"Tell Your Story" - Blog with Friends

Welcome to "Blog with Friends" where I join several other bloggers and we connect with one another as we highlight a theme that is up to our interpretation. This month's theme is "Tell Your Story". 

After you read my post, you'll find images and links to the other blogs. We'd love for you to visit all of them and always appreciate when you leave a comment sharing your thoughts. So...be sure to read all the way to the bottom. 

Do you tell your story? I'm sure you realize you are the best author of that book, right? We have so many daily happenings that take place in our lives - some great, some good, and some we don't want to remember. We've all been there and the fact of the matter is, they all make us who we are; even the challenging ones.

So how about another question? How many photos do you have, solely on your phone alone, that tell part of your story? I'm going to guess you have tons of them just like I do. Truth be told, however, those photos aren't stories until you document the tales behind them. 

Think about a recent and favorite photo you have on your phone. Now, go look at it. Does it make you smile? Why? What does the photo tell you about that moment you experienced?

Would someone who looked at that same photo experience the same feel-good? I'm going to guess the answer is 'no'. Wouldn't you like for others to look at that photo years in the future and know why you took it and how it made you feel even as you reflected upon that occasion after it took place? It's part of your legacy, after all.

I love documenting my stories and have done so through scrapbooking over the years. "Scrapbooking" is a scary word to some people but I work to keep it simple and enjoyable, preserving the moments that matter most. Now, don't think I'm all caught up or anything because that is far from the truth but I do enjoy telling my stories.

In fact, would you believe me if I told you that it took me less than 6 minutes to put together this layout, without the photos? It's true! It took me longer to decide which photos I wanted to print than it did to create it. I love that was the case!

Alright, so I'm no magician AND I didn't create the layout is not my original design, but does it detract from the fun moments experienced when we went to the Hawaiian Islands last month? I would imagine that would be a resounding 'no' from the audience. :)

Check out this quick video (feel free to mute the music if you would like) and you will see me assemble it. 

I LOVE that it was simple to put together and then by adding our photos and my journaling...it's a masterpiece, don't you think? It was made with the Close To My Heart scrapbook subscription kit, Craft with Heart, from June. It only requires adhesive, a journaling pen and photos. 

While these are 12" x 12" layouts, I love that I have also used a variety of sizes through a product line by Stacy Julian. 

How do you tell your story? You'll find some additional ideas on how to do so and if you want more information on doing so the paper way, let me know! I'd love to tell you more!

Now it's time for "Blog with Friends"! 

Dawn of Spatulas on Parade

Karen of Baking in a Tornado

Lydia of Cluttered Genius

Jules of the Bergham Chronicles

Tamara of Part-Time Working Hockey Mom

Heart 2 Heart Challenges - Magical

I hope you are enjoying a wonderful 4th of July wherever you are. I am thankful to live in a country where I am free and protected. Thank you to all who have served or our currently serving our country and providing us with the freedoms we have. I am also thankful to the families who endure the time away from their loved ones so we may enjoy the conveniences of living in the USA.

This Magical product line, which is the focus of this month's Heart 2 Heart Challenge, is perfect for celebrating or commemorating this holiday. I love that while it could take on a certain theme, it doesn't have to as you can see here.

I chose to make this card a little whimsical and incorporated the stamp set called, "Beyond Awesome", which has some fun sentiments. (Photo posted below). The fun polka-dot pattern actually comes from one of the Pocket Card designs included in the paper pack. It's totally one of my favorites! I did use some of the fun striped Sequins for some added bling as well as took Black Shimmer Trim and cut it vertically, to make for thinner borders.

Image of the stamp set:

If you have any questions regarding the design of this card, please feel free to contact me. I hope you like it.

Join us by sharing your artwork creation, using Magical and other Close To My Heart products by linking up to us at Heart 2 Heart. I look forward to seeing your creativity there. Be sure to...

Make It From Your Heart,

CTMH Technique Blog Hop - Bokeh Stamping

In our Technique Blog Hop this month, we are featuring the Bokeh Technique.  Have you heard of it?  It is a fun technique associated with photography.  Search it on Google (or other search engine) and check out the images you will find, like the one used in this image above.  I think it's just beautiful!  There is a way to recreate it with inks so nine of us have gathered to showcase the technique on our artwork. 

If you are coming from Helen's Blog, you are on the right track.  You can find a complete list of participants below, if you were to get lost along the way.  

Realizing you will see some videos and tutorials during the hop (you can also search for them on YouTube),  I am just going to get started, showing you the card I created with this technique.

I did choose to keep my card simple, not wanting to take away from the technique.  I struggled with adding more but settled on these sentiments from the January Stamp of the Month, "Beloved Bouquet", and a few Enamel & Glitter Duos Blue Dots.  I cannot wait to see what the other ladies did with theirs!  

I used three shades of blue ink - Crystal Blue, Sapphire and Pacifica.  This is the second time I have tried the technique and have found that I enjoy applying the ink, with a Sponge Dauber (rather than a sponge because I am able to control it better - and do not get my hands messy).   I prefer to do so in a circular manner and started with the lightest color first.  You can see where I applied some of the Crystal Blue ink in a triangular fashion over my White Daisy cardstock.

Then I applied Sapphire ink, filling in some of the space but allowing for my last color, Pacifica.  The photo I took of the last step ended up blurry and I did not realize that before finishing my card.  I chose to have my colors lighter than I could have and will apply more ink on the next creation I made with this technique.

You should allow the ink to completely dry, and it does not take long, so you do not end up applying blue color to your White Daisy Ink Pad. If you do not own this ink pad...GET IT!  It is fabulous and is fun to stamp as designed or to use for techniques such as this!  On this scratch sheet of cardstock, I cut circles of various sizes.  (Tip:  I would suggest cutting them more towards the middle of the paper so you do not have to be too careful to apply ink off the edge of the cut.)  You just apply White Daisy ink, allowing it to dry in between layers, if you would.  Doing so makes for a brighter white and you vary the brightness on the background.  Too cool, right?!

So let me know if you have ever tried this technique or plan on doing so on a creation in the very near future!  What colors will you use?!  I would love to know your thoughts!  And then...head on over to Catherine's Blog where I am sure she will wow you!  Thank you for stopping by and happy hoppin'!

Make It From Your Heart!

Participants:

1.  Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*

2. Catherine Nowak

3. Priscilla Gotham

4. Darlys Recker

5. Marianne Hancock

6. Jenifer Benner

7. Kirsten Jade

8. Michelle Loncar

9. Helen Gullett