Mystical DT Entry - double LO - hidden journalling reads ...

Why I love to scrap …

My family are the reason I was first interested in scrapbooking – I was pregnant with Caitlin in 2004 when I started out with Creative Memories. I enjoyed it immediately but then found I needed more depth and creativity in my work and so moved over to the “dark side” as some say.
When we finally got satellite broadband in January 2007 my scrapping world opened up immensely. I surfed numerous scrapping sites, browsed the galleries and online stores constantly and found endless inspiration. I joined some forums and started talking scrapping with other like minded people, and soon started participating in Cybercrops and other online competitions. It was such a boost to my scrapping ego and confirmation of my prowess when I won my first Cybercrop prize and since then (March 2007) I’ve won many more. It still amazes me sometimes that others think my work is “good enough” – I mean, I usually like my creations, but it’s so beautiful to share my work with others who like it too.
I’ve submitted numerous LO’s to the 3 major scrapbooking magazines but as yet only 1 has been selected for publication (and I’m still waiting to see it in print 6 months from acceptance – grrr).
Whilst preserving family history and memories in a beautiful and unique way is still my main focus, I have found scrapbooking to be a wonderful creative outlet for me. It gives me freedom to create in my own style and in my own way and I get a buzz out of it. And scrapping has also allowed me to form some very special, treasured friendships, both locally in person and online.
Scrapping has also been an escape and sanity saver for me at times when things get tough with the kids – I had PND after Ciaran was born and found scrapping was a wonderful outlet and distraction from the waves of emotions and confusion I experienced.
I’ve dabbled a few times with OTP things but recently discovered a real love for this side of scrapping including making mini albums and gifts for family and friends. I have a heap more projects up my sleeve if I can find the time to do them.
So, 4 years after starting my scrapping journey I find myself creating this LO for a Design Team challenge for the Mystical Scrapbooks site. I have only recently found this site and was immediately made welcome. There was so much inspiration from everyone on the site and so much happening it seemed like a great opportunity to have a shot at the DT position and join in the fun. I’ve dreamed for a while now of having the honour of a DT position on a site so I initially thought I should just have a go for the experience of DT challenges and the like. Having now participated in 4 of the challenges set by Mystical I find myself hungering after the challenges and thinking hey, maybe I really could be good enough to be on the DT. I’ve been encouraged to look really closely at my work, try new things, share techniques and define my own style.
I love colour, dimension and texture, overlapping different elements and trying to draw it all together. Flowers, bling, ribbon, butterflies and all those pretty things really inspire me too but they’re not so great on a boy LO so I chose linear styles, tearing, chipboard and other “stronger” embellishment for most of Ciaran’s pages.
I’ve been greatly encouraged by the truly lovely comments the Mystical forum members have left on my LO’s and I have made a real effort to do the same. I see this as a very important part of being a member of an online scrapping community.