Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Dare To Believe In Yourself

For those of you that know me and follow my blog, the past couple of years have been extremely 
difficult for me.  I lost my job back in 2010 and am still out of work.  It seems the older you get the more "unemployable" you are.  Factor that in along with my Mom's diagnosis of Alzheimers in the summer of 2011 and all I can say is life has been a struggle.  I've dealt with emotions that I never knew I had and so much of me is lost.  Not quite sure what has held me together, but I am still here.   The April Challenge at Zeus and Zoe - Life As It Is Now was my inspiration for my layout.  Create and journal a project about 'life as it is now', the subject being 'you as an individual'.  My journaling is very private ("note to self") and is on the back of my layout.

The left hand side of my layout represents me the past couple of years, dark and non dimensional.  I used some Tim Holtz and Teresa Collins stamps along with rub ons from my stash.

The right hand side of my layout represents my future, colorful and dimensional and a reminder of how life was before, colorful, happy, full of life and love, something to reach for and hold onto.  

 I used some buttons,  K & Company stickers and rub ons from my stash along with some gorgeous flowers and hexagon chipboard I purchased from UmWow Studio.  I purchased the flowers a while back from DeeDee at UmWow.  Since my purchase she has taken a new direction in her shop and no longer carries flowers, but does carry some amazing chipboard.

I look forward in the years to come to look at this layout and see where I am in life and the changes that have taken place.  One can only look towards the future with hope and dreams, taking it one day at a time.

Thank you for stopping by and allowing me to share a little bit about me.
. . . Debbie


14 comments:

Sandra said...

Debbie my heart goes out to you and at the same time I love your inspiration for the future so this layout would be a great affirmation to have displayed in your home - try to look to the right side of it for a smile. Take care of yourself.

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

What a beautiful and touching layout and so happy that no matter what you are going through, your positive attitude shows through this lo!!! I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE it!!!

Debbie said...

Stunning Layout, just love all the stamping, looks amazing. Debbiex

Lizzy Hill said...

Tough gig, Debbie...you would never know it, cos you seem so positive on your blog....love the meaning behind your LO & the black, stamped bg behind your photo is totally perfect. This is so different from what I've seen in your other LOs...love it! And that LM Alcott quote is VERY good...I LOVED her books...great series:):) Keep on keeping on. Guess that's all we can do, eh?:):):)

Ashley Horton said...

Beautiful page Debbie! Love the visual contrast representing how things have been going in your life. The mix of stamps and rub ons looks great and I love all of the texture from the flowers!

Riikka Kovasin said...

Touching page and so beautiful. Love the construction and the thought behind the composition!

Thank you so much for sharing this with us at Zeus and Zoe!

Cindy Gay said...

Love it Debbie!

Sandie said...

Debbie this is such an exquisite layout, the flower cluster is beautiful... thanks for joining in the Zeus and Zoe challenge!!

Melisa Waldorf said...

Hi Debbie. LOVE this layout and how you incorporated the past and the future. Debbie I am so sorry that you have been through so much. I am adding you to my prayer list. I hope that you find much happiness in the future.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment.
hugs

Denise van Deventer said...

Debbie....this is absolutely gorgeous! I love the styling and love all the stamping and the beautiful blloms! Looooove this...super job! Thanks for playing along with us at Zeus and Zoe! ;-)

Unknown said...

Wow this is so powerful Debbie....I mean truly mesmerising. I just sat and stared at it for ages and I must admit it brought a little tear to my eye.....mainly because I can see that you are turning the corner and can see a bright and vibrant future ahead. Good luck my friend x

Cathi ONeill said...

Such a wonderful touching symbolic layout. Big hugs for all you have been through.

Sandi Clarkson said...

Love the meaning behind this page, sweet Debbie! I know there are brighter days ahead! Love love love how you've put so much of yourself into this one!

Dana Tatar said...

Great design Debbie! I love the colorful embellie cluster! Thanks for joining the Zeus and Zoe April Challenge!