Behind the Art with Jen

Hi Artsy friends!  Do you always use a photo on your pages?  For this one, I didn't. I used a picture from the kit.  It was more about the journey or process for this page.  I started with the white paper and knew I needed to get some color on there!  I started with some Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gold Texture Luxe brushed on the right hand side.  I then used the marker to color on a non-stick mat and added water to create a puddle.  I pressed the paper onto the puddle and allowed it to go where it was pressed. Serendipity!

 I loved the papers and wanted to create layers of shapes. So, I cut 3 pieces using Cricut's Close to My Heart Artbooking cartridge.  I chose different sizes for each layer.  When layered,they create different levels of shapes and positive/negative space relationships. I tucked the little card in there to connect the idea of the journey (or process).

 I never knew that I would crave exercise. Actually, I avoided it.  Sweat, sore muscles, and time were my excuses.  I just didn't know how much I needed it.  Once I got passed the difficult start, I was hooked.  I need it everyday!  Now, my dream includes setting fitness goals and breaking through them. I've run up to 6 miles and my speed is faster than I thought I'd ever go!  My body is changing in a positive way and my mind is clear and focused when I run. It's not just about goals, it's about being healthy and getting what my body needs.

 Who would have thought that I'd be doing this 2 years ago.  I started this journey a year from March and I have achieved more than I thought I could.  I am setting new goals, however scary they are (can you say 1/2 Marathon?) and I will achieve them!  I am confident now that I can!

 What dreams do you have that you set but really didn't know if you could achieve them?  How do you feel when you do achieve them? It's amazing what achieve a goal does for your self-confidence and mind!

Behind the Scenes with Stacey Michaud

Hi everyone!

It has been such a treat to have Stacey Michaud guest designing with us this month. If you haven't had the chance to visit her gallery, please do so by clicking here. In the meantime, Stacey is graciously sharing some "Behind the Scenes" information for one of her layouts, using the JOURNEY kit.

A Brother Meets Sister - Part 2

By Stacey Michaud

What prompted you to pick this take on Journey? 

Journey truly fits my life these past couple of years.  I have had the opportunity to heal some childhood wounds, ones that run quite deep.  It has been an unexpected and exciting journey.  I have met my siblings from my biological father, something I never thought would happen.  My biological father passed away a few years ago so I thought all associations with him and my siblings would end there.  Not so.  Not only has it been an emotional journey, but a physical one as it required travel.  I wanted to share both sides of the journey on this page.

Why did you choose this photo?

It is the only photo of my brother and me alone.  I love this picture and think you can just see the happiness on my face.

How do you feel about the message of your layout?

The message is positive and full of joy.  I really tried to capture my feelings and reflections.  It is almost as though I am as excited as if I were a young child.  I hope it conveys how much the experience meant to me.

What symbolism did you pull into your design?

In a way, the diamonds are somewhat masculine, yet have playful and femine patterns.  I incorporated the pink and the blue in more vibrant hues to match the brother/sister theme.  The garland is celebratory in nature.  I wanted a lot of clean, white space to really make the photo stand out.

Tell us a little bit about how you feel now that you have "let it all out" on this page. 

It feels great to capture those moments and record them.  I don't want to forget the details of what happened.  It was a big deal and I wanted my layout to show that.  I always feel like I honor my history and my inner spirit when I scrap the most meaningful moments in life

Beautiful. Thank you so much Stacey for not only sharing your amazing talent but also for sharing your tender heart with us this month. 

If you love Stacey as much as we do, you can keep up with all her creativity on her blog here: It's Just Paper. 

Behind the Scenes with Mary Jo

 What prompted you to pick this take on Journey?

I think for the longest time I hadn't truly appreciated my relationship with my mom. We don't always see eye to eye about a lot of things. And I would go as far as to say we have had our rocky moments. But in the past few years, especially since I have become the mom of a daughter, I have felt more of a connection with my mom. I see how selfless she can be. How much love she has for us and how hard she tries. I also know that I am not perfect. And despite feeling disrespected at times or annoyed by things said to me, I know she means well. In a way, our developing relationship has been a journey for me. 

Why did you choose this photo?

I love how we are both smiling and I remember it being a happy day. Plus, we don't have a lot of photos as adults with just the two of us! This could be a reason that this is the first layout I have created about my mom despite having several of my dad.

How do you feel about the message of your layout?

I am hoping that when Erin sees this in the future, she may have an "aha" moment as well. Also, a lesson I have been learning is that us moms are all in this parenting boat together. Supporting each other is so much better than judging or fighting amongst ourselves. And I want my mom to know that I truly do appreciate all she has done for me when I was younger and in my adult years as well!

What symbolism did you pull into your design?

I did a lot of layering with paper strips for my background, which reminds me that there are so many layers to my relationship with my mom. The cluster at the bottom right of my journaling includes a small hand cut rectangle from a piece of the Basic Grey paper that has the word "Fragile: Handle with Care". Something I have definitely felt over the years with my mom. And the little glassine envelope also by Basic Grey just called for some confetti in it. Because frankly, my mom can be a lot of fun!

Tell us a little bit about how you feel now that you have "let it all out" on this page. 

I have been wanting to do a page about my mom and our relationship for a while. And I liked how this month's theme helped me understand that it has truly been a journey for both of us to get to this place.

It is not always going to be easy. But I feel more accepting and more understanding of what her journey has been like as well.

Visit Mary Jo's blog here: Scrapbook Treehouse

Visit Mary Jo and the rest of the Design Team here: Gallery

October Sketches

Hello Inside Out lovelies!

Today I wanted to share with you a couple of sketches that I created for Exclusive Content. 

Don't know what Exclusive Content is?  

Then, you'd better come join or message board because there is so much to offer you and it's all FREE! How can you pass up FREE?

I will help you this time by sharing sketches on our blog. Then, I strongly advise you to come visit us and mingle on the message board. 

SFTIO sketches will always feature a wealth of journaling. Because of the nature our layouts tend to take, using the emotionally charged theme each month, we want to help you design layouts where you have plenty of room to express your thoughts.

Here is the layout I created inspired by this sketch:

Here is the second sketch:

And my layout:

The sketches I created are, by no means, something that you have to follow. But if you need that extra shove of inspiration, I hope that you find them helpful. If you use them, I'd love to see what you create! Combine them with our Challenges, which are posted on our forum! 

See you soon!

October Guest Designer - Stacey Michaud

Hi everyone!

Happy October and welcome to my favorite season. I love the Fall! And what a fabulous kit for us to be kicking off the Fall season with.  I've got some more fun news... I have the distinct privilege of introducing to you our October Guest Designer - Stacey Michaud!

Stacey has such a great style to her layouts and we love how she focuses on the journaling. This is paramount to our "Inside Out" approach! For this post, we're going to get to know Stacey more and see one of her layouts. Later, this month, she'll be sharing some "Behind the Scenes" of one of her layouts.

Stacey Michaud

Guest Designer

Hi all! My name is Stacey Michaud. I am a teacher during the day and an avid scrapbooker by night! I use the creative process to keep my sanity and record my stories. Paper serves as my muse and I love gaining inspiration from the products around me. I like to call my style clean and linear with a twist. Journaling is a must for me. I have been blessed enough to be published in Scrapbook Trends, Creating Keepsakes and Memory Makers magazine as well as several idea books!  I currently design for Webster's Pages, Teresa Collins Designs, and Lily Bee Design.

Full Circle:  I have recently gone through significant life changes involving family.  I have had the chance to meet my half siblings for the first time.  It is an opportunity I always dreamed of, but never thought would actually happen.  My mom keeps telling me that my life has come full circle.  That saying repeats in my head quite often.  I wanted to document it on a layout about me and this personal journey.  The design of the page is important to me as I want it to convey a certain feeling.  I chose to use the Kraft circles as a symbol.  I also integrated the bird to give the feeling of being free. The large title is meant to make a big statement.  It is as if I am yelling this out so everyone can know how healed I feel.   My journaling tells about how the little girl with the big dream feels happy...happy enough to spin with arms wide open.

Stacey's Blog: It's Just Paper

Stacey's SFTIO Gallery: Click Here

Journey is LIVE!

Are you ready to capture your adventures, explorations and wanderings?

Style, beauty and meaning? It's ALL in here!

Click on the image above to buy yours now...

Kit Details

Patterned Paper

Basic Grey Soleil Citrus       
Basic Grey Soleil Summer Daisy     
Basic Grey Soleil Pomelo    
Basic Grey Soleil Mermaid  
Basic Grey Soleil Rhubarb   
Echo Park Everyday Eclectic Chevron Woodgrain 
Echo Park Everyday Eclectic Hot Air Balloons      
Echo Park Everyday Eclectic Kraft Clouds
Echo Park Everyday Eclectic Half Circle    
Echo Park Everyday Eclectic Kraft/Wood Distressed Solid

Embellishments

American Crafts Thickers Amy Tan Sketchbook Journal Foam White       
Jillibean Soup Alphabeans Kut Kraft
Maya Road Kraft Layerable Flowers, 6-7 pcs
My Mind's Eye The Sweetest Thing – Lavender Fabulous - Label Stickers
Prima Cabochons, Tea Time, 2 pcs  
Prima SIIC Stamp and Postmark, ½ package
Prima Resist Canvas Birds, 7-9 pcs
Prima Bravo Pink Flower
Websters Pages Girl Land Tutu Yellow, 17 inches
Echo Park Everyday Eclectic Journaling Cards, 6  
Echo Park Everyday Eclectic Element Sticker        
Basic Grey Soleil Mini Envelopes, 2-3 pcs
Basic Grey Soleil Garland, 3 pieces (1/2 sheet)       

Color

Tattered Angels Glimmer Glaze Aloha Green         

Cardstock

American Crafts Cardstock Butter  
American Crafts Cardstock Vanilla 
American Crafts Cardstock Kraft   
American Crafts Cardstock Lollipop
American Crafts Cardstock Limeaid

Sneak Peek for October: The Journey Kit

This kit is so light, sweet and full of fun. Are you ready to document your JOURNEY, past and future?

 

Basic Grey Soleil and Echo Park Everyday Eclectic...plus Tattered Angels, Maya Road, Prima and more goodies that you'll love. More cardstock, more fun, great value!

Capture the summer's last rays, dream about what is to come and let SFTIO be part of YOUR Journey.

Coming Oct 1.

Love,