[Becca]

Laurel,

I can really understand your nervousness about sharing your first layout in today's newsletter. Sometimes I'm so embarrassed by my early layouts in the Gallery here, too.

But in all honesty, one of my absolute favorite things to do at the Gallery here is to browse through a designer's layouts from their early days to their most current layouts. (Yesterday, I was browsing through Valerie's, as a matter of fact) The progression of talent and design is more inspiring than anything else here. Because it shows me how far they've come with the support of Scrap Girls classes, tutorials, and products. It's amazing how many changes you can see in less than a year's worth of layouts usually.

Not to bash other digital scrapbooking sites, but you RARELY ever see this progression of talent present there. Whether they don't keep enough bandwidth on their sites to be able to provide this type of gallery, or the users are too embarrassed to keep their early layouts for public viewing, I don't know.

Whatever the reason is, it's just another aspect of Scrap Girls that makes this such a welcoming place to come to. These galleries provide RESULTS, showing you that it's OK to share your early layouts. Because here, you will get feedback...honest, KIND criticism. Because here, you can ask, without fear, silly questions that will be answered. Because here, you can receive free tutorials almost every day in the newsletter and reasonably priced classes with beginner AND advanced techniques. And let's not forget the quality of products that Scrap Girls offers.

One last thing, because my little one is waking up now --- THANK YOU for sharing your do-over this morning! These articles in the newsletter are definitely one of my favorites, and I'm sure that I'm not alone in saying so.

[Toni L.]

You are not alone Becca and you summed it quite nicely! Thanks to all the Scrap Girls out there, designers and non-designers, for all the inspiration ya'll give out!

[jennk]

I second Becca's kudos for sharing. I love how you tell why you changed something. I love to know the thinking behind a change. That is how I can learn and apply it to my own projects. Thanks for sharing not only your LO but your thinking behind it!

[NS_Scrapper]

I completely agree with Toni and Becca. Thanks for sharing the do-over. I logged on specifically to say that I love the new look and it really does show improvement. I also wanted to add that I would love to be able to read the journalling - would you consider posting it? I can appreciate that it might be too personal for sharing in such a public formum but my curiousity prompted me to ask.

Thanks again for posting that inspirational do-over.

Mary Elizabeth

[kimmybutton]

Ditto all of the above from me as well, Laurel (and all those willing to show their early work)! Seeing such growth is such an encouragement to all of us and prompts us to strive to be better while allowing ourselves to make mistakes, ask for advice, and be open to learning! It takes a humble and generous spirit to share these "nuggets!" I believe we have struck gold at SG! In fact, I think it might be a mother lode!!! Kudos to you all!

[Jo Corne]

there are other digi sites out there???? tee hee hee

great job Laurel honey and so great to see that our lovely ladies are feeling more confident in posting their LO's and seeing the progression in their talent.

WTG!!

[Sarah in VA]

Laurel,

Thank you so much for sharing. Even though your "before" was precious, just as it was, I could really see the difference in the redone layout. And I could really see your reasoning and learned a lot.

I applaud your courage - not that I'm about to start posting any of MY last year's layouts ;-) But I am going back and applying some of the lessons I'm learning here to those early efforts. Maybe somday I'll be brave!

[PatBowman]

Laurel, I really loved your do-over. Looks fantastic!

[goofyemt96]

Ohh i totally agree with what Becca said up there!!!

Great do over Laurel!!!

[PBarnes]

Yeah, what Becca said. And Laurel, that is a wonderful do-over.

[ManiakMama]

I completely agree as well. Its so neat to see how your skills have progressed and I love that you are willing to share it with us. Thanks Laurel!

[Launa]

Awesom Laurel! Can I say that now I feel like there is hope for me? LOL! Sometimes you get the feeling that people are born doing designer pages! It was awesome and so encouraging of you to share one of your first LO's. Thanks for all your help! You are so generous! And an awesome teacher!

[Susan Neff]

Laurel, it was a fantastic do-over. Thanks so much for sharing!

And Becca, I really love your thoughts on the gallery. I'd never thought about that before - you're so right. I know some other sites can be more competitive, and it's more about being seen and getting noticed. Here it's more about the scrapbooking. Sure, there are lots of people here who are working on being published and all, but it's different. It's still about the scrapbooking. And it fits in with Ro's muse, today, too. Even in the gallery, we're all ourselves. Our early stuff, our later stuff, and everything in between.

(And from a layout designer's perspective, I can't tell you how nice it is to hear your support! Because my do-over's coming up in November, hehehe )

[Laurel Lakey]

Oh, you guys, I just found this thread. Thank you so much for the sweet words of encouragement! I tell you what, it was definitely intimidating to display my early efforts, because I sometimes feel like every layout I do has to be amazing, and I was scared to let down my guard and show that I wasn't perfect. How absurd is that! It's so nice to know that I'm among friends who appreciate seeing the progression of things, and aren't all about judging earlier efforts.

Thanks so much for what you've said, it certainly gives me confidence to just be me, early bad layouts and all! You all are the best!

[CreativeSparkle]

I think doing a public do over would be hard, but you all do a great job of it! Laurel, I loved how you recolored the photo! I also loved how you angled it to the side and doubled it with the frame and how you put the journaling around the edge! Great layout!

[KimS]

I'm new around here and today was my first newsletter. The do-over was, by far, my favourite part!! It was a huge inspiration to me and I really appreciated you sharing the thought process that brought you from your early work to your current.

Thanks!

[KBT]

I think Becca hit it spot on! Thank you so much for sharing- letting your guard down and showing us what we can aspire to! All that you share enriches our creative process!

[schmoo]

Well said Becca. I love the do overs, they are inspiring. I believe it is always important to remember how you got to where you are today, the good and the bad, whether it be scrapbooking or life in general.

Thanks for sharing Laurel.

Sue