Inspiration Elevator Challenge #8

 Hello and happy Saturday!

You may recall from last month's challenge that the purpose of this challenge group was to take our scrapbooking to the next level, to stretch our creative process and to grow as artists by embracing challenges that make us think, work and grow.  You can view all of the challenges on my blog here.  

Please join me in welcoming Michelle Hernandez.  We are so fortunate to have her joining us this month as we explore our scrapbooking limits. Michelle uses a variety of techniques to take her pages to the next level. You can see her amazing creations at her blog "My Analog Life".

This month, our challenger was the super talented Sue Sykes. Sue writes an ongoing article for Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine called Leaving Your Legacy and her challenge this month for Inspiration Elevator was also featured in the Winter edition. This is what she wrote:

"The idea of “Leave Your Legacy” first came about in 2007 when I was sorting through some vintage photos of my parents. I realized that while I knew most of the standard information about the images, the profound information about my parents and relatives was missing - information that would give me a glimpse of what they had been like when they were younger. 

To me, scrapbooking is, of course, a means of artistic expression, but more than that, it is a way to leave a little piece of history for future generations in each layout. And so, it amazed me, in talking with friends who scrapbook, to learn just how seldom they scrapbook about themselves. All of these incredible people, and their families may not really know anything personal about them: their hopes, dreams, habits, likes, dislikes, fears and accomplishments. With this article, I hope to encourage fellow artists to scrap more about themselves to avoid that from happening.

I think it's important to document your fears as well as your happy times and accomplishments. Many times, things of which we are FEARFUL, often characterize our personalities. It's also rewarding to be able to look back, once you have overcome a fear, to realize how far you have come. On the heels of my husband's heart attack, this was an obvious choice for me, but it's difficult to put into words the FEAR that you feel when faced with the possible loss of your partner. I want to remember the fear that we both felt, so that it will help us to stick to our commitment of living a healthier, less stressful life.

So what is it that you FEAR the most?

Not only do I want you to scrapbook about a FEARFUL topic, but I also want you to include at least ONE product that you have avoided using. Maybe it's because you are hoarding it and are FEARFUL of using it all, or maybe you are intimidated by it. Whatever the reason, spread your wings and challenge yourself to use it."

My heart goes out to all the people in Conn. I cannot imagine the fear they must have felt and are still feeling.

This was a very hard challenge for me.
I have a couple of fears, fear of drowning (I can't swim and this has been a life long fear of mine) and fear of my kids taking a wrong turn in life. That is my BIGGEST fear right now having 2 teenagers in the house. At first I was going to do a layout of both of my kids, but decided that Austin is my biggest fear and challenge of the both of them, Sierra's pretty laid back. Lately Austin has become so distant, I hear that's normal, lol, if you ask him questions, he replies only what he has to and it doesn't pay to talk to him, because we the parents are so stupid and don't know anything. That's his additude any way. (Yeah, I remember thinking this as a teenager too.) I know it's only a phase, but man, I wish this phase would hurry up! I want my little boy back!

A fear I have in scrapping is using stamps on a layout, I am always afraid of messing up. (I used to have this fear with mists and paint too!) So I decided to add some stamping to my layout, I think I went a little over board?!

 

A few close-ups:

I hope you will stop by and see what the designers on this adventure have created:

Sue Sykes

Lisa Spiegel

Joanne Burton

Christa Uttley

Laura Whitaker

Audrey Yeager

Lisa Moen

Laurel Seabrook

Ann Jobes

Cathy Harper

Michelle Hernandez, Guest Designer



I am entering this layout for the 8th day of Christmas challenge at Frosted Designs. the challenge was to use 8 brands/products on your page. Here are my 8:
1. Pink Paislee- tags, hearts and wild sign
2.Wilton doily
3. Echo Park- This & That Collection
4. Tim Holtz Distress Ink
5. Apple Barrel Paint
6. American Crafts Thickers
7. Colorbox & Versa Colors Ink
8. Tsukineko Spray Mist