Rachel's Mixed Media Challenge - June

Each month through 2025, a broad theme will be provided for the challenge and you can interpret these themes as literally or as loosely and abstractly as you wish.

If you’d like to learn something specific please let us know!

The theme this month is SYMMETRY.

The prompts:

*Mirror Me -- Create a mirrored image of a face or figure. On one side, show an outer appearance; on the other, represent the inner world.

*Nature’s Balance -- Illustrate a symmetrical natural object (e.g., butterfly, leaf, snowflake). Then, journal about where you find balance in your life—or where it’s missing.

*Architectural Echoes -- Use a symmetrical building or structure. Reflect on how structure and symmetry support you emotionally or mentally.

*Past & Future Reflection -- Split your page in half. On one side, illustrate your past; on the other, your imagined future. Aim to make them visually symmetrical but emotionally distinct.

*Dual Identity -- Portray two aspects of your identity (e.g., introvert/extrovert, personal/professional) as mirrored halves. How do they reflect or conflict with one another?

*Symmetry in Chaos -- Create a chaotic background, then overlay a symmetrical shape or design. Reflect on the role of order within disorder in your life.

*Inverted Reflection -- Use a symmetrical image, then flip one half upside down. Use this inversion to explore contrast, paradox, or inner conflict.

*Symmetry as a Ritual -- Design a symmetrical layout that feels ritualistic or meditative. Use repetitive patterns and journal about the habits or rituals that center you.

Each of these prompts can be expanded with mixed media, textures, and even journaled thoughts to deepen the connection between your creative process and emotional reflection.

Here's a wonderful sample page about balance from Aly




Tips/Technique/Tutorial:
With each challenge, a tip/technique/tutorial will be included. There is no pressure to incorporate the tip/technique/tutorial into your challenge page, the choice is entirely yours.

This month's tip is to get out and take some new photos. Try for a photo a day. See what you can do with the prompts below and have plenty to scrap/play with later! I'm in one of those ruts where I feel like I have no photos/ideas of things to scrap. I want to push myself out of my comfort zone and to try something different... think outside of the normal day-to-day box and focus on getting back to just taking photos for the fun of taking photos. I used Rachel's Anisoptera kit and put together a little photo-a-day challenge for the month of June.



Challenge Requirements:

• Create a new page using one of the prompts
• Use at least 75% of Rachel's Product currently available in her LilyPad shop.
• Any remaining percentage must be product from another current LilyPad designer. This could also include retired products from Rachel or the other current LilyPad designer.
• Hybrid projects are also welcome and the same product rules apply. Where digital products are used in a hybrid project they must all come from current LilyPad designers, and at least 75% must be Rachel's Product.
• Upload your layout to the Rachel Jefferies Designs Gallery at the LilyPad with your product credits.
• For your challenge entry to be counted, you MUST upload your finished layout to this thread. Please link your gallery image to your post in this thread, as it helps us leave love on your layout (and validate your project).
• No double-dipping… your layout must be created for this challenge only, no others.
• You must create a NEW layout for this challenge.
• This challenge will remain open for the monthly coupons through June 30, 2025.

Prizes:

• All participants who post their page during the challenge month by the end of month deadline and meet the criteria will be eligible for a coupon of 15% off their next order (from Rachel's shop) of $8.99 or more.
• ONE lucky random winner who posts their page during the challenge month by the end of month deadline and meets the criteria will receive a $8.00 coupon for Rachel's Shop here at the LilyPad!

If you have any questions just tag me and I will get back to you as soon as I can. I look forward to your creations.

I will be out of town for the next week, so I may not be able to comment on your posts immediately, but will be back on the 10th.

 

Thanks for your patience, everyone. I made it back from the New Hampshire wilderness and am happy (for the most part) to be reconnected to reliable internet. I am excited to see your pages though!

I didn't get a chance to post before, but @JocelynB was the winner of the May challenge. Congrats to Jocelyn and thank you to all of the participants!

 

These are all wonderful. Time is running out. Tick tock.