Sunday, October 28, 2012

Sad Decisions ......

Life is a bit of a mess at the moment.  There is alot of stuff happening around our in our lives at the moment, not all of it positive.  Actually, some of it really, really tough.  I'm not going to go into details but Mark and I are working through some really trying situations that can both break and strengthen a marriage.  He is the most amazing man.  He provides for the family and he loves me so unconditionally.  And believe me I'm not the easiest person to be married too.  Being creatively geared,  I am highly forgetful, unorganised and frustrating.  Somehow he seems to balance that.  I thank God for him every single day.  

So consequently, something's gotta give. I am just not coping with the combination of  everyday life and the demands that being on a manufactuer's Design Team makes.  Add to that the fact that I am thinking about going back to PT work, it's really brought forward some decisions I didn't think I was going to have to make for a while.  After some really sad days, procrastination in sending emails and finally acknowledging a few realities, I have decided to leave two of my Design Teams - Melissa Frances and Pink Paislee.

I will be creating for Pink Paislee for the remainder of the year, but I won't be returning in 2013.  This saddens me, but looking at this year, it has been an amazing ride.  Rebecca Cross and Danielle Flanders are the most wonderful co-ordinators and lovely women, and I know they totally support me in my decision.  It was such an honour being invited to join this team, and I know I have grown as an artist choosing to step outside my style box whilst playing with their cutting edge products.  Thanks for having me this year guys, I have really, really enjoyed my time with you.

One of the other really sad decisions I made was my participation with the  Melissa Frances DT.  Being asked onto this team was a dream for me, and at the time when Carolyn made contact with me, it was quite a shock to be invited to participate.  Without any thought I immediately answered with my heart and not my head.  Melissa's products are simply some of the most exquisite around and they suit my style beautifully.  However,  again  I simply couldn't cope with the combination of projects required and everything that is going on at home.  I feel that the quality of my work is slipping and that isn't fair to Melissa or to me.  Carolyn Peeler is such a beautiful woman, so sweet and supportive and I have loved working with her over the last year.  And Melissa, well her life is testament to the amazing woman she is.  She is a survivor and a mentor to so many women everywhere, including myself.  I will miss you all.

I will continuing on with Prima Marketing, writing articles for Scrapbook Creations (Australia) and teaching classes both here and abroad.  I feel that is where my scrapbooking is heading and I have to be realistic about the work that I am taking on from hereon in.  OK.  Pause.  Deep breath.  That part of the post is written and done.

So over to some happy shares for you .... some projects from the "Designer Day" over at the Prima Blog ....  Love is Patient Layout .... using my fav. background paper from Almanac and lots of beautiful pastel roses from the latest Prima Release.  The other fav. element on this page is the die from Memory Box, which I moulded around the Imaginarium Designs Clock.  Loved the way this turned out.






This layout was the result of alot of mistakes.  And playing.  I started with white bazill a little bit of gauze, some stamping, napkins, gesso and white paint.  Still not happy I tore a 1/3 of it off.  Yes that wasn't a design element that was a mistake.  As as artist's we all make them and watch them evolve into something new.  I loved the pink 1/3rd I added to this layout, considering where I started from, I felt it finally worked. 







If you missed the short tutorial as to how to make this last project ... read on.  Just take any chipboard dress form, and paint with gesso and dry.  I love my shabby projects to have a chalky white finish so for  this I inked over the gesso, and once dry, distressed the edges.  Next, I stamped Prima's crown stamp and Flourish Frame using a black chlk ink edger.

The Prima Press was perfect for use for the "Paris" letters.  I just stamped them on some kraft paper and then used a small tag punch (upside down) to fram ethe letters.  The skirt was just then layered on over some double sided tape to form a tutu.  Adding some flowers just added that little something extra to the projects.  Lastly I tied some jute string through the hold and the project was finished !!!!  Have a go, it is really easy to duplicate.






My last three shares are tags from my 12 Tags of Christmas Class.  It was originally spose to be a Advent Calender class, but the thought of 25 tags was just a tad overwhelming so we went for 12 !!!!  As it is these tags took the girls nearly 4 hours to create.  We had lots of fun thought.  Gold Leaving, Gesso, Inking, Heat and Set Powder, Glitter, Punching, Painting, Stamping and list goes on.

Angel Wing Tag ......



Christmas Tree Tag ....


Dove Wreath Tag




I still have another 9 tags to share over the coming two months.  Thanks so much for visiting, have a beautiful, safe week.  (Especially my friends down the east coast of the US).


10 comments:

  1. Hi Stephanie, This is just beautiful work. So sorry to hear you're having to cut back on DT's, you'll be missed! Big Hugs, Karen

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  2. Hi.. I often come by here as I LOVE what you create... and sometimes I wonder when I see how many DT's and teams some scrappers are on... when some one scraps as wonderfully as you...everyone wants them to be on their team and showcase their products... and then I see them step back from some of the commitments... life is so busy and so I really hope that you will be ok in the future and things work out well... Your work is always so detailed and beautifully designed and created... take care of your self...and all the best to you...

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  3. Wow these are some hard decisions you made and I wish you the best of luck with everything. I saw these projects on the Prima blog they are stupendous.

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  4. I'm so sorry to hear you have had to deal with some hard things. These definitely are hard decisions to make, but I think it's important to not let the scrap assignments take over your much needed family time. Big big hugs!

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  5. Hi Steph!

    So sorry to read that you are going through some tough times. Your work is amazing and I am sure these were tough decisions. I hope everything works out for you and I wish you all the best:)

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  6. I'm so sorry you've had some difficult choices to make, but you need to do what's best for you and your family. I love the beautiful projects that you posted here whether one was a mistake or not. I would never have guessed! We're getting ready for the brunt of the hurricane to hit anytime now, so I'm just popping in before we lose power (hopefully, it won't happen).

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  7. Gosh all your projects are so amazingly beautiful!!!!!! As for the decisions you had to make.... I'm sorry to hear that. ((((HUGS))))

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  8. Steph you know how much I love and adore you and your work! I'm amazed you could handle all the teams you were on and scrap as beautifully as you have done over the years. You deserve a break and time to devote to life in general. I will be stalking you as always and cherishing the projects you are continuing to create. Big hugs! Take care of YOU. xo

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  9. HI Steph, I have been following your blog and amazed with your work entirely. No matter how, do the best of what you think the best for you. Take a break is a good rest for you.
    Good luck with all what you are doing the best for you and your family!

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  10. Hi Steph it is so important to be mindful of life and those around you and to look at the BIG PICTURE ... make choices with love and continue your journey of life .... love and hugz Heather x

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