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
For 34 years, I've been a certain denomination. That's all I've ever known because my father (and father-in-law) are also pastors. However, my husband and I have decided that God is calling us to be part of another denomination. It is very similar to what we've both grown up with, but change is sometimes hard. Making new friends, new social "groups" are not always easy, but I've learned that change is also good and very rewarding.
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Courage lately has come with honest and open dialog with others. This always takes a lot of courage.
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I'm so happy to have found your blog today via Shutter Sisters!
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getting married
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i am still leaping, after leaving my home and husband of 12 years and trying to get myself and my 3 children to a better place without any suport or help from anyone.
It is a struggle everyday but everyday is a new day to a better life
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My most recent leap was going to see a counselor about some troubles I've been struggling with.
I'm doing wonderfully, and haven't been to see her in two months. I am so glad to have taken that step!
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My most recent act of courage...trying to maintain a somewhat normal life when our country is having so many problems...we have seen nothing like this...but we need to remain optimistic...things will get better!
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I am heading up a committee to try to get a new school built for my town. Times are tough and the odds are against us right now, my town has seen three plants close this year. But I really believe in my gut that if we don't invest in our children, we give up on our future.
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Ali - your post is exactly what I needed today as I spent most of the day putting together case studies that explain/justify my current job to my current employer. HR is even involved. The co I work for has been downsizing for 3 years and it continues. There's a pretty big part of me that wants to take a leap right now, of course preferring not to be pushed off the porch, but if that's what it takes then so be it.
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My act of courage or leap came today, when put into a situation where I had to share with people that I don't know very well. I tend to stay pretty quite around people that I don't know very well until I feel more comfortable.
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Oh, I've been dying to take Stacy's class.
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my leap of courage came to me months ago, when i decided to step on the scale (and see the damage done after months of avoiding the thing). that, my friend was a very large leap.
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My most recent "leap" was to learn to trust. My husband lost his teaching job due to declining enrollment (who would have though?)...but we have learned to "trust" that things will work out....
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My most recent leap is that of my husband and I deciding for him to change jobs. It's been a little rough on him...different hours and more strenuous, but I think he is finally settling in. My boys and I miss him being able to come home for lunch everyday, but we are adjusting. I just hope it continues to have more positives everyday.
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My big leap of faith was to trust that my husband would meet me halfway if I stopped trying to control the little things in his life (nagging, etc). Although he doesn't always meet me halfway, we are happier in general!
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admit i'm a binge eater - it sounds really silly, but it's a problem
thank you, michelle
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Sitting my boss of 9 years down and finally asking for some flexible family friendly hours. It was much more well received that I would have expected!
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Wow! What a wonderful giveaways!!!!
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My most recent leap is the leap into motherhood. It has been a crazy, emotional leap, but now that I have taken that leap I know I can never go back. Even though I was scared to make this leap, I feel more complete now that I have.
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My act of courage is being willing to change jobs and move to an unknown place.
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I have taken a leap to accept who I am and what we have and to no longer want more and better. If something works, we will keep it. Same goes for scrapbooking, I have cut back on alot of things, pictures plus words...that's the most important. Thanks for the give aways!
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My biggest leap recently was allowing myself to consider NOT homeschooling one of my children temporarily. I gave myself permission to consider each of my children's needs differently, and not to have to "Do it all."
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My biggest recent leap is that I decided to make myself a priority and get all health needs taken care of. Dentists, dermatologist, orthopedic surgeon and endocrinologist are on the burner now. Dietician to come.
I would love to win!!
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Ali, my best wishes go out to you and your family, good luck on the birth of your new baby.
My recent leap has been sending out my resume, looking for a new job. This is a big step for me. Wish me luck:)
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My most recent leap was telling a friend that I think she's making a mistake in lying to her husband.
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