SR Week 6 - I choose the light

I've had depression for over 12 years, initially diagnosed as post-natal depression, but then as mild-moderate clinical depression. Somedays the light from the end of the tunnel is closer than others, but where possible, I choose the light. For even in darkness, all you need is a candle of hope and a spark...

(This is my attempt at a candle to remind me of this and lessons of week 6)

I am still a work-in-progress, but I'm walking towards the light.

x

My first ever Swap

When I was growing up (here's where I show my age LOL) there was a Saturday morning TV show on BBC1 called "Multi-coloured Swap Shop". A portion of the programme would be broadcast live from a different place in the UK each week and the idea was that if you had an unwanted toy or other item, you could take it and swap with someone else - I digress, but the word "swap" made me think of this. Nope, this blog is about a card swap - a swapping of Soul Restoration truths.


As part of the course, Melody gave us sheets of what she called "truths" - they are similar to positive affirmations, but we were encouraged to make cards to illustrate what truths we liked, to personalise them. My cards I've made for me are ATC sized, but others have made theirs 4x6 size, and amongst the "Brave Girls" (our collective noun) UK-based, we did a swap of cards - making cards with truths we had picked, but addressing them to our fellow swappers. We may have been a small swap group, but I'm waiting to see what the post brings me today... :)


I thoroughly enjoyed making my cards for swapping. I enjoy collage/decoupage but have all sorts of crafting interests and goodies. I sew although that's on hold until my surgery on my right elbow - patchwork and quilting I enjoy - but I also have a lot of stamping stuff and enjoy card-making, although I don't make all my own cards I use, as not everyone nowadays appreciates hand-made cards (but again I digress...)


So these are the truth cards I made, using some digital collage sheets from Flickr Free to Use Collage group http://www.flickr.com/groups/freecollagesheets/ Julia Van Der Werf http://www.etsy.com/shop/cemerony and http://cemerony-share.blogspot.com/ , and www.lunagirl.com

Card 1 - Don't want to miss out

Card 2 - Absolutely worth it

Card 3 - Be thankful

Card 4 - Nurture yourself

Card 5 - It's Happening

Card 6 - Happiness & Peace

Day 2 of my Week 5 layout SR - Personal Happiness equals...

As I said yesterday, the task for this week was to look at the things that mean bliss, happiness or joy to us, as well as those things that bring about feelings of loss, guilt or feeling yucky in us. We were given some prompts but I added some of my own.

The happiness "hearts" are colourful, the yuckiness is a black, cracked heart. The last page leads from the blackness but shows I choose to get through the yuckiness, to recognise the things that lead to feeling yucky, and then choose something different wherever possible :) x

SR Week 5 - My idea of...

I've been away from this for a week, as it's been son's half term, but I was finding this week's tasks difficult - to identify things that mean bliss, happiness or joy to us, as well as those things that bring about feelings of loss, guilt or feeling yucky in us. I always find ideas of good things and me difficult, but for the Art Journal Caravan (2010) we had to explore our greatest joys, and this is the page that I came up with for my joys...

Which gave me a lead into my idea of joy etc. The top page is just the first page for this week, as my hubby and son don't define me, but me being a wife and a mother obviously are my main "jobs" nowadays. But in being with them, particularly on holidays etc, what we do together makes me feel joy, see my situation as truth and from their love, I get my enthusiasm to do things together and for me, etc. My family life isn't always sweetness and light, but whose is? It is however a source of joy and bliss quite a lot of time.

x

SR Week 4: Despite her past... she achieved

This week was about looking at the excuses, reasons, roadblocks along the way that could keep us stuck, underachieving or away from our dreams, and then looking at the truths of the situation. We had 3 pages of roadblocks etc to cut out as many or as few as we wished, and I had a few of my own to add.

It might look intimidating the pages of "They told her", "They" said etc, leading to "She" thought/believed etc, but I actually found it liberating to put names and words to the feelings, beliefs and messages from the past. They’re out there now – I know the events and reasons behind them, but in being out there, they’re less of a part of me.

I’ve also added some details of my more recent achievements – made inspite of the load I was carrying then. I have felt a little bogged down with going back over those times, but I see this all as a detox. Once out, it can’t poison me anymore.

I love this message – that despite what people/my inner critics have historically said, despite all my fears, I have done so much and achieved by doing it anyway :)

You know...and love me regardless

I wasn't going to share this page, as it deals with truths and honesty, but in making the other side of this page, my quiet inner voice became a little clearer. That despite the historical fears, regrets etc and because of my strengths and talents, I am loved...

Credits:

Flower page from an acrylic album (used as template) - Bo Bunny, Acrylic Clear Album

Background (extract from digital mini kit) - Basic Grey, Mellow Starter Kit, Paper - Equinox (http://www.basicgrey.com/digital/shop/collections/show/current/mellow)
Picture of Birds, floral paper pieces and phrases - from Soul Restoration Course supplies

Ignore the lies

The next lesson for Week 1 is to listen to our quiet voice, the one that tells the truth, rather than repeats the lies that the inner and outer critics have told. Listening to the one that says I am good enough, I am worth it.


Credits:
Background (extract from digital mini kit) - Basic Grey, Mellow Starter Kit, Paper - Lenient (http://www.basicgrey.com/digital/shop/collections/show/current/mellow)
Picture of Bird and phrases - from Soul Restoration Course supplies

Soul Restoration - Some Home Truths

As part of Week 1 projects, we have to think about the special place/house that holds our soul or essence and walk towards in truths, rather than through fears. This is my two page spread for this part...

The words are from the Soul Restoration course supplies

Page 1:

Credits:

Background - K & Co Brenda Walton Designer paper, BW Madeline 8.5 x 8.5 Double sided paper pad (36 sheets)
Picture of Girl and Phrases - from Soul Restoration course resources

Page 2:

These words are to reassure the fears I've had about trust in the past, and the flags are for the changes I am making.

Credits:

Background (extract from digital mini kit) - HGD by Laurie Ann @ ScrapArtist.com, Being Home mini kit (website no longer available)

House and flags (altered slightly as it ripped as I was cutting ;) ) - HGD by Laurie Ann @ ScrapArtist.com (website no longer available)

Picture of House in the Wood and phrases - from Soul Restoration Course supplies

Love Julie x

Soul Restoration - Title page

As part of lesson one of the project, we have to make a page that included the label "I am restoring... the real me is still in here" to start the journey. The background paper is an extract from a 8.5 x 8.5 inch sheet. The twill ribbon was my last bit left.



Love Julie x

Credits:
Background - K & Co Brenda Walton Designer paper, BW Madeline 8.5 x 8.5 Double sided paper pad (36 sheets)
Postcard in background and bird and birdhouse element - Julia Van Der Werf (www.cemerony.etsy.com) digital sheet no, 208
"Under Construction" twill Ribbon - Paperartsy (from my stash)
Paper tag - from Soul Restoration course resources

Soul Restoration Book - Inner cover

This is the inside of the denim cover album - the flower is there to cover over the ends of the twill ribbon and tie it to the front cover.

Love Julie x

Credits:
Denim book cover - ChatterBox Inc, The Denim Album
Green buttons, jewel and felt shapes - ChatterBox Inc, Splendid Treasures element - Willow
"Under Construction" twill Ribbon - Paperartsy (from my stash)

Soul Restoration Book Cover

Yes, I am a glutton for punishment, in case you are wondering. I like to be busy, to have projects on the go and this is the cover of a book of truths I'm creating on an online course offered by the Brave Girls Club, called Soul Restoration http://bravegirlsclub.com/onlineclasses.html As part of the course I received the denim book cover and the green buttons and felt flower. The yellow "under construction" tape I already had and seemed appropriate. The labels are from the online supplies for the course.

Some of the tasks on this 6 week course I may not share as it is a personal journey of truth, but I'll share what I'm able to. Here's to finding who I am.

Love Julie x

Credits:
Denim book cover - ChatterBox Inc, The Denim Album
Green buttons, jewel and felt shapes - ChatterBox Inc, Splendid Treasures element - Willow
"Under Construction" twill Ribbon - Paperartsy (from my stash)
Paper tags - from Soul Restoration course resources