One of the greatest joys in a fresh new year is the blank slate, both literally and figuratively. Part of that for me is ordering my new weekly planner, starting a new journal, and ordering a calendar or two for my home. Honestly, I could spend hours looking at all of the creative and gorgeous calendars available, and best of all, you can find HUNDREDS that are made by independent artists. I’m all about helping those little folks. :)
One of my personal favorite artists and creative heroes who I return to each year is Anna Bond, the creator of Rifle Paper Co. I’ve always admired her work, but after following her on instagram and actually SEEING her creating her art, I’m just head-over-heels smitten. Her work is just flat out beauty. It’s a bit embarrassing how much of her collection I own, and if you’re a client of ours, chances are you’ve gotten a card from us made by her. ;) So, when I went to order her new “Around the World in 12 Months” calendar for 2013, I decided to pick up two, and offer one to YOU!
Want one? Here’s how to enter to win:
Head over and “like” us on our facebook page HERE!
Although not required, we’ll smile more if you follow us on Instagram too! @jesszwo @brettzwo
And then leave us a comment below telling us something you feel good about from last year, and also a hope for 2013.
If you already “like” us on FB and follow us on Instagram, thank you kindly!
The winner will be chosen from the comments ON THIS POST only! Deadline to enter is this Saturday 1/5, at midnight. Calendar will mail out Monday. :)
(This giveaway is for residents of U.S. only.)
jess
Artist, wife, mama of four.
Lover of life
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Balance
We’re opening up about our lives and sharing the quest for balance we all struggle with.
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Comments for “A year of cities around the world. {giveaway}”
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If I recall, I first saw this idea on pinterest, which I’m sure is not shocking. ;) On New Year’s Day we do a family video where we recap the past year and also discuss things we hope for in the new one. (Yes, we are totally that cheesy family.) I thought this idea would be a fun one to add to the NYD mix!
Here’s the gist:
You choose a jar….any ol’ jar or bottle will do. I am particularly fond of this one (thank you Mr. Ward for the intro). Pretty sure it’s my new favorite liquor on planet Earth. I suppose that may be obvious considering its contents…or lack thereof.
Place it somewhere that it will be seen often–in the central household hub. For us that’s the kitchen, where we practically spend all of our waking hours.
Cut out a stack of little papers. Find a good reliable pen. Place these items neatly in a drawer or secret hideout near your beloved jar/bottle. I threw mine in our “techy” nick-nack drawer right below it.
Now here’s the key….and I love it because there are really no set rules, limits, or strict requirements (because I am almost certain to fail at those “do something every day for a year” gigs): you write down any cute, fun, sad, lovely, adorable, memorable saying or moment that pops up throughout the year. We have lots of those, and I rarely have a journal or such to write it down.
(And I’m cracking up that I already messed up……my first two had the year 2012 on them. Oh well.)
And you fold it up and pop it in that magical bottle.
Hopefully, after a year you’ll have a bottle BURSTING with memories to relive. On your chosen day at year’s end, you gather the family around a warm fire–with hot cocoa in hand (that has a shot of SNAP mixed in for mom and dad), and you take turns reading the papers aloud.
Sounds like fun, right? Or am I the only sap around here?
Hope your 2013 is off to a great start!
jess
Artist, wife, mama of four.
Lover of life
find out more »
Balance
We’re opening up about our lives and sharing the quest for balance we all struggle with.
find our more »
Comments for “our memory jar”
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Of course you are not the only sap, I love this idea! Life goes by too fast, and my memory could use a little jogging every now and again (okay, always).
Thank you for continuing to inspire me to focus on what’s truly important in life. You are one of my favorite mamas out there.
01.02.13 – 03:33 PM -
We’re planning to do this too! I’m really looking forward to it :)
01.02.13 – 05:25 PM -
I love this idea! We have friends that do this on a piece of paper on their wall…love the jar idea. Setting it up tomorrow!!!
01.02.13 – 10:37 PM -
Bopping over from Instagram. What a wonderful idea! I love that it’s something physical like that. Especially if there are a variety of family members handwriting… I’m a sap for stuff like that. And I love these photos. Really beautiful.
01.03.13 – 09:02 AM -
I love this idea & have been wanting to start it. Now to find that perfect bottle.
01.03.13 – 02:43 PM -
Definitely, definitely implementing this. We’re so sentimental and already huge New Year’s resolution geeks. We also make time capsules for every year, to begin opening 10 yrs from the original date. Luuuvs this…
01.03.13 – 03:22 PM -
you’re right. that bottle IS cool. : )
01.03.13 – 04:46 PM
What a positive start to the new year! One thing I am proud of in 2012 was making the grown up decision to make my own decisions. It lead me to becoming a full time photographer, to travel, to not please a lot of people but make myself happy. And 2013 I hope to be a year of change. Including a big move across the country. Very exciting stuff.
2012 was great…Got to marry the man of my dreams so 2013 is all about being the best person and I wife I can be and to reach out more to people.
Super cool calendar! And very cool of you to give one away!
Something from last year that I feel good about is that God answered our prayers for getting pregnant. Praise God!
A hope for 2013 is that we will have a healthy and strong baby girl and that we can learn to love her like God loves us.
I am proud to have helped to start a new special needs school in Atlanta! I continue to be amazed everyday at my student’s strengths and progress each and every day!
2012 was a wonderful year of self-discovery and growth. Through difficult trials came wonderful outcomes and a refreshed outlook on this wonderful life we’re given. I hope this coming year brings lots of worldly travels! I have the itch to get out and see some new spaces. :]
Thank you for the giveaway! May your year be as blessed as can be!
One thing I felt great about in 2012 is I accepted a job I’d been hoping to get for a few years.
For 2013 I’m looking forward to spending more time with my children, who are growing up way too fast!
A highlight from last year is the birth of our 3rd child, Olive Claire! What a blessing! My hope for 2013 is more sleep. :) Great giveaway!
Thanks for introducing me to a great artist. I love her work. This past year I am glad that I have learned to accept living in a country I don’t want to be in. I hope that next year brings us to new adventures in our lives.
oh my gosh!! i just went to Anthropologie to get this calendar yesterday, and they had sold out. i was so sad, but it’s awesome you’re giving one away!
i feel good about the way i let go and learned to trust God last year. i went through some difficult times involving the growth and death/reformation of one of my big dreams, and it was really difficult to trust that God would be sovereign over it all. but certainly He was, and i’ve grown from it.
happy new year!
I got married last year! And this year I’d love a baby,… : )
Awesome calendar, great inspiration for travel destinations!
In 2012, I’m proud of the fact that I’m living outside my comfort zone in a whole different time zone. For 2013, I hope to visit at least two places on that calendar. :)
Rifle Paper Co. is my favorite too!
One thing that always makes me feel good is volunteering at our local animal rescue. I started a year ago and have been blessed to see dozens of 4 legged sweethearts go to loving homes. No matter how bad my day is, one lick of the hand makes me forget all about it.
I love Anna’s work too, truly inspiring! Thanks for being such a thoughtful giver!
2012 was a year of ups and downs for me. I think the brightest highlight, though, would have to be the opportunity to realize my dream of exhibiting at a Museum. It was a collaborative yarnbombing exhibition and my pieces were on a scale that I never imagined I’d ever be able to pull off, let alone show. It was a huge moment for me to see it all completed; it felt really good!
In 2013, I hope to work harder to bring my other endeavors to such successes. And I hope to not get lost in all the work and success that I forget to take moments out for enjoyment and reflection.
Proud that in 2012 I taught myself how to hand embroider; something I’ve always wanted to do. For 2013, reminding myself to always be present, be positive and take a chance.
What a beautiful calendar! I already follow you on Instagram and now I like you on FB, too :) I live in Cincinnati, and I actually found your blog through a friend from Seattle who said, “Hey, this blogger lives in Cincinnati! You should check it out.” So here i have been for over a year now. I feel good that my family overcame a lot of adversity in 2012, and I’m hoping that our move across the country in 2013 brings lots of happiness and adventure.
Love it —-please pick me
Haven’t had time to reflect much lately, but love your question and enjoying your blog. So thankful that God’s answer was yes, and so Sammy was added to our family in 2012. My hope is to be a better mother, wife, daughter and sister in Christ. Can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for us this year!
Honestly…2o12 wasn’t the greatest for me. Lots of ups, but mostly downs. But with that being said a wonderful thing happened…i started to find out who i REALLY am. I also decided to go bac k to school + am starting on my 2nd semester next week.
My hope for 2o13 is to smile more, bake more, + be the best mother i can be.
Wishing you + the Z family a wonderful year. I feel a little silly….i’ve followed your blog since you were pregnant with Gabe + this is my first time commenting!! although you + Brett proably see my “likes” on Instagram quite often :)
2012 was a great year, not all smooth, but the bumps actually made things smoother in the end. Seeing my 13month old hit so many milestones this last year has been incredible. 2013 brings more challenges and goals. I hope to cultivate a hobby that brings in money so I can stay home with my baby and future baby when we can afford it! Passed up a planner/calendar today bc one my new years goals is to use money that would be purchasing something I can live without toward paying down a bill. Here’s to accountability in 2013!
Gorgeous calendar! I feel great about a lot of things that happened in 2012: I had the chance to travel to new places, witness my first nephew come into the world & start a job where I feel like I’m meant to be. It was great to see my friends (and myself!) grow up & grow into better humans as we start to truly define what we want our lives to look like. My hope for 2013 is to continue on this path of growth, love & friendship…and take lots of road trips!
I feel good about 2012 with my husband losing his job and we as a family given the opportunity to create our dreams, work life together.
This year the message of gratitude is my intention. Share, teach it, live it.
In 2012, I put more focus on putting my family first and my business second – I will always feel good about that. My hope for 2013 is to only photograph what I am inspired by. Too much of my time has been taken up by projects that pay the bills but don’t motivate me as an artist. Time to change! Thanks for the giveaway…Rifle is awesome!
This was a great year. I think I finally found a great balance between work and my family. We have our health too, and that’s really all that matters! Much love to you my dear! Hope to see you this winter!
What a great giveaway and beautiful item! Looking back on 2012, I can’t believe was a vibrant and energetic force of nature our little 2-year old daughter has become. My hope for 2013 is with the arrival of our 2nd child in March that we can continue to thrive despite the inherent challenges! Blessings to you!
2012 was a rough year, but in the midst of true sorrow were some highlights — including 2 trips out west, great meaningful time with family, and deepening friendships. Hopes for 2013 are for a fresh start, moving forward, and spending more time on things that bring me true happiness.
one thing about 2012 was that i didn’t give up. i stuck in there and did what i could to make life work. i’m excited about the intentions i put forth for 2013, one of them being that i will travel and explore more. the one place i intend to go is to iceland and i cannot wait!
Oh my! That is beautiful!
Something I feel good about from last year is learning to say “no.” It is so freeing, and so amazing for me and my family. Here’s to continuing the trend in 2013 :)
Yes please!! :) I’d love to frame all the illustrations next year, they would be perfect in my girls’ room…. or anywhere!
Oh, calendar
How I love thee let me count the ways
This past year has been so packed with joy as we have watched our little guy grow into the adorable 18 month old that he is today. Trey & I look at eachother in amazement at his ever revealing & evolving personality that unfolds before us. What a gift from God he is to us. No longer a baby, but forever he’ll be just that to me.
And for 2013… perhaps the arrival of another?? We’ll see!