Lay It Out! Idealist...

What is an idealist?  An idealist is:

1. a person who cherishes or pursues high or noble principles, purposes, goals, etc.

2. a visionary or impractical person.

3. a person who represents things as they might or should be rather than as they are.

4. a writer or artist who treats subjects imaginatively.

5. a person who views the world in terms of how it could be changed for the better. 

Hmmmm... sounds  like this would be a great topic for a layout!  Here's some more food for thought:

Who is the most idealistic person you know, and how does he or she demonstrate their belief in people's essential goodness? Are you an idealist? Were you one in your youth, but became more cynical over time? 

Hey, how about a design twist to challenge you while you lay it out?  How about using a halo image in some way...

Alright, all you explorers of your inner world...let's see what you've done!  Show us your layout over in the gallery at Inside Out or post it on your blog and then leave a comment to let us know here! 

Dressing Up Your Chipboard

I have to say that I'm the first one in a room to admit to loving chipboard, but totally struggling with what to do with it, besides keeping it au natural.  What a great discovery when I found this tutorial at Inside Out using the hot air balloon chipboard pieces in the Optimism kit.

Dressing Up Your Chipboard

by Nancy Doren

I love the chipboard hot air balloons in this month’s kit. I like the look of raw chipboard, but wanted to take mine to the next level. Here’s how I created my embellished balloon:

Step 1: Gather your supplies. Chipboard, spray ink, patterned paper (not shown: sewing machine and other colors of spray ink).

Step 2: Spray the chipboard. I wanted a really deep, shimmery coat, so I sprayed until the chipboard was soaked.

Step 3: Using a second, lighter color of spray ink, drip ink onto where light would naturally reflect off the balloon (I put mine on the upper left, so it would match the sun on the upper left of my page).

I used one more color of iridescent ink to make more drops on the corner.

Step 4: Cut and adhere tiny triangles for little pennants on the sides of the balloon:

Step 5: Use your sewing machine to stitch along some of the scored lines on the balloon to create a quilted look. If you’re worried about hurting your machine, you can always stitch by hand. I put chipboard through my sewing machine all the time and it doesn’t hurt it. If you want more control while stitching on the balloon lines, try turning the machine manually, using the wheel on the side instead of the foot pedal to make precise stitches.

Now you have super cute hot air balloons! I just wish mine were real....

Can it get any simpler... or cuter?  Thanks Nancy!  What other things do YOU do to dress up your chipboard?

Inspire Your Optimistic Side

Hey y'all!  Instead  of a tutorial today, I wanted to share with you some of our FREE inspiration that is available to you.  Check this out - some awesome quotes about to fuel your Optimism:

"I have had dreams and I have had nightmares, but I have conquered my nightmares because of my dreams."

Jonas Salk

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."

Winston Churchill

"No life is so hard that you can't make it easier by the way you take it."

Ellen Glasgow

Oh, and music!  Sometimes all it takes is a great song to get you flying high and thinking you can conquer the world.  What about this one?  This song always makes me feel like I can soar...

The Climb

by Miley Cyrus

Click Here to Listen!

And have you ever tried to make a layout and just didn't have the right photo to go with what's spinning around in your head?  Stop by the inspiration page for images that just perfectly express the emotion of the month.  These really caught my eye tonight:

I know that I have a hard time getting started, sometimes, in putting  together a meaningful layout that explores those deep-inside emotions and thoughts.  Must be something about this month's topic - Optimism - because I'm truly "feelin' it"!  Expecially after perusing our Inspiration page.  Head on over and check it out for yourself.  Or share some inspiration by leaving us a comment... we love hearing from you!

Lay It Out! Talking to Yourself...

I have voices in my head.  Do you?  They talk to me all the time.  When I have a decision to make, when I have things to remember, when I need to solve a problem... oh my, the chatter is always there.  I got to thinking about these "voices" (my, that sounds like I'm a tad off my rocker).  I started to realize that sometimes these voices are very helpful, and sometimes... not so much.

This month at Inside Out we're exploring Optimism.  What a great opportunity to lay out my "voices" and explore how they affect me.  Let's think about this:

Is the chatter in your head more positive or negative?  Why do you think that is?  What tools, techniques, words and images do you use to remind yourself how strong you can be?

For me, I have a fall-back phrase that I borrowed from an old Nike advertisement, "Just Do It!"  When I don't feel like cleaning up the kitchen after a large dinner was cooked, often that voice says to me, "just do it!".  When I am hemming and hawing about working out, that phrase will pop up.  When I need to approach someone about a difficult topic, after much hesitation, that phrase screams out at me.  I think this is a good start for me...I'm totally going to make this a layout!

Hey, how about a design twist to challenge you while you lay it out?  How about incorporating a thought bubble?

C'mon, get crafty!  Then come on over to the Inside Out gallery and share your layout with us!

And please, someone... someone...tell  me you have voices in your head too!