Welcome back to my blog! If you have tried to visit recently and found that it was not "here" I apologize, but Typepad and I have been having issues and I haven't been able to blog for several weeks. Fingers crossed the issue is corrected now..and onto the challenge!!
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 grow. You can view all of the challenges on our new Inspiration Elevator Blog, here.
This month's challenge is issued by the super talented, Sue Sykes. Here's what she had to say in her very own words:
"I have all of my parents' photos stored at my place. Shortly after I began scrapbooking, my mom and I spent hours removing her photos from those dreadful magnetic albums and documenting dates on the back of them all. So I will often sift through them and marvel at how much things change - and yet, they also seem to stay the same.
This month, I'd like to challenge you all to create a comparison layout or project - THEN and NOW. It can be any topic; just document the parallels and differences between an event/person/place from the past and a modern likeness. REMEMBER TO JOURNAL!! :)
Can't wait to see what you all create!"
This was actually not such a stretch for me. There were SEVERAL topics that had me reflecting in the last week, what with one child culminating from elementary school, one graduating from high school, our dance recitals, Girl Scout Bridging to Cadettes and so much more...but the one that stuck with me was this comparison...
Jillian's first dance recital at age 3 and this year's dance recital..en pointe. She has been waiting all her life to perform on stage en pointe and finally, this was her year! It wasn't nearly as easy as she thought it would be, I'm sure, but she danced so beautifully she brought tears to my eyes...
I just love the contrast of her chubby little pigeon toed legs when she was three and her long beautiful dancer's legs now...I caught her mid step (so hard to photograph a moving subject!) but I will always remember how well she danced and the huge smile on her face. :)
Just to add another element to the layout that might not be obvious, I chose a background paper that was made by the Karen Foster Designs company way back in 2004 and paired it with the brand new Echo Paper Ballet mini theme papers and embellishment. I have been hanging onto this background paper for 9 years now and never thought I'd use it but it was so perfect for this challenge! I even added a few "vintage" My Mind's Eye transparencies...which just worked perfectly with the old/new theme. Thanks Sue!
I hope you will stop by and see what our designers on this adventure have created:
So beautiful, Lisa!! The layout, your daughter, your thoughts... love it all! AND I love how your paired the "old stash" with the new!! Genius!
Posted by: Sue Sykes | June 15, 2013 at 08:56 AM
This is just so pretty!
Posted by: Laurel S | June 15, 2013 at 09:02 AM
I LOVE it!! Love your comparision and the layout is super pretty!
Posted by: Jodi | June 15, 2013 at 09:26 AM
I love the use of old and new brilliant! Your daughter is gorgeous!
Posted by: Cathy | June 15, 2013 at 10:05 AM
how beautiful, the photos, the layout and the memories ... just amazing. I'd say you are a lucky lady but I am sure you earned it! congrats to you!
Posted by: Laura Whitaker | June 15, 2013 at 04:38 PM
So pretty, Lisa! Perfect use for that KF paper!
Posted by: Maya | June 15, 2013 at 08:02 PM
Very pretty!
Posted by: KimberlyMarie | June 16, 2013 at 06:21 AM
Love your paper choices, Lisa! Fabulous comparison layout!
Posted by: Lisa M. | June 16, 2013 at 09:36 AM
I think it's really neat that you could use then and now paper too, for this challenge. What a sweet page and what a proud moment for both you and your daughter when she performed en pointe. Nice work!
Posted by: Ann Jobes | June 17, 2013 at 07:33 AM
Totally gorgeous! I love everything about your page Lisa! The papers you used and all the additional elements really compliment your awesome photos! Fabulous!
Joanne xo
Posted by: Joanne xo | June 17, 2013 at 10:54 AM
En POinte! Tres bien! Elle est tres belle et magnifique! I adore your title choices..I may steal it someday! Your gorgeous layout really captures this amazing memory. :o)
Posted by: Christa | June 18, 2013 at 07:49 AM
Love this layout!!! It's so pretty. The colors, the textures... Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: fafuna | June 23, 2013 at 03:09 PM