Behind the Scenes with Lori : BELONGING

Hi there!! Lori here to give you a little "behind the scenes" info about my little mini book:

What prompted you to pick this take on BELONGING?

I discovered Brene' Brown in the last year and find her TED talks and her quotes to be sooo inspiring. She speaks so powerfully about vulnerability, authenticity, and the courage to be yourself and live wholeheartedly.

 How do you feel about the message of your layout?

I tried to focus on the concept of belonging and how much self-acceptance leads to the feeling of belonging. I need to remind myself of these things daily! Imperfection is NOT weakness....sharing that authenticity is BRAVE!

What symbolism did you pull into your design?

I loved the little cassette tapes on the stencil this month. I think of this whole mini book as a "mix tape"--all the best and favorites in one place! I also used the Polaroid images to help signify the idea of imperfection...there's no photoshopping or cropping polaroids! :)

Tell us a little bit about how you feel now that you have "let it all out" on this page.

I just loved these quotes...I need to remember this. I need to accept and love who I am, own my own story, and be authentic....this lets others do the same! I also like the reminder that self acceptance is courageous...I want to be brave!

Be sure to check out this month's GALLERY including our 

teen GUEST DESIGNER, Heather Adams!

Come visit and chat with us on the FORUM!

Like our FACEBOOK page for updates!

I hope you're feeling a real sense of BELONGING this month!

Weekend Warmup: Fit In or Stand Out

This month's kit, BELONGING, is one where the theme pulls at my heartstrings in a big way.

I like being different. I relish the chance to be weird, to be authentically and completely me.

Of course, that wasn't always the case.

Like most 13 year old girls, I was once a shy, anxious, awkward teen who was completely, hopelessly crushed out on a boy named Jeffrey Friedman who had no idea I was alive. I was skinny, had questionable skin and was definitely not part of the in-crowd. 

In high school, I even got a cake for my friend Janine for her sweet 16 and addressed it to her from 'the clique'. When asked by the assistant principal who drove me to pick up the cake (don't ask) if we were the 'in clique', I replied, 'we're the out clique'. I loved my friends in high school - and we really stuck by each other. But we were a group of girls who didn't fit the mold, even in a tiny school with 140 total students in all grades. We were immigrants or children of immigrants, explored NY on our own when our classmates were living insular lives in the suburbs, we were questioners in a system where questions were not the norm.

Time marched on, I found my voice, and discovered that in fact I always 'belonged' - I found kindred spirits that spoke to me at every stage. And it turns out those kindred spirits are all around - one of my closest friends now is a woman I met in the parking lot at Target while we were taking our kids out of our cars - she had a political bumper sticker on her stroller and I knew what she stood for. 

I found out that weird is COOL. I love that I have strange interests - Bollywood films, crafting, dog shows, entering recipe contests, rhyming, choral music. Because I always find kindred spirits. Whether it's my moms group, our SFTIO members, dog lovers in the street, I now appreciate the uniqueness that makes up ME, and I very rarely feel alone.

I get to live a big life, dig in, do what I love! 

I found out a few weeks ago that Jeffrey Friedman passed away suddenly earlier this year. Even after almost 30 years, it came as quite a shock. I spent a good deal of grade school and middle school wishing he knew I was alive. Now I just hope that his life, short as it was, was filled with the love and contentment that comes finding his kindred spirits.

I fit in by choosing my audience. And when I don't fit in, I embrace my differences - because they make my life fun, wacky, strange and beautiful.

How do you choose to fit in? I'd love to hear from you.

Making Marks

Hi folks, 

So hopefully, you all have gotten...or will be getting this months's

 BELONGING kit...it's seriously gorgeous!!

I wanted to share with you some alternate ways of using the

Ranger Distress Marker in Seedless Preserves. 

Now, of course, you can use it just to write:

But, why stop there?

These markers stay wet a little longer, so you can smear, paint, etc. with them as well. 

I wanted to use mine for some painty techniques.

I started by coloring on to my craft sheet....you could use any piece of plastic.

Then I used a water brush (there's a tube in the handle that holds water---you could use just a wet paintbrush) to paint borders, make splatters, and lay down color.

For my little 4x6 canvas, I just colored all over the surface directly with the marker and then used a brush and my fingers to spread the color around.

I was pleasantly surprised at how versatile this little marker ended up being!

Be sure to check out this month's GALLERY including our 

teen GUEST DESIGNER, Heather Adams!

Come visit and chat with us on the FORUM!

Like our FACEBOOK page for updates!

I hope you're feeling a real sense of BELONGING this month!

Behind the Scenes - A sense of belonging

Hi everyone! Kiki here to dish up my Behind the Scenes on the Belonging kit! What a gorgeous kit it was to work with. Fresh and new papers and embellishments. I adored this kit!

using the amazing Belonging kit!

What prompted you to pick this take on Belonging?
When I got into digital scrapbooking, then into mixed media, all my association with other creative people was over the internet. There isn't anything wrong with that but there was just something about the energy and joy that everyone was sharing at this particular crop that made me feel that it portrayed belonging. And to me when you feel like you belong you really have joy!

Why did you choose this photo?

I think that when I looked at pictures of me at a scrapbook crop, I immediately felt that they were perfect for this kit. And I feel like you can really tell that we were having a lot of fun together. It just felt like it was all about belonging.

How do you feel about the message of your layout?

The message of this layout is definitely about joy and laughter, about the effects of belonging to something bigger than myself. Everyone feels that need I think, whether it's spirituality, friendship, bonding. Everyone feels a need for that, and when you've found it, it lightens your spirit.

What symbolism did you pull into your design?

The dots, the circles, it all felt right when it comes to belonging. When people gather together into a group, and share their passion, their joy, their lust for life, it not only brings them joy, but also provides energy to those that might be lacking it. Belonging to me feels like a circle. When you've found your place, not only will you feel fulfilled, but you will feel like you are nourishing something too.The different sized circles represent how you can be part of many groups of different sizes, but still belong to each one all the same. They aren't mutually exclusive, which is why I layered two circles.

Tell us a little bit about how you feel now that you have "let it all out" on this page.

It feels really good to have it down on a page about what scrapbooking has brought me. Not only do I express myself more freely scrapbooking and art journaling, but others can see what it means to me too.

Thanks for joining me on this great ride! Until next time!

http://kiki-halbert.blogspot.ca/

Teen Guest Designer: Heather Adams

We are so thrilled to have one of Teen Collective gals guest designing with us this month. Please say hello to Heather Adams!

Hello! My name is Heather Adams. I am a 2013 high school graduate. I was the Valedictorian of my graduating class, but I am not attending college right now. But that's not to say I'll never go! I started scrapbooking 4 years ago when my oldest brother graduated. I actually got my first scrapbook supplies for my 12th birthday but didn't really use them until later. I love making just about anything that involves paper. Cardmaking, mini albums, ATCs, scrapbook layouts, you name it. I do a little bit of all of it. One of my big scrappy achievements is being named a Creating Keepsakes Teen Talent Contest finalist in 2011. I have been blessed to have been on design teams such as Pretty Little Studio, Thinking Through Design, and Love My Tapes in the past. Besides scrapbooking, I enjoy taking pictures, going shopping with my little sister, and spending time with my family. I am so excited to be the teen designer for the month of October here at Scrapbooking from the Inside Out. Thanks for having me!

Here are a few sneaks of Heather's layouts. We'll be sharing more as the month goes on and will share her gallery when it is up!

Visit Heathers Blog here:  http://craftyscrapbooker.blogspot.com

October is Here...and so is the BELONGING Kit

I love the feeling of being a part of something.

There are so many ways I identify myself...

Just read my blogger profile to see what matters most to me:

Forty-something wife, mom to a gorgeous and spirited toddler boy, a sweet and sassy jack russell mix, and a wirehaired dachshund angel in heaven, meaningful-scrapbooking fanatic, therapy-lover, James Taylor devotee, classic tv-quoter and foodie...

So what is 'belonging?'

be·long  
verb (used without object)
1. to be in the relation of a member, adherent, inhabitant, etc. (usually followed by to  ): He belongs to the Knights of Columbus.

2. to have the proper qualifications, especially social qualifications, to be a member of a group: You don't belong in this club.

3. to be proper or due; be properly or appropriately placed, situated, etc.: Books belong in every home. This belongs on the shelf. He is a statesman who belongs among the great.

***

belong  

— vb  (foll by to, under, with, etc )
1. ( foll by  to ) to be the property or possession (of)
2. ( foll by  to ) to be bound to (a person, place, or club) by ties of affection, dependence, allegiance, or membership
3. to be classified (with): this plant belongs to the daisy family
4. ( foll by  to ) to be a part or adjunct (of): this top belongs to the smaller box
5. to have a proper or usual place: that plate belongs in the cupboard

6. informal  to be suitable or acceptable, esp socially: although they were rich, they just didn't belong

***

belonging:
n sense of security in friendship
acceptance

***

synonyms:
acceptance
affinity
association
attachment
inclusion
kinship
loyalty
rapport
relationship

***

Antonyms:
dislike
hatred
opposition

I love the concept of allegiance - to whom do I owe it and why?

How about affinity and kinship - do you love your family or are those you love the ones who become your family?

Explore all this and more with the BELONGING kit.

The highly sought-after Allison Kreft Recorded line from Websters Pages, Elle's Studio Penelope, Ronda Palazzari's mixtape stencil, all gorgeous, brand new, and so pretty...this kit is FULL of words, images, symbols and color that will have you thinking about where you belong. 

It's about you, your relationships, your connections, and your attachments. Whether to people, places, things or ideas, we all want to BELONG.

Click here to buy or start your subscription now and you'll get this bonus gift, perfect for your pages or divided page protector projects.

KIT DETAILS

Patterned Paper:

Elle's Studio    Penelope Too Cute                    

Elle's Studio    Penelope Happy Note               

Elle's Studio    Penelope Letters and Numbers             

Websters Pages  Recorded by Allison Kreft     To the Point               

Websters Pages  Recorded by Allison Kreft     Rewind                      

Websters Pages  Recorded by Allison Kreft     This and That             

Websters Pages  Recorded by Allison Kreft     Today             

Websters Pages  Recorded by Allison Kreft     Right Now                 

Websters Pages  Recorded by Allison Kreft     Out and About                       

Websters Pages  Recorded by Allison Kreft     Flashback       



Embellishments:

American Crafts Thickers - Cecily Inline Pow                  

Websters Pages - Recorded by Allison Kreft Alpha Sticker             

Prima Say it in Crystals Arrow Words, 1/2 sheet         

My Minds Eye Cut & Paste Flair Today Decorative Stickers                 

Fancy Pants  Artist Edition  Me and You               

American Crafts Amy Tangerine Cut & Paste   Bits Die Cut Tags   3 pcs.  

Websters Pages Mini Tapedeck    2 pcs.  

Websters Pages Love This Yellow   1 pc.   

Websters Pages Heart Clips   3 pcs.   

Maya Road Wood pieces Mini Love You Hearts  5 pcs.  

Elle's Studio  Penelope Tabs 3 pcs.  

Elle's Studio  Penelope   Bits & Pieces   4-5 pcs



Cardstock:

American Crafts White             

American Crafts Salmon                       

American Crafts Kraft              

American Crafts Geyser            

American Crafts Concrete  


Technique:

The Crafters Workshop Mix Tape                    

  

Color:

Ranger Tim Holtz Seedless Preserves Distress Marker               


You belong with SFTIO this month...and always!

Can't wait to see you.