It’s a real word, rare and seldom used but, real nonetheless…..it means, ” A Person who is optimistic regardless of the circumstances.” I thought this was an appropriate thing to think about in lieu of the current economic conditions around the globe. So why optimistic when there could be nothing left in the bank you might ask? Well, I thought about sharing a page out of my own creative journal about a story my great-grandmother told me when I was young. On the eve before the Great Crash back on that fateful Black Tuesday…the harbinger of the depression we all read about in history books, my Great-Grandmother was told by her husband to go and deposit his salary into the bank. Against his wishes, she cashed it and tucked the cash away in the teapot in the kitchen (where she had socked away a portion here and there of other checks as well….guess he wasn’t a tea drinker) because as she put it, “I just had a feeling….” He was very upset with her upon hearing what she had done and seeing the cash she had amassed there in the kitchen. The next morning, the news of the Stock Market Crash spread like wildfire and the runs on the banks had left so many of their neighbors without their savings. They were the only ones on their street that got to keep their home. My Great-Grandmother was one of the most dear and precious people in my world growing up. Her amazing creativity and ways of using random things as they were not really intended to serve an immediate need here or there, got them through those tough times and are the stories we now, as adults, cling to when things seem bleak. I am thankful for those stories. I am thankful that I wrote them down. Most of all, I am thankful that she was a Panglossian- optimistic in any circumstance…even in the greatest economic challenge they had ever known. I encourage you to dig deep and find those nuggets, those shining examples of grit and determination in your own lives and family trees. Spend some time documenting those things not because you want to point out the hardship but, because you want to remember the moments when the odds were beat and victory overcame adversity. There just maybe a time where history repeats itself years later and folks may need to hear those stories to give them optimism and hope to get them through their tough situation.
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12 Spring Day Scrapbook Layout Ideas
Bike rides are the best on a Spring Day! This pretty page from Conny has lots of flowers and florals, plaid paper, torn and sewn cardstock for texture and fluttering insects. Learn more over at The Cherry on Top blog.
Spring is finally here! The weather is getting warmer, flowers are poking out of the ground and the sun is shinning more, except on those rainy Spring days. So now’s a great time to break out of those winter blues and get some fresh air on a warm Spring day and take some fabulous Springtime photos to scrapbook. I’ve gathered up a bunch of fresh ideas to inspire you to create layouts for some sunny Spring Days.
Below each photo you’ll find a link, click it to learn more about products used, tips and techniques.
Nathalie used a sketch for the design of this beautiful layout. All the flowers, scalloped lacy borders and butterflies just scream “It’s Spring”! Take note of the “flutters” of the butterflies, she stitched them, so clever! Learn more and find the FREE sketch on the Scrapbook and Cards Today blog.
One of the first things to bloom in the Spring are Cherry Blossoms which Stephanie added to this beautiful design. There’s layers of floral and geometric papers, fussy cut Cherry Blossoms, tags, sentiment strips and nods to fun outdoor activities like a scoter and kite. Take a closer look at the Spellbinders blog.
This beautiful layout uses grey tones with pops of yellow along with black and white photos. Flowers and sweet bunny rabbits add just the right Spring touches and cut striped paper straws add some depth. I spotted this idea on the michelle_crela Instagram page.
This amazing layout from Rebeca has loads of texture, layers and dimension with torn pattern papers, popped up title and frames and a stenciled background with rub-ons too. There’s also lots of flowers, butterflies flying around and paper ephemera like tickets. Learn more at the Simple Stories blog.
This monochromatic layout in blues and teals features a dog running through flowers, now’s a great time to take sweet pet photos outside! Claire used products from 49th and Market like pattern papers, printed acetate flowers, laser die cut flowers, thick frames and rub-ons for her page. Take a closer look at the 49th and Market blog.
Here’s another Cherry Blossom inspired design using products from Pinkfresh Studio. There’s a wide row of letterpress “squares” of flowers in the center, gold title, with several sentiment strips and lots of tiny die cut pink Cherry Blossom flowers and leaves. Find out more on the Living an Inspired Life blog.
This couple and their dog are enjoying a Spring outing on this lovely layout. Each photo is backed with striped paper with flower papers on the edges. There’s a beautiful border across the center made with punches and printed images, there’s also a round title and space for journaling. Find instructions on Creative Memories blog.
Phil used several different Springtime digital die cut tag designs for his sweet layout. He added colors to some with watercolor and used plaid paper in coordinating colors for the background. Learn more on the Paige Taylor Evans blog.
Well, it’s not hard to tell what time of year it is on this page, it’s Spring, Spring, Spring! Misty cut the repeat title die from glittery silver paper, adding brightly colored cardstocks to fill in, adding faux stitching to the letters with a marker. Take a closer look at the Cut Card Stock blog.
Yellow, green and blue are the perfect color combo for a Spring layout like this darling design from Gloria! This idea has lots of pattern and clusters of embellishments like daisies, insects and a cute frog. There’s typed journaling, several sentiments and a tag tied with twine too. Learn more on the Bella Blvd. Studio blog.
And lastly here’s a beautiful layout from Alexis with hard and soft features. The background has a blonde woodgrain design with a colorful section of stripes and coordinating flowers and butterflies next to each color down the center for a wonderful rainbow of color. Find directions on the Sizzix blog.
I hope you have a chance to get out and enjoy some nice Spring weather!
-Heather
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