Once Upon a...Sketch entry

Happy Monday, everyone! Let me start off by saying that I usually don't enter contests that intimidate me...and the layouts I see over at Once Upon a...Sketch are just always so gorgeous that I never enter. I always stalk the blog and oooh and aaaah over all the amazing work there. My style just never seems to fit the level of talent over there. That's intimidating and I shy away from creating anything to enter.

Well, the current challenge totally inspired me and made me gather my courage! I decided to stop being intimidated and just create something that represents me and not worry about everyone else's style. I'm so glad I did because I wound up loving what I made :)

The topic is to scrap something about YOU and what you're GOOD at. I sat and thought, and then an idea popped into my head and I went with it. I am a Spinning instructor, and I've been teaching for almost four years now. It's my other passion (other than scrapping) and I enjoy it so much. I have lots of faithful spinners who work out with me weekly, and I've really loved watching people get in shape & lose weight over the years.

Here is my layout, based on the sketch provided. Let me explain this photo! One of my great friends and fellow spinners had this image created for me last year for my birthday, and then it was put onto a t-shirt. I have the image framed in my scrappy office, and I just love it! It's me on my spin bike, wearing my favorite Florida Gator shirt. I absolutely LOVE this drawing, and it puts a huge smile on my face every time I look at it. It's special to me, and it is definitely scrap-worthy :)






My journaling reads:

"It’s really hard for me to give myself a compliment. I was asked to focus on
something I’m good at, and believe me…so many things I think I’m BAD at came to mind. I know we are our own worst critic, but it just doesn’t come easy for me to say, “I’m really good at that!” and not feel narcissistic. As I thought for a moment, I realized that there is one thing I KNOW I’m good at, and I’m constantly reminded of that by others—it’s teaching Spinning. I have been an instructor at the YMCA for almost four years, and it is a huge passion of mine. I love exercising, and I have a lot of faithful Spinners in my classes. I’ve watched people lose over 50 pounds from working out, and it’s a great feeling to be a part of that. One of the students in my class had this image drawn up for me for my birthday last year and put on a t-shirt. I was so excited! Through teaching, I feel like I really do inspire others by helping them get in shape, lose weight and relieve stress. It feels so good to hear someone say, “I really love your class! You kicked my butt!” I hope to keep on teaching as long as I can."

Here is the sketch:


Thanks to the ladies at OUAS, who inspired me to get out of my comfort zone and create something that scared me initially. I tend to create my most favorite layouts when I do something I never expected to do!