Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Inspiration Elevator Challenge- Nostalgia

Hello!
Today I'm bring a page I made for this month's Inspiration Elevator Challenge- Nostaligia.

I have a different perspective on this challenge because I don't really scrap to capture moments or even record my life.
I do it because I love messing around with paper and because it gives me a good reason to keep shooting photos- something I would otherwise forget to do in my normal day to day routine.

New York Memories Inspiration Elevator Nostalgia Challenge
Basic Grey film strip paper- I'll need to get a couple more of this print. The flair is from A Flair For Buttons, chipboard and white laser cut tags from Scrap FX. New York flag from Reminisce. I also cut some leaves from vellum just for the heck of it. Since we put our things in storage and brought essentials with us when we moved to Utah, I don't have much in terms of items that are nostalgic but the printed film strips are good stand-ins- read below to find out why.
My page doesn't have a lot of journaling this month.
I've covered the subject of Brooklyn longing so frequently in the last couple of months I really just wanted to make a page to match this summer 2013 photo I love.

I am deeply nostalgic for my college days when I spent all day (literally) in the darkroom developing film and printing black and white photos for my next critique class.

The photo is of a near perfect day in May.
We walk the Brooklyn Bridge.
Discover new parts of the park by getting lost in the streets.
Finally, the sun is setting,
Saidy has brought her nephews and Lola finally has someone her own age to play with.
The food truck tacos we buy are delicious.
The salsa band playing outdoors in the park is so amazing we get up and dance in front of everyone.
Lola sits on David's shoulders the whole time.
Then... fireworks!!! Someone is getting married and we get to share in their joy.
And I cry
I AM SO HAPPY!
I know we may never get to come back to a summer concert in Brooklyn Bridge Park again.
I'm painfully grateful. 
New adventures and perfect days await in Utah but nothing compares to golden evenings by the water;
Lady Liberty waving her torch just a quarter mile away.
Quiet subway rides home
You fall asleep yet it is us who sit dreaming
This is home.

Afterlight
Those banner stickers are from the Target dollar aisle- they've been on a roll lately with the kraft stuff.
Onto the official challenge~

You may recall that the purpose of this challenge group is 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 our new Inspiration Elevator Blog, here.

We are also pleased to welcome Denise Morrison and her stunning artistic style back to Inspiration Elevator.
Our challenge this month comes from the very talented Lisa Spiegel .

Here's what she had to say in her very own words:
"October is my favorite month of the year. Hands down. The temperatures here in Southern California finally start to drop, we wear a light sweater, maybe even a little boot. We pull out the scarves and the jeggings and put away the capris and tank tops. Leaves begin to change and we prepare for Halloween! My whole house is decorated, from top to bottom, and it is no small feat. I even swap out my dishes and serving ware in preparation for Fall and Halloween and I love to just keep the festivities going all the way through the Thanksgiving and then holiday season. My house will not return to "normal" until January. 

So, Lisa, tell us, how does this relate to a scrapbooking challenge? Well, what I've found over the years is my scrapping even changes over the holidays. I layer more. Reach for the bling and really dig deep to embellish with meaningful objects. Journal my thoughts and stories and feelings. Fall just make me nostalgic. So here is the challenge. Create a layout that is nostalgic...the feeling should be evident from the title, the visible journaling and the embellishments you choose. 
Choose deliberately and with purpose to tell your nostalgic story. I can't wait to see how you interpret this challenge!" 
 I hope you will stop by and see what the rest of the incredible Inspiration Elevator designers have created:
Guest Designer Denise Morrison
If you feel inspired to play along with my challenge this month, please share it using the linky tool on our Inspiration Elevator blog and/or our Inspiration Elevator Facebook page.
We'd LOVE to see what you made!
brooklyn bridge park BRIC concert
Normally dancers go in front of the stage but we had 3 toddlers to care for so we got up and danced
right in front of all these folks- and it spread. It WAS a good day.

12 comments:

  1. Okay, I know you THINK this wasn't nostalgic, but it totally WAS!!! I adore how you capture moments, the photography is beautiful and I love the thoughts behind the layout...SO COOL!

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    1. You know I was thinking the same thing just as I was writing this post. Even the warm colors are classic nostalgia. Great challenge!

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  2. I adore your photography! I love how your photos always leave us wanting more to learn more about you... the thought in the layout was truely remarkable!

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  3. What a great photo, and great story you have captured. I admire how you work with kraft - it's a colour that scares the heck out of me. The vellum leaves add a lovely, soft touch and that feeling of spring turning into summer. beautiful page.

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  4. Beautiful page, gorgeous photo too. I loved reading your post!

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  5. Wow Michelle! I LOVE your layout! The photo is stunning and the papers you worked with compliment it so well. Your story is so heart touching and makes me happy just reading about your wonderful memories! Thanks for sharing :)
    Joanne xo

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  6. Gorgeous!
    Loved reading about your thoughts surrounding this.
    That photo is stunning.

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  7. Wow. You are a poet. I am "painfully grateful" for your art and your words. This layout and your words really touched a chord in me and I cried for the emotion here. Your design mimics the sky line and the fee of your "home" town. Such emotion. (Did I say that already?)I am in awe. xo

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  8. This is wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  9. Love how you put the day into words, so fun to read!
    Your photo is amazing and so is your layout!

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  10. Beautiful page! Love the strips of paper and the camera.

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Ok peeps lets CHAT! You tell me what you REALLY think and I PROMISE to keep it open minded here.