Friday, September 28, 2012

September Prima BAP & BITW "Story"

**For my September giveaway, please go HERE**

*~* This is my second post today! I'd love it if you'd scroll down to see the altered project I created for Webster's Pages~ but if not, that's cool too; just glad you stopped by!*~*

Hi again everyone! Proud to report that the cake is in the oven and the kids have their cards done for my hubby's golden birthday today! So successful SO FAR in the birthday preparations :D~

But as I mentioned this morning after posting my Webster's Pages project, I am back again to share with you a layout I completed yesterday. I've been in a real funk these last couple of weeks with scrapbooking~ just haven't really created something I LOVE~ and if you've ever been in a dry spell like this, you know how miserable it can be. I just haven't felt like I've expressed myself creatively the way I generally like to. And I think it has a bit to do with the stress of my internet issues these last two weeks. When I'm stressed, I just can't be creative. But thankfully, I got a package in the mail yesterday from C'est Magnifique, with plenty of brand new goodies~ and there's just nothing like new product to get that mojo moving!

And it's been a full month at least since I've created something that was non-design team related. So I decided to tackle the September BAP sketch from Prima, as well as the "Story" challenge from Bird is the Word. There are just a couple of days remaining in each challenge, and I felt very strongly about doing both.And though this project took me quite some time (I was just unsure of myself throughout the process), I must say that I'm pleased with what I came up with. I really just scrapped from the heart~ despite the issues I had along the way with this project (let me explain as we go...)

"Your Story"
Now, this photo was a bit of a mess from the start! I had just put the kids down for nap, got an idea for this page, went to print this photo of my dear little girl Aspen running after her brother at the gravel pit- and upon printing I was reminded that I needed to change my color ink (which I have stored in a tub in my boys' room!)~ so the colors were just really bright, reddish, and just way OFF. But I didn't have the option of going into the kids' room so I said HEY- LET'S DO THIS, lol. The Prima Firefly collection actually seemed to fit the colors of my weird photo~ so I grabbed a sheet and away I went!

You might notice that my photo is a little grungy. Well, another mistake by me. I painted gesso all over my paper and around my photo. It looked TERRIBLE. So I tore the photo off of the ruined paper and thought the messy photo actually looked okay by itself. I just had to find a new background paper- and this one actually worked out so much nicer than the first, so it was okay!
My hidden journaling :). I strongly believe in honesty when it comes to the journaling on my scrapbook pages. I want my kids to know everything- and I wanted my daughter to know her story. If interested, it reads "Aspen, you are not actually my 3rd child, but my 7th. I went through much loss & pain to get you- but you were SO worth it! And though you are technically #7, you are #1 when it comes to my daughters as you're my only one! You bring so much love, laughter, and sunshine into my life. All the pain of the past just washes away with your smile. You were worth the wait. You were worth the losses I suffered. You.Are.Loved."

All of my flowers here were purchased through the C'est Magnifique store. Leslie has a great variety- and if you're a kit subscriber, you can choose to have all of your store purchases shipped to you along with your kit at no extra cost- that includes Internationals!!

 I really love this quote. It's from a Tim Holtz stamp set I purchased recently, and thought it went quite well with the theme of my layout- and suited perfectly for the journaling spot on the Prima BAP sketch:





I've been hoarding this gorgeous "Window E Tri Ornate" piece from  Scrap FX for quite some time now...just looking for the perfect project on which to use it. Well, I had to let it go to this layout as it just seemed to work! I simply painted it white and then stamped over it with some distress ink and the same Tim Holtz quote stamp I used alongside my photo.

Thanks again for stopping by here. As I forewarned, I have lots of projects that all seem to be posting around the same time so I'll be around quite a bit in the next few days. I'm also planning to reveal my October giveaway on September 30th, which is also the last day to enter my September giveaway!! 

See you again tomorrow- take care of yourself  and have a fabulous weekend!! :D~

24 comments:

Keren Tamir said...

Erin thank you for sharing this beautiful layout with us. Your heartfelt journaling brought tears to my eyes. I tried for so many years to have biological children but I believe now it wasn't in my cards. We adopted 2 beautiful angels and they are the loves of my life. I am blessed to have them as you are with those 3 miracles of yours. Children are miracles that we need to cherish each and every day and It shows that you truly do. I agree with you about not being able to scrap with stress. I'm going through some stressful situation at my dd school. She is being bullied and I've been upset and sad since then. I've barely been able to scrap and I have lots due. I do hope that you get your stress down and your mojo uo so we can see your beautiful creations.

Hugs
Keren

Keren Tamir said...

With all my blabber I forgot to say how stunning this LO is and thanks for playing at BITW

Laurie said...

wow Erin, this layout is just gorgeous, I love how you made a window for the photo of Aspen, and your journaling made me teary, how hard that must have been for you, Aspen really is a gift from heaven for you, this one is one of my faves of yours, I love all the bright colors, very nice :)

Unknown said...

This is so pretty, Erin! I love that Firefly stuff..you did an amazing job with the mix of colors and of course all the flower clustering..gorgeous.

Andrea said...

this is awesome! You can make the "wrong" colors on the pic look just perfect!

Romy said...

Don't you just love those moments that you can scrap something 'just for you'? Actually it's usually those just-for-funlay-outs that I am most satisfied about too.
Your page is so so beautiful! It looks very elegant and beautifully soft. I love the magical touch the colours in the background give. Also loved reading a bit about your process. How funny to see that it's actually those small mistakes that made your lay-out look as beautiful as it does now:)

Lauren T said...

Such a beautiful LO and such heartfelt journalling. Glad to hear you got some time to do a LO just for you.

Heather M said...

So nice of you to share your journaling. I Love the gesso frame around the page, the resins & that big flower.

gracescraps@gmail.com said...

Such a stunning LO and your journaling is so precious and full of meaning. Your stencil work around the border is so beautiful! ~ Blessings, Tracey

http://gracescraps.blogspot.com/

gracescraps@gmail.com said...

Oh, and I hope the birthday party is a happy celebration!! ~ Blessings, Tracey

Patty O'Malley said...

Well, for having problems trying to create this layout, it turned out beautifully! Love that stamped sentiment and your journaling. I never had any children but we did adopt our son who just made our world complete. Happy Birthday to your husband. You'll have to share that cake recipe--sounds delicious!

Kay F said...

Such a beautiful, colorful & heartfelt page...just lovely in so many ways...

Deb Hickman said...

Gorgeous LO, and the photo works so well with the papers. Beautiful journaling, I must journal more on my LO's. have a good weekend. Deb x

Paula said...

Absolutely gorgeous layout...love the colours & your flower cluster!

Vibeke said...

You rock!! This is stunning!! I love it all!!:)

morkaren said...

Ja, men Erin, hvor er det smukt, et farvevæld og skønne blomster, jeg elsker din ærlighed på tagsen, det vil din datter også gøre engang når hun forstår den dybere mening med det du skriver. knus morkaren.

Carin McDonough said...

Gorgeous layout and beautiful journalling for your little girl :)

Mrs Frizz said...

Stunning and so very heartfelt ... and more precious because of your journalling.

LG said...

Loving all the colors on this one. You are AMAZING!

Lizzyc said...

When I saw this I was awe struck, but when I read your journalling my heart strings were tugged so much more.. how very beautiful this layout is and although you mention some mistakes you may have made, that is life.. and we make the best of each circumstance.. this layout has given you beauty for ashes.. joy instead of sorrow.. and your beautiful daughter will bring you a life time of love and joy even in the hard times.. thanks for sharing such personal thoughts and as always your layouts and support for BITW is appreciated so very much.. thanks for joining in again!!

Anonymous said...

Love this stunning page Erin. I have to say I love your heartfelt journalling.

Journalling is probably the first thing I look at on a page.

I had a hard time conceiving my 2 children, it is a pain only people that go through it can understand as is loss.

zenevak said...

Great colours. And I love the frame over the photo. Fabulous layout.

Rachael Funnell said...

OH! MY! GOODNESS ME... This is beyond STUNNING Erin!!! & your journaling is really BEAUTIFUL....
THANK YOU so very much in sharing this with us over at BITW!! x

Linda said...

Love your work!

Thx for joining us at BITW :)