Behind the Art with Felecia

Greetings, my friends!

Today I'm posting my last project from Inside Out's True Story kit. 

For my final project, I reflected on a question asked by my nine-year old son - What is my big dream. 

I found it disturbing, because I had no answer.

So, I thought for right now, it would be really good to document the fact that at this stage of my life, there is no big dream in my works.

I started with the white cardstock because I felt like this deserved some messy mists. I used two of Heidi Swapp's mists from my stash to set up my background. 

The words on this My Minds Eye journal card spoke precisely the words I needed into my thoughts about not having a big dream.

As I said in my Behind the Art post for my Be Moved project, I find the butterfly a common image I use in projects about growth or metamorphosis...And this certainly seemed like the right place.

I've apparently grown out of some of the dreams I had earlier in my life and I'm transitioning to new things...

The journal cards make perfect tuck-behinds, so I cut them up and slipped them in where they seemed to go.

Before I went on to the butterflies, I used the distress marker to outline my page. 

My particular rub on set included the perfect title phrase...this is all about my true story right here and right now...I also broke one up to use in the top and bottom corners to draw your eye across the page at an angle.

The die-cute butterflies are so amazing. I like to make them appear as though they are lifting off the page, heading into flight. To do this, I put a triangle of dimensional adhesive under each wing, but adhere the center to my page with quick drying adhesive.

As a final project, this feels so right, to set a course for big dreams and new things to add to my story. Perhaps its time for me to work on the next direction of my trajectory...

Peace, ya'll.

Behind the Art with Felecia

Hey, everyone!!!  I hope this post is finding everyone working on your own True Story.

For my next project from Inside Out's True Story kit, I focused on using the Just Add Color papers from Bella Blvd. I LOVE black and white papers and how adding just one color can really pop every single paper and pattern in the project.

My project is about my sweet sister Kellie...we've lived at least 1/2 way across the country from one another all our adult lives.  BUT she recently moved just 30 minutes down the road from me and we've been having a great time writing a new chapter to our story - one where we have family dinners and lots of phone calls and sharing special moments.

This picture was one we took on a recent trip to California...a moment of huge fun I pray we have a lot more of!!

I wanted to put as many patterns into this as possible...to reflect the extreme fun.

I've been doing quite a lot of layering behind my photos using a cut-by-hand technique I learned from Ashli Oliver. I am very timid when it comes to layering, especially in a messy way. I'm much better with neat and tidy square arrangements, but I've not felt satisfied with that technique lately. So, I've been experimenting with alternatives. Gettting a little bit messy and unsquare...its more like my REAL life...and the art should reflect real life, don't you think?

The bits and pieces in this kit are so amazing. This little ticket was just the perfect addition to my silly selfie. 

I love having a new chapter in my story with my sister - a funner and more involved chapter...

Peace, ya'll!

Behind the Art with Jen

Hi artsy friends!  I have had the craziest month and finally, I feel like I'm sort of caught up!  It's nuts!  I absolutely adored this kit's colors and designs!  I was very inspired right away with the rub ons and butterflies!   So, I knew this page had to have some of each.  I have these photobooth photos of my husband and I and wanted to use them for this layout.

 We are an odd couple.. my husband and I.  We are exact opposites but we have rubbed off (in good and bad ways) so that we seem to be more and more alike which causes some battles.  He is a neat freak, worrier and I am a creative mess, social butterfly!  It's not always easy to blend our personalities.  We fight over the typical stuff but sometimes we argue over dumb things!

 Our life is far from fairy tale and perfect but it's amazing all the same.  We argue, bicker, fight and even scream at each other, but we also hug, kiss, snuggle, and work together in a crisis.  It's about compromise and empathy.  We sometimes seem like we are at out wit's end.

 I have to say that I envy those couples that were best friends first and that have an easy laugh along with the hard times. It's a lot of work to make this relationship work. That's not to say that we don't laugh but rather that our reaction to each other and others takes work.  It doesn't come as easy but when we do click, it's magic!  We feel most connected when we are relaxing outside, watching the kiddos laugh.

 It's taken me a long time to be okay with the fact that we are different and it's what's okay!

Behind the Art with Felecia

Hello!  Welcome to my first True Story project post!

Have I mentioned before that I'm not so much into pink? Wellllllll...this kit might be the one that pushes me into the liking and maybe even LOVING pink category.

I started by thinking about my own true story, my faith is a huge part of it. I often pray for big huge mountains to be moved...or for God to show me the way around them, through them, over them...whatever. But in my study and learning, I have found that sometimes I'm the big mountain...and I hope that my story includes those moments when I have enough courage to BE moved by God as appropriate.

For some people, I think this flexibility is quite easy. I cannot necessarily say the same. I'm quite dedicated to my way of doing things and thus I sometimes find myself stubbornly holding onto things I have outgrown, that are holding me back, that are causing me pain, or are just plain old not working.

I started with black cardstock and played with a couple of mists - Heidi Swapp Gold and a very old Studio Calico white, creating a little background.

I then used several layers of the My Minds Eye paper to frame my picture so that it had some dimension and movement.

Butterflies are a motif I often use when I'm documenting change, movement, or metamorphosis in my own life - those moments I can identify with certainty are "becoming" moments. So...I definitely wanted to use the gorgeous My Minds Eye butterfly paper.

I'm not entirely sure that I could say that a butterfly is "my" symbol, but I can most certainly say that I use this symbol in a lot of my projects about my own growth.

Ok, ok,  ok...I sort of wished there two sheets of this so I could use the words on the flip side for one project and the butterflies for another...BUT...I chose the butterflies...they just spoke so much to me! 

I played with the layout a bunch of ways, but in the end opted to fussy cut thebutterflies and the phrases out so I could make my own arrangement.

The end result is supposed to be me being moved by all these gossamer butterflies with encouraging words...

It feels right...

Peace, ya'll!

Behind the Art with Jen

I don't know about you, but time seems to be flying by faster each year.  I think there's a conspiracy to speed things up... well, not really but I really wish I could slow it down a bit!  I feel like I'm only in my 20's still most days but I just turned 41 in August.  I have to say that I'm at my strongest, healthiest, and happiest I've been!  It's amazing that I'm in my 40's!  At least to me.

 This page was a celebration of my birthday.  It doesn't matter how old I will be, birthdays will always be special!  I am a kid at heart when it comes to celebrations!  I think you should have certain things for your birthday...  someone should recognize it's your birthday without being reminded, every birthday girl should get some cake or sweet treat, and it should be a day of the birthday girl doing whatever makes them feel relaxed and special!  One day out of the entire year should be dedicated to doing something nice for yourself!  It's nicer when someone else surprises you with greetings or cake but I hate waiting for surprises so I made sure to schedule some special treats that day.  I got my hair done and got a massage! 

 It's hard to be patient when you are kid and it really doesn't change much when you are an adult... except that you can go out and get your own cake and fun!  I wasn't disappointed when my husband and kids (and wonderful neighbors) got me cake!  I don't think a cake has ever tasted so good! 

 But more than the cake and gifts, a birthday is an end of a year in your life and a beginning of another year ahead.  I set new goals for myself and always reflect on my year.  This past year was one of change and good habits being set for the rest of my life.  I loved 40! 

 I know that being 41 will be just as fabulous if not even more!  I feel the winds of positive growth and change blowing!  I'm so excited to get started on new goals and new pathways to reach them!

 

What year made you feel the most optimistic or confident?  What determines a successful year of your life?

The SHINE Kit is Live: Let your light SHINE.

Be true to you - and let it all be seen! Your story is full of  both light and dark...and it's the shading that gives it dimension.

We want to inspire you to shine, glow and celebrate all that you are. What fills you with radiance? What light inside you do you want to set free and use to light your life and the world?

Paper:

Pink Paislee Citrus Bliss lemonade                        

Pink Paislee Citrus Bliss bloom              

Pink Paislee Citrus Bliss citrus                  

Pink Paislee Citrus Bliss squeeze                            

Webster's Pages #Happy sprinkles                           

Webster's Pages #Happy stargazing               

Webster's Pages #Happy surprise                             

Webster's Pages #Happy dancing

Embellishments:  

Crate Paper Craft Market Marquee Chipboard Thickers - Aqua

Webster's pages #Happy mini alphas - pink            

Webster's pages #Happy storyteller sheet 1          

Webster's pages #Happy storyteller sheet 2

Ranger  TH Findings Mirrored Stars 5-6 pcs

Crate Paper Craft Market Puffy Stickers   

Pink Paislee citrus bliss ephemera pack - 21 pcs

Queen and Co twinkle stars clear, 10 pcs

        

Color:

Faber-Castell Big Brush Pens  light cobalt blue 154                 

Technique:

The Crafters Workshop Carmen Medlin Stencil  sunlit forest             

Cardstock:

My Mind's Eye fireflies canvas             

My Mind's Eye french rose dot             

My Mind's Eye pink delight glimmer                

My Mind's Eye white classic    

Behind the Art with Jen

Hi, lovely artists!  I have a page to share with you this week.  I am graduating to my next belt in karate this Friday.  It's exciting and I'm pretty nervous about standing up in front of my peers, family and friends to perform my material.  I know I'll be fine but it still makes me have butterflies.  I'm not afraid, but more excited and hopeful that I perform well!

 A year ago, I wouldn't have believed that I was at this point.  I wouldn't have had the confidence to do this.  I was just starting my journey to a healthy lifestyle. Last February, as I watched my husband and oldest son earn their blackbelt, I realized that I could do this!  I felt that, at that moment, I was starting a journey that would lead to something that I didn't even know I wanted.  Black belt.

 The photos are from my last belt graduation. My dad took the photo of me with my family.  Love that he got that moment!

 I was the last in the family to join karate.  Even though I'd taken KickFit for years and watched my sons and husband take classes, I never thought I'd be doing it.  I tried it and loved it!  It's challenging to learn katas, perform them in front of everyone, and keep up physically.  I can do it!  I am strong!

 

  

I am kickin' it!  I love it!  What have you done that you didn't think you could but then realize that you can? I'd love to hear about it or see it in a page this month!

In the Moment: Then and Now Challenge and SALE

When we celebrated NSD a couple of weeks ago, it happened to be my birthday too!

I created this to explore what I had learned in the previous year, taking stock as we often do on milestone days.

May Kit: In the Moment Challenge #2: What do you know now that you wish you knew way back when, but couldn't have known without the passage of time? How has the turning of the calendar page made you more aware or alive? For a design twist, try using a unique calendar image in your art.

Let's see what you create!

Now how about a special offer for our blog followers?

Start a subscription with the In the Moment kit and your $35 kit is just $25 for the first month. Whaa? Plus add a prior sale kit (find them on our previous kits page) for just $20 instead of $25.

Place your order and we'll refund you the discount! Offer valid until Sunday 5-17-15 at 11:59 pm PDT!

Wishing you a creative and meaningful weekend...

Behind the Art with Felecia

Hello there!

This is my FINAL project from the Soft and Strong Kit from Inside Out. 

I don't know if I can gush enough about how much I enjoyed the exploration of this kit!  Its been a great kit for thinking and digging and discerning and documenting. 

My final layout is about how I wonder sometimes if I'm strong enough to mommy two boys. 

My grandmother had five boys...I seriously don't know how she did it!  They lived on a farm, tho and back when kids could run around on a farm for days at a time and not find trouble, so perhaps she just locked them outside.

All I know is that momming boys is both amazing and challenging for this girl.

I'm no girly girl, per se. I mean, I like shoes and dresses and makeup alright, but I'm a pretty middle of the road girl. I'm not a fan of camping, but I'm not checking my lipstick every 10 minutes either. 

I AM a person who likes things neat and organized and put away...and calm. Calm is good.

So these two rambunctious, energetic, imaginative, smart, creative boys can make things very interesting. Keeping up is essential...and sometimes just a bit of a test. 

I used a little acrylic paint in a random swirly pattern as a background. Then I splattered on a little gold mist. The My Minds Eye papers are SO gorgeous...they are a bit glamorous and fancy. this is how I feel...maybe a bit to glamorous for this challenge!

Really enjoy the little bits and baubles in this beautiful kit...my favorite are the bubbles from Queen and Co. I literally used them all on my projects this month.

I wasn't entirely certain that the letters would be large enough to suit my taste...I like rather big titles on my projects. but these are just so gorgeous and they draw the eye RIGHT to the title with their gold finish. 

While working through the journaling on this, I came to the conclusion that I'm strong enough for my family...that I grow and learn and change to be able to handle things as they come. 

To think that I wanted girls!  I'm so glad I have my messy, lovely little guys to teach me how to get a little dirty and appreciate an occasional spider. Go me!

Peace, ya'll!