Behind the Art with Jen

Jen here with one of my December pages using the "Authentic" kit!  When I thought about the word "authentic", I had to think of this photo of me reflected in the window of a building from the early 1900's.  There is a historic collection of buildings in Hamilton, NY that I visit each year while at a scrapbooking crop at White Eagle Conference Center.  It's sad and gorgeous all at once.  The buildings have been moved here and they are arranged in a town-like setting.  It's like a piece of history that has been abandoned. Remnants of life is still present... curtains, wallpaper, kitchen items, toilets, carved initials and other items left in the buildings. It like when our bodies become older with all their cracks and chipped paint but with traces of our lives left behind.

 The word authentic means: true to one's personality, spirit, or character.   I think that is why I love old buildings ... they still have their character and personality even when restored they hold all the charm they held so many years ago (unless the restoration was more like a renovation).

 I used some watered down Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gelatos on a craft mat and pressed the woodgrain cardstock into the puddles for a background.    The pen was used on the mat too with water added and flicked on the page for droplets.

 I think we are a lot like buildings who age.. maybe we should look past the cracked paint and see the story of the life lived and character of the person within.  Judging something based on how we look is deceiving. I try to be as authentic as possible but it's strange to see changes in my looks as I age and each line tells a story in my journey of life. 

 What does your facade say about you?  What stories do hold within?

Behind the Art with Jen

 Hello friends!  Here's another one of my pages this month with the "Thrive" kit!  This one is a fun, high-contrast layout.  I recently went to the New York State Fair and visited the butterfly exhibit.  It was amazing!  They were everywhere and landed on me immediately.  It was so cool!  I could have stayed in there for the whole day.  In the middle of this crazy crowded fair, these little beauties were thriving and a little piece of calm.

 

This paper with all the words on a black background was screaming for me to use it but it was very bold and so I used a bit of gesso and some of the Distress Paint to tone it down a bit where the journaling and photos were to go.

 

 Lots of words and fun phrase stickers made this just so perfect for all my thoughts about this day. It was magical and oh so amazing!

 You can see the fun little sewn details I added with my machine.  I also love those stars, faces, and epoxy gems.  They add the perfect celebratory touch!

Throughout my visit to the butterfly exhibit I couldn't help but feel bad that they were enclosed in the space for our amusement and delight.  There was one butterfly that had a broken wing and was on the floor.  I thought it was dead but it moved.  I gently picked it up with the q-tip they gave us with nectar on it to attract the butterflies.  I place the butterfly on a plant and hoped it would get better but  I'm sure it had a limited time left.  Those beautiful creatures only stay with us for a short time. It was an honor to be landed on and enjoy their beauty for that short time.  They are meant to be free but it was so awesome to interact with them that day.

Behind the Art with Jen

Hi artsy friends!  I am finally back to share a page from my Thrive kit!  I LOVED working with this theme and the papers from the kit are amazing!  I chose to create this particular page around an accomplishment.  I ran my 3rd 5K but this one was an obstacle race.  It was challenging, scary, and fun!  I didn't think I could do it all but I did!  I have trained for 7 months and keep surprising myself. My running is thriving with friends.  I love to run with a group because it doesn't seem so hard or scary when you are with others. 

 

 The name of the race was "Vino and the Beasts" as it was run in a local vineyard.  We ran along the road, through the vines and even around the outside of the property.  It was so fun!  Some of the obstacles were to climb over high ramps or crawl through mud.  I never thought I'd do that!  At the end we were rewarded with free wine tastings!  That was one of the best parts... the reward!

 For this page, I used some of the distress paints that we have gotten in previous kits to add more color.  The Crafter's Workshop mask was so cute!  I used it in two ways... with paint over it and as a stamp.

 Embellishing with the stickers and tags were perfect.  I added those inspirational quotes and words to bring my experience together.  Lots of laughs and celebrations!

 I already registered and formed my team for next year's race!  I know it won't seem so scary or intimidating then.  I have come a long way!

What have you done that you never thought you could do?  Is there something you have grown from that has changed how you think of yourself in a good way?

Ready for a new month? It's time to look forward. 

September means back to school, and before life gets even more hectic with holiday madness, we thought you might need a reminder to take care of YOU.

So here it is:

The THRIVE Kit!

Check out a few sneaks of our DT's amazing inspirational work!

We've got everything you need to remember to live your best life and grab each moment.

And then grab yours here: READ MORE & BUY NOW

Patterned Paper:

Basic Grey Highline          Be yourself         

Basic Grey Highline          Happy days        

Basic Grey Highline          Beautiful             

Basic Grey Highline          Good times        

Basic Grey Highline          Awesome           

Heidi Swapp Favorite Things         Wordy  

Heidi Swapp Favorite Things         In bloom             

Heidi Swapp Favorite Things         Seeing stripes    

Heidi Swapp Favorite Things         Rainbow rounds

Heidi Swapp Favorite Things         Lovely lattice  

Embellishments:

American Crafts Amy Tangerine Plus One Match - Aqua Thickers   

Studio Calico Essentials Tiny Alpha Stickers - Yellow/Orange

Basic Grey Highline Title Stickers

Basic Grey Highline Snippets, ¼ package

Chic Tags Cloud 9 Clips, ½ package

Chic Tags Cloud 9 Mini Icons, ¼ package

Maya Road Transparencies framed sayings – white, ¼ package

Freckled Fawn Paper Clips, Wow, 1

Freckled Fawn Wood Chips Emoticons, ¼ package

Jillibean Wood Sprinkles Life ¼ package

Studio Calico Essentials   Chipboard Stars Yellow/Orange, ¼ package

Websters Pages Sprinkled with Love Paperclip Ampersand, 1

We R Memory Keepers Enamel Shapes Warm, ½ sheet

Cardstock:   

American Crafts white   

American Crafts white   

American Crafts black    

American Crafts black    

Technique:

The Crafter's Workshop  Balzer Bits Julie Balzer Doodle Leaf Bits   

Color:

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Paints Peacock Feathers              

Happy Fifth Anniversary! Here Are YOUR Gifts!

Thank you for your business! We are grateful for your support and participation. 

We're celebrating five years of being with you as you Explore Your Inner World!

It's truly humbling to have been invited into your crafting and your hearts! Our team is so proud of the work we've done. We've grown, changed and recreated ourselves right along with you.

What are your favorite emotions and kits over the last five years? Come check out our FB page and tell us for a chance to win an SFTIO eco-friendly craft bag!

DISCOUNT KITS and NO ADDITIONAL SHIPPING? 

That's right! Our special offer for Inside Out's FIFTH ANNIVERSARY Celebration: Start a subscription with our CONFIDENCE kit and add one or more prior emotion-based kits (valued at $45) for only $25 each, with no added shipping charge! We love our customers and members! Just our way of saying THANKS for making us feel CONFIDENT about our mission.


Don't Forget to Add Your $25 Anniversary Kits with Free Shipping...
Click on Previous Kits on our site under Buy Now to See Them All

Please submit your subscription order first and then your additional kit purchases in a second order. We'll combine them and ship them together! You must be a new or current subscriber to get this offer. If not, we'll bill you for shipping on the previous kits you purchase. Offer expires July 5, 2013 at 11:59 PM PDT. Enjoy!

Buy the CONFIDENCE Kit!

"Be strong, be you, be true! CONFIDENCE will help you explore the things that hold you back from creating the life you dream of, and help you express your inner warrior."

That was our introduction to the 2008 CONFIDENCE kit. Today, CONFIDENCE seems more nuanced, doesn't it?

Who is the woman you are today and how did you become that woman?

Explore it with great PP from Simple Stories 24/7 and Basic Grey's Hipster collections. Jillions of Journaling cards (also perfect for Project Life), wood veneer and chipboard shapes full of fun images and phrases, ephemera from Fancy Pants and vintage look lick and stick stamps help you make this kit, and your stories of confidence (or your search for it) your own.

With Polaroid and cork board imagery, you'll find a spot for all your Instagram and other day to day photos of your brave life!

Kit Details

PP:
Basic Grey Hipster Neato
Basic Grey Hipster Midtown      
Basic Grey Hipster Jive   
Basic Grey Hipster Vintage         
Simple Stories 24/7 Snapshots     
Simple Stories 24/7 Today
Simple Stories 24/7  Good Stuff  
Simple Stories 24/7  Everyday      
Simple Stories 24/7  4x6 Journaling Card Elements         
Simple Stories 24/7  Border and Title Strip Elements
Alpha  American Crafts          Thickers           Charm - Oatmeal      
Alpha  Simple Stories 24/7     Expressions Cardstock Sticker        

Embellishments:
Basic Grey Hipster Vintage Stamps, 1 sheet
Elle's Studio Day to Day Lil' Snippets, 1 sheet
Fancy Pants Swagger Ephemera, 8-10 pcs
Simple Stories 24/7 Snap Diecut Pages, 3 cards
Basic Grey Hipster Printed Chipboard Shapes, 5-6 pcs
Basic Grey Hipster Wood Veneer Die Cuts, 5-6 pcs
Simple Stories 24/7 Journal Card Elements, full sheet        
Petaloo Expressions White, 3-4 pcs

Color:
Ranger Dylusions Cherry Pie Spray Ink  

Technique:
Maya Road Singleton Stamps Instant Photo Frame

Cardstock:
American Crafts Vanilla
American Crafts Caramel        
American Crafts Bayou
American Crafts Crawfish      
American Crafts Oregano 

Much Love and Gratitude...

The TRANSFORMATION Kit is LIVE! Are you ready for a change?

Ready for a change? Join us this month with the TRANSFORMATION kit and shift your perspective from the Inside Out. 

Glitz Uncharted Waters, Cosmo Cricket Summer Love and Basic Grey Knee Highs are filled with variegated color, ombre design and delicate-to bold motion that perfectly captures the spirit of change that lives in your heart and mind. We've included some of our best symbolism ever. Crate Paper's super-hot Photo Overlays let you TRANSFORM your photos on the fly, Julie Balzer's Celtic Circle Template celebrates the seasons and transitions of the life cycle, smooth AND textured white cardstock to create contrast and Dyan Reaveley's Dylusions spray ink in Calypso Teal to add life and depth to your musings.

Images include Jenni Bowlin's limited edition silver feather rubons to float on the currents leading to your future, layerable translucent alphas to spell out your plans with precisely the level of certainty you wish, plus anchors to steady you, ocean waves to propel you forward and film leader countdown paper to measure your progress. Amy Tan's Yes Please wood veneer and die cut bits, Glitz transparencies and some alterable (transforming) flowers round out a truly meaningful kit that will help you set your sights and set sail toward the new and improved you.

Click here to go to our buy page and get yours!

KIT DETAILS

PATTERNED PAPER: 
Basic Grey Knee Highs Kissing Tag
Basic Grey Knee Highs Jump Rope 
Basic Grey Knee Highs Ring Pop 
Basic Grey Knee Highs Hopscotch 
Cosmo Cricket Summer Love Drive In 
Cosmo Cricket Summer Love Sno-Cone 
Cosmo Cricket Summer Love Water Park 
Glitz Uncharted Waters Waves 
Glitz Uncharted Waters Anchors 
Glitz Uncharted Waters Scallop 

EMBELLISHMENTS: 
American Crafts Remarks Transparent Amelia Alphas 
American Crafts Thickers Kenzie Alphas  Crate Paper DIY Shop Photo Overlays 3 pcs 
Fancy Pants Artist Edition Quote Stencil - Dream/Journey 1 pc 
Glitz Uncharted Waters Peekaboos 2-3 pcs 
Jenni Bowlin Rubons Silver Limited Edition Feathers 
American Crafts Amy Tangerine Yes Please Wood Veneer - Smile 3 pcs 
American Crafts Amy Tangerine Yes Please Bits Die Cut Shapes – Create 6 pcs 
Glitz Uncharted Waters Bits and Pieces 3-4 pcs Petaloo Color Me Crazy Canvas Flowers 1-2 pcs 

COLOR: 
Ranger Dylusions by Dyan Reaveley Calypso Teal 

CARDSTOCK: 
American Crafts Sunflower 
American Crafts White 
American Crafts Black 
American Crafts Geranium 
American Crafts White (Smooth) 

TECHNIQUE: 
Crafter's Workshop Template - Celtic Circle - 6x6

June's Sneak Peek: TRANSFORMATION

Available June 1:

The TRANSFORMATION Kit.

Glitz Uncharted Waters, Cosmo Cricket Summer Love and Basic Grey Knee Highs!

Wood veneer, Maggie Holmes super-hot Photo Overlays, Julie Balzer's Celtic Circle Template, Tim Holtz Distress Paint and SO much more.

Bright, bold and your perfect platform for change.

Are you ready for the new and improved you?

Join us and BE the change you wish to see in the world. 

It's never too late.

 

Behind the Scenes with Melissa Elsner

Today we are going Behind the Scenes with me, Melissa, design team coordinator - at your service. I get use to typing up these posts for our other fabulous DT members and it feels weird to do this for myself. But I am looking forward to sharing with you some "behind the scenes" information about one of my layouts using the CONTENTMENT kit.

Is It Worth It by Melissa Elsner

What prompted you to pick this take on Contentment?
Prior to learning what our theme was for April, I had already begun journaling about something I was going through. I'm a firm believer that, no matter if it is valid or not, letting out the emotion you are feeling is healthy and necessary. And I love using this art form we call scrapbooking to let it all out. It just so happened, that after finding out that we were focusing on Contentment, I realized how perfect it all went together. It's kind of a "not so happy" but extremely cathartic layout. 

Why did you choose this photo?

I was playing around with my camera one day and, as I was scouring my computer for photos, I came upon this one taken that day. My pose and facial expression went perfectly with my journaling and focus. 

What symbolism did you try to bring through your design?
I pulled the flowers and butterflies from the Basic Grey collection as symbolism. These, I believe, exude the hope I have that the emotions I was feeling within the journaling, is temporary. It truly is! The other symbolism I wanted to portray was that it is good, healthy and a beautiful inner journey we go on when allowing ourselves to experience and work through those not so happy moments. At the same time, I wanted to be gentle on myself. Hence, the colors chosen. Soft. Forgiving. Loving. Timeless.

How did you feel about the message of the layout?
I love its honesty. I feel like I'm speaking on behalf of many. Those who are too afraid to admit to feeling this way and those who can't freely admit it. Let's face it... we can all be happy go lucky and believe in happiness and ourselves but, to truly get there, we gotta visit and process through the messy stuff too. 

Why did you choose to show your journaling?

Because I had a lot to say and I wanted it out in the open. :)

Tell us a little bit about how you feel now that this layout is done?

Two words: Really Good! At the time of journaling those words, these were feelings slowly building up. I know the signs of when I'm about to implode and I didn't want it to get that far. So I journaled. And journaled. And journaled. When I transferred it to the layout, it was the final healing process. I've gone back to reread it several times and each time I feel like a piece of that "discontent" breaks off. So good! 

I encourage everyone to create a "messy moment" layout. Any therapist will tell you, you have to go through those messy moments to get to the other side. So whether you let it out with art or music or a punching bag - it's good to work through it. It's no fun carrying around that burden! 

Our New Kit - CONTENTMENT!

Buy the CONTENTMENT Kit!
Click here to go to our website and grab your limited edition kit before they're all gone...
 
Are you at peace with your world, grateful for your blessings? Or like most of use, do you struggle with the balance between what you have and what you desire? Explore this with this month's brand new kit, CONTENTMENT.

This kit includes paper from Basic Grey's delicate and floral Plumeria line, Teresa Collins' luxe fashion-inspired Fabrications Canvas collection and more. Three alpha sets, including the innovative new American Crafts Dear Lizzy matte finish thickers in a lovely grey script font, plus an intense and shimmery Smooch Spritz ink and kitchy Jenni Bowlin receipt journaling cards will get you thinking about what's in your emotional bank. You'll love Cosmo Cricket's new 'faith' tiny teext phrases filled with meaning.

Symbols include wire hangers with heart centers, a 'love at home' title card, Bella Blvd's purple floral buttons and Basic Grey wax seals to confirm and validate your emotions, and pearls and gems to cherish.
Join us!

KIT CONTENTS:

12 Sheets Patterned Paper

Basic Grey Plumeria Cleopatra        
Basic Grey Plumeria Flowerette      
Basic Grey Plumeria Velvet Bloom 
Basic Grey Plumeria Yellow Wallpaper      
Basic Grey Plumeria Grandma Jane
My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline - Howdy Doody Happy - Decorate
My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline - Howdy Doody Like - Ledger       
My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline - Dolled Up Day - Worn     
Teresa Collins  Fabrications - Canvas  Red Brocade
Teresa Collins  Fabrications - Canvas  Floral Garden
Teresa Collins  Fabrications - Canvas  Plum Damask
Teresa Collins  Fabrications - Canvas  Petite Flowers

Embellishments:

American Crafts Thickers Splendid Smoke 
Basic Grey Plumeria Alpha Stickers
Teresa Collins  Fabrications - Canvas  Rhinestones, ½ package       
Basic Grey Plumeria Elements Stickers       
Cosmo Cricket Tiny Text Faith       
My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline - Fiddlesticks  Home - Title 
Bella Blvd Button Market Purple Flora       
Maya Road Chipboard Hand and Heart Mini, 5 pcs
Maya Road Metals Trinket Love Hangers, 2 pcs
Jenni Bowlin Die Cut and Perf Papers Receipt, 3 pcs
Basic Grey Plumeria Wax Seals, 2 pcs
Prima Miss Godiva Lilac, 3 pcs

4 Sheets Cardstock:

American Crafts Straw        
American Crafts Eggplant   
American Crafts Boysenberry         
American Crafts Surf

Color:

Smooch Spritz - Pearlized Accent Ink Spray - Frosted Grape

Technique:

Crafters Workshop Stencil – 6 inch Lotus Blossom 

CHA Day 2 and 2 Days Until The DREAM Kit

Fantastic day 2 at CHA...so much to report, but the hour is late!

Here were some of our faves today...

Basic Grey's Plumeria Line

Gunmetal Bloomers Trim from Webster's Pages

Pink Paislee's lovely Prarie Hill

 

Webster's new Clean and Simple Lines for each new collection...dream come true!

Fancy Pants 'Be You'. How very apropos.

 

Dyan Reavely's awesome signature line for Ranger...Dylusions! Fantastic rich color spray and much more...

We also had an amazing time with our friends at Creating Keepsakes Magazine - wonderful women who truly understand and value our mission! Stay tuned for upcoming BIG news on our joint future plans!

And as promised, we're counting down to the release of our newest kit, DREAM. Three days until we can share DREAM with you in all its delicate, deep and dreamy glory... Here's a second closeup of the DREAM kit...can you pick out the products in this sneak peek? Name three items by manufacturer and you'll be entered to win our February countdown giveaway...Tim Holtz' Wings and Crown Metal Embelishments, a recent subscriber bonus. Make sure to submit your guesses here in the comments today and on the posts for the next two days of the countdown and you can walk away with these goodies! This giveaway ends at Midnight Pacific time on the 31st.

What do you see?

And don't forget ANOTHER way to win...if you start a new subscription or renew your current one on the DREAM kit release date, February 1st, you'll be entered to win a a huge set of paper and embellishments from four collections courtesy of our friends at Authentique. Make sure to come back each day and go for the win!

Stay tuned for more tomorrow!

 

Here it is...PATIENCE is a virtue!

So thanks for waiting! Here's our Scrapbooking from the Inside Out kit for January 2009 - PATIENCE.

As a new year begins, and we endeavor to shed the past and embrace the future, what better time to choose to be kind to yourself, to care for yourself, to have PATIENCE.

This kit is wintry and sparkly with amazing glitter, die cut and richly designed paper from My Mind's Eye, Crate and Basic Grey, beautifully textured fibers, Tim Holtz aged metal philosophy tags and Basic Grey's new Chocolate Chip chipboard in two colors.

The PATIENCE kit includes soft, subtle blues, greens and beige with chocolate accents. The designs are of the moment, with open framework grids and stylized nature images. There are brown pearls, crocheted flowers and a gorgeous calendar stamp you'll use over and over...

We'll be working and playing together, creating a plan for the coming year that inspires and encourages us while helping manage our expectations and let us make lasting, meaningful change...join us!

10 Sheets Patterned Paper:

Kaisercraft Reminiscing Recollect (double sided)

Kaisercraft Reminiscing My Love (double sided)

Basic Grey Granola Almond

Basic Grey Granola Trail Mix

Basic Grey Granola Organic

Basic Grey Granola Sunflower

Crate Prudence Consideration (double sided)

Crate Prudence Discretion (double sided)

Crate Prudence Virtue (double sided)

Crate Prudence Fortitude (double sided)

4 Sheets Specialty Paper:

Crate Prudence Charity

Crate Prudence Hope

My Mind's Eye Laundry Line Strength

My Mind's Eye Laundry Line My Boy

Embellishments:

Basic Grey Chocolate Chip Alphas, Delilah Milk, full package

Crate Prudence Twist Alpha Stickers, full package

My Mind's Eye Laundry Line Encourage Journaling Tag, 1 pc

My Mind's Eye Laundry Line Aspire Journaling Tag, 1 pc

Basic Grey Granola Chip Stickers, 1 sheet

Kaisercraft Brown Pearls, full package

Tim Holtz Philosophy Tags, 3 pcs

My Mind's Eye Laundry Line Crocheted Flowers, Natural, full package

American Crafts Boutique Noir 3 Ribbon, ½ yd

American Crafts Boutique Moss 6 Ribbon, 1/2 yd

Basic Grey Granola Fibers, 2 yds assorted

Cardstock:

Coredinations Cardstock – Reflecting Pool

Coredinations Cardstock – Vienna Lake

Coredinations Cardstock – Coconut Cream

Coredinations Cardstock –Sandstone

Coredinations Cardstock – Olive

Color:

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Stickles, Antique Linen

Ranger Adirondack Paint Dabber, Cloudy Blue

Alterable Item:

Basic Grey Chipboard Album, Lotus Dark Chocolate Chip

Stamp:

Maya Road Singleton Oval Calendar

Contents may vary slightly.

Come on by the site for inspiration you can't find anywhere else - music, quotes, links, and the beautiful work of our NEW design team, led by the fabulous and talented Nancy Doren. Can't wait to see you there! Come join us!