Hello Love.

As many layouts that I create for the amount of time that I have (due to work, family, church and extra activities) is astonishing.  If I didn't have a supportive husband, who enjoys cooking and helping with laundry, I'd probably not have more time for me.  But even with all that "extra" free time, we sometimes run into blocks.  They take the form of distractions (like my love of my spades app - do you play?), and worries, and work stress, and event planning, and home improvement projects and the growing pile of books I have yet to finish (or start - for that matter) reading, and just simply taking on too much.  These blocks hinder our creativity.  The sudden shift in our emotions can put a damper on our flow.  I was experiencing this for the past couple of months.  Sure, you may have seen projects here and there, but if I can be very transparent, they were tough to cook up.

Until I was able to pin-point exactly what was disturbing my creative peace and enjoyment.  And when I did.  When I was finally able to tackle that thing that kept me up at night, I was able to tap into our natural given inspiration and make whatever my heart desired.

We sometimes get caught up on "what will they think of it?".  "Will the manufacturer enjoy seeing it?"  "Will it impress my fellow crafters?"  "Will I win a Nobel Peace Prize, for my award winning layout that shared just enough photos, using a few different techniques and just enough embellishments to highlight the beauty of it all?"  Aren't we so ridiculous!?  Sometimes living out our creativity under a glass ceiling brings us to this mental state.  Which is truly ironic, because we desired to step up and live in that glass house.  We want to be on design teams and we want to showcase our talents, but it comes with a cost.  The cost being, creativity itself.

But last night I let go of the questions and second-guessing.  I put away the spotlight, closed the blinds and reintroduced my heart to my hands - and let them have their moment of enjoyment; without my mind having to boss things around and militantly take the fun out of my favorite hobby.

And sure, we can talk about all of the new products I used - which you can find "HERE" - (shameless plug, lol), or how I used just the right amount of enamel dots and made the perfect trio eye flow on the page.  But if I'm going to be real with you this year, then I'd like to take you to the deeper and inner workings of my mind.  Want to know the REAL process of making a layout?  Go back up and read from the beginning again.

I'm proud of this because I was able to overcome my brick wall and just play; lending no care to anyone watching or critiquing or judging or asking me to guest design.  I did it for sheer fun!  And it helped me remember, why I started this hobby to begin with.  It's about the memories I want to capture... because at this age, I forget what I did last weekend.  [TRUE STORY! - LOL]

Now down to business, lol.

The Supplies:  Carta Bella "Spring Market" collection (including cardstock stickers, chipboard stickers, patterned paper and enamel dots), Nuvo crystal drops, background Stamps.  Twine.  Inks & Sprays.

Also, did you know that Paper Issues has a Facebook Group with over 10,000 members?  We share our hauls, have daily conversation threads and participate in the month-long challenges.  The more challenges you enter, the more chances you have to win one of two gift cards to the shop.  Right now we're celebrating Cassie's (the owner) birthday with a Spring Crop!  Come join the fun and games and be a part of an online creative community.  There's never any drama and it's worth checking in.

I've entered this layout into the "Cluster" Challenge.

If you find you have run out of supplies during the crop or feel like having something new in your stash,
visit the Paper Issues Shop
- and use my 20% coupon code "Damaris". 
Anything over $75 qualifies you for
free US priority shipping!

Have a great week!