Nighttime Challenge...

So, did you work on your last Dream challenge, scrapbooking about your dream come true?  Please, do share... link us up in a comment or post it to our community gallery.  Then... join us in this next challenge.  We're going deep and dark on this one.  Ready?

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Nighttime: Do you remember your sleeping dreams? Are they in black and white or color? Are your dreams more involved and complex or do you wake with an automatic understanding of what your dreams mean? What symbols appear in your dreams regularly? Do you have recurring dreams? What about nightmares? Are yours about things that would only be scary to you or scary to anyone?

Let's get some of the bad stuff out!

For this challenge, please create a layout about a nightmare or recurring dream with strange or unusual symbolism. What do you think these dreams are about? What might the dream be telling you about yourself?

I have a lot of those recurring dreams, and the ones I remember are in color.  But I've never really had an automatic understanding of what my dreams mean... although, I have done some research.  I can't wait to dig in to this challenge!

Love the design twist on this one... check it out:

For the design twist, please use darkness and light - making your LO look deep and dark but with flashes of glimmer - mist? glitter? like a sparkly night... 

What do you think?  Are you in?  Let's do it!

Night Dreams

A while back we talked about some of the dreams we think of during the day, or day dreams.  We think about goals and future plans and wishes. 

How about our nighttime visits to la la land?  Everyone dreams, but not everyone remembers those nighttime forays into adventure-land.  I remember mine.  In fact, I have repeat type dreams that come back, sometimes years later.  Sometimes when they come back, they continue on, like the next chapter was written.  It's really weird because I recognize, while dreaming, that I've been in this dream before and yet, I don't wake up. I let it go on, even when it's an uncomfortable dream.

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For example, I have a recurring dream about being in an elevator, or walking into an elevator.  Now, I have a phobia of falling... not necessarily heights, because I can be in a very tall building, and as long as I'm safe from falling, not have any adverse reaction.  But these elevator dreams are very distressing.  When I walk into the elevator, it's always under construction and the floorboards are actually just one or two crossed planks.  Otherwise, you can see straight down the elevator shaft.  I *must* take the elevator somewhere so I always have to board.  Other people in the elevator don't seem as distressed at the lack of flooring but it's all I can do to keep my balance and stay on the wobbly floor boards until the door opens on my floor.  Sometimes I am trying to enter or exit the elevator without falling through the gaps, but most of the time I'm riding in the elevator.

I also have a recurring dream about being in a house - a combination of my house of my youth and my paternal grandmother's.  I find a new stair case leading either up the side of the house to a secret room, or down into a basement that is usually dark or only partially lit.  The staircase leading up leads to a tiny room filled with books that I've never seen before.  While I'm looking at them, I find a passage way that actually leads down to the basement (or I start in the basement).  There is always some ominous person in the basement I am trying to avoid and I'm always trying to get back to the hidden library.  Every once in a while, there is a black cat (anyone out there superstitious), who is usually in the library.  There are other parts of the house I explore too, but I always end up in one of these two places.

I find it weird that I have recurring dreams and that I remember them.  Does anyone else have them?  What do you dream about?  Are they scary or just mellow? 

I actually love dreaming, but sometimes the feeling in the dream transfers over into my awake world, and I don't much like that.  For example, if i have a fight with my husband in my dream, and wake up in the middle of it, I'm awake and mad at him for no reason in "real life".  It's hard to shake.

Do you have that happen to you?

Oh, and make sure you come back tomorrow... we'll talk more about dreams and another Inside Out challenge!

What's Your Dream Come True?

Thanks so much for sharing your dreams yesterday!  Okay, now... let's play! 

We have a challenge going on over at the Inside Out community and we'd love for you to play along with us!  Here's your challenge:  use the following prompt and design twist to create your first Dream layout.

Yes, it's that easy!

But if you want a chance to win some awesome goodies, you also have to come over and post it up in our gallery.  If you don't want to play to win, then share your layout on your blog and link us up in a comment here.  We'd love to see it.

Okay, now... Go!

Dream Come True: Have you had the wonderful experience of a cherished wish becoming reality? When you learned about the good news, did it feel real or like you were living in a dream? Were you surprised, or did you keep the faith about your wish so that you had confidence that it would be?

For our first challenge, please create a layout about a dream becoming a reality. For the design twist please use rays - as in a sunrise or rays of light from the heavens...perhaps elucidating whether your dream rose slowly like a sunrise or burst into creation like the sky opened up.

PS - if you need an idea for the design twist, check out yesterday's post!

Day Dreams

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There are two kinds of dreams in the world, those you have during the day when you are awake, and those you have at night while you are sleeping.  We'll talk about those crazy night dreams later, but today I wanted to delve into our day dreams.

Day dreams can be focused or vague.  You can sit and stare out the window, letting your thoughts flit about... "dreaming" about one thing or another, or you can consciously think about wishes for your future... dreams, so to speak.  Day dreams come from a place of wishing, wanting, needing, and hoping.  They can be very realistic dreams, for example, dreaming of the day you will finish your new patio and how beautiful it will be; dreaming of the gatherings of friends that will happen there in the near and far future.  Or, they can be more distant, seemingly unattainable, such as becoming President one day or winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a big believer in dreams... even those big ones that seem too unrealistic to ever materialize.  But if you don't dream 'em up, they really can't ever happen.  You have to think it before you can achieve it... and that's the greatest things about day dreams.  They allow you to set in motion great things for your life that you will eventually achieve... as long as you just start by dreaming it.

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."

Walt Disney

No dream is too big.  Today I'd love to share with you a couple of my more recent day dreams...

My most focused dream of late is getting fit and feeling comfortable in my own skin.  I dream about wearing certain clothing or being in certain situations where I am feeling wonderful about myself because of my fitness level. 

I also dream about the day I will be debt free.  It will be a far-from-now dream come true, but I am already working on making this one happen as soon as possible.  I dream of using money to live, and not living for money's sake.  I want to work because I like what I am doing and not because I desperately need more cash.

Another huge dream of mine is to see all three of my kids grow to be healthy, sane and responsible adults who are actively contributing something to society and being the best of everything they can be for themselves.  I want them to be happy and secure.  This is something that plagues me because it seems that this dream flits about and may never come true.  But I keep reminding myself that my dreams for them may not be their own dreams for themselves. 

But I will keep dreaming.

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And last but not least, I dream of being a published author.   I often cut myself down saying that this is silly and it will never happen.  But then I think, "why not?" 

If I can dream it, and I have the courage to pursue it, it can Be.

How about YOU?  What do YOU daydream about?  Please share in a comment or wander over to our community and share your dreams with us!

Delving into Dream...

I've had my hands all over the kit, but haven't made the time to explore Dream.  I think my mojo is a little low.  So, let's check out some things to inspire us and delve into our dreams together.

You know me... I love quotes.  Copying the idea from a friend of mine, I'm starting a "quote book", scrapbook style. All of my favorite quotes scrapped on pages to keep in a lovely album.  Here are a few that just reached out and grabbed me about Dream:

"Dream and give yourself permission to envision a You that you choose to be." 

Joy Page

"Dreams are today's answers to tomorrow's questions."

Edgar Cayce 

"A dream is a wish your heart makes."

Walt Disney

And from one of my all-time favorite authors:

"All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream."

Edgar Allan Poe

And... is there a better way to get mojo goin' than to be-bop to some good tunes?  Start this song up and have it playing in the background and I can almost guarantee you'll be bouncing in your chair or tapping your feet.  It got me up and movin'!

click to listen

Oooh, and check out all the wonderful pins on our Dream Pinterest board.  So many things there that just make me hop with happiness!

For more amazing FREE inspiration to get you dreaming, head on over to the Inside Out Dream's Inspiration Page.

And please join us for upcoming challenges in our community.  Let's Dream Big, and share 'em so we can all encourage one another to reach for those amazing dreams! 

I do hope you join us. I'm off to dream away...

Rachel's Ramblings: Dreams Do Come True!

I'm a dreamer. 

No doubt about it. I am frequently found, while I should be working on something 'productive', thinking about what could be. It's a blessing and a curse, my tendency to be able to conjure up a new future in my mind. Not every dream is reachable (at least at one time) but I am a firm believer that without that ability to imagine what never was, you can't truly CREATE. 

This theme has repeated itself in my life over and over, and of course has shown up as part of my scrapbooking many times. I do struggle - asking myself if I should curb my future-oriented fantasies to make today more 'real.' It's easy to be disappointed when you're a dreamer. "But I'm not the only one." :) 

I've always loved this quote:  

“Some people see things as they are and say why? I dream things that never were and say, why not?” Robert F. Kennedy (1925-1968) 

Kennedy was paraphrasing the original, a little known quote from the George Bernard Shaw’s otherwise forgotten play Back to Methuselah (1921)

“You see things; and you say ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were; and I say ‘Why not?’”

I saw this necklace:

and was inspired to create this from our POSSIBILITY kit:

Sometimes dreams don't come true. I think these experiences are important to capture too. Here's a piece on dreams that don't come true. I am tenacious, even when my desires are thwarted. This is from our PURPOSE kit, and explores my disappointment with the boundaries of an important relationship and the stubbornness I cannot help but maintain.

And of course, it would be great to know which of my dreams would come to fruition...or would it? I explored this idea on the following layout from the ANTICIPATION kit, prepared as a feature for the Creating Keepsakes blog.

But today, I want to share that some dreams do come true! 

Finally time to share my great news and let you all know that my wife Leslie (of 21 years) and I have adopted a wonderful, beautiful baby boy!

For some of you I know that the 'wife' part is a surprise too...I've always been private about my personal life in the scrapbook industry (and only in our industry) purely because I wanted people to hear my message and mission first, but I want my son to know that I always have been and continue to be proud of my family and our choices.

I am excited to have the opportunity to walk my talk and be honest...if I'M not authentic, I can't very well ask you to be as I do each day at SFTIO. All of you are an integral part of making my dream of changing the scrapbook world one page at a time a reality. And I thank you.

Photos of the gorgeous Huxley Harris attached...and more to come...thank you for your love and support! Dream pages from me to follow...as soon as he sleeps a few more hours at a time!

 Love,

Getting to know Bonita

We are so very thankful for our design team that puts their heart and soul into each layout. They are here to provide you with that extra shove and inspiration that is needed to guide you in digging deep into your own heart and creating with all you are and with all you have. I am so pleased to have Bonita on our team. I asked her a few questions, in an effort to get to know her better and she has a layout to share as well.

What is your philosophy when it comes to scrapbooking? 

My philosophy is pretty simple really. I create what I want to say, when I want to say it. I don't suffer from guilt from not scrapbooking everything in my life. Instead I pick and choose the photos and the journaling I want to leave behind, mostly for my children. I want to leave a legacy. I want my two teenage daughters to really know their mom. To really know her. The woman I was. How I felt. What my days were like. What was important to me, and what wasn't. After I'm gone, I want them to go through the photos, the journaling -- and know -- what really made me, me.

How do you apply that to your Inside Out layouts?

Usually when I receive my Kit, I look through all the colors and the patterns of the papers first, and decide on a few of my favorites. The ones that appeal to me at that time in my life. When I work on my layouts for SFTIO, I decide on that day, at that moment, what I want to share. What do I want to talk about today? What do I want to get down in writing. And I start from there. I always start from my heart first. For me, finding a photo comes last. First, I decide what I want to say. What it is that I feel I'll want my girls to know in the years to come.

Dream by Bonita Rose

Share with us a little bit more about this layout and how it encompasses your philosophy and SFTIO.

For me, scrapbooking and saving memories on paper has always been about my heart. About my life, in my own words. It's never been about the perfect photo or the perfect paper or embellishment. First and foremost, it's been about the things I'm feeling deep down in my heart, in my soul. 

In this layout, I chose the pretty teal and gold paper first, and built this layout from there. I was playing around with some silver glitter sticks, and made a heart. Then I realized the large grey flower that was part of my SFTIO kit this month, would be perfect with this! I added some of my baby blue vintage paper lace and just started placing things on the paper, deciding where it all should go. 

We recently moved my daughter into her own apartment, she'll be 19 later this month - and she's been on my mind so so much. I found a beautiful photo of her taken in our back yard last summer.

For me, this layout is all about sharing my heart and my dreams for her. It isn't about the glam or the pretty things. First, it's about what I want for her, what I dream, what I wish for her. I want her to read this years from now, and know how much I thought about her, how big my dreams are for her and her life.

What advice would you give to someone who is dipping their toes into "emotion-based" scrapbooking?

First and foremost, remember it's not always about the products. The products in the Kits are there for you to build upon, but first and foremost, it's about your heart and what you want to say. What is happening in your life, right now. How you are feeling. Good or bad or ugly. 
The best advice I would give is to not hold anything back. Be real in your layouts, in what you create. Be the real you. The real you... not just what others may expect you to be. Share the real you. It's so freeing. Just so freeing. xo

Make sure you visit Bonita's Blog: Bonita Rose, Life.Love.Color.Art a life unrehearsed

Have you seen something created by one of our design team members and you are burning with a question? Come join us on the forum. We are chatting and always welcoming new "family" members. :)

Behind the Scenes with Melissa

Here on the SFTIO blog, we are going to start taking you "behind the scenes", so to speak. What does that mean? Well, a lot of symbolism and emotion go into our layouts. We want to continue inspiring you and helping you along in your journey whether you use our kits or not. So, the design team will be sharing a little bit more information about one of their layouts each month. We're excited to walk alongside you and share with you how we use the contents of the kits as we explore each month's topic.

I am sharing one of my layouts this month, using the DREAM kit.

A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes

by Melissa Elsner

What prompted you to pick this "take" on Dream?

The lyrics to the song popped into my head, immediately, when I dug into this kit. Being more confidant has always been a dream of mine. Something that I could envision myself being - more confidant, sure but not arrogant. 

Why did you choose this photo?

This photo epitomizes the fact that I'm becoming more comfortable in my own skin. I am a ham. But I haven't always been. I'm so aware of how I look. That I'm not a skinny person. That I have a double chin. Yet, the past couple of years I've grown to embrace that and this photo is one of those moments. I really liked my goofy smile too. 

What symbolism did you try to bring through your design? 

Blue is a dreamy, calm color. When one is NOT confidant, there is some angst and unrest going on within. But blue is calm and exemplifies the feeling that might come with being at peace with yourself. I wanted lots of blue. The butterflies are a perfect way to symbolize new revelation of oneself. After going through a painful process from caterpillar and becoming the butterfly, I love the freedom and beauty they can symbolize. I also liked the lady inside the heart. That die cut that is part of the kit was perfect for this layout because I'm learning to love myself more and more.

How did you feel about the message of the layout? 

This is a "feel good" message and I like it very much. Every time I look at it, it makes me smile. Not just because of the composition or that it's a pretty layout... but because I love what it is encouraging me to do... to remember... and, again, I really like that photo of me! 

Why did you choose to show your journaling? 

I usually don't hide my journaling unless it's a design issue. For example, if I get so into the layering and gluing that I forget to leave room to journal, I'll do some hidden journaling. Otherwise, I like to have it out in the open. Also, it can be used as a design component, like it is on this layout to help with balance.

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

As with most of my SFTIO layouts, it feels great. It's almost like verbally admitting something deep within. It becomes reality. And now it is permanently on paper for the world to see. No turning back. Everyone knows that I'm working on my confidence. And that's okay with me because I hope someone can relate, nod their head, breathe a sigh of relief and then journal something similar. Creating this layout (and all my layouts really) is art therapy. Each technique, cut of the paper, written word - is therapy. And this one left me feeling exhilarated. 

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And here is where we would normally thank the designer for sharing their thoughts and the "behind the scenes" information! Can I thank myself? Mmm... I feel more comfortable thanking YOU for going on a little journey with me and do come join us on the forum as we all continue on this journey together. 

Exclusive Content: Dream Journal

Our design team shares Exclusive Content on our message board. It's free. It's informative. Beautiful and Inspirational. For this little sneak I'm sharing my content creating a Dream Journal. We all have dreams. Some are recurring one's that leave us wondering what they mean. Why do we keep having them? Or perhaps something happens in our dreams that sticks with us. I was always told it's good to write down my dreams. You never know what wonders they can unlock. Naturally, I wanted to create a dream journal using mostly elements from our February DREAM kit.

Using the above supplies, I was able to assemble a mixed media Dream Journal. I've already recorded several dreams that seem to be coming back. Not sure, entirely, what they mean but it has helped to write them out. And having something creative to write them in makes it even more fun!

Come on over to the forum to see more of how I constructed the cover to my dream journal. And then, perhaps, make your very own!

If you are not a current member of the forum, there is a brief delay as all registrations require validation. It's painless and well worth it. We have a great community going on.

Exploring a Dream...

Love the new kit!  Have you seen it?  It's very Dreamy.

To get our creative juices flowing, lets take a moment to look at Dream... some synonyms and antonyms.  Stir them around in your mind and let me know what one or ones reach out and grab ya!

Click image to enlarge.

Thanks Wordle!

More Dreaming coming up.

The Dream Kit is Live

Our February kit, DREAM, is a delicate yet powerful combination of symbols, color and design that will have you exploring your waking daydreams and sleepy fantasies.

Express what you dream of, literally and figuratively with a great mixture of beautiful paper and embellishments from Glitz Dance in Sunshine, My Mind’s Eye Lost and Found 2, Glitz Vintage Blue and Prima Alla Prima.

Windows in resin and chipboard, sparkle filled buttons and Thickers, a pewter moon charm and lots of fluffy flowers will set your mind ablaze with future wishes while comforting you with softness.

Do you believe in the beauty of your dreams? Join us!

Click here to go to our website and get yours now...and until Midnight Pacific time February 2nd, start your subscription and we'll enter you in our Reveal Day giveaway...a huge pack of paper from Authentique!

Patterned Paper:

Glitz Dance in Sunshine Damask
Glitz Dance in Sunshine Raindrops
Glitz Dance in Sunshine Birds
Glitz Vintage Blue Floral
Glitz Vintage Blue Motif        
Glitz Vintage Blue Rose        
MME L&F2 Dream Stamped
MME L&F2 Everywhere Mirrors     
MME L&F2 Funday Today 
Prima Alla Prima Motif
Prima Alla Prima Ferrulle
Prima Alla Prima Chiaro

Embellishments:

AC Thickers Silver Reindeer 
Glitz Vintage Blue Tiny Alphas - Navy
Glitz Vintage Blue Epoxy Stickers, ½ sheet
Glitz Dance in Sunshine Whatnots, 3 pcs
Maya Road Transparencies Mini Ticket Strips White, 6 pcs
Global Solutions Pewter Charms, Moon
Maya Road Mini Chipboard Sets Windows, 4 pc
Prima Alla Prima Reflections, 2 pcs
Prima Resin Window Frame, 1 pc
Websters Vintage Sparklers Purple, 3 pcs
Ranger Inkessentials Tags Kraft  #8, 2 pcs
Ranger Inkessentials Tags Kraft  #5, 2 pcs
Prima Powder Puff Flower Collette, 1 pc
Prima Carlotta Flower  Blue Pearl, 1 pc

Color:

Ranger Jenni Bowlin Paint Dabber, Lavender Sachet
        

Cardstock:

American Crafts Orchid        
American Crafts Mustard      
American Crafts Storm
American Crafts Surf  

Contents may vary...

CHA Day 3 and the DREAM kit is live!

Some of our favorites from the last day of the show...what a wonderful time!

Echo Park:

Hambly Screen Prints:

and Teresa Collins:

Just wait until you see what we have in store!

Since our new kit is up, it's time to come on over to the website to see it up close, including our DT's gorgeous and layered-with-meaning work...make sure you get yours now!

Here's a sneak...you'll want to come over to our website for juicy photos!

Remember that all new and renewing 6 month memberships paid Feb 1 are entered to win a huge prize pack from Authentique!

We'll announce a winner for our countdown in a few days.

Also make sure you check out our day 1 and 2 CHA video! Layouts, collections, displays...and fun! 

Back to work...we've got kits to plan for you! See you soon!

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!