Behind the Art with Melissa and some news

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 Melissa

My main, full-time job is a Pre-Kindergarten teacher. It's a challenging job but this has got to be my most favorite age. I love when my students discover and learn about new things. It has placed me in a situation where I am constantly thinking back to my glory days. Because of that, I am always remembering to pause and play. It's okay to have fun and be excited about the simplest of things. It's okay to love with all abandon and think that every single thing is the best invention ever.

I also love that I have an excuse to play and paint and be silly. What a fantastic release of energy for me! And for my kiddos!

I think, sometimes, us grown-ups think we have to always work, work, work. But, is that really satisfying? I've decided to work AND play. To discover new things and allow my inner-child to experience new things. It keeps life interesting!

Like the other day... I skipped instead of walked down the sidewalk. It was thrilling. You should try it too.

Grab yourself an Inner Child kit by clicking on the image to the right. Let your spirit run wild and free!

Behind the Art with Melissa

I'm going to vent for a minute... 

I am so tired of people thinking that if someone is quiet, demure, poised or soft-spoken then they are so very mature. 

If you are loud, goofy, a bit of a slouch (because you kind of don't care), and maybe forget to say please then, that means you are immature.

Grrr...

Okay so, here is the deal.. I went through a period of time when I was a personality test junky. It started with the Myers-Briggs test and went from there. When I received my result (ENFP), and read the description, I was floored. And so very excited! 

Do you want to know why?

It revolutionized how I view myself. 

Yes, I'm loud. Yes, I'm a bit of a goof. Yes, I don't always sit up in my chair. NO, I really don't like to wear dresses but will if I have to. No, I don't like to be alone and yes, I love being the center of attention!

But, according to the ENFP personality profile, that is exactly how I should be and I am not immature. 

So there! Nyah. Bleh. Poo on you!

(Yeah, okay that was immature.)

What I'm trying to get at is, I feel empowered with who I am and can confidently get past others when they tell me to grow up. 

I am grown up. I have a job. Live on my own. Pay my bills. Drive myself where I need to go. Have moved away twice and did some big things on my own. I can have a deep conversation and I love sharing what I have learned from life. 

I chose to do a tilted design to showcase my defiance and love to stir things up. :) I also chose a lot of different patterns together and the alpha was too perfect.

Are you confident with your personality and who you are? Can you relate at all? Sometimes us ENFP's are so very misunderstood, aren't we?

Behind the Art with Melissa

Hello and happy Tuesday!

When I first dug into the Inner Child kit, I knew I wanted to do some exploration of my faith. There is a verse that I've heard many times, over the years, and I thought it perfect for some things I'm going through right now.

The verse essentially says to have faith like a child. This spurs on some question for me:

What is the difference between a child-like faith and an adult faith?
Does this mean I have to become naive again?
So, does this make it wrong when I want to learn more and become more knowledgeable about my faith?

The answer, for me, was simple (and I think it was simple because I'm around children five days a week) - to have a child-like faith means that I am eager to learn, eager to love and be loved, and trust with all abandon.

The stencil in this kit was so perfect for what I wanted to exude. I love the female silhouete with all the script inside. I used a pen to trace it and, let me tell you, that took forEVER. There comes a point in creating when I just want to be done. But, it's those projects that take foreeeever that usually become a favorite.

Butterflies have got to be the most well-rounded images of symbolism, ever. For this page, I fussy cut out some of the butterflies from the Flutter collection papers to portray playfulness and wonder. 

After creating this, I have newfound appreciation for my inner child when it comes to my faith. Instead of squashing it... I definitely want to tap into that because, now I see why it's so important.

Thanks for swinging by today! Make sure you grab our INNER CHILD kit by clicking on the image to the right. It's such a fun theme to explore this month!

Behind the Art with Melissa

A dream was placed in my heart several years ago. My restless heart that always has to be on the go! I had visited Chicago multiple times and, each time I left, a little piece of me stayed.

Well, that dream finally became a reality in 2012. I sold my car and all my furniture. Packed the rest of my life into 4 boxes and 3 pieces of luggage and moved across the country. I didn't have a job but, did have a place to live. 

I still can't believe it happened.

During the months leading up to the move, I created many pages about my thoughts. I'm sure people were getting annoyed with how much I talked and created about Chicago. 

Chicago. Chicago. Chicago.

But, it was that big of a deal to me at the time. HUGE in fact. And, a big move is a pretty significant life turning point. 

I survived the big city for two years. I lived in a neighborhood called Logan Square and worked downtown. I walked among the skyscrapers, ate Chicago pizza and became a local. I mastered the Chicago Transit system and got annoyed with people who said they lived in Chicago but, actually lived in a suburb. (No, it's not the same thing!) I lived through major storms and even experienced a few tornado warnings. I learned the Chicagoans do not deal with the rain quite as relaxed as I do and cab drivers are crazy. I became a Blackhawks fan and will remain one as long as I like hockey.

It was an amazing time as a dream of mine became reality.

I was definitely living my dream.

I loved the mask included with this kit! I love the arrows and directional symbolism they give the layout. I liked using them for bits of journal type words and to show how actually getting off your tushy and moving is what makes your dreams come true.

I will say, sometimes the reality of our dreams are not how we envision them. Chicago ended up blowing my mind. I grew in my character and found out how much more I'm capable of. I still love that city and am so thankful for the experience.

However, sometimes dreams and reality shift. I've been back in my pacific northwest hometown for a little over a year now. I'm so happy to be back and have some incredible memories to ponder from my two years as a big city girl. 

What about you? What dreams are you or have you made reality? Why not grab our current kit LIVE YOUR DREAM and create about it! Your heart and soul will thank you.

Behind the Art with Melissa

I am very aware that I'm a dreamer. I'm constantly living in a state of visualizing my future or dreaming up ideals of scenarios that could or should happen. It's part of who I am. In the past, it was an escape. Now, I use it to catapult myself and launch into stepping out and making those dreams reality. 

It can be lots of fun.

It can be extremely frustrating.

But, it's me and I've learned to embrace it and value it.

I really wanted to use this kit to it's full potential. When I saw the patterns from the Pinkfresh Studio papers, I loved all the movement. It reminded me of my dreams and how random and chaotic they can be. But, strangely enough, in the midst of that chaos, there is order too.

I grabbed the paper with the large lines and used that for the backdrop. Sure, it adds a bit of chaos but, to me, lines symbolize stability and direction. Then, I added the layer of circles. I cut strips of them from the pattern paper to layer behind my photo. Circles remind me of bubbles and bouncy balls. They are all over the place. But, someone usually catches one. Right? The same with my dreams... and how I make them reality.

Stars were a fun element to bring into this page. Something I've really grabbed onto is that my dreams are part of who I am. And I've gained confidence in myself so, the natural thing to do is SHINE. (Hey! Like our kit last month!) Plus, don't you think of the stars and the moon and all kinds of dreamy nightscapes when it comes to the theme of DREAM? 

So, am I livin' the dream right now? I think I'm living a dream that I couldn't have come up with on my own. My life is pretty awesome right now and I'm enjoying every minute of it. It far exceeds my dreams. 

Grab an August LIVE YOUR DREAM kit, from Inside Out Visual Journaling, today! Explore and express your inner thoughts, dreams, hopes, desires and loves. It's easy. It's amazing. It's healing. 

Behind the Art with Guest Designer Devra

Hi everyone,

Guest Artist Devra here with my last page using the July kit Shine.

I have learned that I feel good, that I shine my brightest personality when it’s warm out and I can surround myself with some of my favorite things, or go to my favorite places. I have also learned, when I can’t do this, I need to find alternatives, and not get stuck in a rut of negativity. I need to focus on looking forward to them again when spring returns.

First, I arranged the photos into a loose grid. I had decided I would fill in with pieces of papers and other embellishments. I reached for items that help enhance my feelings of happiness and love of the summer season. Again, I fussy cut some sayings out of the papers. I love the pink background paper with the subtle sayings. I chose other papers that complement the pink as well as lean towards summer, such as the lemons.

Thank you so much for letting me join you all this month. It has been a true honor.

You can keep up with more of my creating by visiting my blog: My Creative View

Behind the Art with Melissa

Hello everyone and happy Tuesday!

I am here, sharing with you another page created with the beautiful SHINE kit.

If there is one thing about my personality that I embrace, it's the optimistic side of me. I can always see the glass half full. I'm constantly seeing the good in people and I have a positive perspective on almost every situation.

I think, because of this characteristic, I truly enjoy brightening someone elses day. If I have a friend who is feeling blue or if someone is exuding negative juju... I love challenging that...

Lemme bring a little sunSHINE into your life.

I was immediately drawn to the lemons in this kit. Of course, the quote "when life gives you lemons... you make.." everybody say it!!! "LEMONADE!" And then, you drink it and enjoy it. YUM! This quote is a favorite of mine, for obvious reasons, and I wanted to figure out a way to utilize it on a page.

Then, I found that quote. "Be Someone's Sunshine When Their Skies Are Grey." 

And then we all started to sing... you are my sunshine, my only sunshine...

Bringing the two together and utilizing the citrus-y colors from the kit, I teamed it together with a special photo of me. That photo is me wearing some pink for a dear friend who was battling breast cancer. It was an honor to be on her team. It felt empowering and I loved being there to support my friend during a "grey" time in her life. 

The good news? The cancer is gone! Woooo! 

Being a positive light in someone's life is so encouraging... for both parties. I know I always feel joyful and have a lightness in my step. It's a beautiful thing to be that sunSHINE.

So, SHINE ON! Be someone's sunshine on their grey day. It can make all the difference.

Welcome to Authentic You

It is December and we are ready to reveal the latest visual journaling kit.

http://www.scrapbookingfromtheinsideout.com/inspiration/kits/authentic/

This kit is all about recording the real you. Words that come to mind are genuine, real, one of a kind and legit. Through out the month we will explore how you find yourself authentic; what characteristics do you feel you possess that make you genuine. Embrace the true YOU because YOU are valuable. 

We've got lots of wonderful, latest and greatest, product in this kit:

Select papers from Jubilee Sherbet by My Minds Eye and It Factor by We R Memory Keepers.

Embellishments from It Factor and Jubilee Sherbet and so much more!

Take a look at a few pages from our very talented pool of Contributing Artists:

Contributing Artist: Felecia Krech

Contributing Artist: Jen Matott

Lead Contributing Artist: Melissa Elsner

Contributing Artist: Stacey Michaud

We hope you join us this month as we explore our inner worlds together. Grab your kit today while they last!