It's that time agian...time for New Year’s Resolutions…what are you going to strive to accomplish this year?…what are you going to give up?…how are you going to change yourself for the better?  We all ask ourselves these very same questions--but the real trouble is how do we get ourselves to commit to the resolutions we have chosen?!  I have found that by making my goals visible, I am reminded of the pledges I have made to myself and therefore encouraged to work towards them on a daily basis.  

This year I have chosen 5 goals to work towards:

1. Become More Physically Fit
2. Take a Vacation
3. Enjoy Cooking More
4. More One-on-One Time with My Son
5. Read More

I have also created an original way of making my goals visible to myself and others (your family and friends can be great motivators towards meeting your goals, as well) in this wonderful CD Banner/Mini Album. This design is perfect for displaying your goals during the year you are currently working on them, and then can easily be converted into a mini album after you have reached your goals...or are focusing on new ones!

Go on and give it a try!…All you need are the following supplies:

Old, scratched or brand new CDs (don’t use your husbands backup disc or his favorite Chicago CD! LOL)
Coordinating Patterned Papers, Embellishments Stickers and Ribbons
Sand Paper
Adhesive
Journaling Pen or Computer
Crop-a-Dile (or a hole punch will work, but be careful not to break the cd!)
Craft Knife or Scissors
And...Your New Year’s Resolutions, of course!

1.  Begin by prepping your CDs for decorating, by sanding both sides with your sand paper…this will remove the glossy surface and create a texture that will help your adhesive to stick better.

2.  Trace your CDs onto your patterned paper with a pencil and cut them out with your craft knife or scissors, making sure you have enough circles cut out to cover the front and back sides of each disc.

3.  Apply any edge treatments (I.e. sanding, inking, stitching, outlining, etc) before adhering the paper circles to your discs.  

4. Adhere your paper to both the front and back of each of your discs using adhesive.

5. Punch holes at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock on your disc.
 
6.  Decorate the fronts of your CDs, illustrating your New Years Resolutions or Goals.

7. Decorate the backs with journaling, written plans, checklists, etc.

8.  Now connect your CDs by tying them together with ribbon or connecting them with ball chain/safety pins, using the holes at 9 and 3 o’clock.

9. You can add additional elements like tied ribbon or hanging chipboard letters in the unused punched holes on your discs for a bit of extra zing!

10.  Finally you can hang your banner where you are sure to see it everyday…me, I hung my over my scrap table…the one place I’m sure to visit each day! When you’re ready to store your banner, simply remove the means by which the discs are connected and then use the holes to reassemble the discs to make a book…you can create an accordion style book by alternating the discs and reconnecting the ribbons or ball chain you previously used to make your banner, you could hold all of the discs together with an O-ring clasp or ball chain from the top or side hole…you decide what type of closure works best for you!  Then  redistribute your left over ribbon or hanging elements to the unused punched holes inside of your new mini album!

Whatever pledges you make this year, or however you plan to carry them out…try making them visible!  By taking a bit of time to scrapbook your goals or making yourself a journal to track your progress, or even by creating  a snazzy little reminder (like my CD banner), you will increase your chances of following through on the goals you have set for yourself.    And when you’re done…make sure to post your creations in the gallery so that we can all be inspired by your creativity, as well as your determination!  Happy New Years!