Inspiration Elevator | Challenge 17

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 our new Inspiration Elevator Blog, here.  My individual challenges are found on my blog here.

Our challenge this month comes from the very talented Cathy Harper. Here's what she had to say in her very own words:

"I want to know what inspires you to create. As I was driving home the other day from my trip back to Black Hills, I saw a really cool billboard...clouds, the sun, and a few hearts. I immediately thought how great the design was and how I could transform it into a card or layout. (No, I didn't get a picture of it as it was the week of the annual Sturgis Bike Rally and no way was I pulling off the side of the interstate with all of that crazy traffic.) Even the other day, as I was walking through Target, I saw a couple of cute Baby gift bags that had great design principle that I could use as inspiration to create with too! Then it hit me that this would be a great challenge for my IE teammates. We recently had [a] challenge where we were inspired by another teammate and lifted their style..but I want to know what else inspires you besides other designers cards and layouts. Are you a Pinterest addict like me? And find great design ideas there or in a magazine with a brilliant ad!? Find something inspires you, pin it or take a photo and create your work from there...you must include a photo of your inspiration and a link (if there is one) with your project for the challenge!"

What a great challenge!!   I often use advertising for inspiration in scrapbooking.  When Cathy first posted her challenge on our DT board, I immediately had several ideas pop into my head!! Here are a few of them:

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Now I'll admit - I'm a strive-on-pressure-last-minute-creative-genius type of girl.  And I'm not so sure the "creative-genius" part, but you know what I mean.  My mojo just seems to flow better when there's a deadline looming.

However, this month, Life has certainly chewed me up, spit me out and kicked me to the curb.  At the risk of turning this into a pity party, here's just a little of what I have going on:

• I have 3 stores with inventories within a 5 week period
• Connor has made the football team and is now practicing almost every night at school, meaning that I have to leave work earlier to be home for Aili.
• We also have Connor's cadet meetings and piano lessons thrown in, for good measure.
• I am slated for surgery on Sept 23 - surgery that I thought should only keep me out for a day or two but in reality, may be closer to 7 to 10 days.
• I have a crop coming up next weekend that I'm REALLY excited to go to (but haven't packed a thing yet!)
• I've been asked to contribute to the Oshawa ScrapFest this year (pretty excited about that too!)
• I have three articles to prepare for the next issue (more excitement!)
• Gary and I have been asked by my nephew, Cory and his fiancée, Taunia, to be emcees at their wedding this fall (remember the invitations I shared?) !

I know everyone is busy. In fact, I often cringe when I see people and ask them how they've been and they bemoan the fact of how busy they are.  I certainly don't claim to be any busier than anyone else, but I catch myself doing the same thing!  But I am also trying to fit in time to eat clean (which takes planning) and exercising (which required motivation! ;)) and still be the best mom, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend and employee that I can be.

Boo hoo. Having fun at my pity party yet? :(

Anyhow, to make a long story short a bit less long, I have decided to step back from the IE team for a few months until the craziness passes.  September to December are always CRAZY around here but this year, with trying to get healthy and fit, I just need to take a break from some commitments.

So sad that it had to be the IE team for now, because these talented group of ladies certainly inspired me and pushed my creativity to new heights.  I will certainly continue to share their challenges each month, if not my own designs so that you can benefit from their talents.  I will be back in a few months!

Cathy Harper

Lisa Spiegel

Laurel Seabrook

Joanne Burton

Jodi Wilton

Michelle Hernandez

Ann Jobes

Laura Whitaker

                 Sue Sykes - that's me!

Lisa Moen 

Christa Uttley

If you feel inspired to play along with my challenge this month, please share it using the linky tool on our Inspiration Elevator blog and/or our Inspiration Elevator Facebook page. We'd LOVE to see what you made!

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

September 2013 Sketchy Challenge (deadline:  Sep 30, 2013)
Leave Your Legacy: Top Ten Lists (deadline:  Nov 30, 2013