Good Times

Since the start of the new year, I've been thinking a lot about my blog and how I spend my creative time. For the last year, I've been really focused on getting noticed. I've been applying for design teams, participating in challenges, staying active on sites like Two Peas and Studio Calico and it's been, well, tiring. I've had a few successes that I'm very thankful for, but they've been few and far between. I see so many others finding success and it's hard. It's hard to get passed over again and again. Each time, I redoubled my efforts and somewhere along the way, I lost myself and the joy I once had for scrapbooking. I got all caught up in what others wanted, in trying to fit into a mold, etc. I wasn't producing work solely based on me and what I wanted. I wasn't having fun.

So, I'm taking a step back. I'm going to start scrapping for me again, and not for anyone else and then maybe I'll start shining through on my pages again. Maybe that will be what makes the difference, but if I still don't get on a design team, I will at least know I'm being more true to myself.

I'll definitely still participate in challenges and apply for teams and engage with the scrapbooking community on different sites. I've found a lot of support and inspiration from so many, so I'm not going anywhere, just shifting my focus.

This weekend, I was thinking about how to restart. I decided to challenge myself to stamp and mist on a bunch of pages because those are two things I don't do a lot of on my pages. That brings me to Stamping & Misting Week here on my blog. This week, I'm going to show you pages I've created that include either stamping or misting or sometimes both. I had a great time with this challenge and created some of my favorite pages in a long time. I'm already finding enjoyment in it all again and that puts a big smile on my face.

First up: Create a page using a mask. 

I had these chipboard ampersands that I've been wanting to use for awhile and a bunch of pictures from a bowling outing with my nieces. I decided that I wanted to use the ampersand to bring it all together.

I arranged the pictures (with paper too) and the ampersands on the page, so I knew where to mist. Then, I removed the pictures. I used Mr. Huey to mist the chipboard ampersands and waited for them to dry. I added the title, tag and twine, journaling and date tag and called it done. This is hard to see, but I also crumpled up all the paper backing the photos and then folded it back out to give it some fun depth. Mr. Huey's have great coverage and the color is very rich.

I love, love how this turned out.

Stop back tomorrow and you'll see how I made a background pattern using stamps. I'll also be showing you a peek into my page creation process too.

Have a great Monday!