When we plan our scrapbooking, often times we think of layouts that focus on holidays, weddings, births and special events in our lives that we want to preserve. These are days that bring smiles to our faces and laughter to our hearts. As natural as this may be to choose such occasions for our scrapbooking projects, sometimes we miss out on a chance to use our creative outlet to express our thoughts and feelings about those unpleasant moments in our lives that are uncontrollable.

When we stop and think about the pain we have endured, whether through the breakup of a marriage or any other traumatic event, these are all part of what shapes us into the people we have become. So often we choose to hide our pain instead of embracing them to discover the hidden treasures that are often overlooked.

Shortly after the birth of my daughter, I was diagnosed with severe post-partum depression. My troubled marriage that was riddled with chaos was coming to an end. The situations that led me to the place of complete desolation were overwhelming at best. As part of my recovery, I began to record my thoughts and feelings about each event that ocured. What began as an attempt to sort through the pain, changed into a full visual display of raw emotion and the spiritual journey that accompanied my experiences. Although not your typical scrapbook album, it is one that played a vital role for me in finding peace and healing.

Composing it all together with photographs, carefully selected scrapbook paper and just the right stamping and embellishments gave each painful recollection a sense of validation. It was like putting a mirror up to my wounded heart and saying, 'Yes, that is what I felt. Right or wrong, good or bad. These emotions are mine.' To be able to openly disclose myself this way and to have a visual keepsake has made it easier to let go of the pain, forgive and move toward healing.

My scrapbook album, titled 'A Journey Through Life's Challenges' does not sit on my coffee table out on display. Instead, it rests on the shelf in my office, waiting for instances, sometimes through tears, when I need a reminder of where I've been to truly value where I am today.

I submitted this album to Basic Grey's Life's Challenges contest in 2005.

The table of contents for this album. The font was printed on cardstock swatches using SU journaling font Kelly.

I also used vintage brads and pieced from the saddle stitch book kit.