Digi In Deep: Cre8ive Challenge Lesson 3

Disability

Thursday Thirteen : Thirteen Positive Affirmations

1. I am not limited by any past thinking. I choose my thoughts with care. I constantly have new insights and new ways of looking at my world. I am willing to change and grow.

2. When I believe in myself, so do others.

3. My home is a peaceful haven. I bless my home with love. I put love in every corner, and my home lovingly responds with warmth and comfort. I am at peace

4. I easily forgive myself and others, knowing that this allows my body, mind, and emotions to relax. Forgiveness and clearing work prevents disease and allows healing.

5. My heart is open.

6. I am beautiful and everyone loves me.

7. I am in the process of making positive changes in all areas of my life.

8. I am a joyous, creative loving expression of life.

9. I have unlimited choices. Opportunities are everywhere.

10. I am thankful for all the love in my life.

11. I always come from a loving place in my heart.

12. As I trust in the process of life what I need comes to me and I give grateful thanks when it does.

13. Today I choose to experience abundance.

Wordless Wednesday

Currents

The idea originated from the blog life love paper . Seems like such a wonderful way to share and record those things that are going on in our lives this very moment. Thought I'd try it out as well and Wednesdays seem to suit me the best. So, here goes.

listening: to Who Am I by Casting Crowns
eating: nothing yet
drinking: a nice cold glass of water
wearing: track pants a t-shirt and sweater and warm socks
feeling: sleepy just took cold medicine a little while ago
weather: partly cloudy about -5 degrees
wanting: to get caught up on projects and cleaning
needing: sleep
thinking: about my many years of blogging as I am giving my blog a spring makeover
enjoying: listening to some quiet music
wondering: how the next few months are going to work out

The Anger Inside Me

Those who know me well know that I am not usually one to be angry. I don't stay mad for long, I don't hold grudges. I forgive easily and I try to forget. Lately though I am filled with so much anger that I don't know what to do with it. I am almost scaring myself with the intensity of the anger I feel. Anger for something I have no control over. Anger over a sickness I do not fully understand. Anger that someone I love with all my heart can be so sick and that I may loose them. Just anger at everything right now. Not sure what to do with it, how to respond, how to cope. I know that it is showing in front of my girls and that is the last thing I want. I need to learn to control what's inside me right now.

When I'm Hurting

"WHEN I'M HURTING
It's easier for you to walk away, than it is for you to reach out to me.
It's easier for you to look away, than it is for you to see the depth of my despair.
It's easier for you to look through me, than it is for you to see 'me.'
It's easier for you to distance yourself, than it is for you to really care.
It's easier for you to hear, than it is for you to listen.
It's easier for you to judge, than it is for you to understand.
It's easier for you to label, than it is to get acquainted.
It's easier for you to bask in your joy, than it is for you to feel my pain.
It's easier for you to bewilder at my mysteries, than it is for you to probe deeply into the depths of my soul.

It's easier for me to look away, than it is to let you see the feelings betrayed through my eyes.
It's easier for me to cry, than it is for me to talk.
It's easier for me to walk alone, than it is to risk rejection.
It's easier for me to push you away, than it is for me to be held.
It's easier for me to distance myself, than it is to trust that you won´t hurt me.
It's easier for me to die, than it is for me to face life's challenges.

It's hard for me to smile when I am hurting.
It's hard for me to talk when you won't understand.
It's hard for me to reach out when I need help the most.

If only you'd really look at me and see who I am.
If only you cared enough to reach out when I push you away.
If only you'd hold me, without asking why.
If only you'd acknowledge the validity of my feelings.

But it's the easy roads that are most often taken.
And so I hurt alone.

--Jo A. Witt
Copyright 2000

I came across this poem the other day and it just seems to fit what's inside my head right now. I always take the easy road. Maybe it's time to try the hard roads instead. Maybe then I'll fly.

Digi In Deep: Cre8ive Challenge Lesson 2 (part 2)

Digi In Deep: Cre8ive Challenge Lesson 2 (part 1)

Color Combos Galore #182

You can play along with this color combination at the Color Combos Galore Blog . The colors are: Beige Burlap, Silk Grey, Crisp Linen, Mystery Meat.

Here's my layout using these colors:

Color Combos Galore #181

You can play along on the Color Combos Galore Blog.

Challenge #181 colors are: Turquoise Tracery, Yellow Furbelow, Alabaster Arabesque, Filigreen

Here's my layout using these colors:

Digi in Deep Assignment 2B

Choose a VERY limited color palette of three colors. Pick a main color (typically I'll choose a color that is a complement or coordinating color to the main color in my photos. For example, if my son's shirt is red, I'll choose blue or green as my main color), then choose a secondary color, and then an accent color. Typically the main color in the photos is also the accent color. With a blue/red color scheme, you could choose green, yellow, or orange as secondary colors. Neutrals used as backgrounds don't count as these colors. Play with cream, white, black, brown, and kraft backgrounds, too!
Add in one large photo.
Add in a couple of smaller secondary photos next to or below your main one.
Now figure out how you'd like to lead people into and around your layout. Create the 'leading lines' from here in the form of shapes or lines (remember that these can be very subtle
Now choose two of the following techniques from Lesson 2 to add to your assignment layout:
- create the focus of your layout to add some white space
- add a gradient masks between two photos to blend them together
- fill a large letter with patterned paper
- pop a journaling card or other item off the page with a custom drop shadow

Here's my completed layout

Dealing With The Unexpected

It's amazing how one thing can change everything about your life. This past week I have had an unexpected family crisis come up. One that has taken every ounce of my time both emotionally and physically. One that has changed the very core of who I am and who I want to be. Everyone keeps telling me that things happen for a reason. I have yet to uncover any reason for this. I need to trust in myself now that I have what it takes to cope, to encourage and to love. I need to trust that I can deal with what has come our way. I need to believe.

{creativity 101} lesson two: explore your creative genius

Your creative genius wants to be heard and has amazing things to say.

{creativity 101} lesson two has us learning about journaling and how it helps us to get into contact with our creative geniuses. We answer journaling prompts and just see where they take us. The bonus homework assignment is to take the inspiration which comes from our journaling and use it to create something new. Here's what I created, what came to be from my journaling.

Journaling reads: I want to live a creative and inspired life. I want to surround myself with people and things that inspire me. I want to be a photographer, an artist, and inspiration to others. I want to create everyday.

Visit Andrea at www.ABCcreativity.com to find out more about {creativity 101}.

Beautiful Sunday

Creative Therapy Catalyst #128

Creative Therapy Catalyst #128 : What are you (or would you be) giving your children that you wish you'd had?

Straight Out Of the Camera Saturday (SOOC)

My Favorite Things Saturday

One of my favorite things this week is my new glasses.

Stylish Blog Award

I was nominated to receive the Stylish Blog award from KarenSue at ScrapWhenICan . I am so thankful! Go check out her blog - lots of fun!

So, I am supposed to list 8 things about me and then nominate 8 blogs I love to receive the Stylish Blog Award.

8 Things About Me:

1. I am a stay at home mom and I love it. (I am actually on sick leave but being home for my girls all the time is a dream come true.)

2. I have started a small photography business doing portraits, weddings, events.

3. I dream of publishing a book of my best photographs (architecture, objects, landscapes).

4. I have created almost 600 digital scrapbooking layouts in the past 4 years.

5. I am completely addicted to apples with salt.

6. I have been dealing with mental health issue for the past 12 years.

7. I spend way too much time on the computer.

8. I am learning to love who I am and love where I am at in my life.

And now, I nominate the following blogs to receive the Stylish Blogger Awards:

1. Jill @ Life ... as I see it

2. Bonita @ A Life Unrehearsed : the Creative Blog Of Bonnie Rose

3. Lee @ Embrace Life

4. Kyla @ The Kreative Life

5. Sarah @ 2Paws Designs

6. Monica @ Pixel Perfect

7. Amber @ Music and Reading (this is my 11 year old daughter's blog)

8.

Thoughtful Friday

Before & After Thursday

Before & After Thursday ( found on the Pixel Perfect Blog) is a weekly challenge where you take a straight out of the camera (SOOC) photo and show the edited version on Thursday. I always use the (SOOC) shot I posted for SOOC Saturday.

To edit this weeks photo I used Pioneer Woman's Fresh & Colorful action and then I boosted up the green a bit. Loving how the edited version has turned out.

Straight Out Of the Camera Saturday (SOOC)

My Favorite Things Saturday

One of my favorite things is this old wagon wheel that was on mom and dad's property when they bought the place. It was just inside the tree line and I fell in love with it the very first time I saw it. When my parents decided it was finally time to get rid of the wagon wheels I demanded that I got to keep one. I still love it just as much today as the first day I saw it.

Digi In Deep: Lesson 2

With this lesson I learned how to do so many things. The following were all new techniques for me:
- how to use a custom shape for a photo background

- how to turn text into stickers

- how to do a curled looking drop shadow

- how to select and deselect certain parts of a shape

Friday Fill-Ins

You can play along with Friday Fill-Ins here .

Friday Fill-Ins: "And...here we go! My answers are turquoise.

1. New experiences and possibilities open your mind, heart and soul.

2. Take an unexpected turn on a daily walk you may be amazed at what you find.

3. I'm looking forward to spring and the Tulip Festival.

4. I have lived a life so far that I could have never have imagined.

5. Try to find joy in everything around you.

6. My ability to love and empathize is what's extraordinary about me.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing with the girls, tomorrow my plans include some alone time to create and Sunday, I want to get stuff done around the house!"

Thoughtful Friday

Mental Health Monday: 5 Ways To Develop A Positive Mental Attitude

A positive mental attitude can help to dissolve stress and can affect your physical well being. Here are 5 ways you can help to boost your positive mental attitude.

1. Create A Positive Environment : Become more aware of the way you are thinking and encourage your thinking to become more positive. If you think positively your mood will reflect this.

2. Do Not Give Up: View setbacks as lessons to be learned and do not walk away. You will have more satisfaction from your successes.

3. Just Laugh : Find humour in all you can you will notice a more positive mood.

4. Live In The Moment : Do not focus on the past or future. Live in the moment and enjoy all the beauty and joy around you every day.

5. Expect Good Things : Recognize that you deserve to have good things happen to you and expect that they will. Maintain that positive attitude.

You can view the full article I read here:
http:fitnesshealthtoday.com/5-ways-to-develop-a-positive-mental-attitude/

My Best Shot Monday

Project 365 : Weekly Photos

Beautiful Sunday

Straight Out Of the Camera Saturday (SOOC)

My Favorite Things Saturday

One of my absolute most favorite prized possessions is this photo of my grandfather taken during World War II. My grandfather passes away almost a year ago and I asked for this from my mom to remember him by. She framed it for me and then completely to my surprise added the medal he wore on his army hat in this picture into the frame. How very special. This is something I will treasure for all time.

Color Combos Galore #178

Here's this week's colors posted on the Color Combos Galore Blog.

and here's my take on these colors - had a lot of fun with this color combination not one I would have though of using

Thoughtful Friday

Friday Fill-Ins

Friday Fill-Ins: "And...here we go!

1. Family means absolutely everything to me.

2. Life is full of ups and downs make the best of them.

3. Trust in God to lead you in the right direction.

4. It very well may be for the best.

5. Parents are the luckiest people in the world.

6. I heard what was said.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to see my birth father, tomorrow my plans include relaxing with no kids and Sunday, I want to go to the Rideau Canal with the girls!"

Before & After Thursday

This is a challenge where you take the photo posted as Straight Out Of The Camera (SOOC) for me it was on Saturday. You show the edited version on Thursday.

To edit this photo I used the photoshop action Misty Sunset by Paint the Moon

Thursday Thirteen: 13 Things I Bet You Didn't Know About Me

1. I cannot do the dishes without getting the front of my shirt soaked.
2. I almost always wear a ponytail.
3. I am scared driving in the dark.
4. I just got new glasses, just waiting for them to come in.
5. I just started a small photography business last spring.
6. I have pierced ears but hate wearing earings.
7. I live in track pants.
8. I have 2 college degrees (Developmental Services Worker & Health Care Aide).
9. I spend endless hours on the computer.
10. I collect sandcastles.
11. I used to be a gymnast.
12. I am lazy when it comes to exercises.
13. I always eat Amber's cookies.