Monday, March 12, 2012

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!

12 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you decided to go outside your comfort zone, this layout is awesome!! I have felt the same about OUAS, there is SO much talent there that it can be intimidating, but their challenges are always so inspiring and I can credit some of my best work to them! I am suprised though, that you would need to feel intimidated by anyone, your work is always AMazing!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. YAY for you, taking on an intimidating challenge Missy!! I think you did an amazing job with this! And I love that you used the image that was created for you, instead of an actual photo! Beautiful page to tell your story and I really love the black and pinks on this one!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh Missy...I sure am glad you went for it and I hope you join us at OUAS again because it's the journalling we try to encourage and not any particular style :) reading your journalling and your thoughts about how you see your self is what is important and what we strive for at OUAS so I am really happy to see you put all that down and not care about style etc etc. But i do understand your reservations to compliment yourself .. We are so hard on our selves us women but we all have so many great qualities and unfortunately, because of our nature, we only believe we are good at something when others tell us :( thank you for sharing this with us and I do hope you join us again so we can get to know YOU better :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Awesome job on this challenge! And I totally admire you for what you do,I would fall over and die if I had to complete a spinning class!!! You should be proud!!! Love the page too! Thanks for joining us at OUAS!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great layout! This is a great story to tell.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am so glad you participated and you have nothing to be intimidated by, your work is fabulous!!! I really LOVE this layout! Great job! Thanks for playing along with us at OUAS! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you so much for participating, Missy! Love your stunning and so meaningful layout!
    HUgs ~Gerry~

    ReplyDelete
  8. Missy...so good to see you taking part in the challenge...love the layout fabulous job and I love the colours!!!
    Thank so much for playing along with us at Once Upon A...Sketch!
    hugz
    irini (we were on Sassy Lil Sketches together)

    ReplyDelete
  9. i love all your layering!what a great photo,i would have to scrap that too!

    ReplyDelete
  10. After reading about your fears for OUAS, I went through your blog...OMG..Missy you are really hard on yourself! Your layouts and style are amazing!! So fun and colorful and balanced! I am a follower now! I love your work!!!!!!
    Thanks for sharing it with us at OUAS!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh this is so sweet! Tks. for playing along with us at OUAS!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ditto with what Vicky said. I was totally blown away when you posted that you found it scary to do OUAS because I think you have an awesome style and you are someone I consider a "scrap star" so totally glad you overcame you fear and DID IT! I love those colors you used and what you journaled about! Great page, as always!

    p.s. my cardio fit work out lady laughs evil like every once in a while before she gives us something killer, I think it's a good technique, so feel free to use it during your spin class

    ReplyDelete