Behind the Scenes with Diana

Welcome to another Behind the Scenes for July's Communication.  Today, we are talking with Diana Brodeur and checking out what she has to say about her creative process for one of her layouts.

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

This particular topic has been something that I struggled with in my past relationship. It’s one that I have made a point to change and better in my life.

Why did you choose this photo?

It’s a big relief to have discovered the utter importance of communicating. A smiling picture is a perfect way to show this accomplishment.

What symbolism did you try to bring through your design?  

The different circles symbolize speak bubbles. Most of them are ragged around the edges to symbolize the discussion of hard topics.

How did you feel about the message of the layout?  

It feels like a breath of fresh air to have released the strings that were tying me down when it comes to communicating the hard topics in relationships.

Why did you choose to show/hide your journaling?  

I prefer to show my journaling. It makes it easier to read when I place them in my albums.

Tell us a little bit about how you feel now that this layout is done.
I feel much lighter and happier!

Thanks Diana... and welcome to our design team.  We are so happy to have you and can't wait to see more of your inside out creations!

You can visit Diana's blog here.

Visit the Design Team Gallery to see more of Diana's and the rest of the team's amazing work using this month's COMMUNICATION kit!

Getting Started and Finishing It

Hi everyone out in blogland!

I thought I would share something other than a technique or tutorial this month. Instead, I wanted to take you on a journey on how I approached one of my layouts focused on this months emotion/topic COMMUNICATION. If you are new or find yourself scratching your head; wondering where to begin - take a look at the bottom of About Us/Our Story page.

The way I approach my layouts is to think about the emotional response I have to whatever the months topic is. Sometimes the word isn't a straight up emotion - take COMMUNICATION for example. But you can still approach it from an emotional stand point, inside out style.

Something that came to mind was how misunderstood I seem to be. Not to everyone, but I've learned from a few folks, recently, that my confidence is intimidating. Therefore, they were nervous to meet me or get to know me. Bear in mind these are people who see me in person. It was flattering and annoying at the same time. Ha! Flattered that I seem to come across more confident that I truly am but annoying because I began to wonder, "do others hold back from talking me, inviting me or approaching me because they assume I'm so confident?"

My first step with my layouts is to journal. I just write on piece of scratch paper or type on a word document. Most of the time I type. I can type faster than I can write.

After my journaling is complete, I begin to look for a photo. Notice I haven't picked out product yet. That comes after the photo. The reason is because I want to make sure the colors and patterns I choose, compliment the photo. On the rare occasion, I begin with product - especially when I pull from the symbolism. Thankfully, this kit is so full of symbolism there is no escaping it no matter what papers and embellishments used!

Sometimes I need a song or a quote to help me with the title. This time I just used a statement that I would want to say to everyone. JUST TALK TO ME. Don't assume. Don't be afraid. And I'll do my part to be aware of my facial expressions, mannerisms, etc. I don't want to pretend but I do want to be inviting. It's a two way street... this thing called communication.

Once the product is selected, I begin with the design. Sometimes I already have something in my head and sometimes I need a sketch to give a good jump start. Sometimes I'll arrange things, walk away and come back and do it all over again before committing to the design.
I love the photo I used for this layout... my journaling is saying one thing while the photo is me being a goofball... giving off a smug look... 

I hope that this little article has given you some help while working through your own layouts. The most important component, I have found, is how I feel when I'm done. Because our layouts here are about US... it's important to take note of how we are doing when it's finished. This felt good to get out. It felt good to share it on my blog too. Not too complain or seek affirmation... but just to let it out and with the hopes that others may identify.

Can't wait to see what YOU create using your COMMUNICATION kit!

 

Flashback to Freedom

In July 2008, when Scrapbooking from the Inside Out was just starting out, they explored the topic of Freedom.  Today, I thought this was a great topic to revisit, especially with our current topic of Communication.  What is better than Freedom to Communicate?  I think that's truly what we're all about here at Inside Out... have complete freedom to communicate.  Where else can you go and feel so save to express all of the amazing emotions that swirl around inside of us?  I have found that the freedom to express myself... to explore my inner world... always starts HERE.

So.  I bounced back to our gallery from then, and found some amazing layouts by some people you may recognize... our founder, Rachel and Paige, our Special Projects Coordinator. 

Free to Choose - Rachel Kaufman

I Am Who I Am - Paige Ramos

In addition, a couple layouts by Nancy Doren and Bjay Jaminal. members of our very first design team, expressing Freedom from their perspectives:

Express Yourself - Bjay Jaminal

That Black Cloud - Nancy Doren

Wow.  Just some very cool stories being communicated there, expressing freedom or lack of freedom. 

That is what we're all about here.  Freedom and communication.  Do you feel free?  Do you feel free to communicate?  I know that in my every day life, I wear a mask... I hide and show only certain "faces" to certain people.  But here at Inside Out, I do feel a lot more free to express myself.

Please, join us.  We have so much going on over in our community with great supports and open hearts.  And lots, and lots, and lots of inspiration for all topics, including our galleries all the way back to from the day we were "born".  Come and be free...

When There's Failure to Communicate...

From our Pinterest Communication Board

 Have you ever heard that phrase?  "What we have here, is a failure to communicate."  I say it in my head every so often, typically when I am talking with my kids or my husband.  You have to wonder... what causes that phenomena?  "Failure to communicate"...

I know that I am a good communicator.  No, I'm EXCELLENT (and humble, as you can see).  I work very hard to make sure my husband does NOT need to be a mind-reader.

The more elaborate our means of communication, the less we communicate.

Joseph Priestley

Here's an example...

Him:   "What do you want for Christmas?" 
Me:  "Here's a list, with  hyperlinks to where you can find it online and I only want the blue ones, not the pink ones, listed in order of how much I want it from 'most' on top to 'least' on bottom."

Pretty clear, don't you think?  I've even done the research as to where to purchase such items.  I think that's pretty specific to even obvious.  Okay, but what do I get?  Something NOT on the list, that I've never expressed desire to have, and typically in PINK.  Well, okay, it's not that bad, but you get the picture.

"Let me paint you a picture..."

I believe that more than half of the responsibility for good communication lies with the person who is doing the majority of the listening.  The person speaking?  They are doing their job, typically to the best of their ability (that doesn't mean they don't have to, or can't, improve).  The person listening...well, that's another story.  As it's an invisible process, you never really know how well they are doing their job...their part in the "teamwork" of communication.  In most cases, in my personal experience, the listener is the one who falls down on the job.  

I have come to learn that not only do I have to be explicit in what I'm saying, but I need to do "search and rescue" with the listener... "so what did you hear me say?" or "what do you think of that" and then I refuse to accept the monosyllable or grunting reply.  But the best way to communicate?  It's still face-to-face, with eye contact and no side distractions (TV, cell phones, anyone?).  And if both parties participate actively and equally?  Well, I think the comment "what we have here is a failure to communicate" would become a thing of the past.

Explore Communication with us.  What are some of your thoughts?

Behind the Scenes with Mary Jo

Welcome to our first Behind the Scenes for July's "Communication".  Today, we are talking with one of our new design team members, Mary Jo Rhoda.

Mary Jo selected one of her layouts from the Communication kit to... well, converse about.  Let's check out what she has to say!

What prompted you to pick this "take" on Communication?
I am always looking for connections between now and the past. How things have changed or stayed the same. When I saw all of the little rotary phone embellishments that were in this kit, I knew I wanted to talk about the older phones from my youth. Especially since my children were so fascinated with the one they saw on display with a project at my son's SMART fair for school.

Why did you choose this photo?
I knew the minute I saw the product in the kit, that this Instagram photo with my daughter and the phone would be the one! It was perfect!

What symbolism did you try to bring through your design?
The banner from My Mind's Eye made me think of an old fashioned phone cord :) So I knew I was going to use it on this layout along with all of the rotary phones I could find in the kit. Plus I loved the October Afternoon paper with the women at work! I hand cut one talking on the phone to help embellish my title. This kit just has so many great communication elements, such as the wooden hello flag at the top of my layout and the Jillibean Soup stickers at the bottom. They helped tie everything together.

How did you feel about the message of the layout?
My children are always asking to hear "stories" from when I was younger. So I find myself scrapbooking about quite a few of those stories. And I know I have talked to them about what phones were like when I was younger, and how my nana even had a "party line" which is a completely foreign concept to them!

Why did you choose to show/hide your journaling?
I love typed journaling on my layouts and wanted to embellish it with the little hand cut phone from one of the sheets of October Afternoon patterned paper. So for me, I knew I was going to show my journaling.

Tell us a little bit about how you feel now that this layout is done.
This is one of my favorite layouts this month! I can't wait to look back on this layout when my children are older and see how much technology has changed once again. I think when I scrapbook pieces of my history, it keeps it alive for future generations.

Thanks Mary Jo!

You can visit Mary Jo's blog here.


Visit the Design Team Gallery to see more of Mary Jo's and the rest of the team's amazing work using this month's COMMUNICATION kit!

And a shout out to everyone in the US of A - Happy Independence Day!  Please scrap safely, don't run with scissors, don't drink and glue, and please, please, keep the mustard off the layouts.  Unless you want that yellow splat.  :)

Can We Talk, Here...?

It's time.  It is!  Really time to open up and communicate.  That's this month's topic we're exploring at Inside Out:  Communication.  Let's play with some synonyms of communication...

How do you disseminate information?  Do you prefer to broadcast it, make a connection and converse, or announce a train of thought?  Do you think written correspondence is a dying art, like I do?  When you have a revelation, how do you articulate it?  Do you prefer to give or receive advice?  What is your favorite delivery method when you share your thoughts?  What in the telling of a story keeps your interest the most?  When you share, what is your favorite form of expression... reading, talking or interchange? When has a prediction ever come true for you?  To whom do you divulge your innermost thoughts and secrets?

There are so many forms of communication.  Verbal, non-verbal, written, intuition... all out there to explore.  Will you come with us on this journey?  Please, talk to us... use your words, your art, your creativity... we love to hear from you!