#35 Inspired by silver linings

I didn't know if I would make it, but I have. 

I waited for 11th hour inspiration and it worked out ok. Although I am a cup half-full type of gal, I struggled with exactly which story I wanted to tell and how to present it with not going into the nitty-gritty with the journaling.

Something Lynette wrote on the message boards inspired me to let go of some of those ideas and just let inspiration drive.

So here you have them -

Homeless & unemployed

 this layout came together quickly and without a sketch. I just glued things down until I was happy. All I had as beginning points were my two photos and my journaling on vellum. I hardly ever start with the story and have it printed, so I just went with it instead of trying to find a sketch that fit my elements.

 i highlighted some special parts of the story...

 and continued using old product from inspiration #33

 pretty happy with that page.

New Girl

 this page concept was born while watching recorded episodes of the show "New Girl" - {click here for the video of the opening sequence on which the layout is based}. Proving once again that inspiration can come from anywhere, this layout also came together quite quickly. The journaling slightly touches upon the topic for this week in a more glossed over sense. 

What memories did this prompt bring up for you? Even if they were too private to share with us, I hope you fully take on this challenge because those lessons are the reason we are who we are.

Lisa will be here tomorrow with another cool challenge I am sure.

Until next time. xo,
Pamage

#35 Inspired by silver linings

Pam gave us all a lot of food for thought this week with her deep prompt to look for the blue skies beyond those dark, grey clouds.

I struggled to think of a way to talk about something hard on a layout and even which "storm" to talk about. I like my pages to be a bit deep but I don't necessarily want to open old wounds or talk about people from my past who hurt me.

But then it came to me. And inspired by just having attended True Scrap this weekend and having swooned all over Nic Howard's gorgeous layout, I got to work and created a meaningful, layered page

I thought the MME paper was perfect for this and then I added a few other cut out pieces from the hexagon paper and also a leftover piece from when I die cut a rosette flower. All placed on a pretty doilie and teamed up with a few more bits and pieces made this a very satisfying page to create. I added a small amount of journalling on the front and have added one of my vellum pockets for the deeper words.

I included a small amount of the pink chiffon ribbon that we used in our wedding decorations and the roses echo the flowers I chose. A hint of pink picks up that aspect of our wedding colours whereas the coffee tones match some of the embroidery on my dress. The words on the page are self explanatory (I think!) ;-)

Is the reason I thought more about these little elements because of the Noell Hyman class in TS3 or do I do it automatically anyway? I think more the latter but maybe I noticed more because of the former.

Thanks Pam for pushing me to think about things a bit deeper and to see my way through some of those stormy days I've been experiencing recently. Sending you much love.

Challenge #35 - Week of April 16, 2012

here's something I believe in full-heartedly.

However, sometimes when are wrapped up in the hard moments of our lives it is hard to see how things will turn out... 

It is hard to see the good in every situation. 

But often, hindsight is 20/20. And as we learn to look back at past lessons learned and positive outcomes, we can gain confidence that our current problems will turn out ok. 

Your challenge this week, if you choose to accept it is to find the silver linings in your life, either current or past. To examine those storms to find out how things really turned out better than your expected.

I look forward to seeing and reading your stories. 

Remember to share on our flick'r group with the tage WM#35. Lisa and I will be posting our layout next weekend.

xo,

Pamage