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Thursday, April 28, 2011

Bend

It doesn't seem possible that its time for my final layout from the Scrapbooking from the Inside Out Resilience Kit.

This one is about how you need to be flexible to maintain relationships...

I have the most amazing group of friends. But, honestly, most of them are scattered far and wide.

Thank goodness for the internet and easy telephone access. without it I would be lost.

Sometimes, resilience means bending to suit the circumstances, in order to manage survival.

That is what each of these women has done to keep our friendships alive:


Did a little masking, a little misting, a little curvy line drawing, some trims...

All in all, a rather adventurous layout, technique wise...

You wouldn't know it to look at it, tho, would you?

Stay tuned for the sneaks of May's kit! I'm so excited about this one...just wait till you see!!!

Peace, ya'll!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Bored and Boring

As in me...

I am...

Which is not to say that I'm not trying...

But..

Here is the run down.

I have two children under 5 and a husband who all require my time.

I have a full time (and then some) job with a really incredible company.

I lead a Bible Study of awesome women. (who are as busy as I am!)

I am on an unbelievably amazing design team.

I'm in the midst of Soul Restoration. (And a week behind, I might add, but appropriately RIGHT on time for what God is speaking and affirming into my life!)

I'm trying to keep up (seriously! and its a ONCE A MONTH THING!) with One Little Word. (I'm behind there, too, but I'm just having to deal with it.)

My office/studio is in shambles. (no, I won't be posting pictures of that!)

My to do list is two pages long. (that either!)

There were over 1000 pictures on my camera that I had to clean off on Saturday. 1000 pictures. I'm not going through them. I'm just going to upload them and suffer the bad picture quality.

And all I can think about is how utterly and amazing boring this all is and how bored I am.

Like my inner voice is saying, "THIS again? Can't we get off this silly train!?!?!?!"

Can we say "SHUT DOWN"?!?!?!?!

I'd ask you each for a few minutes of your own day to add to mine, but it would be utterly futile, because when I have an extra second, all I want to do is watch Bones on Netflix.

Its somewhat pathetic, right?

But here's the deal...I'm in the midst of confronting the labels I've placed (or allowed to be placed) on myself and on what I do when I feel overwhelmed or weak.

I used to WORK. Muscle through it. Dig down deep. Organize it into manageable steps and then start walking.

My fight-or-flight mechanism was always set to "FIGHT"! (yes, in all capital letters!)

But now...hmmmm...now....well...I'm not interested in working it out. I'm not interested in digging down deep and muscling through. I'm not interested in work...at least not in the sense that I was, in the sense of conquering a list and checking things off.

I'm sort of more interested in just standing still, really really still, and letting it blow on past me so I can re-enter life at a pace that seems more manageable.

Or sleep through it.

I haven't totally ruled out the Rumpelstiltskin approach.

So...my hyper-organized-control-freak-need-it-in-a-nice-little-box self has gone on vacation. or moved out permanently...(I hope not in reality, because the world would seriously fall apart!)

And I'm in sort of a...well...a conundrum, albeit a pleasantly numb and listless conundrum.

How and why does this happen?

Did all the adrenaline from the fight just peter out?

And where did my organizational skills disappear to?

Its an interesting place for me to be in.

I've been saying for some time "I can't go on like this" and I guess I finally reached that place where breathing and sitting and being still are all I want from NOW.

As if on cue, God answered some long-prayed prayers for me in this place. Not that any desire to power through has actually returned...but more that He has shown me He is still with me, still listening, still providing, still working with me through life.

Sad to say, all of this resistance to movement leaves my blog a bit neglected.

I'm still here, really!

Perhaps, there will be further introspection and some more deep and meaningful stuff to come here. Actually, you can probably count on it.

Perhaps there will be a larger-than-normal number of pretty pictures that I did not take posted to my blog.

I hope you walk this out with me.

Because if I'm about one thing on this blog, its honest transparency. I hope you will still be here to see how me and God work through this and what comes out on the other side.

I'm kind of excited in an I'm-not-moving-an-inch-from-this-restful-spot sort of way.

It will be another journey we can take together.

perhaps it will be a walk...

or a stroll...

or, maybe just stepping out on the front porch and sitting in the swing...

you get the idea.

Peace!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Tape and Twine and Thread

One more amazing muse from A Creative Mint.

Now, I'm not sure if you know, but there are these amazing decorative tapes out there. I have absolutely NO use for them...none...but they are SO beautiful!

Combine them with some twine, spools of thread, and vintage buttons (all of which I have no use for!) and you get something I MUST HAVE!!!


Well, at least if I keep the picture, I won't be tempted to go out and buy the actual stuff!

What are you inspired by that you have no practical use for? What would you collect if there were enough shelf space in the world?

Peace, ya'll!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Letter to Me

One thing that had been bouncing around my brain for the RESILIENCE KIT from Scrapbooking from the Inside Out was how I wish I could tell my old self some things.

Now this isn't a new theme for me...I've had this thought process before.

But to approach it specifically with RESILIENCE in mind, made for a different letter:


The straight lines and description of my organized self go rather together, don't they?


What would you tell yourself in a letter? What could you tell your past self about being resilient?

Peace, ya'll!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Monday Muse - Big Globes

We hear a lot about how the world is getting smaller thanks to advancements in technology...It makes me think of a globe - a little world spinning on an axis...tiny little world.

I admit...I have a fascination with globes and maps...

On one of my forays through the internet, I found these awesome BIG globes...still smaller than the world, but bigger than I imagine technology makes it seem:


If you take a close look, you will see that each is representative of something...

What would your globe look like?

What are you fascinated with?

Tell me your thoughts.

Peace, ya'll!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Look Up

How about another layout from the RESILIENCE KIT from Scrapbooking from the Inside Out?

I say YES!

This is a super fun layout using some star cut outs and a little mist. First I traced and cut some stars, then misted over them with two colors to create a mask background effect.

Then I used some of them to create those little star vignettes.

And finally did the curvy line journaling...this layout was so much fun and very freeing!


Here is an up close of the journaling.


What do you need to remember to remain resilient? What, in your life, gives you the inspriation to get back up and get going?

Peace, ya'll!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Design Team Call

I'm so shocked to see that my time as a designer for Scrapbooking From the Inside Out is rapidly coming to a close. Its been so much fun that its hard to believe how much time has passed.

But it IS indeed that time:



Scrapbooking From the Inside Out is a monthly kit club, inspiration source and online community. We are holding a Design Team search. Inside Out is a different kind of kit club – we use scrapbooking as a form of self-exploration, self-expression and self-discovery. Our goal is to encourage the use of scrapbooking as a way for us to tap into our deep inner worlds in the midst of our very busy lives. Every month Scrapbooking from the Inside Out creates a kit that uses the freshest supplies along with symbolism that helps scrappers tell their real story. Our industry-exclusive FREE Inspiration Page each month provides a multimedia support system - including deep journaling prompts, a music playlist, quotes, photos and evocative challenges to make tender hearts and creative minds and hands flow.

We will be taking submissions from now through May 5, 2011. Announcements will be made on or before May 26, 2011.

We are seeking talented designers (including overseas), who are passionate about scrapbooking and personal growth to share in this journey, to add to our team. As a Design Team member, you will serve a critical role in promoting the kits and the website on message boards, the blog, and representing the company where ever you can. We ask that our designers not hold design team positions with any other kit club or online scrapbooking retailer. Manufacturer design team appointments and teaching at your LSS are fine.

As a member of our Design Team, you will be asked to:
1. create 5 self-focused layouts using 80% materials from our kit and relating to the theme of the month
2. contribute two monthly articles for subscriber-only content (tips or techniques with step by step photos )
3. participate on our message boards at least 4 days per week
4. design for Inside Out for a 6-month term, beginning on June 1, 2011 (starting with the July 2011 Kit)
5. post your Inside Out LOs as requested by us at scrapbook community sites
6. submit your LOs for publication as requested

All projects made with the kit are yours to keep, and when used in the newsletter or on the website, you will be given full credit. As our designer, you can also submit your own work for publication as long as you give Inside Out proper credit in the contents list.

Your compensation will be:
1. Free monthly kit with no shipping charge from July-December 2011.
2. Recognition on our website with a link to your blog.
3. Incredible friendships, publishing opportunities and creative insight into your heart!

To apply, please email the following to scrapbookdesign@aol.com (subject – Design Team):
1. photos of 4 layouts of any size. All 4 projects should be about your inner world – your thoughts, feelings, dreams, fears
2. links to your online gallery, blog and/or resume, if available
3. your full contact information: name, phone number, email address, and mailing address
4. a short paragraph or two about why you want to be one of our designers – why this concept matters to you
5. a list of your current scrapbooking commitments – other DT work, etc.

We’re a passionate and creative team looking for like-minded people who love to share their thoughts and feelings using our craft and foster a supportive and welcoming community. We look forward to getting to know you!

Monday, April 11, 2011

Monday Muse - Flowers in Jars

I posted last week about how much in love I am with a site called A Creative Mint.

Today I've got another beauty for you from her site:


More flowers, I know...

Its just that the COLOR is so uplifting!!!

I want to go buy some flowers...

Or plant some flowers...

Or paint some flowers...

Or make flower scrapbook embellishments...

What about you?

Saturday, April 09, 2011

Give Away on Ali's blog!!!

just popping in for a quick post to share...

See this amazing Resilience Kit from Scrapbooking from the Inside Out?





You could win it!

Its Sponsor Giveaway Day over on Ali Edwards Blog.!

Head on over and put yourself in the running to win!

and Happy SATURDAY!!!

Thursday, April 07, 2011

2 posts in one day - and a GIVEAWAY!

See this amazing Resilience Kit from Scrapbooking from the Inside Out?





Wellllll....its being featured over on the Creating Keepsakes Blog today, along with some insight on how to use your words in scrapbooking!

Words are my most favorite form of expression - can you tell?

It is the expression of a civilized world!

Go have a peek and see the amazing designer layouts that are posted over there.

And don't forget to leave your name! You could win that GORGEOUS kit!!

Good Enough

Resilience is the theme of the month over at Scrapbooking from the Inside Out.

Sometimes resilience isn't about bouncing back, but more about stretching beyond what you or others might expect from you.

My next layout for this kit taps into the idea that "good enough" really isn't for me, as far as personal development goes. I'm not a person who gets to "average" and then stops.

Now, this isn't about money or my home or clothes or any of that. Its about what is inside. I want to know that I gave my everything to learning, loving, growing, being a friend, exploring the things inside of me that are challenging, learning to manage the parts of me that are out of control.


The journaling reads:

In the big picture, my life has not been all that hard. As in any life, there have been things to overcome. I don’t consider myself all that amazing for having overcome. There was a miscarriage, a divorce, a brief dance with drugs. Ther was a larger than necessary fear of inadequacy. There have been a few less-than-honest men and a rather large quantity of alcohol. And a friend who was somewhat single-white-female-ish. There was an apartment in a really bad neighborhood (that was all that I could afford at the time). But truthfully, resilience in my life has been more about resisting mediocrity, more about stretching and reaching beyond comfort, more about proving to myself that good enough is just a place to start.


I made some more of those circle flowers and a pleat flower using American Crafts resin rose brads for the center.


And their is a luscious Cumberland Regent fabric flower from Prima.

And lets not forget that I don't normally scrap in PINK. I really loved the change of color!!!

Have a BEAUTIFUL DAY, everyone!

Peace!

Monday, April 04, 2011

Monday Muse - Spring has Sprung

I'm particularly inspired by a site calledA Creative Mint. To put it simply, the colors there make me wish I could dive into my monitor.

This is from that site:


Do you not wish you could just jump right into that?

What shall we do with this muse? Buy ourselves some flowers? Paint? scrapbook? Maybe break out the spring cardigans?

Let me know what you think!

Friday, April 01, 2011

RESILIENCE

Its the first!

APRIL 1st, but this is no joke...

Time for the reveal of the new Scrapbooking from the Inside Out Kit. This month, our theme is RESILIENCE!

Resilience is "the power or ability to return to the original form, position, etc., after being bent, compressed, or stretched; elasticity." or "ability to recover readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like; buoyancy."

THIS is a word I like!

I think human beings are equipped quite naturally with exceptional resilience...we seem to have been built to withstand challenge, adversity, illness and all the things the world tends to throw at us.

The kit for this month is another gorgeous one...it is surprisingly diverse- lots of colors and possible directions to take this one:


My first layout is about how surprised I was at how resilient I am. For a long time, I felt a little brittle, like perhaps there would be one good jolt and I would shatter into a million pieces.

But what I found was that adversity brought about growth and change that I actually thrived in. It was amazing to me to find that I was resilient enough to BLOOM out of the challenges I once faced:


This kit has some of the American Crafts Pocket Patterns, which are little fabric swatches. They come on a paper backer and I was able to run mine through the printer for my journaling. After a bit of cutting and distressing, I got an awesome little block of journaling!


And there are some STUNNING flowers...Little resin brads from American Crafts that I placed in the middle of a distressed circle flower and gorgeous fabric flowers from Prima. I also made a little pleated flower with a button from my stash.


Head on over to Scrapbooking From the Inside Out and check out the gallery and the full kit!

So, my question now is, how do you think of RESILIENCE? Do you believe you are? When has your own or somebody else's resilience surprised you?

Peace, ya'll!