This Weeks Inspirational Journey

Posted on April 22, 2022 by layeredpages

“The starting point of discovering who you are, your gifts, your talents, your dreams, is being comfortable with yourself. Spend time alone. Write in a journal.”

— Robin Sharma

This week I have been busy making YouTube craft videos, writing, painting and reading! I’ve enjoyed every step of the way in these pursuits. My videos are geared towards paper crafting and the art of journaling.

The images shown are just a few of what I’ve been creating this week. I’ve recently had a thought about how interesting it is when I’m crafting, the journey inspires new pieces. That in itself is rewarding to find inspiration within your own endeavors. What are a few of the ways you find inspiration in your own creations? If this something you’ve thought about before?

Please like, subscribe and hit the notification bell to my channel to get the latest videos when they are posted. Thank you!

YouTube Recent Craft Links:

Tag Tuesday | How to a Make Mini Pocket Bellyband

Journal Cards Made Easy

Vintage Haul Unboxing | For Crafting and Journal Making

Visit my shops by clicking on each shop.

Instagram Shop

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Etsy Shop – Shop is currently on vacation mode.

At this time, I ship in the US only.

I offer discount shipping and a free gift with all purchases.

(Images are subjected to copyright. All book reviews, interviews, guest posts, art work and promotions are originals. In order to use any text or pictures from Layered Pages, please ask for permission from Stephanie Hopkins.)

Finding Your Writing Voice Through Journaling

Posted on April 20, 2022 by layeredpages

There are several methods of journaling that I incorporate in my daily life. The one activity they all have in common is they tell a story. They hold a deep and lasting meaning of my life and the lives I see around me. Looking back on all my journals and diaries, I’ve come to realize that in this endeavor is where I discovered my true writing voice. It wasn’t from reading books, though reading helps one grow their understanding of the written word, how stories are told, other life experiences and expands on one’s vocabulary, my writing voice developed over time from writing in journals. Could have it also been from blogging? Yes, I do find blogging a form of journal writing. A record keeping of thoughts, words, expression, emotions and even those awkward sentences where I couldn’t quite express myself in the way I felt inside. Those particular words don’t always come naturally to me in public form or rather, my private journals is what speaks of my truest inner voice.

Many people want to write in their journals but their uncertainty is holding them back. They say, “I’m not a writer or I would ruin my page, or rather my beautiful journal with my awkward words and ramblings.” Those awkward words and ramblings are what drives one to become a stronger writer. You must be deliberate with your writing and in the time, you take to write. Think of all the visits you made to a library filled with books that hold millions of words. Often times, those words did not come easy to the writer. Imagine the time and deliberate ink to paper or key strokes the writer put forth to build worlds in those numerous books. Believe me, it didn’t happen overnight for them. Don’t allow that voice in your head saying, “You’re not a writer,” intimidate you. Writing is a beautiful art regardless of one’s uncertainty in the act. Write what you know, write what you see and hear. Write a word or two and keep adding words after that. Allow those words to build on each other and soon you’ll find your voice as a writer. Once you do, words will flow and writing will be like exploring space. The act will take you to limitless places.

Stephanie Hopkins

Book Review: The Resting Place by Camilla Sten

Posted on March 21, 2022 by layeredpages

Hardcover, 336 pages

Expected publication: March 29th 2022 by Minotaur Books

More times than not, truth of the past tragically dies with people. This is one of those stories.

Eleanor, a woman who has a neurological condition, called prosopagnosia, that torments her with the inability to recognize the faces of familiar people, arrives on the scene of her hard-hearted Grandmother Vivianne’s murder. Before Eleanor realizes what has happened, she comes face to face with the murderer but can’t make any sense of their face. The aftermath of her Grandmother’s death leaves her in a state of anxiety and devastating emotions of not being able to identify the killer.

Months later, a lawyer calls Eleanor to tell her that her grandmother leaves her and her Aunt Veronika an estate situated deep in the Swedish forests, and they must take inventory of the house and grounds.

Eleanor and her boyfriend, Sebastian, arrives to the estate along with the lawyer and her Aunt looking for buried secrets and answers that takes them on a treacherous journey they wish they have never taken.

The Resting Place is an intense dual time line that slowly builds while deliberating leaving clues to the mysteries of Eleanor’s family in such a way, you’re not quite sure you know how the story is going to play out. About half way through, I was sure I had most the mystery figured out despite the twisty turns the story takes you on. I was pleasantly surprised with a few details I didn’t see coming.

There were a couple details about two characters that needed to be fleshed out but that said, Sten does a marvelous job casting doubt on the people in surrounding Eleanor and having you second guess yourself on their realities and intentions. Nothing is what it appears and everyone has motives.

I enjoyed reading about the old estate with its great house, out- buildings, lake and woods. You don’t know much about the history of the house or land per say but you get enough to leave up to your imagination.

Stem brilliantly weaves Eleanor’s prosopagnosia and it certainly adds to the creep vibe of the story!

There is so much more to this story that can’t be mentioned and my wish is for readers who enjoy thrillers and mysteries to jump on this book when it is release to the public.

Atmospheric, twisty, hauntingly good story.

Stephanie Hopkins

I obtained a copy from the Publishers through NetGalley for an honest review.

Tag Tuesday: Art Journal Tags for Sale

Posted on March 15, 2022 by layeredpages

Head on over to my Instagram shop for my Tuesday tag sale!

I offer discount shipping and a free gift with these tags. If you buy two sets, you get the third set half off.

These tags are sturdy and great for arts and crafts projects, gifts, gift tags, pen pal mail, collage work and journal projects. There is room to write on the back of them.

At this time, I ship only in the US.

Visit my shops by clicking on each shop.

Instagram Shop

Ebay Shop

Etsy Shop

I’ve decided to create a separate IG account for my art, journals and other Mixed Media products I sell on Instagram. I’d like to keep @stephsartjourney a bit more personal and to not flood my feed with my products. Please follow my shop @layeredfindsshop for updates on my professional art and products for sale! -Stephanie Hopkins

The 100 Day Project and Journals for Sale

Posted on February 21, 2022 by layeredpages

This year, I decided to participate in the #100dayproject on Instagram. What fun!

I craft everyday but there are some projects I want completed and feel this challenge will help in my endeavors. These are my spring journals for the coming season that I got a jump start on and would like to see them finished by the end of the season. Also, I need to replenish my ephemera stash so I’ve be mass making tags, pockets, clusters, stickers, altered paperclips and whatnot. You can follow my hashtag on Instagram #stephs100projects2022 to keep up with my progress! I’m also making short tutorials and will be posting video on YouTube soon!

I have three newly listed Spring journals for sale in my Etsy shop and will be listing two more this week! These are great journals for you to personalize. Visit my shops by clicking on each shop.

Instagram Shop

Ebay Shop

Etsy Shop

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Posted on February 14, 2022 by layeredpages

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of being and ideal grace.

I love thee to the level of every day’s

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

Sonnets from the Portuguese 43, Elizabeth Barrett Browning

The lady in the photos is my grandmother. The picture was taken in the 1940’s in Miami, Florida.

Creative Journaling and Journals for Sale

Posted on January 17, 2022 by layeredpages

Yesterday, I created this collage page in my current personal journal. I love the layered look and the process of creating it is enjoyable and relaxing. You can use your tags for tucks and pockets in your journals. It doesn’t matter the size of the tags. I’ve used my mini tags as tucks all the time.

Adding pockets to journals is a great to use as hidden spots for your writing. I would have to say it is my favorite form for my journal writing. I like those secret spots because sometimes you might forget about them and it’s is fun to discover them again.

The image of the girl is my grandmother from the 1920s. The picture was taken when she was 16 years old. Her image among others are in many of the journals I’m selling at my Etsy shop! -Stephanie Hopkins

Visit my shops by clicking on each shop.

I have newly listed journals for sale in my Etsy shop!

Instagram Shop

Ebay Shop

Etsy Shop

December 2021: Book Round-Up

Posted on January 10, 2022 by layeredpages

I am a bit late in the game of posting my December book round-up! The Holidays, lots of work, painting, and crafting put this post on the back burner to say the least. Better late than never!

In the year 2021, I’ve enjoyed listening to books more than I’ve enjoyed reading physical ones. That is not to say that physical books have ceased to be my favorite medium of story-telling. I got through 75 stories for the entire year and there were a few I got half way through and put aside because they weren’t for me.

For the month of December, I listened to five audio books. I really enjoyed listening to these ones and I do believe you can find all of them on YouTube. There are as follows:

Coming soon, I will be posting my favorite stories of 2021!

Stephanie Hopkins

Tag Tuesday

Posted on January 4, 2022 by layeredpages

Hello, Friends! Every Tuesday on Instagram at 5:00 pm to 10 pm US Eastern Standard Time, I will be posting mini art journal tags for sale! The sale will end at 10:00 pm. I offer discount shipping and a free gift with these tags.

These mini tags are sturdy and great for arts and crafts projects, gifts, gift tags, pen pal mail, collage work and journal projects. There is room to write on the back of them.

At this time, I ship only in the US.

Follow my hashtag on Instagram for my product images at #stephsshopatlayeredfinds

You can find me on Instagram @stephsartjourney

I accept PayPal payments and ship in a timely manner.

Stephanie Hopkins

Visit my shops by clicking on each shop.

Instagram Shop

Ebay Shop

Etsy Shop

Book Review: A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham

Posted on January 3, 2022 by layeredpages

It is not often you come across a thriller where every scene and detail are relevant to the story and evenly paced. Furthermore, it is not often when a book is plotted so well that it leaves you with no holes in a dissatisfied manner. A Flicker in the Dark is without a doubt one of the best thrillers I have read and I was impressed to learn early on that this story is Stacy Willingham debut novel. Her craft of story-telling is marvelous and if I hadn’t known this was her debut, I would have thought her a seasoned published author.

I must add that Willingham creates a brilliant cast of characters and her development of their personalities are flawless. Everyone is suspect and when you believe you have who the killer is, there is a twist leaving you blindsided.

I was fully engaged in this story and before I knew it, I found myself reading late into the night and early morning.

This book is getting a five-star rating from me and I am grateful for receiving an ARC from the publishers through NetGalley for an honest review. It’s funny really, that often times, it’s harder for me to find the words to express my delight in discovering stories that grab my attention in such a way.

Stephanie Hopkins

Book Description:

Expected publication: January 11th 2022 by Minotaur Books

When Chloe Davis was twelve, six teenage girls went missing in her small Louisiana town. By the end of the summer, Chloe’s father had been arrested as a serial killer and promptly put in prison. Chloe and the rest of her family were left to grapple with the truth and try to move forward while dealing with the aftermath.

Now 20 years later, Chloe is a psychologist in private practice in Baton Rouge and getting ready for her wedding. She finally has a fragile grasp on the happiness she’s worked so hard to get. Sometimes, though, she feels as out of control of her own life as the troubled teens who are her patients. And then a local teenage girl goes missing, and then another, and that terrifying summer comes crashing back. Is she paranoid, and seeing parallels that aren’t really there, or for the second time in her life, is she about to unmask a killer?