Final Acorn Hollow Project from Guest Designer Kelly Goree, A Giveaway and Last Week's Winner Announced

Today we have the final project from our talented Acorn Hollow Guest Designer Kelly Goree that was inspired by her friend and author Courtney Walsh's new book A Sweethaven Homecoming. We have loved having these two women team up for some really great ideas, words of wisdom and great prizes.

 

Courtney Walsh has written a series of heartwarming novels with themes including friendship and scrapbooking. Today she shares some insights from her Sweethaven books about home and has asked her good friend Kelly Goree to create a layout about the theme with our very own Acorn Hollow collection.    

From Courtney --- As an author, it's hard to pitch a story idea that starts with loss. But it's such an important human emotion, and one we can all connect with. I chose to start my novel with a profound loss, one that radiates throughout all three novels...because that's what loss does. Like a ripple made from a stone thrown into the water, its effects keep moving outward.

But "loss" isn't only a difficult subject to write about. It's also difficult to scrapbook about. Sometimes our most precious photos are the ones that are hardest to look at. Really important memories are like that. There's something almost sacred about putting them down in your album. Still, I believe scrapbooking your grief is almost like therapy...and it has so many benefits. Kelly pulled from this aspect of the Sweethaven novels with her incredibly touching layout about her father. A layout that wasn't easy to create, but one she will surely cherish forever.

 

Kelly created this page withour gorgeous Acorn Hollow collection which can be used for both autumn and everyday layouts.  We especially love what she did with the fabulous Acorn Hollow Paper Crafting Kit.

Journaling ---- I scored tickets for my football-loving father to see the Tennessee Titans play so you came to Nashville for the weekend to go. This photo was taken while we were tailgating – just before we walked the few blocks to the game. Those few blocks were hard on you and the few blocks back were even harder. I knew something wasn’t quite right, but I had no idea that that weekend would be the last time I ever saw you or that this photo would be the last of us together. Looking at this photo now I can see how sick you looked yet I treasure it. And while it hurts so much to look at, I’m so very grateful I have this.

 

GIVEAWAY 1 - We thought that the cover of Courtney's second book A Sweethaven Homecoming reminded us of our Acorn Hollow collection, so we are going to giveaway a copy of her book.  Just tell us what you think about Courtney's thoughts on scrapbooking loss and we will choose a lucky winner from the comments.

 

GIVEAWAY 2 - be sure to add some praise for Kelly's project in your comment for a chance to win our entire Acorn Hollow collection.   We'll choose a winner early next week!

 

Acorn Hollow Winner From Last Week:

 

Laura Bos said...Home is often messy, home is warm, home smells good -- although sometimes it's a picked up pizza and not homemade. Our home is not perfect, but it houses our family and all its love, so it's perfect for us.

 

Laura - please email me your shipping information at [email protected].  Thanks

 

Also - if you cannot find Acorn Hollow at your local scrapbook store, you can buy it directly from us HERE.

 

Check back tomorrow for another 12 Days of Once Upon a Christmas project from our Cycling Team.

Comments

[Audrey Pettit]

1.

This is such a stunning layout, and is all the more special because of the true meaning behind the design! Really amazing!

[{vicki}]

2.

I personally have scrapbooked loss and it helps me to heal.

love the layout---i know you'll treasure it!

[Julie A. Shearer]

3.

My sister and I made a scrapbook for our mother that included several relatives that have passed . It was very emotional but mom loved it .
Kelly did a wonderful job with the Acorn collection . Her LO is a beautiful tribute. Thank you , Kelly for sharing .

[Marcia Scantlin]

4.

I couldn't agree more with Courtney's comments on scrapbooking loss. We tend to think our pages should only be happy times.

And Kelly's tribute to her dad was so lovely.

[Donna Woods]

5.

Along with the precious happy memories also come memories that make us sad - I want my Grandchildren to know about those bittersweet moments as well. The book looks awesome, love the layout and Acorn Hollow is my favorite collection EVER.

[Roxanne]

6.

This is really beautiful....loss is hard, and she captured it beautifully.

[Tona]

7.

I LOVE the acorn collection!
I agree with Courtney that loss is an important emotion, also a strong emotion that we need to learn how to deal with.
Kelly's layout is amazing!!! I lost my father unexpectedly last year so I can relate.

[Jennie Wheeler]

8.

I have yet to scrapbook loss, but I am getting closer to being able to to tackle this tough topic. Kelly, your layout is very touching and I am so glad you were able to share it with us.

[SuZeQ]

9.

I absolutely LOVE the acorn layout ... it sums it all up and helps you move forward, too.

[SuZeQ]

10.

I think journaling and scrapbooking is an excellent form of therapy. Whatever works for you go through the grieving process is the way you should go.

[jengd]

11.

I've scrapped a few pages about some loss in my life but I keep these pages private, in an album I don't share with my family. I feel that those pages are a bit too raw to share with them at this time. The pages above are just lovely- the colors and those masses of flowers are gorgeous!

[Valerie]

12.

That is a BEAUTIFUL project. Scrapbooking while grieving was what helped me get through a very hard loss in my life 5 years ago. I made pages of my grandfather's life after we lost him. I think it was the best thing I could have done because I loved him SO.

[tina phillips]

13.

WOW........I can't even imagine what it took for her to scrap and journal......Love the layout and I agree....it's important to scrap the bad times too.....someday she will be so thankful she did!!!!

[Juliana]

14.

I think it is important to scrapbook loss. I have done it a couple times and it is so difficult to start the page, but once it was completed it has given me a wonderful way to always remember someone I loved! And the process seemed to help me in some way. I love the layout Kelly created and I am sure this layout did the same for her!

[angela]

15.

Love the Acorn collection and this project. I think scrapbooking about loss could be incredibly healing.

[rush]

16.

i am not sure i could scrapbook about loss. i guess i could try though and see what comes from it. i love the acorn hollow collection. i just got some, but i would like more. i especially love the paper with the buttons on it.

[beatrice lawson]

17.

I cannot imagine how difficult it was to write down the journaling for their last picture together. I am not good at capturing the sad moments in our lives, I always try to celebrate the good ones, mainly because= we deal with a lot of pain and heartbreak and bad health every day... for me scrapbooking is a blessing and an escape. But... after seeing this layout I may try to scrap the losses and sad moments as well. Maybe. Not feeling ready yet but feeling inspired.

[Jean A Marmo]

18.

I think I need to do a better job scrapping the losses in our lives. My uncle died last week and I have been thinking fondly of the times he had with my kids. Think I will dig out some old photos and get started!

Great layout Kelly. The papers are perfect!

[JUDY RAY]

19.

Loved the Acorn layout. It is very difficult to scrap a loss but it also a time to document how their life has influenced mine. I am the woman I am today because of my beautiful God-fearing, God-loving grandmother.

[Pam Spradlin]

20.

I think that doing a scrap book as a remembrance is quite therapeutic. I did one of my Grandmother and it somehow becomes a celebration of life not the loss.
kelly's project is gorgeous and a football game is perfect to scrap with this line.

[Ange]

21.

Beautiful page!! Love all the layers, the gorgeous cluster along the top, the little details and the twine.

[Diane Alberts]

22.

I have made a tribute album for the loss of my father back in 2004. I made it in quadruple for my siblings and mom ( who is now deceased ). The process of creating the special scrapbook was so therapeutic. I am touched by KELLY's layout and makes me think I need to begin that special album to pay homage to my mother.

Ps. I am enjoying Courtney Walsh's books. Reading book 2 now :)

[KellyG]

23.

I agree that scrapbooking can actually help one deal with a loss. I have never had to do this. Kelly, your layout is beautiful and I am sure you will cherish it and that photo for the rest of your life.

[Sue C]

24.

Scrapbooking loss is so difficult and I can't say that I have done this yet. My father died 10 years ago and I just can't bring myself to scrap a page about him, but after reading Courtney's thought about this, I think it could be a very healing thing. Thanks so much for this idea!

[Miriam Prantner]

25.

Wow, the reading the journaling gave me chills. I can't imagine how difficult it was to put it together, but what a photograph to cherish and make special! Thanks so much for sharing this with us!

[Lisa P]

26.

I agree that scrapbooking loss is a difficult thing to do. I think it helps release emotions though in a different way. I have a layout that is on my heart right now that I know I want to scrap but have had a hard time approaching because of the rawness of it. My mother is still present physically but Alzheimers has begun to take her away in ways i am struggling to deal with. i know I want to scrap this it is just how. Kelly's page is beautiful and brings such emotion through her journaling. I love the specialness of the photo captured.

[Janetta Zeimetz]

27.

The purpose of scrapbooking is to remember our lives the good, the bad, and the losses. I remember looking at friends scrapbook where she helped a friend scrap the loss of their stillborn baby. I am sure that was not an easy page to make, but I am sure it helps in the grieving process to remember their little one. I love Kelly's layout especially the phrase "So Very Thankful."

[KathScraps]

28.

I have struggled with journaling loss, but have found that if you find the right time, the right frame of mind, it can be extremely cathartic. I love the layout kellee did (she's always been a fav of mine) - what a wonderful way to remember him.

[Nicole]

29.

Loss and Scrapbooking. You would never think these could go together, but as Courtney stated, it really is a therapy. When my grandmother died I was not able to go to the funeral. I never had that closing. Never felt as if I had a chance to say goodbye. One day I was scrapbooking some pictures of the kids and ran across some pictures of her, it reminded me of wonderful times, and being able to scrap them really helped me know that she would always be with me. I love Courtney's layout, at first your eyes stray to the flowers and then all of the sudden you are forgetting about the flowers and looking at the photo, and then you can really feel what she was trying to put into this page. This is why we scrapbook and why we need to keep scrapping. The sentiments and feelings are something you can't get from a digital photo, but put it to paper, with some complimentary items and some special thoughts, and all of the sudden, the photo comes to life. You can't replace that.

[Pam Sohan]

30.

Our scrapbooks should reflect everything that happens in our lives. Although I have yet to take that advice, I tend to scrap only the happier events. But loss is a part of life unfortunately.

I love the LO that Kelly did about the loss of her Father. Its simple and sweet and the Acorn Hollow line works perfectly.

GO TITANS !

[Kellie Dignean]

31.

I have to find this collection! Such warm colours & patterns :)

Kelly....what a wonderful, precious layout. I have a picture of my late grandma that I still haven't scrapped. Like you, it was unexpectedly from the last visit I had with her & I'm so happy we took the time to take some pictures together!You have inspired me to get that layout done.

[MaryLouH]

32.

I loved the Acorn collection.
I also love to read so the two together (sort of) would be great.