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
Ali,
What amazing give aways!! I have been toying with taking Library of Memories. I would love to take it!!!!!
My biggest leap this week was scheduling my 5 year old daughter's surgery. Last May, she broke her femur bone in an inflatable bouncy house and had to have a plate a 10 screw to hold her bone together. She is doing amazing!! you wouldn't even know she broke her leg. But now we must put her through the removal surgery and we are a little scared. I am sure it will all turn out fine, but it was a big leap for us to make that appointment!
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30 pounds overweight (whoever said nursing takes off the baby weight lied...), minimally active...I've taken the leap to train for the Spokane Marathon. It's baby steps right now, but I'm taking the "daily leaps" right now that will get me ready to make that HUGE leap on Sunday, October 11, 2009. I'm sweating just typing this...
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I'm not a person with great courage, but my sweetie doughter makes me brave when I need to.
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I was just recently tranfered to a new departent within my company and eventhough i was not one bit happy about it, i made the leap and now understand and believe it was a change i needed in my life to have a new appreciationo for me, my skills and my value as an employee. i am also greatful that at times like this of financial turmoil throughout the country, i have financial security for me an my family becuase of my job and my ability to do it well.
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I was just recently tranfered to a new departent within my company and eventhough i was not one bit happy about it, i made the leap and now understand and believe it was a change i needed in my life to have a new appreciationo for me, my skills and my value as an employee. i am also greatful that at times like this of financial turmoil throughout the country, i have financial security for me an my family becuase of my job and my ability to do it well.
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My recent LEAP was after my husband had surgery I had to take over all of our normal daily actives. I didn't realize how much of a team we are. Doing it all gave me a real ah ha moment. I'm truely blessed to have such a wonderful husband. Thanks for the great give aways.
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Our leap this past year has come in the form of moving across the country for my husband's job which then turned into him losing it after getting here. We love where we're at, but it was still difficult. Now he is making another leap into working overseas in the middle east to take care of us. Which ends up being a leap for the whole family. On top of several smaller leaps we seem to encounter everyday. This was a great post today Ali.
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Our big leap is selling our little house to buy a bigger one...right about the time our second child is due.
A smaller leap for me has been taking "jobs" shooting events for family and friends. Unpaid, but it's good practice and a step towards earning some money with my camera and ability.
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As many have experienced in this economy...I too have lost my job and am forced t LEAP into the job market once again.
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I am laughing and crying at the same time. Those wise words from your friend's blog...THIS is the day I needed to hear them. I love that.
Thanks*!*
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Taking a sub job at my daughters school has been huge for me and also rewarding.
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I have more courage than I though I did. Last summer I found my husband to be having an affair. I was left with 4 children. I had been a stay-at-home mom during our 14 year marriage. Needless to say, I was devastated.
I have had to step up and deal with things that I never thought I'd deal with before, but I haven't been alone, either. There has been a friend or two who have helped me stand when I couldn't even get out of bed.
I am no longer cowering in a corner, but standing tall.
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My recent big leap was moving from San Diego to Portland for my husband to take a job last year. I gave up a long time job and being able to see my friends. Although my relationship with my husband hasn't been better, not being able to find a job has been a bit challenging.
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LEAPING into the job market as I lost my job on Friday...
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Definitely my biggest leap was our total surprise pregnancy. We have a few more months to go before the arrival and a third child still sounds so crazy to us. But exciting, too. I feel I need a lot of courage in the coming months!
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My husband and I recently became Christians. I am pretty sure that is a big leap for us!
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Hmmm. I'm afraid I have not been very courageous as of late. I seem to be waiting for something to fall into place in my life to get certain things done.
Hopefully, soon I will figure out what that "something" is :)
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Biggest leap I ever made was moving from Indonesia to the US. Totally different culture, don't know anybody... Cried my eyes out every time I get homesick. But, I finally okay with the whole thing. Then my cousin offer me a chance to be in a home building industry, something I know nothing about, I took it and within 2 years I became one of the most valuable employee in the company.
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September 2008 - September 2009
This is my year of DOING not just talking. My family canned lots fresh fruits and vegtables in the fall.(after talking about it for years) I have lost 45 pounds since Labour Day. (instead of just complaining that I don't feel healthy) I bought skies and have started sking regularly this winter. We haven't yet sorted out our personal finances but we are starting with small steps. Taking action is great.
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I love your site!
My most recent leap of courage is to make the decision to homeschool my children. My oldest is turning 5 and this decision both is exciting and incredibly frightening, but I feel it is what God is calling us to for this season so I will trust in that.
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LEAP? I finally had my knee replacement and as i write this comment i am being lulled to sleep by the CPM machine.I had been in denial for some time but i finally realized the time had come so i leaped.Of course that trip to italy is out of the question.Thanks for an absolute awesome giveaway, ms.cheryl
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I have survived a monsoon and a category five hurricane on opposite sides of the world, gone scuba diving with sharks, parasailed in the French Alps. But the biggest risk I've ever taken was to find the courage to leave an abusive relationship and, at age 40, start all over again.
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It's not quite so recent, but it still feels that way - my leap was quitting my job to stay home with my youngest kids. It's been a real stretch financially, but so, so worth it!
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I had a big push which I call neccesity, but I started my own consulting business about 5 years ago. I had no idea what I was doing, but I kept telling myself--"Fake it till you make it".
Turns out it was the best thing single decision in terms of quality of life for our family. I work hard, often long hours, but it has really paid off.
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My most recent leap has been religious and difficult but I know everything will be as it should be. :)
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