Wednesday Sponsor Giveaway: Freehand Scraps, Big Picture Scrapbooking, + Paper & Co. Show
First, I want to pass along a thought for today that I came across on my friend Alex's blog about courage & leaps:
What I realized is that there is not just one big moment of courage in
our lives. There are many. These moments come to us in different ways.
At times we are forced into a leap (unexpected pregnancy, when parents
or partners pass away, when we loose our job). At times we are called
into a leap (when someone invites us for a trip of a lifetime, when our
partner wants to move to a new city, when we are offered a chance, when
we take the "money maker" role to support our family). Then there are
also the daily tiny leaps we take for the sake of adventure (when we
try new types of food, music, when we go out on a date, when we talk to
a stranger, when we transition from blogger friends to real life
friends). No matter how small, silly or hard, tiny, dramatic or
forgotten... All leaps are important because little by little, we live
through change, we figure out how to cope, we move forward, we learn
who we are, and we build our confidence for the bigger leaps, the ones
we seek for ourselves.
Maybe someone else out there needed to hear this today too...
And now, three cool midweek sponsor giveaways are on tap for today:
• One person will receive a February Kit from Freehand Scraps.
• Two people will receive passes to Stacy Julian's fantastic online Library of Memories class at Big Picture Scrapbooking. Focused on getting your scrapbook albums in working order and organizing your photos (in a very "you-centered" way), I highly recommend the class and/or Stacy's book Photo Freedom. Class begins February 12th and runs for 16 weeks. This class is only offered once a year.
• One person will receive 4 classes for the Paper & Co. event in Italy on March 27, 28, and 29 (giveaway does not include travel, accommodations, or food for the event). You can check out a list of the classes here. Italy sure sounds good to me right about now :).
To be included in the drawing today please leave a comment below and share your most recent "leap" or act of courage. Comments will be closed at 8pm Pacific tonight with the winners posted shortly after.
I would also like to take a minute to welcome and thank my newest blog sponsors:
Digital Birdhouse : digital scrapbook products
Scarlet Lime : monthly kit club
The Paper Pixie : paper embellishments
The Digital Scrapbook Teacher : photoshop tutorials and classes for hybrid + digital scrapbooking
Lettergirls : delightful hand-created address stamps
For more information on sponsor opportunities send me an email: ali at aliedwardsdesign dot com
My recent mini leap is I worked out for the past 8 days. 5 times over an hour. I used the weight room for the first time. I set up a ongoing friday workout session with a few other ladies. I lost 2 lbs and 2 inches off my waist. And yesterday I realized I may actually have a few girlfriends for the first time since starting mommyhood.
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my leap lately has been to dive into karate..not just kickboxing anymore..it's amazing how much slower we are at learning the older we get..at 42, I'm the "old lady" in class.
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my recent leap of courage is to always put my health and well-being first.
ChanelD
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My recent leap was I started my own photography business last week!
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The passage on courage is so completely true, isn't it?
Thanks so much for sharing that...
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My biggest leap lately? Doesn't sound like much, but it's a leap of faith. More specifically, learning to let go. Let go of expectations for others. Let go of some of the worry that crowds my day. Let go of kids that are getting older...learning to let them make their own decisions...even the ones I don't agree with...and let them succeed or fail on their own merits. For a person who likes to be in control, this is a BIG leap!
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My big leap was to try surfing. It was amazing!
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My leap? To trust. I've been burned so many times that I have withdrawn from trusting...now I am making the leap.
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This reminds me of a Joseph Campbell quote: "Jump. It's not as far as you think." I tell that to myself when big leaps come to my life.
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This was harder than I thought it would be. I guess I now realize that I tend to keep 'safe' as much as possible. . .The last big leap that I can honestly remember taking was last summer. My husband took our family to a work BBQ. I didn't want to go (and usually avoid all new situations/people like this) because I am so self-conscious about my appearance. In the end, I was glad that I did. Everyone was extremely welcoming.
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Love reading all of these leaps -- so inspiring. My leap has been moving forward to become an Advocate for Compassion International, an organization that finds sponsors for children in poverty. I have sponsored 2 children for several years but thought it might be time to up my game in this area. It is scary because I don't think I am a good sales person especially in these times. But I read today... God honors radical risk taking acts of faith. When arks are built - lives are saved....so I am going to leap.
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Thanks for sharing this- I needed to hear it!! I'm contemplating a big 'leap' - & am hopeful I will land on my feet!
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My leap was pulling my son out of his school mid-year (last week) and enrolling him in a great magnet school. His 3rd school in 3 years due to a cross-country move & advacement to middle school.
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Can't wait to see what in a future but my leap took place while I moved to Wisconsin:)can't wait to explore other great states:)
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We're in the process of leaping.... building a house and moving to a different town before my oldest daughter starts kindergarten. I'm not a big fan of change but sometimes you just have to take that leap and trust what's yet to come.
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My most recent leap was signing up for my first triathalon. I've always wanted to do one but have been too chicken to actually do it. I'd always find reasons why this was not my year. Now I'm committed to doing one in April. We'll see how it goes! Thanks for the opportunity.
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That's a wonderful paragraph. A great reminder that life is all about change and embracing it if you can. My most recent leap...I chose to believe that I could love again after my divorce and that I would find someone who would love me. I'm now engaged to the MOST wonderful man, building a beautiful new life and counting my blessings every day.
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Great topic today! It's been just a little over 3 weeks since my big "leap" or push would better describe it! I find myself for the first time in 30 years without a job. It's a long story, one of joy, heartache, learning, losing and so much more. I am determined to find myself, become the "me" I know that I, along with many others, know that I am. I know God has a plan for me and this is all in His plan. God bless all of the posters and their stories!
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special words for me as i just left a secure job in order to take a new path. some think i'm crazy but i know it's the right thing to do.
continued blessings to you and family
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My most recent big leap was a forced one. A job transfer to a new position, two locations instead of one, different duties, etc. While it is working out okay, a "forced leap" can be very overwhelming especially at the start.
Good quote.
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this is a tough one for me... but saying goodbye to my husband the morning he leaves for 8 months..knowing that i will be the one to take care of everything..knowing that i won't have him to turn to in a moment when i need it most...i am building my courage as this day approaches so quickly and i am very confident that i have every bit i need to keep on going
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my greatest leap was trusting in a higher power that my daughter would survive and flourish--all signs pointed to the worst outcomes, too little to survive, but she was determined and so I trusted in her, my faith
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CHANGE - my word for the year, has nothing to do with waht's going on in Washington, DC (my hometown).
I've been the primary wage earner for the past 15 years and took a big leap of Faith to start my own consulting business in a highly specialized area. I had no work for January, so I called it a vacation and Feb 1 I was blessed with a three month contract. God is meeting my needs and stretching me spiritually, but most of all I've been able to share these details with my children so they can see first hand how God is working in our life and THEY come up with the ways to scrapbook and remeber these times. What a blessing.
Praying you have a quick and safe delivery for Baby A...you new mommies warm my heart
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I love the February kit!
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This year my oldest started middle school. He is really enjoying it. I have chosen to back off a little bit, and let him do more things on his own. It has been hard, he still seems so young! Be he has proven that he can handle the added responsibility.
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