Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Choosing Hope

So, as you may or may not know...my life has been really difficult lately. And sometimes it get's a bit tough to have hope. I believe that hope is a choice...you have to choose to have hope...to believe that things will get better, easier...to believe that there is purpose behind it all. It's a tough thing to do sometimes. Just keepin' it real. Sometimes, it's easy to get swept into depression...to get swept into the "why me?" attitude.

I made this to hang in my bedroom, as a constant reminder:


First of all, for some reason it photographed a lot SHINIER than how it looks in real life. So picture it a tad less shiny. Second, this is HUGE! It was a 24" x 24" wood piece from Say It With Letters.

I first sprayed it with brown spray paint. Then I covered it with Crackle Medium from Helmar. My Helmar stash is growing very small. :( I emptied my Crackle Medium with this huge project...don't know what I am going to do when all my Helmar stash is gone. I also used Premium Craft Glue and Liquid Scrap Dots from Helmar to adhere everything down.

And then after my Crackle had dried I sprayed Glimmer Mist over it and wiped it off...so it filled the cracks and helped them stand out a bit more...adding a bit of shimmer to my project.

Then I added my papers and elements. All the papers, die cuts, buttons and chipboard are from Crate Paper. Then I added two flowers from Prima.

Here are some close up's:


Those letters (spelling "Hope") are printed (Font is Cooper STD Black) on paper and cut out. The "Choose" is handwritten using 3D paint.

So, I hope this will serve as a reminder in my dark days that I always have a choice. I can choose to dwell in sadness, or choose to have hope. I choose hope.

Have a wonderful day!

17 comments:

April said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
April said...

This is absolutely beautiful Pamela, and I love the idea behind it...
- April

P.S. Sorry about the deleted comment...too early to spell right, lol!

Murphy's Law said...

Hugs and prayers to you and your family!!! It's beautiful !!!

Sylvia Blum said...

Oh Pamela, I'm so sorry to hear that you have to go through tough times. Wishing you all the best and that you always are strong enough to choose the option of HOPE!
Your 'LO'(?) / project is wonderful! Love the huge letters and all the beautiful details!
Sending you hugs and prayers
Sylvia xx

Lisa Adair said...

Beautiful project! What a great reminder. Keep the faith girl!!

Jingle said...

This is really beautiful! What a great way to remind yourself of what is important!

leah said...

Looks fabulous!! :)

Dawn Gallop🐝 said...

I adore it! How wonderful and oh so true!!!! I love that is 24x24...wow! They have that?? IDK! THANKS!!! Take care sweetie! Hugs, Dawn

deb said...

So beautiful Pam!! I love the details on the flower and the papers you chose are so pretty. I love gingham and florals together. Sending hugs too! :) :)

Christa said...

That turned out really beautiful! Love the colors!

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

This is AMAZING! I loveeeeeeee it!! And a perfect word to remember! :):):):):):):):):):)

Chantal Vandenberg said...

This is fantastic! I love it!

Mary Ann Jenkins said...

Thanks so much for visiting my blog Pamela!
Love your choose Hope project, thanks for sharing :)

LaurieStar said...

Hi Pamela -

I love your project! I think it's a good idea to post reminders like this around your house where you can see them. Helps keep us focused on what's important. Beautiful! :)

Scrap for Joy said...

Hi Pamela~
An important life message presented in a most beutiful way. I love the Crate line and your papers are wonderful with the crackling technique boder. 24x24..that's a whopper of a size. I have done the scalloped square from SIWL in the 5" size....yikes!
So happy we're on the same team!
Smiles to you today :D
Joyce

Julie Ann Rachelle Interior Design said...

This is really delightful Pam!!! I love the papers, and Helmar rocks!!!! xoxo

Alison said...

Love this.....hope is one of the greatest gifts we have been given...glad you know that!
Alison xx