the one about love...

Two very significant things happened to me yesterday.
1. I sent my son to school
2. I read a powerful piece of writing.
                                                                                                                                                                                  Some mornings, I see my little boy off to school. Yesterday, as he was driven away in the big yellow bus, he pressed his little face to the window, and smiled his shy sweet smile, and waved. He always sits in the last row. As the bus turned the corner, he whipped around too, to the back window, and continued waving. Now I could only see his eyes and the top of his gleaming head. But he kept stretching his arm up... Up and up, higher and higher, as if to make himself a little larger for me to see... Me too... I stood there, balancing on the very tips of my toes, calves burning, arm extended above my head as high as it could go, waving, a stupid goofy smile on my face... I must have looked so daft!
That light heart and complete and utter joy stayed with me all day.... I had loved, and was loved in return!
Later that day I read this powerful piece of writing on Facebook. It resonated within me. I even reposted it. Not because it reflected my state of mind at that time, or because I was feeling let down in any way or by any one, but because I recognised this emotion in so many relationships I have been witness to. This piece spoke of not being loved the way we want or need to be. And if this was the case, our chosen partner was not 'worth the treasure we offer' or some such pearl of wisdom. Very self-empowering.
I deliberated for a whole night on this. I was lead to two fundamental questions. I asked myself,
1. Why are you with your chosen partner?
And 2. What is love?
So: Why are you with your chosen partner... Because you love him. Or is it because you want him to love you? But he does love you. But is it the way you want or need to be loved?
No. He loves you the way he knows how to love. Period. Who the fuck are you to decide his way is wrong? You don't like it, move the fuck along. Don't stay there and moan about not being loved the "right" way.
Which brings me to - What is love?
Love is the emotion another person (or animal) arouses within you. It is this great welling-up of feeling another being is capable of raising within you.
And we are disappointed if, or worse, when, we realise that we ourselves, are not capable of raising the same wealth of emotion within our chosen partner.
I'm just saying it's OK. Because a relationship is an ongoing thing, an ever-changing living breathing organism.
Some days you're screaming at each other the worst abuse and the most hurtful things you can think of to say. There is no one you hate more than this chosen other. No one who drives you more mad.
And there are some days which are beautiful.
Just see it through....     

Dance

I have always LOVED to dance! But my formal dance training only began when I turned 40, after my son was born. I go to the studio everyday (except Sunday. On Sunday I scrap!!!) and work on my strength and flexibility and technique. But my nemesis is choreography… I have such a hard time remembering anything… So this year I've decided to make an extra special effort to try and remember ALL my routines!
So that's what this l/o is about.
 Again, the product is from MME, and the colour palette is by CSI.
Here are some details.


And there's my hidden journalling!
Thanks for stopping by!

Nature, the great outdoors (now inside)

Hi!
I made this layout to document my son's obsession with creatures large and small! They weren't kidding when they said 'boy's are made of frogs and snails and puppy dogs tails!'
Here's the l/o.
 I made the block behind the photos with torn bits of paper stuck down with Liquitex. (Had so much fun doing that!) I then added some stitching, and some Gesso. I also added some twigs and brads. The title is an old rub on from MME.
Here are some details.


I also did some distressing. I didn't use any stain this time… I just wanted the white edges to show.
My journalling is handwritten.
So that's it! It's a very simple page, which I completed inside an hour. But it was an hour well spent!
Thanks for stopping by!! 

Stuck On TV

God I've been inactive… scrapbooking wise, that is…
Well not really… I've just gotten addicted to the new Misc. Me kinda stuff, that I've not really found the need to sink my teeth into the traditional kind of page I'd generally do. Until now…
So this l/o too is for an MME challenge.
I followed their sketch, which featured a number of pictures.
Take a peep at the sketch…

Here's my interpretation! Hope you like it!
It's a relatively simple l/o, which came together fairly quickly. Mostly because I used the co-ordinating embellishments. The line is Lost & Found 2, papers,stickers and brads.
Here are some close-ups.


I found this quote on Pinterest, and it seemed to fit these pictures of my son watching television!
To finish my l/o, I did some distressing, inking and stitching.
I really enjoyed putting this l/o together, mostly because of the yummilicious goodies I got to play with!
So thank you MME! And thank you for stopping by!
Goodnight!

Summer 2013

Hi people!
Thanks for stopping by! I created this project using mainly MME products. The thing I love most about MME is the fact that I can combine lines easily. this, and the sheer versatility of the lines make MME an easy choice for me.
Take a look at my l/o.
This is the first time I've attempted to make a double page layout. The August challenge at MME was to scrap a summer, and I had so many pictures i wanted to include.
The papers from one l/o are from the So Sophie collection, and for the other l/o are the Stella and Rose collection. The tags and the rub-ons are from an old old collection, Laundry Line (I just love this collection). The stickers are fro Indie Chic. The brads and the rhinestone flourish are from Lost & Found 2.
I think everything works together so well.
I used stitching and distressing, some Prima flowers, and some shells, and that's it! In two days I was done.
Here are some details.






 My journalling is hand written in pencil.    
  Thanks for looking, and have a super day!                                                                                          


Just Be Me

It's 2013!
For me, 2012 was not easy. There were days when I had to struggle to remember 'who' I was. I got through the hard days hour by hour, filling the minutes with things I enjoyed. It was so easy to slip into a depression, and I confess, there were days that I succumbed to the darkness. I needed help to find myself.
I started this project somewhere in December. But somehow, it never got done.
When I saw the challenge at OUAS, and the quote, "Do all things with love", I knew I could finish this. For this is my philosophy. The blueprint for how I choose to live my life. I remembered.
Here is my layout.
   I found brads and stickers that reflect things I love, and I added these to my layout. Distressing, stitching, flowers and bling, all say something about who I am.


Then there's the hidden journalling. I used the actual quote, and added a bit! Behind, is a note to my son.


I'm also entering this for the Gossamer Blue/ My Mind's Eye Designer contest. I hope you liked it! Thanks for stopping by! 

Little Prince

Gosh it's been so long since I posted! Everything has changed here at blogger, and I hope I can post this alright.
Ok so here goes...
I made this using the palette from C.S.I.
The papers are all MME. The collection is Lost and Found 2. The brads are from the same collection. The flowers and metal embellies are Prima.
Here are some more details.



The hidden journalling is on a pull out tag and reads, "My darling son, You are the Prince of my heart and the ruler of my days and sometimes a royal PAIN IN THE ASS, but I love you anyway!"
Thanks for stopping by!

Unique.Adorable.Charming.

The word is 'Charming'. And this picture of my son is so charming, I think, I just had to scrap it. I followed the palette from C.S.I. Here's a look at the file.
I'm entering this for MME challenge 33 too. I must admit I was stumped when it came to adding pink, I'm more of a monochromatic person. Then I remembered the rub-ons MME used to make. I adore them. I think they are making them again and I can't wait to get my hands on some!
Here's my l/o.
Here are some close-ups.




One of the things I love most about MME is that their collections are timeless. I can effortlessly mix old collections with new if I need to, and it all looks good!
Thanks for stopping by!

Reach for the Stars

I made this using the palette from C.S.I. case #8. The pictures are of my son at the beach. He was singing every song he knew, and I got pictures.
Here's the l/o.
 I'm entering this for the BITW challenge. The word is 'discover'. I want my son to discover the little joys  of life for himself. The joy you get from sitting in the sunshine. From feeling the sand between your toes. From singing out loud. From being with people who love you. Simple joys that cost nothing and mean everything.
Here are some close-ups.



The word 'discover' is etched on the silver ring. My wish for my son is for him to discover his own joys.
Thanks for looking.

Remember

I will never forget Spain
 My husband and I were born to travel. We met as trainee flight attendants for our country's national carrier. We flew all over the world together for 15 years. Where the airline didn't fly, we went to on our own.   Going to a new place, eating the local street food, and living in small local hotels is what epitomizes travel for us. We call it 'getting the true feel of the place'. For months before our departure, Edgar will sit with his copy of the Lonely Planet, and choose hotels and plan excursions, and I will read up histories and learn as much as I can about our chosen destination.
Spain came after a grueling time in our lives. We were trying to have a baby, and found out instead that I had a tumor in my brain. After three years of doctors and medication, one year of infertility treatments, pain and humiliation, and frustration, we gave up. My body was a mess, my mind was worse and our savings were gone. We resigned ourselves to being a childless couple. From now on we would travel. Spend any money we had on exploring the world. The first place we chose was Spain.
And Spain was good to us. Architecture like I'd never seen before. So much history and beauty. A culture much like our own, (we're from Goa). Good food and better drink! We were happy again.
A few months later, we were planning our next exploration. Prague. But we never got there. Spain became the last of our carefree holidays. I was pregnant!
Here is my l/o.
  It's based on a sketch by Nadia from OUAS. Their theme was a memorable vacation. For me that's Spain. My journalling is handwritten on the postcard with the matador.

The palette is from C.S.I.
Here are some close-ups.

I'm also entering this for Bird Is The Word challenge for the first time. The word is 'journey'.
Thanks for stopping by!