Inside Out Visual Journaling

Behind the Art with Stacey

2015-12-31T09:40:00.000-08:00

This summer brought lots of changes for my family. My husband was no longer home with us each day as he took on a new job. It was so odd to no longer have him around to help us fill the days and make memories. I decided to realign things and really embrace the quality time with just the kids and me.

It was really life changing. To just go freely with the day and have adventures, to be present in that moment was pretty cool. It brought mindfulness to my life.

Again, the page is simple. It is more about the bold words along the top that communicate my feelings. It is more about the photo and the embellishments I chose to use to convey how much these two mean to me.

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to appreciate my blessings. It shifted me at the core.

Behind the Art with Stacey

2015-12-28T00:00:00.000-08:00

I hope you enjoy your last kit this month. May it bring you peace and joy during this busy holiday time. I used this kit as a means to really reflect on how I align my life. I focused on what I need to be centered and aligned. I find that when I live in that space, I attract positivity and love. That is the best feeling.

I decided to go with a huge title on this page. It states exactly what I need to be me.

There are certain things that really help to align me. Things like spending quality time with family, laughing with friends, fostering my relationship with my kids. Then there are things just reserved for me. Think trips to Target or days spent at the flea market. I used a photo from a recent flea market trip. My sister in law calls it my happy place. She is right. I love the hunting of the hidden gems and treasures. Mostly, I love the company.

The page is relatively simple. I used a strong floral to represent the women in my family. I then grounded the photo with the pink tag, having the arrow point to the title. This page makes me happy in a simple way, much like family.

Behind the Art with Jen

2015-12-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

Another fine December day here is Upstate NY... we have had one of the warmest in history for our area. Hope it's nice where you are too. I've enjoyed a lot of fun family time and preparing for the holidays. So, I'm sharing this page with you today.

This time of year is crazy but we manage to fit in lots of fun as well as our daily responsibilities. Karate is one of the things we all do in my family. We just had belt graduations and 2 of us earned our next belt! With everyone's schedules, work, school, homework, music lessons, karate, and sports, as well as events we are super busy! But most of the time we make it work. It takes communication and coordination!

I loved this stencils and traced it with the Distress pen to create that feeling of directional pull... going in multiple directions!

The arrows were perfect too! Even though we are busy we are happy and crazy!

I love my happy, crazy, busy life!

Behind the Art with Stacey

2015-12-21T00:00:00.000-08:00

I can't believe this incredible journey is coming to an end. Inside Out has brought so much creativity and joy to my life. I have always believed in scrapbooking things that really matter as a means to heal and grow. This experience only fostered that belief. This month's theme is align and attract.

I explored how sometimes we need to realign our lives. It can be difficult and frightening. But not everything works out the way you think it will. I have been struggling with this lately. I am at the point where I need to let go with love.

I purposefully chose the butterfly paper to go with the idea of letting go. I am transforming to a new place. I hope to quietly flap my wings and move along. I cut some of the butterflies out and made them fly across the page. I used the typewriter cut out as a symbol too. A proclamation of my intentions. I find that stating your intentions helps you to reach them. I used the location symbol because this is where I am right now in life.

I loved the word peace in this kit. You can find peace when you align your life and attract the right kind of energy. That is my goal.

Behind the Art with Jen

2015-12-17T04:45:00.001-08:00

Hi Artsy friends! Sharing this page is a pleasure. I love this accidental photo I took one day with my youngest son on a walk while out Pumpkin picking. We happened to be holding hands and I just snapped the photo on a whim. I was so happy and surprised that it came out so well.

It's hard to be a mom somedays when there is so much going on but when moments like this come along and family time is precious, I value these little details. Holding hands, walking and talking about our lives. My sweet boy is growing so fast and becoming his own person and I hope that I have instilled kindness and positive choices in him.

I used the vellum heart to frame our hands so we could still see it through the window. I drew a heart to draw attention to it.

Lots of splatters from the Distress Marker (I colored on a non-stick mat and added water with a stiff bristle brush and flicked it to create the splatters. I did the same with some gold and silver inks) and some Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Whipped Spackle through the stencil added some texture to the page.

I absolutely love sparkle and these adhesive sequins were perfect as accents! Just gives such a shine to the page!

I cherish the times when he grabs my hands and wants to walk with me. My heart soars with joy! Love you little man!

Behind the Art with Stacey

2015-11-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

The idea of inner gifts got me thinking about what relationships in my life are connected to the gifts I possess. Inner gifts form us and drive our decision making. They lead us down the path in life. When you enter into a relationship, you have to make sure your inner gifts are honored and cherished.

I remember when my husband and I first met. I shared with him about how I need to stand in my truth. Be who I am and know where my boundaries are. He told me early on that I should always do that. If at any time, that meant I needed more from our relationship or needed to move in a different direction, he would understand. It made an impact on me and I knew he was someone I wanted to build a life with.

When I saw the word stencil in the kit, it instantly reminded me of Steve. Those are the kinds of words he would use with me, the advice he would give. It reminded me of standing in my truth. He loves me for my inner gifts and remembers those when the not so good sides of me come to life.

I put the journaling along the diagonals on the top border. It reads, "Stand in my truth. You love that about me-vowed to never pull me away from that. You taught me all these things. I am so very happy."

I layered the journaling card and a picture of him. I also placed the arrow stickers in between the lines. He reads between the lines with me all the time. How is he able to do that? He knows my inner gifts. It is a simple page, but I love it so much.

Behind the Art with Stacey

2015-11-16T00:00:00.000-08:00

Happy November and welcome to a new month where we are exploring our inner gifts. For each kit, I tend to explore feelings and thoughts about myself. But each month I also consider my family and how they fit into the month's theme. As a mom, I hope my kids develop, recognize and foster their unique inner gifts. I know that life will be fulfilling if they do.

I love the Simple Stories paper with all these words. I want my kids to feel each of these things on a regular basis. I also love the Dr. Seuss card. I knew they had to be big elements on this page. I just started layering some of the elements I was drawn too and then put down the photo.

By placing this journaling card over the paper, I lost a bit of the words. I decided to trace over the loved and extend the writing over the journaling card. I embellished the loved with a sticker heart and the silver arrow head.

I also wrote a note to my kids. I hope they learn about what makes them special and they can identify their inner gifts. I want them to hold onto those gifts, foster them and remember them when they make mistakes in life. It is the remembering your gifts that helps you to admit your mistakes and move forward.

Behind the Art with Jen

2015-11-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

Hi, Artsy friends!! This page is all about inner gifts and the lack there of. I never had the gift of athleticism. I didn't enjoy sports or even working out as a teen or young adult. Until I started running, I really didn't like sweating and pushing myself into that uncomfortable zone. That's where this page came from... that belief in one's self that you can overcome previous negative attitudes. You can change and grow and pull things out of yourself that you never dreamed possible.

I didn't think I could run weekly let along daily. I know I can now that I have done it! I dream big... having signed up for a 1/2 marathon in this coming spring, I believe I can do it mile by mile. All it takes is hard work, dedication, motivation, and support. I have all of that. I will succeed because inside me I know I can! Am I scared to death? YES! I want to do well.. I want it to be easy. It won't be, but I will succeed!

My friends, family, and coaches believe I can do it... that helps me to believe I can too. It is a journey and running with friends is way easier and more fun! When I signed up for this 1/2 marathon, I did it because my running friends said I could do it and they would be there running along with me! I am nervous and scared but training for this makes it more fun and less scary!

For this page, I used the stick titles and cut off an "S" from Smile to create Mile. The symbolism behind the arrows just made me think of moving forward step by step, mile by mile.

What is a hidden gift that you didn't think was there but with the help of others, you discovered later?

Behind the Art with Stacey

2015-11-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

When I considered my inner gifts, I thought about what those were. More importantly, I considered where those gifts are shaped and formed. What were the origins? I realize that I was born wired a certain way. But certain people in my life have influenced my inner gifts.

There is something about having strong friendships that fills me up. It is different that the feelings I get being a wife and a mom. It is more about feeling like a woman. I can use my inner gifts within my friendships. I can be a good listener and someone who is unconditional.

I explored the idea of how friendships can impact my inner gifts. I went uber girlie on this page. I loved the wooden star on the patterned paper and cut it so I could use it almost as a doilie. I placed the really feminine floral paper at the top since this page is about my girl friends.

I layered several meaningful embellishments like the floral and the Joy brad. I also put my title on the frame, placing the URG8 tag underneath. Friendships allow me to be me in a different way than I am in other roles. I am lucky to have a few great groups of friends.

There is something about those long lasting friendship, where your girls love you no matter what. They support you during your hard times, without judgement. They wouldn't think of doing anything to hurt your feelings, especially when they know your secrets and fears. Those friends bring out my best inner gifts. I couldn't survive without that in my life.

Behind the Art with Jen

2015-11-04T05:18:00.000-08:00

Hi Artsy friends!! I had so much fun with this kit!!! Love this stencil in there that has some very powerful words of encouragement. I decided to use it in the background with some Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gesso applied through the stencil.

My husband always says I have a gift for mess. I think it's more that I make lots of artwork and therefore make a creative art mess. It's part of the process. I tend to grab and go! So, he nags me to clean it up and I use my gifts of making art. The give me a break word bubble was perfect for this page!

Through my art making, I discover new ways to use products. My gift of creativity gives me lots of ways to discover things about myself and my life. This page has lots of layers just like my creative insides. Lots of layers to sort through in a visual way!

Behind the Art with Stacey

2015-11-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

I seriously can't believe it is already November. The month of showing gratitude and being thankful has a great theme, Inner Gifts. How do our inner gifts influence and shape our worlds? It got me thinking about my inner gifts, those ones I am so grateful to possess. One such gift involves my internal drive. My desire to accomplish a goal has been a positive force in my life.

I decided to scrap about it and use some fun kit elements to enhance my thoughts.

I started with a photo of me. Then I was immediately drawn to the journaling card of the car. It helped to inspire this page. Sometimes I just open the kit and look at all the papers and items, looking for direction. I hand cut the girl and used it as a large title. I also loved the triangular patterns on the Simple Stories paper and used a portion of that along the side.

The triangle on the left seemed to be pointing like an arrow so I went with that repetition. I hand cut the overlapping triangles and placed them around the page.

I wrote about how my drive has helped me, why I consider it to be a gift. I can imagine all the places my life could have ended up, if not for that motivation to plow ahead and create change. I hope I can model that for my kids. No matter where you are, you can take the wheel.

True Story Guest Artist Rachel Hawkins and TWO more Challenge...plus our next kit!

2015-10-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

Before this incredibly quick month comes to a close (is ti just me?), I want to share the beautiful work of our guest contributing artist, Rachel Hawkins. Here's a little bit about her:

Rachel is a wife, mother, counselor, dance teacher, and lover of creativity. Being a counselor Rachel loves crafting as a way to connect stories and process emotions. Scrapbooking is not just a hobby for Rachel, but a therapeutic outlet as well.

And you've got to love her name too. :)

You can see more of her work on Instagram and on her blog.

Here are two of her takes on this month's theme, TRUE STORY.

Doesn't this kit make you a fan of pink? There's such a modern, feminine look with the gold, black and pink combined.

And make sure to come by our members group for TWO MORE layout/art journal page challenge for this month - perfect for creating this weekend. Click here and just ask to join!

Stay tuned for Sunday's full reveal of the November kit, INNER GIFTS.

Happy Halloween Weekend!

Behind the Art with Stacey

2015-10-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

This has been a fun month where we have explored the idea of true stories. One true story we love to tell involves how my husband and I met. It was kinda instant, yet we had been walking around each other's lives for a long time. Each of us had signs before or when we met that confirmed that the universe was behind our pairing.

I knew I had to incorporate the hearts on this page. I cut several from the sheet of paper and layered them. I also used a typewriter and wrote the words, "true love story." I layered some fun elements from the kit that matched my theme. I really feel in love with the gold letters. The coolest element was the top strip of typography. I used the pink marker from the kit to color in the words "love and adore you."

I added in some simple dots using using a black pen and the pink marker from the kit. I also grounded the photo with the Yay! tag.

I told tidbits of our true story. Steve has one of his own involving our meeting. They make us smile because we know that our meeting was a matter of timing. Ask and you shall receive.

Behind the Art with Felecia

2015-10-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

Greetings, my friends!

Today I'm posting my last project from Inside Out's True Story kit.

For my final project, I reflected on a question asked by my nine-year old son - What is my big dream.

I found it disturbing, because I had no answer.

So, I thought for right now, it would be really good to document the fact that at this stage of my life, there is no big dream in my works.

I started with the white cardstock because I felt like this deserved some messy mists. I used two of Heidi Swapp's mists from my stash to set up my background.

The words on this My Minds Eye journal card spoke precisely the words I needed into my thoughts about not having a big dream.

As I said in my Behind the Art post for my Be Moved project, I find the butterfly a common image I use in projects about growth or metamorphosis...And this certainly seemed like the right place.

I've apparently grown out of some of the dreams I had earlier in my life and I'm transitioning to new things...

The journal cards make perfect tuck-behinds, so I cut them up and slipped them in where they seemed to go.

Before I went on to the butterflies, I used the distress marker to outline my page.

My particular rub on set included the perfect title phrase...this is all about my true story right here and right now...I also broke one up to use in the top and bottom corners to draw your eye across the page at an angle.

The die-cute butterflies are so amazing. I like to make them appear as though they are lifting off the page, heading into flight. To do this, I put a triangle of dimensional adhesive under each wing, but adhere the center to my page with quick drying adhesive.

As a final project, this feels so right, to set a course for big dreams and new things to add to my story. Perhaps its time for me to work on the next direction of my trajectory...

Peace, ya'll.

Behind the Art with Jen

2015-10-28T19:30:00.000-07:00

Being a mom is hard work! Sometimes you worry that the kids are doing not enough or too much! There are a million things to worry about. But when I catch my boys just being simple boys with sticks, it makes me inner voice calm down and quiet. I just smile and enjoy the moment. They were pretending the sticks were bows and they were on an adventure along with their imaginations!

The symbolism of the arrow in this kit helped me to create this page. I knew immediately what photo I wanted to use! Sometimes kids show us how to just be... just have fun with whatever is around. I'd like to think that I can view things creatively (I am an art teacher and artist after all) but with all the craziness in being an adult, I forget to just keep it simple. They remind me!

I did create a complex embroidery detail with a heart from one of the papers. I just had to stitch it! I tried it once and the paper buckled so I had to back it with a thicker piece of cardstock and cut it out and poke the holes to stitch. I love how it came out!

Follow your heart and look for simple signs that you need to slow down and pay attention! Kids are perfect at finding opportunities to just play. I need to listen to that inner voice sometimes but also quiet it when it starts worrying! My kids are my gift to myself and I hope I always catch them being good boys. They are so sweet and I am a lucky mama!

Behing the Art with Stacey

2015-10-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

This October, think about your true stories. There are so many interesting things about each of us. I have a true story that always intrigues people including myself. For a good portion of my life, I had a family that I didn't know much about. Siblings I never thought I would meet. It created wonder in my life. Sometimes I was afraid of the unknown. Other times, I just felt sad. It is hard to feel left out for so long.

In a matters of months, all of that changed. A trip to a magical place and an unforgettable event healed that wounded child within. Savannah holds a special place in my heart because of the emotions I felt there.

I had the chance to meet my siblings. It was such a surreal moment in my life and I vividly remember the details. I decided to use a dark background to make the lighter, more feminine colors stand out. I used girlie touches because so much of the journaling has to do with me as a little girl. I also choose the butterfly as a symbol of change and how something ordinary can transform into something so beautiful.

I shared some of my true story, my fears and sadness that turned into joy. It is a summary of a crazy true story where I tried to capture the highlights.

Behind the Art with Felecia

2015-10-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

Hey, everyone!!! I hope this post is finding everyone working on your own True Story.

For my next project from Inside Out's True Story kit, I focused on using the Just Add Color papers from Bella Blvd. I LOVE black and white papers and how adding just one color can really pop every single paper and pattern in the project.

My project is about my sweet sister Kellie...we've lived at least 1/2 way across the country from one another all our adult lives. BUT she recently moved just 30 minutes down the road from me and we've been having a great time writing a new chapter to our story - one where we have family dinners and lots of phone calls and sharing special moments.

This picture was one we took on a recent trip to California...a moment of huge fun I pray we have a lot more of!!

I wanted to put as many patterns into this as possible...to reflect the extreme fun.

I've been doing quite a lot of layering behind my photos using a cut-by-hand technique I learned from Ashli Oliver. I am very timid when it comes to layering, especially in a messy way. I'm much better with neat and tidy square arrangements, but I've not felt satisfied with that technique lately. So, I've been experimenting with alternatives. Gettting a little bit messy and unsquare...its more like my REAL life...and the art should reflect real life, don't you think?

The bits and pieces in this kit are so amazing. This little ticket was just the perfect addition to my silly selfie.

I love having a new chapter in my story with my sister - a funner and more involved chapter...

Peace, ya'll!

Behind the Art with Jen

2015-10-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

Hi artsy friends! I have had the craziest month and finally, I feel like I'm sort of caught up! It's nuts! I absolutely adored this kit's colors and designs! I was very inspired right away with the rub ons and butterflies! So, I knew this page had to have some of each. I have these photobooth photos of my husband and I and wanted to use them for this layout.

We are an odd couple.. my husband and I. We are exact opposites but we have rubbed off (in good and bad ways) so that we seem to be more and more alike which causes some battles. He is a neat freak, worrier and I am a creative mess, social butterfly! It's not always easy to blend our personalities. We fight over the typical stuff but sometimes we argue over dumb things!

Our life is far from fairy tale and perfect but it's amazing all the same. We argue, bicker, fight and even scream at each other, but we also hug, kiss, snuggle, and work together in a crisis. It's about compromise and empathy. We sometimes seem like we are at out wit's end.

I have to say that I envy those couples that were best friends first and that have an easy laugh along with the hard times. It's a lot of work to make this relationship work. That's not to say that we don't laugh but rather that our reaction to each other and others takes work. It doesn't come as easy but when we do click, it's magic! We feel most connected when we are relaxing outside, watching the kiddos laugh.

It's taken me a long time to be okay with the fact that we are different and it's what's okay!

Behind the Art with Stacey

2015-10-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

The concept of true story opens the mind up to a variety of ideas. Will you scrap funny true stories, things you would rather forgot or meaningful true moments for your life? I decided to dedicate a page to several true stories in my life. I journaled about many details that are true, unusual and make me unique.

I decided to use the arrow paper from the kit in a dramatic fashion. I love the idea of all the arrows pointing in one direction. I put the photo right in the center of the arrows. I also added some tidbits around the photo like the circular S that stands for my name. I needed something big to balance the arrows and business of the paper. I decided to grab a strip of typography that reads "Be better today than you were yesterday." In some ways, I live life like that each day. I hand cut around some of the arrows so they overlap the paper.

I also placed the butterflies down as a symbol. I am trying to evolve always. Knowing my truths and embracing them will give me the strength I need to change and improve. I scrapped random thoughts about my true stories. I grounded the bottom of the page with the stack of books and put the word SELFIE there since it is a page about me. I love pages like this because it helps me to reflect and set goals.

Behind the Art with Stacey

2015-10-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

Here we are...October arrived and fall is here! Our theme for this month is True Story. I started thinking about the true stories I found to be interesting or intriguing. I typically scrap a page each month about my children. I knew that I wanted to share the true stories about their births.

I always share the moment of their births where we bonded. To go with my theme, I added scattered hearts cut from the patterned paper. I used the pink marker from the kit to add some simple dots in a random pattern. I also colored in the top left stripe to ground the page.

I wrote down the stories, each one unique. They love to hear these and I make sure to share with them every birthday.

I added little touches like the & sign and cheerful words. I hand wrote the Story and put True into the heart. All the elements support the happy feeling behind the page.

Behind the Art with Felecia

2015-10-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

For my second project from Inside Out's True Story kit, I really wanted to focus on the "story" part...

It seems to me that the best parts of my own story have nothing to do with big deal stuff...its in the little parts, the small moments.

I kept looking at those amazing My Minds Eye letters and how striking they were all together. I really wanted to save the letters for my other projects, but I loved how they looked together so much that I decided to punch them out and use the left over chipboard as a background.

Letters are the small parts of words, moments are the small part of time...words and time make up our stories...maybe that only makes sense to me, but I love how the symbolism speaks to me.

So...as I was considering how to use chipboard sheet my letters came from, I decided to paint over them. My original paint job was a bit to bright. So I used some white mist and toned it down a little bit.

The great super narrow tape reminded me of ribbon, so I wrapped it around several times, like a tie around a journal.

The mat for the photos is meant to look like a file folder and I used the MME typewriter paper (of course!!) to hint at my "story" theme.

I properly labeled my "file folder" and gave it a tab on top using a journal card, some die cut bits and the amazing letters!

And of course the little hashtag sayings properly identified my moments and my over all story!!!

LOVING where this kit is taking me in my exploration....

Peace, ya'll!

Behind the Art with Felecia

2015-10-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

Hello! Welcome to my first True Story project post!

Have I mentioned before that I'm not so much into pink? Wellllllll...this kit might be the one that pushes me into the liking and maybe even LOVING pink category.

I started by thinking about my own true story, my faith is a huge part of it. I often pray for big huge mountains to be moved...or for God to show me the way around them, through them, over them...whatever. But in my study and learning, I have found that sometimes I'm the big mountain...and I hope that my story includes those moments when I have enough courage to BE moved by God as appropriate.

For some people, I think this flexibility is quite easy. I cannot necessarily say the same. I'm quite dedicated to my way of doing things and thus I sometimes find myself stubbornly holding onto things I have outgrown, that are holding me back, that are causing me pain, or are just plain old not working.

I started with black cardstock and played with a couple of mists - Heidi Swapp Gold and a very old Studio Calico white, creating a little background.

I then used several layers of the My Minds Eye paper to frame my picture so that it had some dimension and movement.

Butterflies are a motif I often use when I'm documenting change, movement, or metamorphosis in my own life - those moments I can identify with certainty are "becoming" moments. So...I definitely wanted to use the gorgeous My Minds Eye butterfly paper.

I'm not entirely sure that I could say that a butterfly is "my" symbol, but I can most certainly say that I use this symbol in a lot of my projects about my own growth.

Ok, ok, ok...I sort of wished there two sheets of this so I could use the words on the flip side for one project and the butterflies for another...BUT...I chose the butterflies...they just spoke so much to me!

I played with the layout a bunch of ways, but in the end opted to fussy cut thebutterflies and the phrases out so I could make my own arrangement.

The end result is supposed to be me being moved by all these gossamer butterflies with encouraging words...

It feels right...

Peace, ya'll!

Behind the Art with Melissa and some news

2015-09-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone and happy Tuesday,

I have a fun page to share with you all today. It's one that encapsulates how I embrace my inner-child today. There was a time when I would have had some bad feelings when thinking about my childhood. Yes, I had fun but, it also was a time of my life when some not so good things happened to me. So, it has affected me.

Up until several years ago.

After going through an amazing time of healing, I can finally embrace the good parts of my inner child. I can be a freak and do silly things and have FUN! I can break rules and "learn through my play". I've also learned the "child like" doesn't have to equal immature. I think there is a certain amount of wisdom when it comes to tapping into your inner-child. Laughter and being willing to learn and grow takes maturity and wisdom.

And that's how I want to live my life. Carefree. Being ME and not worrying about what others think. Being a wild child. Getting dirty and walking barefoot in the grass. And, yes, even breaking the rules from time to time.

I did a fun design with this page to create lots of movement and texture. I wanted it to almost be overstimulating but, not quite. And, the photo of me was perfect to include because that was a super fun moment with my Aunt. Two grown women... breaking the rules! (We didn't really stand or lean over...)

I also have some news to share.

If you didn't know already, I have been part of the Inside Out family since July 2010. It has been an amazing 5 years of growth, creativity, building beautiful relationships and empowering others to utilize the tools of the scrapbooking trade to better their lives. I have and will always be a HUGE supporter of this approach and I absolutely love the direction Inside Out is taking. It's truly exciting.

As with life, though, things can suddenly take a different turn than expected. While I thought this would be a place I'd never, ever leave, there have been some new roles in my personal life and I'm afraid I have to let some things go. It saddens and excites me all at the same time!

So, this is my last post here for Inside Out. Thank you Rachel for being an amazing boss! I have so loved learning from you and being inspired by you. It has been an honor to be your Lead Artist and Social Media gal. I'm so glad that stepping down from this role does NOT mean I'm leaving entirely. I'll still be around social media sharing my creations and finding out the latest and greatest in this crazy industry. I'll also remain in our members group because, again, I'm completely 100% supportive of this approach and I love to be part of it and encouraging others in their journey.

Signing out,

Melissa

Behind the Art with Stacey

2015-09-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

For my last page this month, I reflected on my inner child and how that relates to my marriage. I truly believe that the most telling way you know you are in love is if your inner child feels safe. I am thankful that I have had the chance to experience that.

I immediately fell hard for the Sigh card and thought it was perfect for the idea of love. I used the tone on tone to create a subtle, yet textured feel. Those two parts go together well. I also layered alphabet letters in similar tones to make the word Love.

I layered some of the blue sayings to finish off the sentiments on the page.

I told the story of how my inner child feels about my husband. Trust and vulnerability are difficult, but the right relationship can make it all worth it. Don't be afraid to explore all aspects of your inner child and how it relates to your life.

Behind the Art with Felecia

2015-09-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

Its time for my final project from the Inside Out Inner Child kit...I'm sort of sad to see this kit go.

Its been amazing for me to get back in touch with that little scamp...I'm a very serious person who has a very difficult time joking around about myself, so this month's projects have been freeing and touching and have kept me smiling from ear to ear!

For the final project, I wanted to remind that little one that no matter what, she is so loved...loved beyond reason, loved no matter what.

Not long ago, I re-discovered a box of photos of me when I was a child. I have been thoroughly enjoying rediscovering these shots of me...and the memories that go along with them.

These two spoke to me...spoke to what I feel like my inner child would look like if she could manifest herself for real.

The Authentique paper with hearts is just so much fun! And I love the striped paper as a background. I used some journaling cards and a couple of the die cuts to get a bit of layering done to frame the photos.

I used the Faber Castell brush pen to freehand some border lines for dimension and color.

The Fancy Pants mixed alphas are perfectly playful for a title like this. It makes me think of the newpaper / magazine cut out pictures I used to make when I was a kid.

As is my habit, I cut of the chalkboard label into to pieces to add to both the top and bottom and provide some grounding. for the rest.

My journaling is a simple reminder to myself...you are loved. Be at peace.

As a final project, this is probably my favorite. It definitely speaks to my heart.

Peace, ya'll!