A Scraphappy Southernbelle

Thursday, July 1, 2010

It's Reveal Day for 'Scrapbooking From The Inside Out!!!!!'

Happy Thursday to all of your fabulous crafters out there!!! I hope you are having a spectacular day! Are we ready for a long weekend?!! Whoo hooo! I know I am! Well, have I got the thing to start off this patriotic weekend with....the reveal of the July kit from Scrapbooking From The Inside Out!!!!
Now, I want to back up a bit....as you may remember, a few weeks ago I had shared the news of a new design team...well this is it. Scrapbooking From The Inside Out, or SFTIO, is all about scrapping your emotional life-using color, design, and journaling to create pages and projects that explore your inner world. It is a wonderful source of what is known as 'scrappy therapy.' This form of scrapbooking is really starting to take the scrappy world by storm and I think it's just great!!!! I'm starting to see these types of pages on every site I visit and I am always drawn to them. Now, if you are not an emotional scrapper, that is ok too, the kits still provide some of the best mix of papers, embellishments, etc. out there. I have to say that these are some of the BEST kits I have ever worked with!!!! Each kit is themed on a certain emotion. For example, this months emotion is 'Courage.' This kit is filled with all sorts of yummy papers in yellows, reds, blues, creams, browns, and white. It is just luscious!!!! It also has some of the most gorgeous flowers, alphabet stickers, buttons, stamp, a wax seal, and other various embellishments!!! I wanted to share some pix with ya so you can see what I mean...now this is a bit pic heavy, but I wanted to show you every detail....
July 2010-"Courage"

Aren't those vintage buttons yummy???!!!!!

There is a mix of chipboard and felt stars....





These resin wings from Melissa Francis are to die for!!!!
Some Core'dinations cardstock goodies...including 2 embossed sheets.





Now, it's time for me to share my design team layouts with you. I have created 5 and will share one today and the rest over the next 4 days. Of course, several of these SFTIO layouts will be a bit more personal than what I am accustomed to posting, but I am ready to share more of my thoughts and feelings with the rest of the world. This first layout hits a really touchy subject with me....trying to conceive our first child. As many may know, this road has not been easy for Brandon and I. I won't go in to details, but just know that having babies is not easy for all of us out there. It is a tough and emotionally draining road, but we have faith and whatever will be, will be. I think for me, the idea of becoming a mother has almost been a mission. It seems to be all I ever think about. I focus so hard on achieving that one goal that I have been denied and it has been so hard on me. There are days when I want to throw my hands up at the whole thing and quit. There are days when I cry. There are days when I want to scream at the top of my lungs. There are days when the thoughts send me into depression. But scrapbooking these feelings has helped me out tremendously. With this page, I make a vow to not stress over it any more. I cannot change what will or will not be. I'm just going to forget it and see what happens. Here is my page...."Set Free"
Oh, a little about the page. I started out with a base of embossed Core'dinations cardstock and lightly sanded the edges for a bordered effect. I then simply layered patterned papers in a pleasing pattern. For the blue circle, I cut a circle out of some Core'dinations cardstock, wrinkled it up several times, and then sanded. I love the distressed feel this gives to my page. I also incorporated a bit of stitching. I adhered all of my paper with the Helmar Quick Fix Adhesive Runner. I used Helmar 450 Quick Dry for my ribbon and Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots for my wings, buttons, and flowers.






Of course, the major portion of SFTIO is journaling, so I want to share that to. I will type it here in case you cannot read it:
"I can't begin to tell you how many of these I have stared at as tears steam down my face....negative pregnancy tests! So I make it my goal to have a baby. It's always on my mind and to be frank, I think I'm trying too hard! I'm stressing so much over something I can't really control. So today, I will set myself free! I will muster the courage to get over it and relax! I'm going to have to dig deep inside, but I know that courage is there and I will get my life back!"

Ahhhh! I can't tell you how empowered I feel today! I feel more brave than I ever have! It is such a wonderful feeling not to hide what I'm thinking and to be able to have the courage to stand up and say it, well, it's just fabulous! I am planning to put all of these layouts in a special album for me. I want to keep it for me always as a reminder of what I was feeling at a particular point in my life. I hope this will inspire you to scrap any emotions you might be having. Scrap about courage and what it means to you. Again, if you are not this type of scrapper, I hope you can gleam some inspiration from the design of this layout or the colors, anything really.

Now, if you are into this style of scrapping, I highly recommend that you hop on over to the gallery at SFTIO. My fellow DT sisters have done a phenomenal job with this kit! There is so much to see! Go HERE if you would like to check that out! I promise you WILL BE inspired!!!

I hope all of you have a fabulous weekend! Be sure to check back to see my other reveals if ya want! Yall have a safe, wonderful 4th of July!

And as always, thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog! Happy Scrappin'!!!!!

PS!!!! I almost forgot! Today is the first! I have a new article going up in the July issue of Scrapstreet!!! Go HERE to check it out if ya want! While you are there, check out the whole issue...it is super yummy!!!!!

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7 comments:

Amanda said...

Aymee, that is gorgeous! I love your honesty and strength...I will tell you to STOP trying and it will happen...set yourself free from that stress. I don't know how many people have said to me they stopped trying and it just happened. I know you will become a mom...I know you will be a GREAT mom! I wish more mothers were as committed and passionate as you are! There would be a lot less sad children in this world! Sending you HUGS my dear! And looking forward to more designs from you with this kit! Great job! xoxo Amanda (from IASC)

Shaina Longstreet said...

wow girl. your post is so powerful!! i absolutely love that page that you shared and your enthusiasm for this concept. it is an honor to be part of this team with you! <3

shari said...

Aymee, what a beautiful layout! I'll pray that someday you'll be a mom, I know you'd be a great one. Thanks for sharing and I hope you will relax and maybe that will help. Shari (cricutrookie)

Jess said...

Aymee-What an awesome and touching page! Congrats on the new DT.

On the subject--less stress--more fun--more relaxing. Pregnancy came fairly easy to me, a couple of months longer for the second one. When you are 'trying' it definitely can be stressful, I remember thinking about women that have struggled for much much longer than I did , and I am sure it is very difficult. It's such a little window...and then another whole month to wait. I think it really can happen when you're just not trying--I think of how many times I have heard of people who have decided to stop trying for a biological child. They go through the lengthy adoption process--and once that is finalized--they end up pregnant! Any child is a blessing, and I know you have such an awesome relationship with your mom, I'm sure you are eager to have that with your own child. You're young--you're doing fantastic scrappy work--enjoy your time--babies will come when they come...and then you will be an awesome mommy!

Audrey Frelx said...

WOW-WOW-WOW!!!

You ARE a beautiful person!

Kim H said...

I love this page for more reasons than one. My husband and I were very fortunate for our first child, it happened instantly. We have struggled since. We are so lucky to have been granted him. My heart goes out to you and your husband! It sounds like you would be wonderful parents. Hang in there and stay strong.
Thank You for sharing your creations and your thoughts because it not only helps you but so many others out here!

Anonymous said...

you are a blessing Aymee...don't every forget that. He has a plan for you. You know it and I know it. Sometimes we get so darned patient waiting for it. Hugs!