With empathy, I'm fully with them, and not full of them - that's sympathy ~ Marshall Rosenberg

Hi again, long time no see! Well better than the last gap in my blogging. I have been thinking a lot the last couple of months...

There has been hard hits in my private life for 3 years. It got to a point were I had to strip down everything to find my needs. When life gives you a busload of lemon's - you gotta deal. I had to sort out so many feelings and find the needs that were not met.  I am not afraid of feelings (thankfully!) I know they have some message or something I need to deal with.

Without spilling my guts out, I can say this. I had to accept that I could not control being sick or my daughter being sick. I only can do my best. As a woman I am the type that blames myself. One innocent example... when I went to a doctor several years ago. The doctor well hmmm I want to express this without judgement- he just was not in a place of non judgement himself :D . He did not have the time to listen and his reluctance to listen, made me feel ashamed. That it was probably because I said something wrong, or I even gave him a pass that he probably had a hard day. It was an innocent example. But when you start giving freebies were your own boundaries are being violated. I had to deal. With who or why is not important. But I needed to say no thank you! I do not want this. I have always felt shame if I was not the nice and good girl. I bet alooot of girls know this feeling. We are supposed to be soft, kind, generous, unselfish and give up our own needs for those we love. In Brene Browns book on empathy I read with such a reverberation. She was writing about me. In men shame is triggered often by feeling weak or not successful enough.. I feel my life has had a big change, when our daughter got sick. It is like our life before she got sick and the life after. No one is prepared for such a situation. Also when the illness has no clear treatment and the expertise in the health profession is slim. It is a rare illness, which means... so few understands. I get that, I understand that... but it is hard. At times it's a very lonely path...

Scrapbooking became something foreign and so painful. It was hard to scrapbook pictures from when she was healthy and active. It was hard to allow myself to think about anything but just right now. But isn't that how we are in crises? We try to survive the best we can. We do not know when she will be cured or get better. But I do believe it is important to enjoy every moment what ever the challenges are. If we would focus on what SHOULD have been, instead of focusing on what is RIGHT here right now... we would miss precious moments and important lessons ♥ Putting premises on life does not work in the long run. It just creates a lot of suffering. Everyone has value even though they are sick. They are still them ♥ But our society is so focused on what we DO, were we are supposed to go in life. So we do not have any practice in how to deal with illness or the "not mainstream". It is not that people don't care, they just do not know how to deal with it. I get that with such empathy ♥. I have seen others fear or insecurity when they have talked to me about our daughter being sick. They are so scared of saying something "wrong". I so want to just hug them and say, it't ok. I see you are trying your best to contribute in some way ♥

What are you going to be when you grow up is a regular question to kids and young people get. I have said many times - I am going to be thankful for life, grateful for what life brings and I am going to be me ;) Life is so precious, it is so variable. There will be hard times, there will be nice times... nothing is permanent. I really love everyday life. With routines, chores and other activities ♥ That is living, contributing and engagement ♥  So you healthy people, enjoy even the struggle to get the schedule to go up, or driving your kid to practice or so on. It will bring precious memories later ♥ 

So I am trying my voice again. I am in a place were I accept what is right now. I accept what I can do something about and what I have to remember patience with... I think fear and the heaviness of our situation has made me just freeze up. But better to work on what is alive in me, than to run away from it or ignore it, right? It is ok not to be ok all the time too, right?! ♥ I have been a little creative from time to time. Did you see the images lol!? The clean and simple card was for my goddaughtes confirmation. Using the amazing products from Papirdesign. The canvas I just played around with a rhubarb leaf and Brusho + water. Let it dry, then I stamped with paint using the same rhubarb leaf. The last finishing touch was silver leafing.
Thank's for stopping by, and also for you guys who read my rambling. I just had to express it in my blog. Because life happens, nothing to be ashamed about, nothing to create drama out of either. But acceptance with a good dose of empathy for one self and our loved ones. It helps a lot ♥

Believe it or not, there will be more postings.... maybe even next week! Wow right hahaha! I have some stuff that could be added here to my creative blog. So maybe I will get around to it next week. Fingers crossed lol!

Hope you all have a great day where ever you are and what ever you do ♥ One love ♥ Be kind to yourself and others. Everyone is doing the best they can ♥

Birthday card with glitter

Hi I was in much need of a birthday card and also saw the nice Challenge at Ett Trykk - Jubelerer 28 -Glitter. So I got inspired to make a card with glitter. There is a lot of glitter on this card, but not that easy to see unfortunately. But I hope you can see some of it ;)  

Here is the card: 

The feathers and the wreath are from Silhouette Store. I love these cutfiles. Making a card does not always have to take a lot of time. Though putting glitter on them all weell that takes some time lol! Also do not breath to heard to close before it has dried LOL!

 There is clear glitter on the feathers and the wreath. On the chipboard letters I used different kinds of glitter to bring more colors to the mix.

 On the feathers I have also built up layers of glue and glitter to get some texture to the surface. So somewhere there is a thick layer and other places there is just a little. Just to give the feathers more dimension and life.

Hope you liked the card, have a nice Easter everyone!

Best wishes from Linn ♥

Love - Card made for an awesome challenge at Scrappiness..

I used at least a week to make this card. Low energy but just so full of wanting to create something ♥ So when I saw Scrappiness  challenge I just HAD to try to make something. There is a lot of gorgeous creations that has come in. It is so inspiring to see what people make from some words in a challenge.

So after over a week of dabbling, I made a card in the end ♥ Sooo unlike me to use soft pink and delicate tones. But hey I guess I got some of that in me too lol!

The challenge was to use two different diecuts on a project. I do not have many metal dies, buuut I do have my sweet cameo. So I was happy to get to use it for some cardmaking.

Hope you like the card ♥

Here are some detail shots:

 I have used texture paste from Finnabair (Prima) on the dreamcatcher on top of gold flakes. The dreamcatcher is a cutfile I bought at the Silhouette store. I will be using it again that is for sure. I looove dreamcatchers ♥ Also the layers under the gold circles are also cutfiles from Silhouette Store. In total I used four different diecuts (cutfiles) on this card. I loved layering like this, and will for sure do it again!

 Under the dreamcatcher I had printed out on silk paper from a scanned book I have with kids word puzzles. I love the layering with silk paper, the translucency gives a soft effect ♥

 The feathers are painted with watercolor paint and the white splatters are Dylusions :) I love Dylusion white linen, it really stays white and does not go transparent as many sprays do. The ittybitty feathers, are from a stamp set I bought off Ebay. That I embossed and cut out. I used vellum, so that the feathers would warp and give some life to the feathers.

There is a lot going on at home right now so I do not know when my next update will be. But I will try to be a little creative on and off. I have done some painting on canvas and mixed media. Also played with tags, ohh I have forgot to share that! Well I guess I have more to show you, shortly lol! But this card was the first time scrapbooking in a while and it felt gooood! So hopefully it will not be too long until next time ♥

Have a wonderful day everyone, thanks for stopping by ♥ 

Love and light to you all ♥

The last projects I made for Papirdesign this summer ♥ ...

.....and did not blog about it. I was pretty much bedridden, so maybe that can be a good enough excuse ;)  For not sharing it in my own blog lol! As I wrote in my last post, health issues has taken it's toll on my energy and the resources to scrapbook, paint and so on. But now I am at least trying to get all my design work also in my own blog. Of course it should have been posted at the same time as it got put up on Papirdesign. The products are so amazing, but I raved about it on Fb. But forgot about my sweet little blog ♥

So here are the last design pieces I made. I had to resign in July last year. I still miss the team and wonderful Line who is the creator herself. But I had many good years on the team. So in a way it was about time anyway. No hard feelings, just a lot of gratefulness and good memories ♥

 The last card I made was this one. Look at all the gorgeous products from Papirdesign. I had never ever any problem getting ideas on what to make. ♥♥♥

I also made an Art Journal where I filmed the whole process ♥

Now I should be up to speed on what should be here I think. Hopefully the next post will be with something new. I also miss filming my process. I got a little inspired myself checking out the last video for Papirdesign. Hopefully soon the health issues will not be so dominant anymore. If just my daughter could get much better... that would be the best thing in the world ♥

Now off to have some quality time with the family, best wishes to you all ♥ 

Birthday card to my daughter ♥

She is a creative soul as her mother. So I had to take it a step further with her birthday card than I usually do ♥ Of course she deserves everything I can give and teach her in life ♥ She is my heart and soul in so many ways.

She knows how to gelli print, scrapbook, paint canvases and so on... On my instagram, you can see a canvas she painted. She is a true artist my sweet little ehh big girl, I am suppose to say :D So I know she loves deep magenta the color, she loooves bling, she loves texture. So momma had to make her favorites of course.

Hope you like the card as much as she did :D

 I love love love to work i layers and layers. Also with all kind of mediums and materials. Well that is called mixed media right? I am finally allowing myself to call myself a mixed media artist. That is were i feel comfortable. I still love scrapbooking and cardmaking. I think a scrapbooker and a cardmaker is just as much a mixed media artist. They know how to combine the most amazing products, colors, texture and so on.

 My daughter loved the sweet cupcake on the card and wished it had been a real one lol! The white'ish texture in the background is Finnabair's amazing Texture paste. I have tried cheap pastes, expensive pastes and so on... and must say: there are of good quality. But I am not suprised, Finnabair is a wonderful artist with a lot of knowledge. So of course she will not put her name on something that is not good. I LOVE my pastes from her, that's for sure!!

Well that was what I had to show today. This will be the last Design work for the time being from TreL.no.  I am taking a "siesta" from design team work for a while because of health issues. But I am hoping I can get some painting and meditation done. And hopefully I am able to share more of my journey in life with you all.

I have kinda become a reclusive after I got sick. It is not easy to find my voice I guess. Not that I am not just as social and happy to share things. But when ones health issues takes so much "space" it is truly about prioritizing.

I started scrapbooking when I was working, healthy, and so on... that is not the case now ;) so I just need to sort out what my needs are.... Thank's to Marshall Rosenberg's books on Non Violent Communication and Eckhart Tolle's books on being present.. I feel I am where I am supposed to/have to be. I am working on acceptance for what is. Finding the answers and solutions, instead of being gripped by my painbody. So right now I just need to find my bearings  again. But I bet I will be creative the next months.. but it will be when the energy and time is right ♥

Though it feels really empty without my regular blogposts at TreL.no. The wonderful beautiful and inspiring  owner Linda. Has said: take your time Linn, health and family first. And I can when I have the chance do some design work. If that is not a wonderful person..... well she is. I adore her and she is also my Muse ♥♥♥

So I will update probably with more canvas and art stuff, but I really do not know what will come. So will see. Right now I am just playing a lot in my Silhouette Studio Program. Making designs, working on my skills. Also I am painting on canvas when I have time to spare or I am so inspired I just HAVE to paint something hihi!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, I wish you all the best in every way ♥

I made a mess but I fixed it - Mixed Media Card DT TreL.no

Hi everyone :)

I have made this mixed media card a while ago. I filmed the process also. So you can see me having some issues and a lot of solving problems lol! But that is the beauty with being creative. We can figure it out, be open for seeing solutions ♥ 

Here is a detailed picture of the card: 

If you would like to see my process of making the card here you go. Just a little note, the sound is pretty low. I have to practice on getting the sound right. But hope you will understand what I am saying :P Also I say the word amazing kinda often lol! I will work on using other words in my next video 

I was happy in the end with the card. I loved the embedded look of the canvas pieces. I will for sure try this again, also embed other things too in a background. 

I hope you liked the finished card and that you all have a good day ♥

Best wishes from Linn

Shine on Shine on ♥ Gold flakes are fun to play with

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to show you a card I made for TreL some days ago. I am in gold leafing mode! It has been several years since I played around with it. Wow it is fun fun fun! It can be kinda messy but with a little practice it is no big thing!

Here I am putting on the real type of glue you should use. It is a little smelly but not to bad. But my doggie did NOT like the smell. He seriously gave some big sneeze's because he is so curious on what I am doing. Even though I had him pretty far away in my room, he just had to come up and check what mama was doing lol! So it is a good thing to have a ventilated space while gluing ;)

When the layer is dry (drying time depends on your climate but about 15-30 min.) the layer will be really sticky and transparent. That is when the gold goes on. It works just as magic! It is so fun to do! I have read you can also use Mod Podge, I have tried it. It works fine. But I do not know if the gold will change color since Mod Podge is a wet glue. You can also use Glue powder or Glue pad that you heat up to become sticky. I know it handles gold leafing very well :)

Here is a whole sheet covered with gold leafing and I tested it in my Cuttlebug with a Tim Holtz dies.

It went through as butter and gave the edges a nice finish. I was worried it would just stay white, but the die soften the edges so perfectly. So you see gold all over ♥

I love to look at this picture with all the yummi labels and tag with gold on them. The white areas on some of the labels I did deliberately. To give a brushed and tarnished look. Hope you liked it!

Here is my finished card ♥

I have used Bazzill Classic Craft Cardstock, black Gesso, white gel pen, some ribbon, stickers from MME. Gold flakes and Papirdesign pop up dots.

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone! Love and light to you all ♥ 

Linn

Bli med på Juni/Juli utfordringen hos Papirdesign!

Man har da sjansen å vinne en utrolig flott premie! Hele Marias verden colleksjonen! 

Trykk på bildet så kommer du direkte til utfordringen ☺

Hi everyone! Papirdesign has a summer challenge going. Using moodboards to inspire our creative juices! I really got inspired by a picture on the moodboard. Showing a vintage dress with vintage jewels. So here is the card I made for the challenge: 

Her er kortet jeg har laget til utfordringen: 

Utfordringen er å bli inspirert av to forskjellige moodboards. Jeg ble inspirert av det første hvor det var en turkis kjole med vintage smykker. 

 Embossing enamel er en favoritt og jeg bruker det på mange prosjekter ;) Jeg digger også disse tekstboksene fra PD i stempelform.

 Bling ble prikken over I'en på kortet for å få det til å se ekstra luksuriøst ut ☺ 

I love using embossing enamel on many projects. I thought it fit nice with the beautiful papers from Papirdesign. The chipboard is from wycinanka, but I cut off the cirkles to make this boarder.

The text, crystals, buttons, heart and papers are all from Papirdesign.

Best wishes to you all ♥

A card I have made for the Papirdesign sketch Challenge

Talented Ulrika  on the PD team makes the most amazing sketches. I have always been intimidated by sketches. But hers, wow I loooove them. Come join us at Papirdesign's blog for the Sketch challenge! I think you would love it too!

This is the sketch: 

And here is my solution on it: 

Have a nice night, so creative right now! I do not even want to sleep lol! It is a gift to be inspired. I have had a long dry spell, so I am loving every moment of it! Lots more to come, new video's, Art Journals, layouts, Cards and more!

 Best wishes to you all, to be safe and happy ♥

Confirmation Card for a boy...

My best friend has challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and join challenges around the world. I do not know why. But the longer I create the more shy I get. I have no idea why lol! But here I am doing something about it!

So I found this wonderful blog with cool sketches. So I made a card to this awesome sketch!

Here is my take on it:

Everything I have used is from Papirdesign. The new collections are totally amazing! Want to read more about what I have used. Just click here

 Stamping on Vellum is so nice, it has been a long time since I did that. This is what is fun with being a crafter and being creative. Everything has its use and purpose. I did not want to overshadow the wonderful picture.

Hope you liked the card! Best wishes from me to you♥ Linn

Hearts on a card - forgot to share here...

I made a heart card with lace and mediums. Thought it would be good to share today on Valentines day♥

I have used Papirdesign papers, stamp and dots :)

 I was supposed to make a "lace bowl", but the medium I used was not stiff enough. I was out of Extra Heavy Gel. So will try that again another time lol. Buut I got a bowl kinda shape anyways, so I just cut it down to a big heart. I also had a layer of Mod Podge Sparkle on to get it to give a wonderful glitter effect.

The words says Thank you. I used Embossing Enamel in two layers and than stamped in the warm enamel. Worked like a charm ;)

Here you can see it is pretty thick. The background is pretty distressed along the sides, but it was to give a tender effect. A tender heart kinda right?!

Hope you liked it :)

Also if you are a crafter like me who neeever get enough stuff lol! The Paper Crafting Scandinavia is having a biiig giveaway! Go check it out -> http://thepapercrafting.com/?p=2506

Have a great Valentine everyone, with someone or by yourself. Just remember to be kind to yourself♥ Best wishes Linn

New cards for Papirdesign :)

Hi, it has been a hectic week, but I have been making a lot at my creative space. Cards, Art Journals and some layouts. But today I want to show you a couple of cards I have made.

I wanted to show the variety of Papirdesign's products and patterned papers. Also I needed to stack up on some cards for different occasions :)

Here are the cards I have made:

I looooove grey patterned papers! 

 The chipboard stars are also amazing♥

Here is a more girly card, the theme is for a girls confirmation.

 I adore those stars, they are all stamps from Papirdesign! They are amazing right?!

 Also the soft pink colors are so elegant and sweet. So it was easy to make this kind of card ♥

 Want more details about the products used, check out Papirdesign's blog.