Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Inspiration Elevator Challenge- Scrapping loss

This week's Inspiration Elevator theme- surviving loss really speaks to me.

As scrapbookers, journalists in our own lives, image creators via social media, we often forgo
getting real for keeping things light and positive.
There's something to be said for that, after all, those who love you already know your trials.

But talking publicly about what's really happening in your life is also a fantastic means for catharsis. And for finding out how you really feel.
Sometimes the most important stories are the saddest.
Those are the stories that show personal heroism and tenacity- true character.

Journaling, photographing, getting creative with talking about the hard times helps me immensely.
The main benefit is in helping me work out how I truly feel.
It keeps the negative inner talk to a minimum and helps me gain perspective.
Most importantly, it makes those little moments most precious.

Inspiration elevator- scrapping hard times
As usual, I worked on this late at night so my lighting for the photo is way off- my apologies.
My page is about my marriage. Lately our communication has been fraught with negativity.
I wonder about the nature of our bond, is it strong enough to withstand all the external frustration we feel in our current economic and housing situation?
 Am I doing all I can to keep it strong? Could I lose the central relationship in my life?
That second questions scares me because I've always thought my marriage was strong.
I waited a very long time and made sure I was emotionally ready for the marathon.
My page isn't about loss.
It's about the fear losing something precious engenders.
I realized love doesn't change in a relationship but it can take second place over ever changing challenges if you let it.
I won't let it. And I made a page to remind myself.

Our main purpose here at IE is to challenge ourselves, each other and YOU to take the creative process to the next level;  to inspire growth and change in our scrapbooking beyond the mundane.
You can catch us on Facebook  and share your creations there; we'd love to see how we have inspired you!

This month we are thrilled to welcome back as a guest designer with our team, the artistic and genteel, Scarlett Salomone. Her creative works are as lovely as she is!

Untitled


This month's challenge is issued by the talented Wendi Robinson. Her first time to issue a challenge for IE and it's a great one! Here is her challenge in her own words:

LOSS... One thing we as scrapbookers do is post about lots of happy things, wonderful moments, things that make us smile, and things we want to remember. Too many times we avoid scrapping the not so memorable, or sad times. Most of us have experienced a loss of some kind, whether is be a loved one- sometimes it's expected, sometimes the loss comes too soon and unexpected. Other times we lose a pet, a job, feel like we've failed at a situation, or loss of a friendship. This time, let's scrap those harder moments that come into our lives. Scrap about a LOSS of some kind.

Guest Designer: Scarlett Salamone

Wonderful challenge Wendi!
Swing by the blogs and see what the other designers have done to represent their personal challenges and triumphs.

I hope you are inspired and take a swing at the challenge for yourself.
Remember- little moments matter

Guess which pre-schooler is mine?

10 comments:

  1. wow amazing page love all the heart that you put into it!! not an easy thing to journal!! LOVE the tree photos!!! wonderful work!!!

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  2. Look at your baby!!!! She is growing. I pray everything works out for your family. Love the page. Hugs.

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  3. I love how real you are about this fear. Relationships take a ton of work, and we can take our most special people for granted, right? What a great idea to create a reminder for yourself that you don't want to experience this kind of loss, so you can make a course correction. Love your white space!

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  4. Oh, I have missed you!!!! So lovely to read your blog and see another amazing creation!

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  5. Beautiful...and a fear that I think many people have - keep working at it - you've made me all thoughtful for the day :) Gorgeous page - I love the pops of yellow - and also 'cos it is a page with some hope in too :)

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  6. This is a beautiful layout and such an important message, plus your daughter is wonderful. Thank you!!

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  7. You know I love that picture, and the hilarious one of Lola is...HI-larious indeed. You are brave to scrap and blog about this, just the fact that you are conscious and aware will do miles for your relationships! Oh, and pretty page!

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  8. Greetings from Oklahoma. I've read your blog for several years, though I've never commented. Relationships go through cycles of adjustments, ups and downs, as you grow older. Hubby and I went through several "bad" years, I'm using "bad" in the context of having terrible communication issues as we dealt with several moves and my health issues. Right now, we are adjusting to the fact our kids have grown up, left home, and it's the two of us again. You change, you grow, you adjust. You'll get thru this! Hugs to you! Beth

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  9. it will be our 15th anniversary next month.. and i still need reminders. thank you for this..

    love you girl!

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  10. You always captivate me with your openness. This is a beautiful page and you know I love the yellow! The symbolism of the tree is so appropriate as a marriage grows, changes, needs tending to at times just like a tree, but like your journaling says when all that happens between two people truly invested it takes root and flourishes. There will always be times it needs to weather the storms, but those roots will allow it to get through. Have faith chica - you guys have been through much change over a small window of time, but your roots will see you through. I know you know this because you've made this page as a reminder to keep on fighting through, just know we all get there at some point as others have shared. It's all a part of the journey and makes a good marriage even stronger and better when you get through it. Hugs to you!!

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