We decided to try something new this month and our team is sharing artwork today featuring a bonus sketch! Also we have a special phrase for you to decipher along the way. Each of our blog hop ladies has a word(s) BOLDED for you to complete the phrase from the beginning to the end of the hop. Once you have completed the phrase, EMAIL it to sketchnscrap@gmail.com for another chance at the grand prize! If you have come here from Tamika's blog, then you are on the right path.
Our theme for our hop is Love Grows Where the Heart is...as I tried to decide what I wanted to scrapbook I came across these photos from my 40th birthday. I am not a big fan of them but at 40 if you don't learn to love yourself what will you have to offer others? There are a million things I thought I would have accomplished by 40 that I didn't. There are a million other things that I did accomplish. I think maybe part of the reason I don't like these photos is because my whole WORLD had been crashing down around me leading up to my birthday and I was not really sure if I was prepared to take on my 40's or not. My 20s seemed a little tragic and my 30s were really a happy time and so since I had lots of final straws at 39 and had to decide where I wanted to take myself I decided that I could handle my 40's and I could handle them with grace, acceptance, and love...love of myself where I am right now. I have tons of changes I want to make in this decade. I need to pick up the pieces from a failed marriage. I need to start over financially. I need to lose the weight I have been saying I will lose for the past two decades. I want to send off my girls to each of their new life stages with the knowledge that they can do anything in the WORLD that their hearts desire. I want to enjoy those who love me. I want to make even more new friends and cherish my old friends. I want to embrace who I have have become because of where I have been and enjoy each and every day! I want to remember that even though life is never perfect sometimes it can be perfect right now! At 40 I have learned to embrace who I am and you know what it is pretty liberating. So no I don't think I am perfect .. but I am right now ~
Supplies: Pemperly kit and coordinating accessories from Close to my Heart
Here is the sketch if you would like to make your own page about how love grows where the heart is!
***eye candy surprise***
Leave me some love and I will pack a surprise goodie box for you full of fun things to make cards, scrapbook pages, or whatever paper craft you prefer. Winner will be drawn on February 15th so please comment by midnight on Valentines Day... February 14th.
Awesome layout Amy! I love the title and I love the pretty blues you used! And just FYI...I think you are pretty awesome lady! Cheers to you and the next 40 years!!!(raising my glass in a cyber toast!)
ReplyDeleteOh My you almost made me cry! such a heart felt post!I am happy you are embracing who you are now :o) btw 40 isn't such a big deal I was saying I was 40 three years before I was LOL pretty sad I couldn't remember my own age! Love you page and those bottom two picture are pretty cool ...the papers you used are beautiful! have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your feelings with us; I'll be hitting 40 next year ...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win a little blog candy!
Great layout of love those resin flowers by Webster and the beautiful pattern paper you used! I think the posted part where you explain your layout should be attached to the back of it. The sort of distorted photos even help to tell that story, if that was your intention! Great work!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea about the blog post. I wanted to do some hidden journaling but didn't know what I wanted to write until I started writing the blog post. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a heart felt post! I agree that the journaling needs in there somewhere b/c this is a very special layout with it and beautiful job with the sketch! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great layout!! I'm turning 43 this yr, and I'm hoping my life will get easier .
ReplyDeletecgummerson@hotmail.com
Amy,
ReplyDeleteWOW, what a post and layout. We tend to let our needs and wants go until we hit that wall or breaking point. Thanks for sharing such a personal journey. Welcome to the next chapter of your life. :)
I love your color and paper choices. Quite lovely. Good for you for being in the place of self-acceptance AND scrapping about it.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness - this is such a beautiful page! Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteAwesome layout and your statement "if you don't learn to love yourself what will you have to offer others?" is so TRUE!
ReplyDeletereally great layout! love all the details and elements! thanks for a great hop!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely lovely Amy!
ReplyDeleteLove the layout - a fresh perspective on the sketch!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work there!
ReplyDeleteAwesome layout! I think the best pages are ones that have a lot of feeling behind them.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous layout! Love the pretty blue!
ReplyDeleteI am approaching 40 this year and this is good advice for me. Thanks for creating such a touching layout and sharing your heart.
ReplyDeleteI turned 40 last year and it made me reflect a little too. I finally started a diet and exercise regime (goal is to hit my target weight before I turn 41, which I am on track to do). Hope the 40's prove to be years you look back on in fondness.
ReplyDeleteStopping by to share a hug and some love. I have not seen 40s in many years.What I can say it has been quite a ride. Went from despair to success. I lost joy and I saw the world through gray colored glasses I survived and thrived. My world got back on it's axis. One day the sun came out and I found joy.
ReplyDeleteAmy, I so agree with everything you wrote about being 40. I turned 47 in November and, other than disliking the changes in my skin (among other things! haha!), I don't think I'd really want to be in my 20's again either! Now is my time...kids are grown and gone and I've got a new husband and new home. My time is mine for once and I plan to spend it doing things I enjoy...like scrapping!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being part of this blog hop!
Nancie
WOW... what an story to share with the world of scrap strangers. You sound like an amazing woman who can do what she puts her mind to.
ReplyDeleteWonderful layout and a great story. You are a great person and brave for sharing your story!!!!!
ReplyDeletethat page is truly a work of art, love the photo effects!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win some fabulous goodies!!! Your page looks great :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Amy, love your take on the blog hop sketch the colours are great and I love you title letters. Super job. Off to visit Mandi...
ReplyDeleteLove your post and layout! Love the colors!
ReplyDeleteGreat LO! Everything coordinates nicely together! Good Luck in your 40s -- actually, in my opinion -- 40s are GREAT!
ReplyDeleteYou are perfect just the way you are! What an inspiring layout! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove your LO and you are soooo on the right track...today & forward....you've been through much & that has given you strength for today!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice layout! Happy 40s to you! I'm in my 50s and it doesn't get much worse (hugs)
ReplyDeleteAlready a follower. Love your blog. What beautiful LO. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteHuggies
Rachelle
xxx
I'm extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it's rare to see a great blog like this one today.
ReplyDeleteHave a look at my website; cash advance wiki
Such a wonderful sentiment. Remember...just keep swimmn', swimmn', swimmn'!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful layout. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat page. I love those colors you used.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Amy. So rich in color and texture.
ReplyDelete