MY FINISHED OLW JOURNAL 2019

Ali Edwards Design Inc. 

This year my One Little Word will be: BE (companion word FEEL)

Excited. 

This is how I used Ali's New One little Word Journal (Hybrid)


Love,

Emine Pala

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT

I have been chosen to be a part this amazing team as a "hybrid" Artist. I am honored and excited to be able to play with this wonderful templates and cut-outs from Liz. She is an amazing designer. Thank you for letting me be a part of this very talented designers. 

You can see the announcement here on her blog (as well as her fabulous designs & the fabulous work from the creative team members): SCRAPPING WITH LIZ BLOG

EDIT: No longer part of this amazing creative team. 

More inspiration to come for sure... Follow, share and let's play together. 

Love, 

Emine Pala

Creative Artist

SOME INSPIRATION, REMINISCING AND MY PROJECT PLANS FOR 2019

Credits: Digital Stamp: Ali Edwards Design

Inspiration for this blogpost:

I read THIS blogpost of Ali Edwards as soon she posted it on her blog, but I didn't react to it at the time since I was coming back to scrapbooking again. So much has changed. It was a bit hard for me to figure everything out. 

A little about my background story:

I started scrapbooking back in 2005. Ali Edwards and "Elsie Flannigan" where my inspirations (also "Kristina Contes" who was on the HAMBLY SCREENPRINTS designteam at the time). 

Kristina was/is an amazing artist for sure. I remember contacting Kristina after I saw on a blog, where they bullied everyone who had a little bit of recognition for their work, my name after my appearance as "Prima Marketing" Guest designer and calling me names and  a whole topic about me (well, I wasn't that successful or something. I didn't understand what I did wrong). I was in tears when I reached out to Kristina. 

Why did I approach Kristina? 

She was the main target of that blog with anonymous responses. I just wanted to know how she dealt with all of it. And I will never forget the advice she gave me: "Emine, don't read it, don't even look, it's not worth of it". She was right. Even though they were so cruel to her, she found it in her heart to not respond or look at it. To be the better person. She was wise enough to not even lower herself to that level. That's how I know who Kristina really is.

I would love to know how she is doing now and hope she is still creating. And if I had the chance, I would thank her for her advice. Because it truly saved my life later on. 

And then:

In 2009 i had to quit. Live happened (Kristina's advice in the back of my mind). Now I am back again and a bit confused, excited about the new concepts in the scrapbook industry but still a bit reminiscing about the "good old days". Where we had more a forum and blog community (not that blog I mentioned above) instead of Facebook. Although I am getting used to it and I am trying to embrace this new way of sharing... 

Ali's Approach to Memory Keeping: 

What I love the most is the way Ali Edwards approaches scrapbooking. "Storytelling" and "Memory Keeping" sounds more right to me. That's what we do, we document our lives and tell the stories of our lives. Loved what Ali said and asked in the "Main Presentation" of her new January "Habit" Story kit class:

"Storytelling as a method of personal growth" 

and

"How has memory keeping impacted your personal growth?"

Excellent. 

My Project Plans for 2019: 

Credits: Ali Edwards Design

1)  One Little Word: 

Ofcourse, almost finished, taking my time to really work with my word "Grind" and it has already made me realize a LOT. For instance that my word is not what I think it meant. "Grind" is a word used in the world of motivational/inspirational speakers as "don't give up", "believe in yourself", "Life with purpose", "work hard for what you believe" etc.. When i looked it up it said a whole another thing. I knew that I had to give this word my own definition. 

So I wrote: " Nothing has a meaning, only the meaning you give to it". I struggled but I made it.... LOL

Credits: Ali Edwards Design

2) December Daily: 

Last year I was way too late to order my kit through the box system. I took my photo's and told my stories in a journal and lived my "magically imperfect" December 2018 to the fullest. I participated in your workshop: "Storytelling with December Daily" (wow, would love to have the opportunity to leave reviews, I learned so much, amazing content, I would recommend this class to ANYONE who likes DD. For real. 

So that project is done for me. (I might create an album but I don't put myself into that pressure" I can tell you that this was the BEST way for me to get into scrapbooking and the new way of storytelling. And I like it. Definitely will be participating this year again. 

Credits: Ali Edwards Design

3) Day in the Life + Week in the Life: 

I am looking forward to it. I definitely will be participating in their classes too. 

Credits: Janette Lane

4) Pocket Letter Swaps: 

I need to create 3 hybrid pocket letters this month (1 for a pall in Germany, 1 for a pall in my Country, Netherlands and 1 for a pall in USA) Amazing concept and a very happy me when I receive them in the mail. Makes me smile... It's like a RAK (Random Act Of Kindness) we used to do, but more fun. 

5) The Story kit, Stamp Kit and their monthly classes: 

Love them so much. I have a subscription for 12 months. (or years)

The class content and products are my favorite... 

6) Participate in the "Storytelling with project life" and other classes:

I want to explore, in dept, which project or concept suits me the most. I don't travel that much but I would love to create albums telling the stories about the 4 times a year I get to see my children. That includes traveling, but mostly I want to document everything we do and say to each other in that short time we have together. Turning missing my children into celebrating the bond and love we have, the fun, the cuddles and kisses. 

7) Last but not least, maybe the most important project to me is recreating: 

Every single layout, mini-album possible I created for my daughters. I might have lost all of them, but Thank God I kept sharing it on my blog. When I found the them online (baby pictures of my daughters, the layouts I created, the thoughts I shared) it felt like I got my identity back, my memories, the details. I don't feel sad, the opposite I am excited to have the opportunity to tell all those beautiful memories again. I guess the Story planner would be very helpful.With what I now know. I'm Grateful for sure. 

Years of scrapbooking for my family and magazine work I learned that not every story has to be about the good times or good things in our lives. Sometimes telling the story about something you are frustrated about can be so therapeutic. I have created a lot of layouts about my panic attacks or feeling lonely. There is no rule in memory keeping right? We got to do what feels right for us. Now years and years later I don't have that problem anymore. That's the beauty, I have grown, we all have. 

WHAT ARE YOUR PROJECT PLANS? 

QUICK UPDATE ABOUT PROJECTS I'M WORKING ON

First I want to share that I got accepted to the Altenew's Educator Program. Really excited to teach again and to explore more creative ways to combine stamping and lot's of other techniques within my hybrid projects. It's an honor to be a part of a team that's dedicated te learn and pass it forward. We can only be truly happy by sharing. Sharing is Caring, right? 

This is a project I feel really connected with. Ali is sharing her knowledge and inviting us to do the work. That's how it should be. As Ali says: "We are all students of life, we all are learning and don't know all the answers". So true ofcourse, coming from a motivational speaker background. 

Nobody can do the work for you, they can inspire you, take the leadership but you need to take the action. Only you can do that, nobody can do that for you. 

With just one word, a year long we are building our lives. It's not about the album, it's about the journey. Ofcourse the products makes it more fun. Going Hybrid style. And I am loving it. 

One little word 2019 is what I am currently dedicated to. I will share my January prompt design pages (it's a lot) in a couple of days. Worked really hard on it and love the way it turned out. But mostly I loved to think about my life and researching my word and what it means to me. Reflecting on my own life. It can be tough. But in the process you learn and grow. That's only possible in our toughest times. 

I noticed that I didn't even share my word. The meaning of this word is not in the dictionary. "Nothing in life has a meaning, only the meaning you give to it". Remember this and be gentle with yourself. 

Credits: Template: Ali Edwards, Letters: Elif Sahin Designs

Photography & Journalling 

Element Credits: Ali Edwards Design and Elif Sahin Design

Credits: Ali Edwards Habit digital kit January 2019

This months story kit theme from "Ali Edwards" is "habit". We are looking ways to tell our stories about the habits we have or want to have. Lucky for me I get the digital kit for free so I can create my own photo's and design every month. I am planning to start an album where I will have the place to document the monthly themes and tell as many stories as I can with the products, stamps and the digital kit. 

In the process of doing this I already trying to stick with my new habit of Journalling and Photography. These photo's above are shot in the dark and not edited. But I love the way they turned out. The angle is perfect. First pic is of me behind my desk stamping. The second photo by the christmas tree is me, at 5 am in the morning, journalling... 

And my journalling looks like this: (this is a shot from last night... ) 

This is a quick overview, I will be sharing the TLP pocketletter swap I am participating in soon. Right now I am focusing on learning and growing. Behind the scenes there is a lot going on with projects and maybe a spot on an amazing designteam. For now this is what I can share with you. 

Emine

MY TOP 10 JOYFUL MOMENTS (ALI EDWARDS JOY CLASS + KIT)

I just received my Story and Stamp "JOY" kit from Ali Edwards. Can't wait to play with it. You can still purchase this kit till January 13th. 

Before I dive in to the "JOY" class I will take the invitation from Ali to share my top 10 joyful moments (intuitive writing, not giving it much thought, that way you end up writing everything that you relate to JOY unconsciously)

My top 10 JOYful moments: 

1. The moment when you wake up with a really sweet message from your daughter: "Mom I love you, wish you were here" 

2. The moment when you realize that you have so many things to be grateful for and a genuine smile appears on your face. 

3. The moment when you are on your way to work, filled with so much gratitude, that you have a job in the first place. 

4. The moment when you hug your children and it feels like you've never been apart. 

5. The moment when you speak up for those who can't with the knowing it is the right thing to do.

6. The moment when you have a nice little conversation with a complete stranger on your way home. 

7. The moment when you think about JOY and you realize again that JOY is in everything and anything.

8. The moment when you come home after a hard day of work and your cat is welcoming you with cuddles on the couch and you still have your coat on. 

9. The moment when you miss your children so much and still find the strength to stay positive and give grace because they are worth every tiny bit of pain. Instantly the pain turns into a blessing. 

10. The moment when you feel so proud of yourself for standing up to a men who's treating you like garbage. 

Bonus: I learned that my JOYFUL moments are the moments others would describe as PAIN or STRUGGLE. Both are true, it depends on your point of view that is defined by the season you are in. 

Thanks for letting me share

Kind Regards, 

Emine

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DILARA

Yesterday was the birthday of my litlle girl... Dilara... She turned 12 years old.
Alara, my oldest, is so big now.... She will turn 14 in January.

Here are some pictures of my babies, my beautiful girls... When they were with me and after they needed to go (for their safety)... Miss them every day.

Here is Dilara then:

almost a year old

Here is Dilara now: 

12 years old

Big "birthday"girl

Love this Photo so much: She is always the party maker .... I would give my life for that smile

Love this photo of her: I tried Ali Edwards photo angle tip.... 

This is Alara (my oldest) then:

2,5 years old

And Alara (almost 14) now: 

Gorgeous, so proud of my girls... 

Look at my girl, she is now a teenager... A beautiful girl. So proud of her. 

Please could someone help me to edit and help me to save this picture, sharpen maybe? 

Dilara, Alara and me (mom) (need help with a lot of picures to safe. 

 I am always grateful to have such an amazing, beautiful, perfect children. You 2 are my everything.
There is no 1 day that I don't think about you my girls. Love you with all my body, heart and soul. You are both my Angels. This year with the one little word project, I will "GRIND" and do anything in my power to see you more and to show you how precious you both are.
No matter what happened in the past, I never forgot about you my girls. All I tried to do is to protect you.

I know, Alara & Dilara, it may not felt that way at the time. Maybe I should do things differently, I am also a human. I have my flaws, I am not perfect, but I tried my best to get to this point.
The bond and love we share together will NEVER be broken. I am here to stay, I am here to love you unconditionally, I am here, not to tell you, but show you what having a mother means.

Always in my heart... Love you my angels

Mom
Emine

I'M GOING HYBRID SCRAPBOOKING + DIGITAL KITS HAUL (SAHIN DESIGNS)

I Took the leap of faith and purchased some digital kits to start hybrid scrapbooking (cardmaking)

Website TLP _store_forum_blog_and_more

Monday was the famous "Cyber Monday" and I had to buy these
awesome digital collections & bundles from the amazing :

Website Sahin Designs

What I bought + links:

Recorded Papers
Recorded Pocket Cards
Recorded Elements Pack

Happy at Home Papers
Happy at Home Pocket Cards
Happy at Home Elements
Happy at Home Stamps & Cut Files

Yay For Friday Papers
Yay For Friday Pocket Cards
Yay For Friday Elements

Ups & Downs Papers
Ups & Downs Pocket Cards
Ups & Downs Elements
Ups & Downs Alpha

Fearless Papers
Fearless Pocket Cards
Fearless Elements

February 2016 layered templates

 I can't wait to play with them. Today is the day ;)

Thank you for reading.
Love to hear from you.

With love,


Emine Pala

Creative Designer