You may recall that the purpose of this challenge group is 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 extend ourselves. You can view all of the challenges our Inspiration Elevator Blog, here. We are thrilled to welcome back Audrey Yeager this month as a guest designer. Audrey recently came into ownership of My Scraps & More online store, and has graciously offered a prize this month! Read on to find out how you could win!
Our challenge this month comes from the very talented Michelle Hernandez. Here's how she expressed this month's challenge:
"Inspiration Elevator Challenge February- Phoenix Rising.
I'm going through one of the toughest times of my life right now. Huge changes, dashed expectations, embarrassing set backs- it's all overwhelming, all the time. I have the love and support of my family and my health- so it could be worst but still - it sucks.
My challenge for February:
Tell a story visually or through your journaling that speaks to your greatest challenge and most importantly how you dug yourself out. This should be a celebration of your faith, personal resilience and/or creativity. A story you'd like to tell your kids, grandkids or yourself when things get rough. "
Truthfully, the longer I scrapbook and art journal, the more important it has become to me to include the celebration of my faith on just about everything I create. I do want my art to reflect my values. So for me, this month's challenge was about sharing a time when our faith could have been challenged, and we could have been screaming, "Why me??", but we didn't.
I used Laura's terrific February 15th sketch from Stuck?! sketches as my design starting point.
I dove into my stash for a woodgrain patterned paper, certain there were a few there, and found this blue one from American Crafts. Then I began to add some elements that had symbolic significance for me: black and white, because it was a dark time, but yet there was light, which is also symbolized by the orange sunray pattern created with acrylic paint and an Audrey Yeager stencil. I journalled extensively yet without getting too much into detail, since it's all out there for everyone to see.
Modelling paste, lumiere, acrylics and gelatos all at play here.
Shadowed letters, bright orange paint, flair - all of it there to tell a story visually.
If you decide to play along with the Stuck?! sketch, please share it here.
Please visit the other Inspiration Elevator designers' blogs and see how they worked with Michelle's challenge:
Ann Jobes (thanks so much for being here!)
Guest designer: Audrey Yeager
We would LOVE to see you take up Michelle's challenge this month, so if you do, please share it at our linkup on the Inspiration Elevator blog.
So, how do you win Audrey's prize? It's simple - leave a comment here and on each of the designer's blogs! Audrey will choose one random comment from one random blog to win the $15 gift certificate to My Scraps & More. Thanks so much, Audrey! Good luck to all of you readers! More great news from Audrey and My Scraps & More - she has a sale on this weekend, starting Friday and ending Sunday! Receive 30% off your purchase by using this code: ILOVEMYSCRAPS30
And she has a flat rate shipping rate of $15.95 to Canada.
Thanks for popping by!
Blessings,
Ann
Really beautiful page Ann. And as always, great inspiration, on many levels, not only 'artistic'. TFS
Posted by: Louise | February 28, 2014 at 10:58 AM
I am SOOOO flattered that you used that stencil! :) And I just love love LOVE the grungy look of your page and the bold colors. And the white and black line title is fantastic!! Well done!
Posted by: Audrey Yeager | February 22, 2014 at 10:29 PM
Heartbreaking story!!! I so want to hug you right now. I know how it is to almost lose it all in a personal business venture. I don't know what we would do without the support of our family- I am slowly realizing just how amazinly generous and strong my family is and how I've taken them for granted. This is a wonderful page and thank you for telling the story- it reminds me to keep things in perspective!
Posted by: michelle | February 17, 2014 at 05:59 PM
Super creative page Ann, love the mixed media effects and that you journaled right on the page.
Posted by: Laura Whitaker | February 17, 2014 at 03:15 PM
WOWZERS Ann! Gorgeous take on the sketch and challenge! Love the sunburst, all the details and awesome journaling!
Posted by: Lisa Moen | February 16, 2014 at 08:13 PM
love your cool page and sunburst and use of paint!!!!
Posted by: wendipooh13 | February 16, 2014 at 12:42 AM
I love how you scrap..so many layers of meaning...this is gorgeous and a beautiful tribute!! xoxo
Posted by: Lisa Spiegel | February 15, 2014 at 01:47 PM
Wow, Ann! What an amazing story and how beautifully you told it! I love the artistic design of your page and your photos are gorgeous. Thank you for sharing and for the inspiration that your faith is!
Joanne xo
Posted by: Joanne xo | February 15, 2014 at 01:45 PM