, 2012 at 04:45 PM
I love this idea but I don't have the memory for it since I didn't keep a planner or any kind of notes on what I did last year. This year, I've already started a planner so I'll be able to do this for 2013. It will be encouraging to see what I've gotten done!
Posted by: Melisa | January 17, 2012 at 09:25 AM
Michelle, I posted my Ta Da List: http://daisyyellow.squarespace.com/vividlife/gpp-crusade-no-59-ta-da-list-2011-re-cap.html Thank you for the prompt... I was actually going back and forth as to whether to go back and take a look at my creative accomplishments, but I am so happy I did!!!
Posted by: Tammy | January 20, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Hi Michelle, Thank you for the awesome prompt! My 'TaDa' list is up.
http://paintedheartstudio.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Jane | January 21, 2012 at 04:16 PM
Ta-da! Done :-) http://cathsheard.wordpress.com/2012/01/22/crusade-no-59-turn-to-do-into-ta-da/ Thanks, as always, for all your hard work in organising the Crusades.
Posted by: Cath S | January 21, 2012 at 07:57 PM
This is a different blog, so I'm commenting.
I can NOT believe I've forgotten to do this.
What a great idea.
and for anyone who is here and reading this, remember to visit the crusaders and comment. They all have inspiration and information and insightation (groovy images) to share. When you're done with this month's participants, go to last month's list. It's fun!
Posted by: Chris | January 21, 2012 at 10:23 PM
I m so happy to have found you. I was making a list from a new book I just bought, by Laurie Mika, and I found your web address for stamps. I love this blog and am going to start my Ta Da list right away. I have never believed in resolutions. But accomplishments, that I can do! Thanks and I am getting busy now. Just downloaded the sheets!
Posted by: roberta | January 22, 2012 at 10:34 AM
TA DA -- a peek at my year, 2011!
Posted by: betsy harting | January 27, 2012 at 07:22 PM
Hi Michelle,
this is the first crusade for me. I have to say, this To-Do-Ta-Da list is a great exercise and very good for self-esteem. Thank you for this great idea. My take on it is on this blog :
http://sylvie-touche--tout.blogspot.com/
Sylvie
Posted by: Sylvie Lapointe | January 27, 2012 at 08:01 PM
Mine's up!
http://parabolicmuse.blogspot.com/2012/01/gpp-for-new-year.html
Posted by: Chris | January 29, 2012 at 01:20 PM
Hi Michelle,
Thanks so much for your inspiration again. It was a fun exercise and I was really surprised at all the things I had done, especially the creative things! How easily we forget and yet how important to savour those moments and relish the times we are inspired. Here is my link:
http://sheilasteaandtoast.blogspot.com/2012/01/gpp-street-team-challenge-59.html
Posted by: sheila | January 31, 2012 at 03:32 PM
A bit late but here's what mine looks like so far.
Posted by: Nolene | February 04, 2012 at 08:16 AM
A bit late but here's what mine looks like so far.
http://www.scrapshots.co.za/index.php?itemid=29
Posted by: Nolene | February 04, 2012 at 08:17 AM