Dad Said "Always Finish What You Started"

I have a couple of layouts that I made a few years ago.  I made the background but never finished the layout because I really loved it.  As part of my journey I decided to grit my teeth and finish the layouts.  I had several challenges along the way.

The Story
When I was in graduate school I participated with a group that went to an area of government housing once a week to play and work with kids after school.  On one of those trips a friend came with us and took photos.  These are just a few of them.  I remember the love and warmth of these children.

 

The Layout Before

The Layout Finished

Things I Learned

• Never do a layout like this without having your photos picked out ahead of time.  Good grief I had a hard time choosing photos and then arranging them on the page.  I loved this background so much.
• I decided to use a few older products like the die cut flowers.  I inked them with Tim Holtz's Distressed Ink and Stains.  I  added an older Maya Road flower.  Both ribbon pieces are older.  The "imagine" tag is older and I think from Karen Foster. I'm not sure.
• A little Snow Cap paint really helps to age the embellishments. 
• Adding the journaling on the page makes this page priceless for me and my family.
• Late night with the family asleep is the best time to quietly sit and stitch.  I love to hand stitch quilt patterns on my pages.  I remember my grandparents and great grandparents.  Quilting was for warmth, not so much to display. 

The challenge is on and I have another quilt pattern layout I will be finishing for Wednesday's post.  I've also challenged myself to use those die cut pieces that are so pretty but I never use.  It's my journey to learn my craft and try something new. 

Happy Crafting

Gratitude List
1.  air-conditioning
2.  my husband Jimmy
3.  great kids
4.  my beautiful Hannah
5.  my caring, loving church