Creating art from words is really trendy.  And what a fun trend!  Whether you are browsing Pinterest, Etsy or home decor blogs you see signs, wall art and framed word images.  I love this trend!  Not only do our photos have meaning, but when you add words or quotes to your photo collages it can help the photos take on even more meaning.  It can help tie the collage together.  I have always loved letters.  As a child, I loved playing with blocks that had letters, letter magnets, puzzles and books. I have always loved having notebooks and paper and pens so that I can doodle letters.  So, this word art trend is extremely fascinating for me!  I decided to take advantage of this trend to make some signs for my house!

Does your family have a phrase or mantra?  I have recently declared a new one for our family for 2013.  My girls really are adorable and they are very good kids.  But they are kind of lazy.  When they don’t want to do something, like clean their toy room or practice the piano, they always say that they can’t do something because it’s “too hard.”  My husband and I are constantly reminding the girls that they CAN DO hard things.  I find myself saying it so often, I decided to make a sign for my kitchen.

I hope that seeing that image on the wall multiple times every day will help that phrase stick in my children’s minds.  They CAN DO hard things!  When they are crying about not being able to zip their own coats, I just point to the sign and say, “What does it say?”.  They respond, often in unison in a bored tone, “I can do hard things.”  To which I reply, “Yep, that’s right!  You CAN do hard things.  So take a deep breath, try again and if you need help, ask for it.  No tantrums.”  (No tantrums was another option for our kitchen wall sign!)

At the beginning of the year, there was a lot of talk about what people’s One Little Word would be for the year.  I tossed several around, and kept changing my mind.  I had a really hard time settling on a word, so I decided on a phrase first, “Good, Better, Best.”  I feel like for the most part, I make pretty good choices.  But I need to focus on being “better.”  So, my word for this year is “better”.  I wanted to make a word image to serve as a reminder for this year, but I didn’t want to just hang the word “better” over my desk.  So, I created a sign that says “Make a BETTER choice.”

I really LOVE how these turned out!  I was able to combine my love for fonts, chalkboards (sans chalk dust!) and Photoshop into one (or two) project(s).  Who doesn’t love layering fun stuff on top of fun stuff?  I bought my frames at Hobby Lobby.  A very special THANK YOU to the printers at Persnickety Prints for always doing a fabulous job!

So, here is my challenge to YOU!  I want you to think of one word or phrase or quote that embodies a trait or characteristic you have or want to have.  Create an original* piece of digital artwork with your word, phrase, or quote that is 8×10 inches (original size).  Upload your photo to an online gallery or photo sharing website.  Come back here and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below!  Deadline to submit artwork is Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 11:59pm EST.

*original means that you didn’t download someone else’s artwork or word-art or subway art and try to pass it off as your own.  You may use digital scrapbook products or graphics to assist you in the creation of your word art.

Creating your word art with one of my products will earn you an extra entry.

Here’s the good stuff… the PRIZES!

One lucky random winner will receive the following:

1. A printed copy of their word art shipped to them for FREE by Persnickety Prints!
2. A $15 gift card to Hobby Lobby OR Michael’s OR JoAnn’s OR Target OR Walmart so that they can buy a frame for their word art.
3. A $25 gift certificate to Persnickety Prints!

Rafflecopter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Do you need a digital scrapbook kit or alpha to get you started?  Here is a coupon good for 25% off your purchase in my store at ScrapOrchard.

code: QuoteIt25%4u
Take 25% off your purchase of products by Meredith Cardall at ScrapOrchard.

Offer good thru 02/15/2013 at 11:59pm EST Coupon may not be used with any other sales, special offers or discounts. When using this coupon code, please be sure that you do not have any other sale items in your cart. Using this code will revert all your sale prices back to their original prices. Only one coupon may be used per order, one coupon code per person. Must be logged in to use coupon code.

Thank you to Persnickety Prints for donating the finished print and the $25 gift certificate!