Simple Butterflies by Nicole [and blog hop winner!]

First we need to announce our Blog Hop winner! Our apologies for the delay. If you are

Stacey from Alden, NY

Please email rachinla [at] aol [dot] com with your shipping information and CONGRATS!

Are you a simple scrapper? Do you like to learn quick and easy ways to create embellishments that give that perfect symbolic piece to complete your inside out layout? Come join Design Team member Nicole as she shares a fun idea to create your own butterfly embellishment using the March GRACE kit contents.

Hello! Today I would like to share a layout with you in which I created my very own embellishment using the March Kit by SFTIO! Since I'm a simple scrapper, I don't like spending more than 30-40 minutes on a layout. So I basically pull out the supplies that match up with the photos I'm working with and just run with it... I always use my photos to inspire me, not the product.
While I'm working on my layout, I like to find unique ways to use my embellies. I love making fun embellishments of my own to cut the cost of supplies... Having said this, I am going to share with you, how I created this fun butterfly embellishment on my layout.

1. First mist the butterflies and leaf with desired color of mist.

2. Once the mist is dry, staple one butterfly on top of the other. (I use my mini stapler by Tim Holtz. It's a must have!)

3. Adhere a piece of the hexagon chipboard to the center of the butterfly using a foam square.

4. Adhere a pearl to the center of the chipboard using a glue dot.

5. Decorate the butterfly with some bling from your stash.

Pretty easy don't you think? Want some more inspiration and ideas for your GRACE layouts? There is still time to come join us in our monthly challenges. From Refinement, Forgiveness, Beauty and Grace... come explore your innermost thoughts and feelings using your supplies! It can be one of the most therapeutic journeys for you yet. Click here to join our forum. It's a quick validation and you are IN! 

Behind the Scenes with Jen Matott

Today we are going Behind the Scenes with design team member Jen Matott. She chose one of her favorite layouts using the March GRACE kit and has answered a few questions for us.

Heart by Jen Matott

What prompted you to pick this take on Grace?
This layout is all about my relationship with my Mom and how much I worry about a time without her.  I wanted to do a page with mostly journaling about my feelings and love for her. 


Why did you choose this photo?
This is a photo of my Mom and I when I was in college.  It's not a recent one but it is my favorite one of the two of us.  It shows so much love between us.  This photo just makes me smile. She came to visit me at school for a Mother/ Daughter sorority event.  It was a great day and this photo brings out the memories. 

What symbolism did you try to bring through your design?
I used Kraft cardstock as a base and wrote the journaling first.  I placed the photo and papers down so that I knew how much room I'd need. Then I took them off and sprayed over a heart mask and the wooden doily in the kit.  I wanted the rest simple with the focus on the journaling but also muting it with the spray to make it less prominent. It's kind of like bearing your soul and how vulnerable you feel... having a comforting blanket to shield you makes it less scary. I wanted the veil of spray to be that buffer.  I can still read the words, but it's less threatening then leaving them on a bare page. 


How did you feel about the message of the layout?
After I reread what I wrote, I cried.  It was just a spilling of my worries/ fears and love for my Mom.  I wanted to write what I felt on that day of her surgery. To remember how scared I was. She was so calm and my Dad and I were a wreck inside but trying to hide it for her sake.  We were thinking along the same lines (all of us)... what would happen and how could we live without her here. Fortunately, it turned out fine.  I still worry about her as she has more medical issues but I know we can get through them as a family. 


Why did you choose to show your journaling?
I chose to show the journaling and use it as a main part of the page but also "hide" it with the sprays a bit.  It's a bit like putting it all out there but covering up to keep it less scary. 

Tell us a little bit about how you feel now that this layout is done?
I feel relieved that the event is over and my Mom is okay... this layout is proof of my thoughts and feelings towards my Mom and how I feel about our relationship.  We are close and I love her with all my HEART.  She is a very strong woman and I hope she's around for a LONG time!  This layout is a tribute to her strength and my own.  Everyone has a relationship with someone in which voicing your feelings is therapeutic in the end. I loved how simple this page was and how much I treasure the photo and memories. 


You can visit Jen's blog here: Art Talk
Visit the Design Team Gallery to see more of Jen's and the rest of the teams amazing work using this month's GRACE kit!

Grace-Full Inspiration

I've been wandering around looking for inspiration on this month's topic, Grace.  Of course, you know I didn't have to wander far.  Because we have awesome resources available day or night to inspire YOU right over on our inspiration page.  Here's some gems of inspiration I  have plucked for you today...

Any artist should be grateful for a naive grace which puts him beyond the need to reason elaborately.

Saul Bellow

Bonita Rose

 

Beauty without grace is the hook without the bait.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Jen M

Grace has been defined as the outward expression of the inward harmony of the soul.

William Hazlitt

Melissa

I want, of course, peace, grace, and beauty. How do you do that? You work for it.

Studs Terkel

Nicole

 Want more?  Because there's plenty where this came from.  Head on over to our Inspiration Page and check out more quotes, journaling prompts, music and our Pinterest board for GRACE.

The YES Layout

Have you ever sat down to create a layout and what appeared on the paper was, not only what you pictured in your head, it was even better? I call these the YES layouts. The ones where everything just falls into place. From the design to the journaling to the message and emotion. It all just works. And when we're done, we want to hang it up for a little while and glean from it. 

There's nothing wrong with this feeling! I think with the type of approach we use here at SFTIO, it can be a very fitting feeling to have. While we can discuss techniques and give inspiration, my post this month is going to be about that YES layout. The one where I'm going to give you permission (because you need MY permission, didn't you know?) to pull out that layout and hang it up. Enjoy it. Re-read your journaling. And pin point what makes it your YES layout. 

Here is my YES layout from this month, using the March GRACE kit:

I remember the idea for this layout began to form while my little toddlers, at school, were napping. I was sitting in the chair writing out their daily reports when my mind began to wander. It often does. And I began to think about Grace and what I would scrap about. I already had four layouts created but needed one more. Not sure about the actual content, a design began to form and I had to sketch it out. As I looked at the sketch, it was completely out of my style. I've dubbed myself as clean and simple. But I'm trying to step out of my comfort zone here and there so I did.

And I'm so glad! 

I knew I wanted a misty, ethereal look to the layout. I wanted to challenge myself and use a patterned background. Those papers from Memory Box are perfect! Subtle. Calm. Perfect for those of us who don't usually use a patterned background. I also used a trick from past design team member Nancy and created my own paint mist. By mixing some acrylic paint with water, I spritzed that around on the paper.

I love banners but they can be a challenge for me to figure out without a sketch. The symbolism they can imply is so great but, composition wise, I can never get it right. But I like how it works with this layout... giving it that "in the sky" look.

And then the journaling. I didn't want my journaling to be on the page. It needed to be hidden. I almost forgot to do this but, thankfully, some of the layers were adhered with pop dots so I had room to stick my journaling underneath. 

For the actual content, I visited dictionary.com and quotes.com. I typed in Grace. And a flood of information came to me. I just kept reading until something spoke to me. I love the quote for this layout! Courage is grace under pressure. I think there is a certain amount of courage that comes through when we are challenged in this area of life. In some aspects, most of the creation of this layout showcases that... The white paint almost looks like it's bursting through the blue paper with my photo and the papers. But in a soft way. A way that conveys beauty. And with such beautiful papers and elements - I can say it was pretty easy to convey that said beauty. 

Do you have a YES layout??? If you have it uploaded in a gallery somewhere, share it with us! Show it off! Share the story behind it. 

P.S. We haven't forgotten about the Blog Hop winner! Watch the blog and Facebook for who the lucky hopper will be soon. Will it be YOU? 

Grace In Women...

Grace in women has more effect than beauty.
William Hazlitt

Tis time, my friends... tis time.  What time is it, you ask?  TIME for US to challenge YOU.  C'mon, are you up for it?  Are you ready to get scrappin' about Grace?  Are those synapses firing and crafty juices flowing?

Well, here I am, ready to give you your first challenge this month.  Start out by thinking about this...

Refined: Were you taught or trained as a child to be ladylike, and did you comply? Are you more of a lady or a tomboy? How much do you value decorum and elegance? Would you rather be dressed to the nines and in heels and pearls or in jeans and bare feet? Does etiquette matter to you?

Me?  I was very much a tomboy.  But I was taught to "be a lady".  As I grow older and watch the kids around me, etiquette becomes more and more and MORE important to me, because it's dying out.  I have been told that my way of thinking and some of my actions are "old fashioned".  You will never find me in a dress (if I can help it), but I sure can clean up nice when the situation calls for it.

But I love pearls and I love jeans.  Hmmmm... is that allowed?

Okay, here's your challenge, should you choose to accept it... ready?

Please create a layout using two photos that show you at your most refined and most relaxed. Which makes you feel good about yourself? Is playing 'dress up' fun or a burden? For the design twist, please create a paper doll image...have fun! 

Hmmm...  such good ideas swimming in my head.  How about you?

Well, we sure hope you join us in playing along.  If you do, please share with us by commenting and sharing a link to a photo of your layout. OR... join us in the community, add your layout to our Grace challenge gallery and be in the running to win some fab goodies!

Have fun and good luck!

SFTIO Grace Blog Hop

Welcome to the final stop on the SFTIO Blog Hop!

If you are just arriving here today, please make sure to head over to Design Team Coordinator, Melissa's Blog, first! You won't want to miss the lovely inspiration and opportunities to WIN one of the Grace kits.

Like You.

Beautiful inside and out.

Strong and feminine.

Thoughtful, grateful and open-hearted.

When you think of the word GRACE, what are some other words that come to mind? Let's play a word game. When I say Grace... you say _____ .

Chances are we all might have a different answer. That is one of the beautiful things about our emotion based kits. While we supply with the latest and greatest, meaningful and evocative supplies, it's all about YOU and your thoughts. Your triumphs. Your trials. What goes on inside the deepest part of your soul. 

Want another chance to win the Grace kit? Hopefully you have left a comment on each of the blogs along your way to this one and now you have one more! Leave a comment with your word that is inspired by the word Grace. And how does that play into YOUR life? 

You have until 6:00 P.M. pacific time TOMORROW (Saturday 3/10) to leave your comment!

Here is a master list of the blogs in case you get lost a long the way:

Melissa (theprofoundbrunette.com)

Stacy (http://stacycohen.blogspot.com/)

Bonita (bonitarose.com)

Jen (http://arttalk-sigmagirl.blogspot.com/)

Nicole (http://nicolemartel.blogspot.com)

SFTIO Blog (http://scrapbookingfromtheinsideout.blogspot.com/)

Want more discussion on the emotion of Grace? Maybe you have something to share and need a safe place? Our forum is a wonderful community of like-hearted, sensitive and caring people all on a similar journey. Come join us! 

March Guest Designer: Stacy Cohen

We are so thrilled to have Stacy Cohen joining us this month as Guest Designer. We couldn't have planned a more perfect kit for her to use too. The products and emotion seemed to be the right match. Here is a little bit more about Stacy and she is also sharing one of her layouts with you today.

Meet Stacy Cohen

I live in Los Angeles, California with my loving husband, our two wonderful little daughters, and two cute kitties. My girls are the inspiration for all my creative projects... I call them my little muses.

I started scrapbooking in September of 2004 and I have been hooked ever since.
Scrapbooking is my hobby, passion and creative outlet. I always say, "It's cheaper than therapy!" I'm a very slow scrapper, often spending several nights on one layout. I love to fuss over all the little details and get everything just right. I would define my scrapping style as romantic with a touch of shabby chic. My pages don't feel complete without a flower (or two, or three or four). My work has been published in Creating Keepsakes, Scrapbooks Etc., Scrapbook Trends, Memory Makers, Somerset Memories, Cards, Simply Handmade, Scrapbook Inspirations, and Scrapbooking m.m. I am on the design teams for Creating Keepsakes and Prima.

Here is one of Stacy's stunning layouts using the GRACE kit.

Background: A few years ago I read an interview with an actress and she talked about the importance of living her live with "grace".  I had to stop and think about what this means in general, and what it means for me personally.   To me, living my life with grace means treating other people with gentleness and kindness.  This has always been one of the rules I live by, and a value that I have instilled in my children since an early age.  Of course I'm not always perfect, but I do strive to treat people the way that I would want to be treated. 

Technique:  I used a dinner plate to trace a circle onto the cardstock, then I painted the circle with gesso. While the gesso was still wet, I sprinkled on some white glitter.  Next I cut out the center squares of the Pink Paislee trellis paper.  I cut a circle out of the trellis paper and adhered it to the gesso/glitter circle with 3D adhesive.  As a final touch, I added liquid pearls to the trellis design. 

Want to see more of Stacys' work using this month's kit? Click here to view the gallery. And to see even MORE Stacy, make sure to visit her blog by clicking here. 

And mark your calendars! We are having a Design Team blog hop this weekend and Stacy will be joining us! Fun, fun, fun!

Exploring Grace...

It's a new month, and a new topic at Inside Out.  First things first... let's look at Grace in all its incarnations.

Thank you Wordle (click image to enlarge).

Some fun synonyms there.  I like "bedeck", "symmetry", "balance" and "honor".  They make my creative mind stretch. 

What are your favorite Grace words?

One Day More!

until the full reveal of our March kit, GRACE.

Like You.

Beautiful inside and out.

Strong and feminine.

Thoughtful, grateful and open-hearted.

Available Midnight Pacific time on March 1.

Guess some of the kit contents in the comments on this post for a chance to win this month's subscriber bonus from Maya Road:

 See you soon!

Love,