Supplies:
ArtPlay Palette Social Network ArtPlay Palette Social Network
Social Network No. 1 Social Network No. 1
WordLabeled Social Network No. 1 WordLabeled Social Network No. 1
CoolGlows No. 2 CoolGlows No. 2
Stitched by Anna Bitz White No. 1 Stitched by Anna Bitz White No. 1
Glitter Alpha and NumberSet No. 2 Glitter Alpha and NumberSet No. 2

Story:
There were some big conversations happening this week as you hurtle toward the pre-teen years. In 4th grade we are both starting to feel the pressure of girl drama.

You are struggling with a girl in your class and I am trying to teach you that you dont have to like everyone in this world but you do have to be nice.

You are a social butterfly but also a sensitive soul and the other girls easily upset you. Im trying to teach you to toughen up and not let it affect you quite so much. You can choose new friends and not allow them to choose you.

You are struggling with the idea that your friends can have other friends besides you. You get jealous of others when you are excluded but are equally annoyed when others take interest in your fashion habits and creative ideas. Im trying to teach you that you can have more than one friend and its healthy to do so, in the same vein, copying is a form of flattery and you should take it as a compliment. In being the original, your ideas are a dime a dozen and youre always one step ahead of the competition.

Youre entering the social network platform, taking more interest in your iTouch, Youtube, Instagram and texting. You are frustrated and perhaps a little confused by my interest and intrusion into your on-line adventure, but unfortunately you dont yet posses the skill to go it alone in this arena. The internet poses much danger to the unsuspecting and it is my job to protect you until you are old enough and have the experience to make those choices yourself.

This is just the beginning. There are much more difficult roads to navigate ahead but Im pretty sure we can do it together. Remember that I am an open forum. I am here for you no matter what. Just keep talking to me baby girl and let me guide you through. January 2013

Process:
- I blended 2 photos onto an artsy-background using a layer mask + gradient tool and refined my blending using brushes from the ArtPlay Palette.
- Hard Light Blending Mode was applied to the CoolGlows and Vivid Light to the Social NetWork No. 1 to create depth.
- The heart on Ella's shirt create the *o* and the lends of the camera on the artsy paper create the *e* of my title and are combined with a font letter (Hula Skirt Girl) and the Glitter Alpha to create the word *Love*
-The color palette of my layout is dictated by the colors in my images. The pinks are supported by brushes stamped on new layers over the artsy background.