Inspiration Elevator #8: Fear Itself

I would like to express my overwhelming sadness for those affected by yesterday's horrific events and send my prayers for comfort and peace to all those grieving in the days to come. Our challenges are created well in advance of our reveal date and while our challenge topic is FEAR this month, I am sure I could never truly understand what that word means in light of this tragedy.
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You may recall from last month's challenge that the purpose of this challenge group was 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 on my blog here.  

Please join me in welcoming Michelle Hernandez.  We are so fortunate to have her joining us this month as we explore our scrapbooking limits. Michelle uses a variety of techniques to take her pages to the next level. You can see her amazing creations at her blog "My Analog Life".

This month, our challenger was the super talented Sue Sykes. Sue writes an ongoing article for Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine called Leaving Your Legacy and her challenge this month for Inspiration Elevator was also featured in the Winter edition. This is what she wrote:

"The idea of “Leave Your Legacy” first came about in 2007 when I was sorting through some vintage photos of my parents. I realized that while I knew most of the standard information about the images, the profound information about my parents and relatives was missing - information that would give me a glimpse of what they had been like when they were younger. 

To me, scrapbooking is, of course, a means of artistic expression, but more than that, it is a way to leave a little piece of history for future generations in each layout. And so, it amazed me, in talking with friends who scrapbook, to learn just how seldom they scrapbook about themselves. All of these incredible people, and their families may not really know anything personal about them: their hopes, dreams, habits, likes, dislikes, fears and accomplishments. With this article, I hope to encourage fellow artists to scrap more about themselves to avoid that from happening.

I think it's important to document your fears as well as your happy times and accomplishments. Many times, things of which we are FEARFUL, often characterize our personalities. It's also rewarding to be able to look back, once you have overcome a fear, to realize how far you have come. On the heels of my husband's heart attack, this was an obvious choice for me, but it's difficult to put into words the FEAR that you feel when faced with the possible loss of your partner. I want to remember the fear that we both felt, so that it will help us to stick to our commitment of living a healthier, less stressful life.

So what is it that you FEAR the most?

Not only do I want you to scrapbook about a FEARFUL topic, but I also want you to include at least ONE product that you have avoided using. Maybe it's because you are hoarding it and are FEARFUL of using it all, or maybe you are intimidated by it. Whatever the reason, spread your wings and challenge yourself to use it."

When Sue issued this challenge, I knew right away what topic I was going to cover (for once!) and my darling husband had just shown me the photo of his most treasured possession: his motorcycle. I want to tell you how much I HATE that thing but alas, we have only so much time and I have come to accept the fear it brings me every time he gets on it..a bit better anyways. But in the beginning it was awful. I really wanted this layout to represent how hard those times were for us.

I knew I wanted to try some texture medium and a stencil too, to give this page lots of masculine textures, and my BFF Ann, was kind enough to lend me just the right amount!

I began with an old chevron patterned piece of paper from my stash and added the medium with a plastic knife over the stencil. I loved hoe the edge of the knife made 'tire' tracks in the raised medium.

I hadn't really planned out the over all design too firmly. I wanted the artsy to flow!

I got out my watercolour paints and used black to really reflect how this new TOY really wrecked havoc with my piece of mind. I added the teal colours to match the actual photo.

The medium actually resisted the watercolour in places. I even added some glimmer mist to mirror the glimmer-y paint on the bike. (I should say that my hubby said the layout was not 'pretty enough' for his 'baby'. (yes, we are still married. Hrumpf)

 I also splattered and misted a bit. The gear shapes represent the wheels, the stitching the path of acceptance (not a straight line) and I wanted the whole creation to feel rough and have lots of depth.

I also added lots of torn edges and this was a really 'jagged' journey for us.

I especially love that when I sanded the photo the textured stencil created a design on the photo! So cool! What a journey. It was very cathartic!

Overall, a wonderfully creative experience and after lots of thought and experimentation, I have something I love!

I hope you will stop by and see what the designers on this adventure have created:

Sue Sykes

Lisa Spiegel

Joanne Burton

Christa Uttley

Laura Whitaker

Audrey Yeager

Lisa Moen

Laurel Seabrook

Ann Jobes

Cathy Harper

Michelle Hernandez, Guest Designer

I am so excited that you are continuing on this journey with me. If you would like to join us on this journey leave me a comment with a link to your creation, and I'll be sure to pop by and leave you some love.

Until next time, keep doing what you love!