Have You Spoken Your Truth? Be You and Win (In Every Way)

As our TRUTH kit month draws to a close, I want to remind you that the end of the month doesn't need to mean the end of your exploration. 

This month's challenges have really made me think.

It's hard to sufficiently explore truth without exploring the concept of lying...especially the lies we tell ourselves - telling ourselves something positive that might not be 100% accurate to protect ourselves from pain, or telling ourselves blatant falsehoods that undermine our self-confidence, out of habit.

Here are a few of the challenges up for this month on our message board. If you'd like to submit a LO to share, we'd love to see it. Any LO posted before 12:00 noon PDT (UTC/GMT-8) on July 3rd will be entered to win one of our monthly challenge giveaways.

And you don't need to be a subscriber to play. Everyone is welcome!

Challenge 1: Be True to You/Pinterest 

If you wanted to REALLY be true to you, what might you change about your life? For the design twist, please pick an image or quote from our TRUTH Pinterest Board and use it in your LO. 

The lovely TC, a long time subscriber, submitted this beautiful LO for challenge 1:

Why is it so hard for us to believe we are enough? Love mulling this over.

Challenge #2: Honesty/White

Honesty and Integrity: Have you ever lied in an important situation? Is there such a thing a ‘white lie’? When, if ever, can a lie be justified? How do you feel about someone lying to you? Are you honest to a fault? For the design twist, use something bright white to define your LO – stitching, either by hand or machine, white marker or white space.

Here's my take on this challenge:

I do hide certain things from myself to keep things feeling good. Sometimes. Do you?

We've got three more great challenges on the message board that are just as deep. It just takes a moment to register and you'll be good to go.

Even if you DON'T want to share a personal LO just yet, please do at least one for your eyes only. 

I promise, the TRUTH will set you free. Not in a second, not in a month, but in a lifetime. It's a goal worth pursuing.

I can't wait to see what you do.

 

PS: Make sure to join us tomorrow for the launch of the COMMUNICATION kit!

Doodle Your Truth!

I have been dabbling in the art of Zentangle.  When I saw some of Jen Matott's Truth layouts this month, I was thrilled to see how she incorporated tangling and doodling in.  Check these great layouts out and Jen's comments on doodling on your layouts...

Doodling on Your Layouts

by Jen Matott

This month I had fun with doodling and drawing on my layouts. I am going to share a bit about how to get starting if you are not comfortable with drawing or if you are an old friend with the pen!

You do not have to be a seasoned artist to create hand-drawn patterns or shapes on your layouts. There is a huge new wave of interest in doodling in the art and crafting world. Packaged as "Zendoodles, Zentangles, or Free Drawing"... it is all the same. It's doodling with lines, shapes, patterns and using ink pens. You can do it too!

In this layout I traced a Tattered Angels butterfly mask for the large butterfly. I divided up the shape symmetrically into smaller shapes. I created a pattern in each space and then echoed the same pattern or a variation of it on the opposite side. So, think of simple shapes and fill the space with those shapes.

Try varying the size of the shapes within the spaces. You can also change the look by coloring in some of the space solid. Stripes are always easy and bold!

Here is another layout in which I used free hand drawing/ doodling. I chose to draw in 2 corners and just started with a shape and added on more lines, shapes, and creating movement with the direction I placed the lines.

Look to nature for shapes too... I was inspired by ferns and new plants in how their leaves curl and have lines on them.

It's not as hard as you might think to doodle on pages. You really can't mess up because if you "make a mistake" you just turn it into something new! Try doodling on a layout for a fun, artsy look! 

How awesome are those tangles and doodles?  I hope to be brave enough to do this on my layouts soon.  Are you doodling your truth?  Share it with us!

A Challenge and Chance to WIN the Truth Kit!

Follow our Inspiration on Pinterest!

 As you know, we spend every month delving into the topic at hand, with inspiration provided it the forms of photos, quotes, music, journaling prompts and more.  Our community is given several challenges to help them along in the path of exploring their inner world.  Let's check one of these challenges out!

Honesty and Integrity: Have you ever lied in an important situation? Is there such a thing a "white lie"? When, if ever, can a lie be justified? How do you feel about someone lying to you? Are you honest to a fault?

To make this layout even more reflective of your feelings, we want you to add what we call the "design twist": using a visual representation to reinforce the challenge. For this month's design twist, use something white to define your layout--stitching (by hand or machine), white marker, or white space.

Now... a fun little adventure for you.  If you would like to take part in this challenge, you have a chance to win your own Truth kit.  If that peaks your interest, head on over to the Club CK blog and read Rachel's post for the rules on how to enter your name to WIN!

Make sure to let us know here, too!

Go play!

Fun with Glimmer Glaze

Over on Inside Out's message boards, we always have fun tips and tricks from our design team members.  This month's kit contains Glimmer Glaze and I was so excited and appreciative when Melissa posted some of her how-to's and creative uses of this new-to-me tool.  I thought perhaps you might want to see some fun ways to use Glimmer Glaze too. 

So... without further ado... here you go!

Fun with Glimmer Glaze

by Melissa Elsner

I've decided I really like Glimmer Glaze. I bought a couple of bottles awhile back from my local stamping store. The colors were discontinued so they were on clearance. Loved it! And we get a bottle in this months' kit too. This stuff is so much fun to experiment with so I thought I'd share with you a couple of things I did with it on my layouts.

First up is pairing it with the stencil. At first, I tried to use the brush that's attached to the cap but didn't like how it looked. I remembered I had a package of Fastastix, which are little coloring brushes. In the past, I've used these for watercolors or with stamps. It worked perfect! I dipped the end into the Glimmer Glaze and then colored in the words.

When I used the brush to color in the stencil, the color bled a bit when I attempted the flowers. I let the glaze dry, then took the stencil and traced over it with my white gel pen. Kind of a fun look. It looks like it is a resist... it really isn't. Tricky, huh???

You could also pour some in a spritz bottle and spray on your projects.

I actually dipped the brush in and let it splatter and drip on my layout. You'll probably notice lots of my layouts lately have splatter paint on them. Just a fun little technique I've been enjoying. We'll see how long it lasts. But I do like the unique, watery, shimmery look the glaze leaves.

Have fun with your Glimmer Glaze!  

Would you like to play with Glimmer Glaze? I know I'm ready to be brave with it.  How about exploring your Truth?  Get your kit now, before it's too late!  Join us over in our community and share your inspiration!

"His, Hers and The Truth"

"All things are subject to interpretation whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth."

Friedrich Nietzsche

I have raised three (step) kids.  It has been an adventure!  Over time I have seen that the two older siblings have really tortured (not literally) and attempted to warp the youngest kidling (because isn't that what siblings do?).  Over time, they would pull on her, figuratively, like a tug-rope, trying to get her to side with them.  This included the "stories" that were told in explanation to something that may have happened (you know, when "nobody" broke the lamp).  Later, when they were older and fighting each other, they would tell her their side of the story and whomever got to her first held her captive attention and she would "back" them against the other sibling.

I have tried, time and time again, to impart that there are two sides to every story.  But as I considered this, watching the various battles, I realized that there's really three sides.  Because of everyone's individual perspective and world vision, each person has a "side" with the third "side" as the Truth.

I believe that each party in a situation will firmly feel that their understanding, their observations, their thoughts, their feelings will be "the truth".  It is so easy to just accept that.  But everyone is different, with different life experiences that influence how they perceive a situation.  It most definitely does not mean that person is wrong... but it also shouldn't be assumed that s/he is 100% right.  

Now that the youngest is sixteen, whenever there is an argument... among siblings, friends, or other family... and she vents to me or sides with one  person over the other, I say to her, "Remember, there are three sides to every story..." and she will complete my sentence with, "His, Hers and the Truth."

If that's the only thing I can get her to embrace, I think she will be able to live with eyes open, and see that her siblings or friends maybe viewing the Truth through tinted vision... and ultimately decide her own Truth. 

And I'm happy with that.

Welcome Guest Designer - Julie Jacob

June Guest Designer

Julie Jacob

We are thrilled to introduce you to our Guest Designer for the month of June! The very talented Julie Jacob is joining us as we dive into TRUTH. Here is a little bit more about her that we would like to share with you all:

Hi there...my name is Julie Jacob.  I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with my husband of 21 years, and our 4 children. Our oldest is graduating from High School soon, so I am smack in the middle of graduation planning/craziness right now. I started scrapping about 13 years ago, and my 'style' is kind of all over the place...or 'eclectic' which is nicer sounding, I think.

I am currently the co-coordinator for the Teresa Collins Design Team...so (wink wink) I especially loved working with the June kit. :) When I'm not in my scrap room, I like to read, go to my kids games (soccer, basketball, football, baseball, fastpitch, & track), watch lots of bad reality tv, and practice photography.  I also like to collect old things...dictionaries, atlases, globes, etc.  And I love to work them into my layouts. Thanks for letting me visit this month!

Julie is sharing a layout that showcases her kiddos but then beautifully shows us how you can include your children on a layout focused on YOU and your emotions. Let's take a look together.

Tried & True by Julie Jacob

For the layout of my girls...

My daughters are as different as can be from each other. As their mom...sometimes that's hard.  It would make things much easier (less bickering, lol) if they had more things in common. But I want them to be true to who they are.  Shelby giggling, talking about clothes & makeup, and painting her nails a different color every other day wouldn't be her. Isabelle reading & writing stories, going for 4 mile jogs, and playing amazing music on the flute wouldn't be her. So when they DO find common ground, it just warms my heart.  When it's silly, goofy girl common ground...even better. I want to document their true personalities, but if I can catch a warm fuzzy sister moment...I'm gonna grab it! :) 

Such a great opportunity to record a certain characteristic of a family member and being able to record how it makes Julie feel. It truly is "inside out" to record the hopes and dreams we have for our children.

A little bit later this month we'll be sharing a fabulous mini book that is all about JULIE and her truths. Can't wait to share it with you. And her gallery will be up soon on the site. Stay tuned. :)

The Truth Is...

The truth is...

...I'm in love with this new kit.

...I have opened it and fondled the papers and touched and played and coveted it.

...I'm not yet ready to cut into anything.

...you really  need to see some of the great things the Design Team has discovered... in TRUTH.

The truth is... I really want to share some of these layouts right now!  No waiting!  Ready?

Be True to You by Jen Matott

Oh my... how many times do I have these same thoughts.  That little negative voice inside that always seems to wield too much power over my confidence and feelings... it must be banished!  I too, wish for the day I can be comfortable in my own skin!

You Are One of a Kind by Nicole Martel

The truth is, my four-legged furries are my kids... I love them dearly and they make me so happy, even when they are acting out.  I love this layout because it shows the love for this furry child, true blue!

Tried & True by Melissa Elsner

Wow... what a tribute to Melissa's friends!  Those types of friends are truly rare and should be valued and cherished.  This layout certainly shows how special people are oh-so cherished.  Tried & True is a fantastic title for this one!

So...  are you ready to get your creative fingers inking and gluing?  What are your Truths?

On Sale Now - The TRUTH Kit and our FIRST June Giveaway

No one is YOU-er than YOU!

Are you ready to tell the truth? This month, we're exploring our innermost secrets, confronting the lies we tell ourselves, and looking for the honesty in our world with the TRUTH kit.

A perfectly eclectic mix of FIVE paper lines creates harmony with the meaningful artfulness of Rhonna Farrer's Follow Your Heart from My Mind's Eye, the tried and true texture of Authentique's Genuine, Lilybee's pretty and pure Buttercup, Pink Paislee's denim inspired Indigo Bleu and Teresa Collins' Everyday Moments with its pale, clear butter yellow and rich navy.

AC Amy Tangerine Muse woodgrain alphas bring in movement, and Authentique's tiny alphas, words and phrases join to provide endless opportunities to share your truth in language.

Journaling has never been more important - and you'll have lots of room with the included Lily Bee Index Cards and a handful of glittery, fun callout 'chat clouds' from Pink Paislee. Add in gorgeous rimmed brads and dimensional chipboard from Teresa Collins, a 12x12 sheet of Genuine elements from Authentique and burlap, denim and woven soft embellishments and you've got so many ways to tell your story.

We've also included Julie Fei-Fan Balzer's poppies 6" stencil that includes the wonderful phrase, 'be true to you' and a regular size bottle of a brand new color of glimmer glam from Tattered Angels.

Contents:

12 Sheets Patterned Paper:

Authentique Genuine True   

Authentique Genuine Friendship      

Lily Bee Buttercup Blossom    

Lily Bee Buttercup Puddles     

My Mind's Eye Follow Your Heart - Be Amazing Kraft Unique            

My Mind's Eye Follow Your Heart - Be Amazing Honey Blue  

My Mind's Eye Follow Your Heart - Be Amazing Societe        

My Mind's Eye ollow Your Heart - Be Amazing Soulful           

Pink Paislee Indigo Bleu Burlap

Pink Paislee Indigo Bleu Calico

Teresa Collins Everyday Moments Flying Bees           

Teresa Collins Everyday Moments Yellow Flowers      

Embellishments:

American Crafts Thickers Muse White Woodgrain     

Authentique Genuine Elements - Alphas and Words 

Authentique Genuine Details Stickers

Teresa Collins Everyday Moments Chipboard Elements

Teresa Collins Everyday Moments Brads, 1/4 sheet

Lily Bee Buttercup Index Journaling Cards, 3

Pink Paislee Indigo Bleu Chat Clouds, approx 8-10 pcs

Prima Primmers White Cotton Flowers, 2 

Maya Road Burlap Trim, 1/2 yd   

Maya Road Denim Frayed Edge Trim, 1/2 yd

Technique:

Crafters Workshop/Julie Balzer Poppies - 6 inch Stencil

Color:

Tattered Angels Glimmer Glaze - Forget Me Not

Cardstock:

American Crafts White

American Crafts Dandelion

American Crafts Dark Kraft

American Crafts Denim

Want to see what YOU can do with TRUTH? Click here to go to our website's INSPIRATION PAGE and see our Design Team's great LOs.

Much more to come...including our monthly challenges, prizes, and deep and meaningful chat on our Message Board.

And make sure you check out my article on the Creating Keepsakes Magazine Editor's Blog today. There's a chance to win!

Happy June everyone!

Lots of Good News Coming!

First, a sneak of our next kit...June's TRUTH kit hits the web on Friday and you are going to LOVE this one. Soft, clear color, burlap, denim, kraft, chevron and honeycomb patterns...mmm...

Stay tuned for our DT announcement and winners from our DELIGHT online crop and our May Pinterest giveaway!

Monday Motivation - Telling the Truth

Hi smart and crafty gals! Just before we sneak the next kit (WOW, where did October go) here's a little bit of what we do at SFTIO that's so very special...our online multimedia inspiration! Every month, we provide a ton of content - using music, stock photos, quotations, pinterest (not just pinning pretty things, but meaningful ones!) and our exclusive prompts and challenges that help you dig deep.

Here's a taste...but to get it all, you'll need to come over to the site. All our inspiration is FREE...all you need to do is click over and see us. I also urge you to sign up on our message board (just takes minutes) and you'll be ready to chat with women all over the world, who, just like you, struggle, triumph, ask questions, wonder, worry and celebrate...and you'll come away with more freedom, more honesty and more courage than you thought was possible.

What's our secret? It's not a bunch of phony 'happy thoughts' or transient states of bliss. It's telling your truth, no matter how scary or ugly it may look. Self-expression can't fix all your problems, but it makes you freer and more resilient. Here's a LO I did with last month's kit, BALANCE to show you what I mean:

This was my response to a challenge (from me :)) to our members to scrap about a major shift in their worlds and what the 'new normal' looked like.

Those of you who have been reading for a while (or have glanced at the sidebar) know that I lost my precious Bart last December. This is actually the very first page I've been able to do about him...that's right, me, the purveyor and enabler of emotion-based scrapbooking. But I finally got to the point where I could no longer ask you all to share without sharing more of what was difficult for me - sharing the thing that is MOST difficult for me. And if you read it, you'll see, the journaling is not a peaceful acceptance of the loss. I'm not there yet. 

And here's my (not so) secret - I don't have to be. And neither do you. 

Being right where you are, accepting yourself now, including your anger, resentments, fears, worries and resistance to change is CRITICAL to your well-being and your growth. Fighting it won't make it disappear - but being with the present moment and letting your emotions flow will make every future moment a tiny bit easier.

Here's a little sampling of what the ACHIEVEMENT Inspiration Page has to offer:

Prompt:

Failure: Is there such a thing as failing, or are you a believer that every failure is just a step on your path to a different success? Is failure a sign that you’ve actually tried difficult things? Are you quick to rebound after a failure or are you slower to recover. Has there ever been a time when you’ve closed your ears to the voices of others telling you that your failures meant it was time to stop trying? Have you ever looked back at a past failure and seen the meaning in it from the long view? What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

Pinterest:

Music:

Defying Gravity by Idina Menzel

Quote:

Periods of tranquility are seldom prolific of creative achievement. Mankind has to be stirred up. Alfred North Whitehead

Photo:

For more music (a streaming playlist), quotes, prompts, photos and pins, come visit the Inspiration Page.

I hope you use it to tell your truth.

Love,

Think of it...

When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it - always.

Mahatma Gandhi
Indian political and spiritual leader (1869 - 1948)

Make sure the way of truth and love resonates from you today on Election Day...