STORY OF THE PAGE: I’m guest blogging at Studio Calico this week and created a page based on some digital products from their latest kit. When I saw the card that said , “It’s going to be hard,” I felt it was the perfect piece around which to build a story of transition and change. I do document stuff in our lives that isn’t as shiny and fun as some stories are. I feel this is neutral enough to share in this public space, but also touches on some very real emotions and issues in the life of a young person who is making huge transitions. A story like this needs a simple, minimal home. I sat down to design this page thinking only of the story I wanted to tell, paired with one piece of digital product. When I design purely for myself, with no constraints (with digital product, you can customize it any way you like), I tend to make designs that are simpler and ones that feel extremely authentic to me.
DESIGN STUFF: I created a combination of symmetry and asymmetry for the balance of this page. The symmetry can be seen at the top and bottom, the mirroring pieces of patterned paper, the small triangular digital elements and the thin lines framing the core content. The guts of the page are slightly asymmetrical, as the journal block is wider than the column with the title card and the photo. The repetition is seen in the patterned paper and the colors. Plus, the whole color scheme of white, black, yellow and green are somewhat quiet, peaceful and maybe even a tiny bit somber. It’s a serious page for a serious story. It’s okay to have a simple design that communicates ‘serious.’
TECHNICAL SHIT: The entire page started with the digital card file (It’s going to be hard). I placed it into a blank Photoshop document, and sized it down, adding a thin stroke outline to the card. I then designed the rest of the page, including dropping in the small Date Tab and then I simply copied it, filled it in with green, flipped it and added the letter “A” from another card in the Studio Calico digital set. I added the yellow flag from the set, as well. This is the digital hybrid process at its best. Taking elements and customizing them to your taste and printing them for a final result. To build the page, I created a printing doc and dragged the card are and the yellow flag art so I could print onto cardstock to create elements for my page. I printed the remaining journaling onto white cardstock, added the photo separately, as well as the patterned paper pieces.
SENTIMENTAL SHIT: I told this story from my perspective, injecting a bit of me and Dan and how we made the transition from childhood to adulthood. Granted, my therapist might tell you I’ve only recently made that move, but still… the underlying message of this page is something I do want her to know. We aren’t supposed to feel good all the time. That’s not how life actually works. I wish I had learned this much sooner in my own life.
PAGE SUPPLIES:
Layered Tempate No. 137
Studio Calico Odyssey Kit
Archer Font
NEW TO HYBRID SCRAPBOOKING? Watch this short video tutorial to get the gist of how to use a digital template to make a physical page.
Every one of my templates and paper packs is on sale for 40% off through the end of the week as part of the Designer Digitals annual Template and Paper Pack Sale.
heidig says
Beautiful – the story and the page.
Nicole Hankosky says
Is it possible to relate to youand admire you more every time you post? It is. I will be creating my own page with the serious stuff on it this week. (On a personal note, I wrote a letter in my pregnancy journal for my now 9 month old daughter stating the same sentiment – life is ups and downs. It helps you grow. I just realized I haven’t been taking my own advice and this is going to help me immensely with what I’ve been struggling with lately.) So thanks, CZ. You’re so much more than a scrapping memory keeping teacher/goddess.
Cathy Zielske says
Well thanks, Nicole. 🙂 That’s pretty nice of you to say.
Yolanda says
This page…Wow. You couldn’t make me relive ages 18-21, again. That transition was so, so, so hard for me. I was an IB student, too. Things did not go the way I imagined. It took a long time to unravel who I was and stop comparing it to who I thought I should be. Maybe even longer to stop comparing myself to others who were doing all the things I thought I should do. It feels okay when you’re on the other side and have some distance, but when you’re in the middle, it can feel so bleak. There was no one to give me the kind of insight and empathy you have given your daughter. its a beautiful thing to see.
Cathy Zielske says
Well, I can’t lie. I have my therapist to thank for helping me to develop into someone who lives in reality. It’s not just about telling them to get over it, you know? It’s about helping them to see what real life actually offers. 🙂
kybarb says
What a struggle that time in life was for me also. I am so happy I made it through it and finally found a college program and job I could be happy with for many years. Thanks to my parents for all their help–I was lucky to have them and their support. I hope your daughter realizes how lucky she is to have such supportive parents.
Beautiful page! I’m looking for the black and white patterned paper you used at the top and bottom. Do you know the name/design?
Cathy Zielske says
Yes, it’s called Dahlia, from a previous Studio Calico kit. It’s yellow on the reverse side.
LEE says
THIS is the time I wish I had spaced my kids out a bit more 🙂 I feel that I’m right there with them in the trenches of all of these emotional growing pains! I’m sending many empathetic hugs your way, CZ. I was recently told by someone who’s been there many times that by year 3 they start to get their bearings again. Hard is not impossible – LOVE that. You’re such a good mama. And no, none of us start out that way, we grow into our roles, thanks to the struggles of our kids, and good therapy 🙂
young says
Love this page and the general message that life often throws a curveball. Thanks for sharing!
Melissa O. says
I had a really difficult year after high school too. I think all of us do in one way or another. A LOT happened that year that really sucked at the time. Much of it was my own making, but looking back on it 20 yrs later (EEK!) I know that year helped make me into the person I am today, & I am better because of it. Every day in life can’t be a walk in the park or else we would never grow or improve. Just remember, no matter what kind of craziness this year & this transition brings, I can promise you that she loves you both, she’s sorry although she might not see what’s wrong or how to fix it yet, & she’s so glad you’re there for her no matter what. 😉
Diane says
My son is the same age as Aidan and he’s going through some issues also. Found himself in a bit of a pickle after some bad decisions. I’m not sure he’s seen the light yet though, which is heartbreaking. Thanks for sharing a wonderful way to document life changes and struggles without ‘putting it all out there’
Patti L says
Profound story. Love the LO. I have some of ur hybrid files, I love them but I feel like I struggle a bit with how to embellish sometimes. Have to remember to just keep it simple & tell the story.
Aiden is so beautiful, can totally relate to the overwhelming of life at that age. Always have to reference ‘this too shall pass.’ I honestly don’t miss my 20s at all! Well mayb the ability to house a whole pizza at 2am…
Annette Davis says
Thanks for sharing the story, Cathy. I wish more kids and parents could see that the one traditional path of graduating from high school and immediately going away to college is not for everyone. Ours was a different generation, but the world has changed. So many more options out there now. Go to school near by, go to community college, take a semester or a year off, take a job or classes to see what you enjoy. We all have to stretch ourselves, but everyone’s timeline is different. We are all unique and one size doesn’t fit all. And that is a good thing.
Cathy says
AMEN!
Michelle t says
Beautiful. You are ahead of me by a couple years (parenting, I mean) and you are so inspiring. Thank you. Michelle t
Christine (A&M Momma) says
Thank you to Aidan for allowing you to share little glimpses of her life. She reminds me of my daughter who is currently a sophomore in college living 2 hours away. Our relationships with our daughters seem very similar and I can relate to what a tough transition the first year after high school can be (for both momma and child). Love this page and all it says in its simplicity. Beautiful page, beautiful daughter, beautiful momma…Aidan is a lucky girl!