Tuesday, January 8, 2013

New Year, New Start, New Me

I have a lot of goals for the new year.  The year 2012 was a difficult  for me.  So much loss and heartache.  I spent last year taking care of my mom.  Most of you know that she was diagnosed with Alzheimers.  It's been heartbreaking for me to lose my mom little by little.  I miss her terribly as the part of her that use to be the caring and loving mom is gone.  I miss those moments of talking to her about my day, my children and life in general.  I've experienced emotions that I never knew I had and have struggled with depression.  I know that changes have to be made for me personally.  When I saw the January sketch challenge at Once Upon A Sketch I knew it was the perfect challenge for me:
The new year is among us. What better way to celebrate change, renewed hope and having a positive attitude than with a brand new year? A new start...a new horizon and the start of something new! A new year is full of possibilities. So in honor of the start of 2013, we would like you to create a layout and interpret the theme "The start of something new..." however you like. Whatever that sentence inspires you to scrap then go for it.
I am also entering my layout in the February Challenge black and white photo at Inkido.

 I have to mention that my son criticized the picture of me on this layout.  He questioned why I had to use a picture of me that was so serious, yet so sad.  I told him that I wanted to use a picture of how I am now,  and hopefully down the road will do another layout of myself with a cheery smiling picture.
I loved working with Nadia's sketch:
My favorite part of the layout is the bottom right hand corner.  I used a large fabric button from Purple Pumpkin which symbolizes me caring for my mom. I surrounded her picture with flowers as she loved to tend to her flowers.

The boots and umbrella symbolize the rain, which Mom always said, "I never mind a little rain, as it saves me watering".  

My title, so important to me:

Here tucked beneath the paper is a green journaling tag.  A personal and private note from daughter to mother.
A lovely cluster of flowers a reminder of the gift of gardening that my mom taught me.
Last of all I dug into my rub on stash and used lots on my layout:

I shed a few tears working on this layout. I reminded myself that I need to start taking care of me. One day at a time Debbie, one day at a time. . .

And yes I can smile . . . here is the proof:

Thanks for stopping by!
. . . Debbie

26 comments:

Unknown said...

Your momma would just love this page. Well done!

Debbie said...

Oh gosh Debbie, i had a little cry reading your post. Poor you, what an awful year.
It must have been so hard for you to see your lovely Mum slip away from you, it isn't really HER now, is it? My Mum looks after my Nana (96) and I know how hard it is. My Mum has given up her life to care for my Nana, one day she will have a life back to enjoy herself again.
For you this year has started possitive, look at the sad picture of yourself in this gorgeous LO and say, goodbye Debbie, hello New Debbie.
Good luck and hope I can keep up to date with how you are doing and help you along.
Debbiex

Unknown said...

What a beautiful page, in so many ways, Debbie. I love your honesty, and feel for you with all you have gone through this past year. I do so hope to see you smiling again, soon. Hugs, friend...you sure do create some fabulous pages, and to keep so much meaning in them is important!!
I love all the beautiful layers on this one, especially the cluster around your mom's photo..lovely!
So glad you joined us at OUAS!!

April said...

Oh Debbie this is absolutely gorgeous. I'm so sorry that 2012 was a year of heartache for you and I pray that 2013 is FULL of happy blessings my friend...
- April

Sandra said...

Hi Debbie, this is a great positive way to begin a new year, lovely to get your thoughts and feelings down in such a beautiful way but also good to recognise that you must take care of 'YOU' as well. Sending you loving thoughts.

Cindy Gay said...

I love all the elements. You'll have to let your son take a "smiling" photo of you now!

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

So proud of you for scrapping this my friend!! I loveeeeeeeeee the colors, the layers, the flowers.. just BEAUTIFUL!!!

Jessica Navarro said...

Oh Debbie, what a FABULOUS layout! I love it! It made me cry reading your blog and the reason you chose that photo is so heartbreaking, but so honest. I hope you are blessed and that 2013 offers you a truly new beginning and ray of hope!

Ashley Horton said...

Loving that you are able to use your love of scrapbooking to help get you through these hard days, Debbie!! I think it's great that you chose that photo and hopefully down the road, you can get to a happier, stronger place and be reminded how you got there. The page is stunning and I love how you added the photo of your Mom and surrounded it with embellishments. You can definitely see the love and effort you put into this layout!

jannekevanveen said...

wow it's amazing lovely details i have also worked whit ths sketch greetings Janneke

Cathy Lane said...

Debbie,I hope that I can cheer you up by telling you what a gorgeous layout this is. It caught my eye straight away and I just had to tell you what a fantastic job you did here..as always of course :) I hope that by now you're feeling a whole lot better :)x

Denise said...

Debbie..I am sending you huge cyber hugs!! Last year was awful for me as well...so much happened..and it was not good..but you do such a beautiful job creating and I hope that it's good therapy for you like it is for me. I am enjoying getting caught up on your blog and looking at your gorgeous creations!!!

Unknown said...

Oh my friend I haven't been around for a while and felt sad yet positive when I read your post. Sad because all of this sadness has been around you for a while now but positive because I think you are starting to recognise that you need to focus on you a little more....and so you should! Another wonderful page full of Debbie delights :0) However you get through this, albeit scrapping or otherwise, I truly hope you are beginning to find the strength you need and can see a lighter brighter 2013. Take care my lovely xx

Marianne's Craftroom said...

Wow, just found once upon a sketch and saw your stunning layout. Just had to see it in detail. it is fabulous, so much to look at. So sorry to hear of your loss. Glad yoh have a positive attitude to move on xx

Cathy said...

A beautiful and heartfelt page Debbie. I'm so sorry to hear your had such a difficult time last year and so glad that you have a positive outlook for the new year. Adore all the gorgeous details and layers in your LO, especially the pretty cluster around your mother's photo!! Thanks so much for sharing with us at OUAS :))

LisiB said...

Your layout is so meaningful, thoughtful and beautiful. Here is to a fabulous 2013 and if you need a "pick me up" - drop me a line. Often cyber friends can be almost as helpful as "real life" friends.

BIG HUGS

Angi Barrs said...

Love your thoughtful and beautiful page Debbie. Happy New Year!

Unknown said...

With all good and bad we had in the last year 2012, I am to hope a good time this coming New Year. However, by sharing such beautiful artwork over this post could be called as a good way of having a good new year start, what do you say?
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Pat said...

Debbie I am sending you gentle{{{hugs}}}. And your page is so sweet & beautiful. I hope this new year will bring you joy .

yyam said...

I know 2013 will be a much better year for you Debbie. It is hard when you see someone you love so much slip away from you bit by bit. I applaud you for your courage and strength to stay positive. Love your beautiful layout. You are so wonderful with clusters.

Bellaidea said...

This is really a special page, you look strong! Your page is beautitul, thank you so much for joining our challenge at INKIDO!

Sandi Clarkson said...

Beyond gorgeous, Miss Debbie! Love all the colors and clusters here and there! You've had a tough couple of years and I say "yes!!" time to take care of you! Bigt hugs and congrats on the DT co-ord over at Berry bleu!

Ольга - Juchok said...

Debbie вы создали такую красивую страничку с огромным смыслом!

EFI said...

So sorry to hear your difficult time - i hope to see you smiling again! Your layout is gorgeous! Thank you so much for playing along with us at OUAS!

Athanasia said...

Love this page too! Well done! Thank you so much for playing along with us at OUAS! :)

Unknown said...

lov this page ! gorgeous !!!