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 leap of faith has been accepting a move in my job. I am being forced to move regions that I support and to a new boss that I am unsure about (from a region I love and boss that I love more). My future is uncertain at this point with my job, but I will hang in there and keep showing value, and that I am a darn good employee! Thank you for sharing Alex's comment!
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Hmmm... I would say that moving to a new city, getting pregnant, deciding to be a stay at home mom, and joining lots of new clubs to meet new friends all within a year has been my biggest leap. However, since that time. I have been pretty still. :)
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I realized last night that I had made a new friend, something that hasn't happened in many years. I don't make friends easily (I'm just incredibly awkward at it, usually) and have had the same core group of friends since I left college. Since I've been out of college for 8 years, this is a pretty big jump for me.
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Wonderful items... wow... my latest leap has been being more vocal at work...saying what I truely think instead of letting the powers that be decide!!
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my biggest leap - to slow down and relax. Not everything has to get done today. to learn that i don't need to do something exciting and memorable everyday with my children...just be with them. enjoying my family more.
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My most recent leap was to take a step towards checking off one of the items on my "38 Things to do Before I turn 38" list (inspired by HulaSeventy's blog" I've always wanted to learn how to make jewelry and this weekend, I paid for a upcoming class at an arts/craft store. I was very proud of myself as I am usually a "talker" not a "doer"
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I feel like everyday is full of little leaps. Trying to become a better person and putting a smile on people's faces. I would definately like to take some huge leaps into scrapbooking ;)
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My recent leap was pouring more of myself into my job. I've been at the same job for fifteen years and go through periods of burn-out (very stressful work). I'm past that now and enjoy my days at work much, much better.
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My job was eliminated last fall - and I decided after 25 years to NOT seek another corporate job, but spend as much time as I can in these next few precious years with my 13 year-old son. It has felt different, but "good different". I have discovered time for music in my life again - a bonus blessing!
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On Sunday, I went ice-skating with my little family. I was terrified, I hadn't been ice-skating since I was a little girl - like 30 years ago, and I was sure I wouldn't manage to do it, nor like it... in fact we felt we just had to do it with our son... and you know what??? I loved it!!! Totally, it was superfun and actually, I wasn't too bad either, and I want to do it more :o)
That was a very big leap for me!!! I have never been good at sports, and now, I found out that I liked a new sport :D
And, wow!!! What wonderful giveaways! It would be lovely to win :o)
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What a great giveaway. With my word for 2009 being choose I have really been taking a leap with learning to love myself. Making choices to really put myself back on my list. Making a real effort to loose weight has been a big leap and just re-learning who I am and what I all have to offer has taken courage. I guess small leaps :)
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My most recent "leap" was to get back on a snowmobile after 10 years of losing my sister-in-law when she was killed riding on one just one day after she and I had been riding together.
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Great giveaways as always! My recent leap of faith is coming up this Friday. My 7 year old is going to be singing in the talent show at her school, and I am petrified. I just have to have faith and know that she'll rock it like she does at home, but it is so hard not to do everything to protect her!!! (:
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WOW--what a deep, thought-provoking blog post! I would say most recently the things that have taken the most courage seem to be permission to put myself first. Just now realizing that...sad I know...but my health, my self-care does need to come first or I can't be any use to myself or loved ones.
I never thought that would take courage!! It does take a "leap" to value ourselves sometimes.
Thanks Ali!
Lyn
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My biggest leap has been to not fear the unknown.
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My most recent leap is taking a chance and finally stepping into a role of teacher at a LSS. People have asked me to teach for a while, but I was/am afraid. Last night I made the commitment and set the date and delivered the samples. I just jumped off with both feet. Thank you for the opportunity for expressing and sharing.
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My most recent leap is to schedule 3 pretty close together fitness challenges. I decided to do another half marathon (13.1 miles). I committed to the training to run most of it, walk at comfortable intervals. That's May 2.
On June 6th (???) a 10K (6.2 miles) in my hometown with my dad.
One June 14 a mini triathlon for women only in my town. (1/2 mile swim, 9 mile bike, 3 mile run/walk)
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my current leap is trying to have a baby, we have one son and have been trying for over a year to get pregnant again. Trying to be open to what God's plans are for me and submitting to his will.
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December 9th I took a leap of faith and decided to have a much needed knee replacement. The recovery is going much slower than I had imagined, but still getting better each day.
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What a fabulous thought for the day...seems like I've been leaping a ton the last couple of years...my most recent leap is finding a super guy that is fabulous, kind and supportive...of me...
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Wow my leap of faith was apologizing to a friend when i normally would have just stayed mad. Great giveaways!!
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My biggest leap is learning how to cook. I have this cookbook that had been collecting dust on my shelf for about two years. I finally dusted it off and have found some wonderful, easy and most important, yummy recipes... now the book is covered in splatters and love... and my family loves every dish!
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my biggest leap right now is giving myself more time...more time for self-care, more time to get things done, more time for my relationships. it feels a little uncomfortable giving that to myself, but was definitely necessary
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hmmm. . .a leap. . .i'm not a risk-taker, so my leaps are more like small skips. . .just trying to stay focused on my word for the year - and incorporate it into my life and the lives of my family. . .
Hillary
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I've been having abdominal pains of late, and the doctor suggested I undergo Gastroscope. Not fun at all. I'm a chicken and have zero pain threshold. Was even contemplating on living with the pain OR gritting my teeth and lie on the table.
I chose the later. It may not sound courageous to some, but to me, I feel empowered!!
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