Behind the Scenes with Melissa

Hi everyone!

I'm here to share a little bit more about this layout:

What prompted me to do this take on Escape was simply thinking about those things I like to do to escape reality. Reality isn't always a bad place to be but, every once in awhile, it's nice to just be able to do what I LOVE and not what I HAVE to do. In order for me to continue enjoying most of my reality, I need to remember to take care of self. 

I chose this photo because it was of me and I'm smiling. Literally, I begin to smile when I'm retreating off to any of those three escapes. Can you relate? When you are doing exactly what you love to do and the smile is impossible to hide on your face. I love that feeling and definitely wanted a photo to emote that same feeling.

There is also lots of symbolism and repetition in this layout. To go with the THREE theme: my three escapes, I included other "threes".  The three doors, for example, give off the symbolism of opening one and escaping to being creative, or my imagination, etc. I decided to matte the photos with patterned paper because it added some pizzazz. I'd rather go into the pretty patterns the boring old plain colors. ;)
To keep with the "three" element, I used three chevron shapes, three pearls and three triangle shapes at the top. This is more a design element as opposed to symbolism but, I suppose, it could go either way.

Some might wonder why one would want to record their way to escape on a scrapbook layout. It's a good question! Especially in this industry that is mostly documenting events and milestones. For me, scrapbooking is combining my creativity and journaling. Surprisingly, I forget to escape. I notice that mostly when my fuse is short, I'm grumpy, frustrated with the world and think everyone is out to get me. My hope is that by recording this, I will come across the page from time to time and be reminded to actively pursue my escapes on a regular basis. Maybe I'll stay sane more often. One can hope, right? 

So how do you escape? Why not record it on a layout "inside out" style? Not sure where to begin? We've got some wonderful challenges on our forum to help get you started. Come join us! 

From Our Community...

Today I am happy to share with you one of the explorations into our topic: Escape by a member of our very own community.  Please welcome Martine:

Visit Martine's Blog

Our first challenge was:

Disappear: On a tough day have you imagined leaving it all behind? What daily tasks and difficulties would you love to let go of, even for a few moments? How would you go - with a big announcement or by sneaking away?

Please create a layout allowing yourself to imagine leaving regular life behind.

For the design twist, please design something that disappears like magic on your layout- hidden journaling is of course one good idea, but how about something that flips or turns? 

 And Martine shared with us this layout:

I loved the simplicity, and yet the layering... and even more so, the word "evasion" which drew me in...so I thought we could share it here and ask Martine to share a little about her process.  Here's what she has to share:

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

The first thing that popped into my head when I saw the "escape" theme was trying to escape from myself... which I've often wanted to do! I've tried escaping to a new life (in Alaska!) but I couldn't run away from my problems... I'm working on myself now, so I don't have to "run away" anymore!

Why did you choose this photo? What symbolism did you try to bring through your design?

I remember the feeling when this photo was taken. I was at peace with myself, relaxed and happy. We were on vacation in a beautiful place with an incredible, quiet beach and amazing ocean. I had a week-long escape from my life back home that was hard at the time. I wanted to keep embellishments minimal on this page, to try to keep the "zen" feeling of my photo and layout.

How did you feel about the message of the layout?

I hope the layout gives a sense peace and relaxation. True peace though can only be found within yourself, as you can't escape what's inside of you.

Why did you choose to show/hide your journaling?

I decided to hide my journaling as it was fairly personal. Just by looking at the layout, it could simply be a regular page in my trip album. But I know that the journaling added a whole different level to it, which I didn't necessarily want to share with everybody.

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

I'm glad I made this layout, as it put into picture and words how I've felt for a long time. It feels good to put in down on paper and making it "real".

Thank you so much, Martine, for sharing your layout and your heart.  We are so glad to have you as part of our community.

It's not too late for anyone else out there to join us!  Come Escape with us before we reach our new topic in September!  See you there!

Alone or Together?

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In my youth, I craved the "puppy pile" of a large group of friends, like you see in so many television shows and movies (Beverly Hills 90210 anyone?) but I only ever had one or two really good friendships as a time.  As I grew older, I realized that this is really the "norm".  As the wisdom of age crept upon me, I also noticed something else about myself.  While I love a good party or gathering, after a time period, I need to get away... escape... to someplace quiet.  I very easily get overstimulated and that makes me very tense. 

I first realized this when I spent a day with my "new" boyfriend (my now husband) and his three kids, a friend or three, at a park.  After a lot of fun, a cook out, a ton of conversation, games and swinging, I began to feel ... "off".  We got back to the apartment and I remember my boyfriend (husband) ask me if I was alright.  I really wasn't.  I needed to escape.  I needed space. I couldn't breathe.  My skin was sensitive, even.  I told him I needed to go lay down for a while and went into the bedroom and shut the door. 

The change in tension level was practically palpable!  The quiet of the bedroom, even though I could still hear the chatter and activity in the other part of the apartment, was like a cool cloth on a hot forehead.  But I felt guilty.  I should be able to handle three kids and friends and fun, right? 

As I said, with age comes wisdom, and I now know that I can handle "togetherness" in doses, but it must be balanced with equal (or more) doses of alone time.  Otherwise, I really have very high tension and stress!

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 All this to bring us to another challenge that was posted over in our community.  Won't you please play along?

Are you someone who loves the company of others or craves time alone? Is your perfect everyday escape sitting with a hot beverage and reading a book, or being with friends in a quiet conversation? Dancing the night away or getting into nature? If you’re partnered, do you have similar ‘escape’ styles? If not, how do you handle that?

Please create a layout about your favorite alone time. What is it that you do to escape? From work? From family? From friends?

Here's your design twist: Use the windows from the kit (or create a window if you don't have the Escape kit). Are you the type of person who wants to look out and dream for an escape?

I look forward to seeing your creative twist to this challenge.  Please share it with us here by posting a link in our comments or join us in the community and post it in our gallery!  

Now... time for me to have a little alone time... 

 

Escaping Perfection

One of the things I have come to embrace in my scrapbooking is that perfection is over rated.

For too long, I was focused on perfection. Creating the perfect layout. Using the perfect product. Finding the perfect photos. It became overwhelming and frankly made scrapbooking a little less fun!

Once I let go of this need for perfection, my pages came together so much quicker. I felt much happier with the process. And I also realized that I was missing out on some great stories because I didn't always have the "perfect" photo.

Today I want to share a few layouts with you that might never have been made if I had not used my "imperfect" photos.

I created "Girl's Night Out" using this month's Escape kit. The photo was taken with my phone camera on a recent night out with my good friends. Looking at it up close it's a little blurry and the colors are off. But it is the only photo I have from that night, and wasn't going to let that stop me from creating the layout. In fact, once I really looked at the photo, I saw our happy smiles that really tell the story about how much these times together mean to us!

This is another layout I created with this month's kit. I have to say, the two photos on the left are favorites from the trip. The one on the right, well I almost didn't put it on. The lighting just isn't good. But we have so few photos of the two of us together that weekend, so I felt it was important to include it. And once again, giving the picture a second look I see the happiness on our faces. And I noticed how I am leaning in towards Mike to get closer. Perfect!

And finally, this is an older layout, but oh how I love that photo. It is so blurry, but was also the first photo that made me realize I just didn't care that it was blurry. I wanted to scrap it, because to me itwas perfect. To me, this is what scrapbooking is all about!
So maybe take a second look at some of those photos that don't seem perfect at first glance. You just may find you have a story to tell.

Visit Mary Jo's blog here.

Visit Mary Jo's design team gallery here. 

How Would You Magically Disappear?

How about a challenge to start your creative juices a'flowing?  Perhaps you can take some time this weekend to ESCAPE to your crafty space and create.  Share your take on this challenge in a comment below or by posting it to our challenge gallery in our community.

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Disappear: On a tough day have you imagined leaving it all behind? What daily tasks and difficulties would you love to let go of, even for a few moments? How would you go - with a big announcement or by sneaking away?

Please create a layout allowing yourself to imagine leaving regular life behind.

For the design twist, please design something that disappears like magic on your layout- hidden journaling is of course one good idea, but how about something that flips or turns?

Behind the Scenes with Nicole

I had a blast creating this layout using this month's Escape kit. When I first saw these papers by Cosmo Cricket, I knew exactly what photos I wanted to use so I pulled out my two favorite photos from my trip to Costa Rica over 7 years ago. Costa Rica is one of my favorite places to visit and I can't wait to go back. I think that these papers helped make the photo shine. Don't we look like we belong in the Wild West?

To help add to the nature feel of this layout, I decided to use the feather screens and red mists. I think it was very effective and it really pulls the layout together. I also added a heart with some swirls to emphasize how much I loved this trip and the "once upon a time" sentiment that I cut from the paper is perfect because it helps let the readers know that this was a past experience; it was almost like a fairy tale trip. It truly was the best trip I ever had.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope I inspired you to try using some meaningful symbols by cutting up patterns  from your papers or from using embellishments in your kit to help add that special touch to your layouts and to make them more meaningful. 

Perfect Pearls

Hi everyone!

Design Team Coordinator, Melissa, here and it has been a long time! After a recent, cross-country move, I am now ready to tackle all the responsibilities I had to give a rest to. It's good to be back! I'm really excited to share with you Design Team member Kate Vickers' tutorial this month. We've got a lovely tub of Perfect Pearls in our August ESCAPE kit. Some come... let's learn a little bit more about this wonderful medium from our talented Kate.

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Hmmm.... so this month's Kit, The Escape Kit, came with a little container of Bubblegum Pink Perfect Pearls. Some of you may be looking for ideas on how to use it. It's a wonderful product and there are some really great ways to use it. Here are two ways that I used it in my layouts this month.

Glue Resist with Perfect Pearls

You will need:

• White Cardstock
• Perfect Pearls Powder
• Water
• Tiny spray bottle
• Any type of craft glue

• Mix about 1/4 of a tsp of your Perfect Pearls with about 1 tsp of water in a small spray bottle. I used a leftover bottle from another type of mist. Shake like crazy! You can add a few drops of ink from a re-inker like the ones from Ranger or Stampin' Up, but this is not necessary. Perfect Pearls has a binding solution mixed into it, so you don't need to add anything else. If you do the same thing with PearlEx Powder, you need to add a binding agent like Gum Arabic or even just some plain old liquid glue. Set this aside for now.
• Grab a piece of cardstock, any colour you like, but I found that white worked best with this colour. Draw a design on your cardstock with your glue. I created a bunch of swirls and circles randomly on my paper. Let it dry completely. If you're the impatient type, I recommend using a quick dry craft glue like Helmar 450.
• Once your glue design is dry, spray your paper liberally with your Perfect Pearls Mist. Let it set for a minute or so.
• Pat the excess mist off of the paper and the raised glue design carefully with a paper towel.

Here is my finished product.

You can get a good look of the design in this close up.

And... another way to use Perfect Pearls is with the mask found in your kit. Here's what I did with it.

• Put the mask on top of a sheet of cardstock and secure it in place with washi tape or any other low tack tape.
• Carefully dab the exposed areas with a sponge and some ink. I chose a pink archival ink. Versamark works well for this.
• Once you have the entire area covered, add Perfect Pearls powder on top of the inked areas. It will stick to the ink. Dust off the excess with the brush provided in the kit.

Here is the finished product using this technique. You will also notice that I have a punchinella pattern at the bottom of the layout. This was also done using the same Perfect Pearls. I used a Christie Tomlinson stamp with Versamark watermark ink, stamped it onto the cardstock and brushed the Perfect Pearls on top using the same method as above. Now, I'm not in love with this layout, I think that I could have done better by using a more neutral background paper instead of the one I chose. The yellow is overwhelming the pink a bit. However, I do love these techniques and I hope that you will give them a try! Happy Crafting!

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Visit Kates' blog here: Scrapsation

See Kates' and the rest of the design teams August gallery here. 

August Guest Designer Ronda Palazzari

It isn't very often that I actually jump up and down about scheduling a guest designer. But when Melissa told me she had contacted Ronda, I was THAT excited. 

I've been a fan of hers for a long time. Why? 

Two words: Layers and Depth.

And I'm not just talking about visual layers and depth, although it's obvious that she has mad skills in those areas of design. No one else I know can use layering in such a way that makes every project look as if she instinctively knows where to place every element and never make it look busy or overworked.

I'm also talking about her ability to cut through the layers that can cloud journaling and visual expression and get to the deep, rich heart of the matter. Whether she's using quotations, first-hand journaling or meaningful titles, I am consistently blown away by the very Inside-Outness of Ronda's creations. Seriously, go see her scrapbook page gallery on her blog. Then check out her minis, art journaling, mixed media work...the list goes on and on.

It's a real honor to have her joining us this month as Guest Designer for the Escape kit. She truly embodies the spirit of what we do every day at SFTIO - inspire women and girls to express their honest emotions and transform themselves using art as a tool.

Here's one of Ronda's LOs and some sneaks of the others. We REALLY want you to come join us in the gallery and see her work up close. It just takes a couple of minutes to register (if you haven't already) and you'll be on the inside, getting personal with all of our designers' layouts and chatting about your escapes and the real you - flawed, questioning, wondering and beautiful as you are.

Thanks, Ronda, for giving us a part of your creative self this month.

About Ronda:

Ronda Palazzari is an Author, mixed media Artist, Scrapbook Designer, and Instructor living in the burbs of Denver.  Her first book Art of Layers with North Light Publishing/F&W Media was release in March 2012.  She designs with Maya Road, Sizzix, Antiquated Collection and Purple Onions Stamps.  She has been published in several magazines and idea books including Artful Blogging, Creating Keepsakes, Memory Makers, Scrapbook Trends, and Somerset Memories.  She’s best known for combining her mixed-media techniques with scrapbooking, but Ronda is one to follow because you never know if she will be sewing or getting messy with paints; her craft changes day-to-day. She continues to teach worldwide as well as providing inspiration and telling her dorky stories on her blog HelpMeRonda. 

And yes, Virginia, there are a few kits available! Click on the image below for closeups, a complete list of contents and learn about our all-in-one kits - no add-ons needed, no waking at midnight to get yours...just a beautiful, fresh set of carefully curated supplies that will boost your creativity, along with our trademarked approach to emotion-centered art.

Mini Escape!

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Before we get started with our Escape challenges, I thought it would be fun to talk about the many escapes in life.  For example, this weekend I am planning an 'escape'.  I will be escaping work, home, the Hubs, the kids, the furries... and all sorts of chore-type-activities.  Instead, I will be driving with a friend up to Wisconsin to see another friend and we're going to scrapbook our hearts out all weekend.

I was telling someone at work about taking the time off this week and next in order to make the drive out and back and she said to me, "You sure do take a lot of time off."  (She was commenting because I had just taking a couple of days off last week to work on a home improvement project.)  And she's right!  I do take a lot of time off, but it's not all at once, like so many others at my day job.  This year, especially, I have taken a day (or two) off here and there rather than an entire vacation week.

And you know what? I really like that!  It has made for a very pleasant year this year.  Long weekends by adding a Friday or a Thursday-Friday or a Friday-Monday off.  Spending time with friends at scrapbooking events.  A quick trip "home" to see family.  I really have had a blast this year!  I really think that these mini-escapes have been more rejuvenating for me than a full week off.  It has allowed me to have more time off to look forward to, since it has been spread out throughout the year.  After each one ended, there was something else to look forward to in the next month.   I am really happy and think the mini escape is truly my "way to go" for finding peace and having fun.

How about you?  Do you like the longer escapes, or have you tried out the mini escapes I'm talking about?  What do you think? 

Brand New Kit: ESCAPE on Sale Now!

The Escape kit will let your dreams take flight. Where do you go to get away from it all, in your mind or in real life? Running away from home, getting out of a messy situation, finding a dream spot...they're all a form of escape. What stories do you want to tell?

Great symbolism includes doors to walk through, tickets to anywhere, peacock feathers for an exotic touch, clouds, banners and hot air balloons.

Paper from the American Crafts Dear Lizzy Neapolitan, Pink Paislee Prarie Hill, Cosmo Cricket Twenty-Three lines add trendy chevrons, polaroid images and kites and beautiful color in tones of pink, coral, yellow, cement, blue and orange.

Join us and ESCAPE...

Kit Details:

Patterned Paper

American Crafts Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Warm Memories                   
American Crafts Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Silver Lining (Vellum)                     
American Crafts Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Sunny Skip               
American Crafts Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Hazy Horizon           
American Crafts Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Dreamy Days           
Cosmo Cricket Twenty Three Paperback                 
Cosmo Cricket Twenty Three Postcards                  
Cosmo Cricket Twenty Three Photo Booth             
Cosmo Cricket Twenty Three Foxtrot                     
Hambly Chevron Mashup White on Silver                    
Pink Paislee Prarie Hill Flight Pattern           
Pink Paislee Prarie Hill Kite Strings              

Cardstock

American Crafts Butter                       
American Crafts Geyser          
American Crafts Concrete                   
American Crafts Parfait

Embellishments

Pink Paislee Prarie Hill Bitty Blocks Alphas            
Prima Fairy Belle Typography Alphas
American Crafts Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Flutterbys Paper Garland Hey Chance Pennant, 1/4 sheet
Pink Paislee Prarie Hill Element Stickers                  
American Crafts Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Wood Buttons and Epoxy Accents, 4 buttons
Bella Blvd Button Market Fruit Punch             
Maya Road Chipboard Doorways, 4 pcs
American Crafts Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Large Decorative Tags, 3 pcs
Hambly Clear Journal Cards Teal Hot Air Balloons, 1/2 sheet
American Crafts Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Ephemera Flowers, 1 pc
Prima Tasha Teal, 3 pcs

Technique

Crafters Workshop Balzer Designs Peacock Feathers, 6"     

Color

Ranger Perfet Pearls - Pink Gumball (with brush)

Behind the scenes with Sofia and a Sneak Peek of our August kit: Escape

Hey everyone!

Our wonderful July guest designer Sofia Ehrich is back to share a look behind

the scenes of one of her very personal layouts from the Communication kit.

Sofia’s 'Tummy Time':

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

I wanted to try to do a different “take” on this layout.  I think the link between mother and baby is a pretty amazing thing; everything is shared. Whatever the mom eats or feels goes to the baby.

Why did you choose this photo?

The photos I chose are of my mom pregnant with me.  Some are with my Uncle Dennis who treats me like his daughter.  And there is one of my mom and I after I was born. 

How did you feel about the message of the layout?

In my journaling I talked about the things my mom did while I was in her tummy. She talked to me a lot, went to movies and most of all, she always put Lavender on her tummy. 

Why did you choose to show/hide your journaling? 

Honestly, I hid my journaling because I didn’t have any room on the page for it to show.

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

I love this layout.  I think that it shows communication in a different way.  I love the way that it looks too.    

IN OTHER NEWS:

I couldn't be more excited to share some sneaks of our next kit...

ESCAPE!

This kit is so beautiful...every element, pattern and color is filled with the spirit of a breezy getaway.

Paper from Cosmo Cricket, Dear Lizzy for American Crafts, and Pink Paislee, plus much, much more!

Delicious in every way, and ready for you to take flight.

Available August 1st, only at Scrapbooking from the Inside Out!