FIND YOUR VOICE Lesson One: Introduction

Each week will be broken down into three prompts: crafting based, writing based and picture based.  You can participate with 1, 2 or all 3 of the prompts or you can decide each week what speaks to you and do that.  Remember: there is no right or wrong way to participate, do what inspires you!

Prompt 1 (crafting based): Create a project that represents you at the beginning of your storytelling journey.  This is a great time to prep a mini-album; or pull together supplies that you love (or have been scared to use).

For this week's crafting prompt I have pulled out a Smashbook that I have been holding onto since October.  I love that there is an eclectic collection of papers in this book, so I can pick a page that already has a pretty design and just add my story or pictures, or I can add my own elements and embellish the page the way I want.  I will use this for the majority of the workshop, but I may also create 12x12 layouts that I will add in with my regular albums I already have started.

Prompt 2 (writing based): Gather up some of your favorite writing supplies and re-visit the prompts on the worksheet.  Expand upon 2-3 of the questions that you'd like to answer most.

I used Wordle to create a collage based on questions 2 of  the worksheet, "Who are you?"

Prompt 3 (picture based): Start taking pictures every day.  Set a goal (5 pictures a day) and reall work at capturing the little details that happen throughout each day.

I have really been making an effort this week to take pictures of the little things in my day.  My focus this week has been to capture the little things that brighten my day.  You can follow my instagram feed (KimL141) and #findyourvoice to see what other participants are taking pictures of this week.  Here are a couple of my week so far:

Have you worked on week 1 yet?  Please share a link to your posts or instagram feed.  Also be sure to join the facebook group to connect with other participants!

Only 4 days until the fun begins!

Are you as excited as I am for the start of the Find Your Voice workshop?  Before we begin, I want to share a few things with you to help you get ready.

First off, you will be able to find information, lessons and examples in a few places.  This will make it easy for you to play along and use a social media outlet that you are already comfortable with.  This also means there are ways for you to start using other social media outlets that you have been wanting to try!

rukristin papercrafts site

Pinterest

Facebook

Twitter

Search Instagram using #findyourvoice

But, one of the best ways to make sure that you receive each lesson as soon as they go live it to sign up to have the lessons sent directly to your email!  Go here to sign up.

Second, you can link your blog to the blog link-up and find the blogs of other participants.

Next, make sure you check out the FAQs.  This is one of the best resources to get a good overview of how things will work as well as a suggested supply list.  While there are no required supplies for this workshop and everyone's supply list will differ, I find it helpful to start out with a basic supply kit and then add things as I work.  I will post my supply kit this weekend.

Where will you be sharing your story?  Please add a link in the comments section.

Find Your Voice Summer Storytelling Workshop: Coming June 24th

Starting Monday, June 24th

Find Your Voice

a free eight-week summer storytelling workshop

Tell your stories the way you want to tell them. Be the author of your own adventure.

Each week we'll be discussing a new storytelling topic and working our way through that topic with worksheets, creative projects, and group discussions. 

This class is 100% free. Topics and materials will be available Monday mornings starting June 24th at rukristin.blogspot.com and in the Find Your Voice facebook group. 

This workshop is aimed at getting you to find your storytelling voice. Everyone has a story, and you are no exception!  We are going to work together during this 8-week workshop to find your voice and style for you to tell your story. This workshop is for everyone! You definitely don't need to be a scrapbooker to play along. The only thing you need is a willingness to become the author of your own story. 

I Mustache U a Question: gel-a-tins DT layout

Casey sent me this picture one afternoon while Luke was at work with her.  I think it sums up his personality!  I loved using it to create this layout for gel-a-tin stamps!

Supplies:

Mustache Mania stamp set - gel-a-tin stamps

watermark ink - versamark

black ink - studio g

Twill tape - Stampin' Up

black alphas - American Crafts thickers

journaling spot and word banners - echo park This and That Charming line

U - pink paislee

I had fun with the Mustache Mania stamp set!  First, I stuck the mustache stamps all over my acrylic block to create a fun background stamp and used Versamark ink to create a tone on tone background paper.  I then stamped a mustache in black ink onto cardstock and cut it out.  To get a more worn out look with my image, I first stamped onto scrap paper, then onto the cardstock.  

I also used the stamps again to create a patterned ribbon.  I used repositionable adhesive and stuck the ribbon down to my work surface.  I then added my three favorite stamps to my block.  I then stamped the images repeatedly on the ribbon.  

One of my favorite things about gel-a-tins stamps is that I can add a bunch of the stamps onto the block so that I can stamp a few times and get multiple images.  It makes it so that I can get the effect I want without having to stamp each image individually.  It makes stamping a background paper a lot faster!

Scrapfreak's Wonderful Wednesday

The Wonderful Wednesday card challenge at Scrapfreak is to create a card that has key elements that are nature oriented. Think trees, wood grain, flowers, butterflies, animals.  I knew instantly that I wanted to use my new Love Knots stamp from gel-a-tins!

5.11 Freaky Friday-Mental Health

May is Mental Health Month, so in honor of this event, we are challenging you to creative a page about mental health or illness. It can be as simple as what you do to take care of yourself mentally, like ways you de-stress or help maintain balance. Or consider documenting something more serious like a mental health issue you or a loved one has dealt with. Sometimes its the tough pages that can be the most rewarding to create.


Here is my layout:

This was a great thing to scrap for me.  I have recently begun to see the signs of depression in myself.  One of the things about going to school for Social Work is that I often see the signs of mental illness in others, but I have been ignoring my own signs.  I have now set an appointment for myself!

Woohoo! My first gel-a-tins package!

After returning from a super fun, yet equally exhausting, trip to Chicago I found a package from gel-a-tins waiting for me!!!

I am so excited to start creating with the stamps I received.  Since I am so excited about them, I decided to give a sneak peek at what I will be working with this month.

First up, a sweet background stamp!  I love the look of woodgrain.  Combine that with sweet heart shapes and you get Love Knots!

Next is a really fun set!  Mustaches are so trendy and fun right now.  I have several ideas for silly gifts to make with this set.  Check out Mustache Mania

I will be uploading projects using these sets on the gel-a-tins blog, so make sure you check it out!

Some exciting news to share!

I am proud to announce that I am a new gel-a-tina for gel-a-tin stamps!  When I first started out scrapping it was cardstock and stamps for this girl.  Now I am getting back to my roots with stamps and ink, but I have come a long way since my first scrapbook pages and cards.  I am excited to share all of the fun I will be having with stamps!

Need some stampy inspiration?  Take some time to check out the gel-a-tins blog or "like" them on Facebook to stay up to date with all things gel-a-tin!

3.5 Mojo Monday - Everyday Items

This week's Mojo Monday list prompt is EVERYDAY ITEMS...

Being that I am a SAHM 85% of the time, I tend to use a lot of things that have to do with taking care of Julia, keeping my house from being condemned, and making sure no one in my house starves to death! But, I am also a student and scrapbooker the other 15% of my life, so I also have a few fun things I use everyday! Here is my list of Top 10 Everyday Items...

1. Baby Wipes - these really are multi-purpose items! I could probably come up with at least 50 things to use baby wipes for no problem!

2. Dishwasher - I will keep the dishes done, but I MUST have a dishwasher. And I am one of "those people" that put everything in the dishwasher, even pans!

3. Cable Box - I think life became perfect with the invention of a DVR! I admit, I watch a lot of trashy tv and my DVR helps make sure I never miss a show! ;)

4. iPhone 4 - I have had my iPhone for a little over a year and I really can't imagine getting rid of it. I don't *need* it, and it's an extra expense each month, but I really do love it and couldn't imagine using anything else not that I have had a taste of life with an iPhone.

5. Netbook - I love that it's little and I can easily use it while I'm in bed at night catching up on my shows.

6. Diet Coke - I am not a coffee drinker, but I *need* my caffine!

7. Slippers - I hate cold feet, but I also hate socks! The best solution, SLIPPERS!

8. Textbooks - They are a necessary evil.

9. Stove - I really do try to cook dinner every night. It is important to me that Julia learns good eating habits.

10. Comforter - No matter what time of year it is, I MUST have my comforter in order to sleep. Even when it's hot, I just wrap it up under my chin and kick my feet out to stay cool.

Mark your calendars...

With all the daily demands on our time, it's often difficult to take time away to scrap. Well, this year there is an extra day on the calendar. There's no better way to use it than to scrap!!!

We would like to invite you to join us for the Leap Into Scrapping Crop.

The fun will begin on Friday Feb. 24 and go until Sunday Feb. 26. There will be great challenges, games, and FUN FUN FUN!!!

If you haven't already, join www.scrapfreak.com so you are ready for all the great inspiration!

Scrapfreak.com ~ 2.10 Freaky Friday - Storytelling:Snapshots and Lists

This month's storytelling challenge: Snapshots and Lists{here}

We all have lots of pictures that don't really have a story. They might be quick pictures you've just taken at home, extra photos from a vacation or an event, or just a pretty snapshot.

We also have lots of interesting quirks and stories that we don't have photos for.

Our challenge this week is to match them up and create a project

. 

Tip: If you can't think of a story, use a list! Here are a couple of lists that might get you started. 

List ideas:

• Favorite Movies, Books, Music (any form of entertainment)
• Me (or your kid/husband/dog) Right Now
• My goals in the next year (5 years, 10 years, etc).
• Personality Types/Zodiac Signs

**This is a great way to use up all of your extra photos from a vacation set, or those super cute cell phone pictures you've been saving.**



For my layout, I used a picture of Julia watching TV and making sure no one else tried to change the channel.  It was the perfect picture to use with a list of her favorite shows at the moment.

You can take a closer look at it {here}

Project Life 2012-Week One

One week down, 51 to go!  I had fun organizing my first Project Life layout.  Although, creating this layout made me realize I need want to shop.

So here it is...

Left page

Right page

Eek! I'm 29+1!

I can't believe it.  I am no longer in my twenties.  I was fine with it until about 3 months ago.  I think the hardest part for me is that I am still in such a transitioning point in my life.  I thought that by the time I was 30 more of my life would be figured out and I would have more of a direction with my future.
Don't get me wrong, I have a lot in my life to be proud of, but I am a planner by nature and I don't know what will be going on in my life five years from now.  But, the more I think about it, does anyone really know?!?

I celebrated my birthday by going to a crop at Pages in Time on Friday and Saturday.  Friday my mom and Cristen came with me.  Then Saturday I scrapped with my mom and Casey.

Then on Sunday (my actual bday) I went over to my parents house for dinner with the family and our special cakes.  My mom made chocolate mousse cake for me (with candles picked out by my dad) and ice cream cake for Jason.

(oh no the big 30)

I've been scrapping...

...but I can't share quite yet!  (Sorry to be a tease.)  It feels good to be scrapping again after the "move."  While I still don't have my craft room set up, I do have my scrappy stuff all sorted out so I can grab a few things and scrap on the dining room table while Julia is napping.  I have been working on some fun things that will be happening at Creative Soup.  First up is our "Fun in the Sun Crop" happening this weekend starting August 20 and running through August 27.  We are doing things a little different this time around.  With the end of summer coming, we know that weekends are pretty busy for most people.  We will be releasing all challenges at noon EST on Saturday and everyone will have until the 27th to get them all completed and uploaded.  We want this crop to be fun and no pressure!  Let us know what you think of this format.

The next thing going on is our FREE quarterly class!  This quarter will be a sketch class.  K has created 12 fun, original sketches.  We will have many great examples of how to use the sketches as well.  She will be providing each sketch in PDF format for those of you that like to be able to print them out for your sketch books too.  Here is a sneak peek at one of the great sketches...

So, as you can see, our CT has been very busy!  We still have our Mojo Monday challenges issued every Monday as well.  Hope to see you playing along with all of the fun the next few weeks!