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...

Dottedline

And now, three cool midweek sponsor giveaways are on tap for today:

2

• One person will receive a February Kit from Freehand Scraps.

Lom5
Stacyj

• 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.

BANNER PACS

• 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.

Dottedline

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

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1452 thoughts

  1. Heather Byrne says…
    02/04/2009

    Lol...I painted my living room red...5 coats later I am happy with it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Nicole Ward says…
    02/04/2009

    Biggest leap for me...how to choose just one. :) This year seems to be full of them for some reason. Right now it would have to be adjusting to a new town, new home, new school, and new life. "Bloom" is my word this year and I am putting it to the test with our move from a life I was so content with to one that is taking some getting used to. I am learning that WHERE you live is not as important as WHO is there with you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Jenn says…
    02/04/2009

    My leap of faith was to let my dear husband, son and daughter to go to the missions field for two weeks. They went to Equador to present two dramas, perform a building project and outreach. We are changed forever and blessed amazingly!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Lisa says…
    02/04/2009

    My biggest leap was last year moving to a new city for my husband's job. We didn't know many people but having my mother here also made the leap a lot easier to handle.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Deb says…
    02/04/2009

    I love The Paper Pixie! I will check out you other new sponsors too!
    Never having coached a sport before, I took on coaching 5th grade volleyball. I hope the parents don't take me out to the parking lot when this is all over!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Carrianne B says…
    02/04/2009

    My most recent leap was signing up for facebook - especially after getting angry at my DH for doing just that. I thought it was a teeny bopper thing that was someone "dangerous". But I am now addicted!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. eva p says…
    02/04/2009

    My last leap was to tell someone a very difficult situation that happened to me 4 years ago. It was really hard for me but it was truly a relief to talk to someone after all this time…
    I would love to win the classes at Paper Co…. I actually live in Italy but I can’t go because right now because my budget is a little tight…
    Thanks for this great gifts!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. stacey says…
    02/04/2009

    My biggest leap right now is needing to contribute more financially to our family. I have been adding more children to watch, starting and etsy shop and selling cakes out of my home.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Uli says…
    02/04/2009

    One of my closer friends passed away few days before Christmas. I'm still very sad and my thoughts are still with her. However, I realized that Christmas is not just about the quantity of gifts - its enjoying the time together: happy, healthy and loving.
    Happy Wednesday!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Joyce Miller says…
    02/04/2009

    I have joined a newly formed service group in my community and for me, being more of an introvert and extremely self-conscous, that was a huge leap.
    Thanks for the give-aways!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Heather Q says…
    02/04/2009

    My big recent "leap" was moving to Michigan for my husband's new job, even though we knew job prospects for me would be scarce. My little "leaps" are the daily substitute teaching jobs I take. You never know what kind of class you'll end up with!
    Great prizes today!!! Crossing my fingers!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Adrienne says…
    02/04/2009

    Wow, what great giveaways today. And I love the topic of courage. My most recent leap of courage was to leave the company I worked at for 6 years to take a new job at a new company with new people. This is a big deal for a loyal person such as myself. It was a very good decision as I have experienced things I never would have otherwise.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Sara says…
    02/04/2009

    Here is my most recent "little" leap. I'm a stay at home mom and I'm totally in the stay at home clothes rut. My wardrobe consist of jeans and t-shirts. I never spend money on clothes for me and when I do I'm usually buying clothes at Target! So I took a little Christmas money and went out and bought just a few things that have totally updated my look. And the great thing about it...when I am wearing these new things, I feel so much better about myself. I know when I am picking my daughter or son up from school, or at the playground with my preschooler, I'm walking with my head up a little higher!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Cheryl says…
    02/04/2009

    My current leap of courage is to begin counseling to learn to live with my diagnosis, bipolar. It has alot of bad connotations, but it also has good things about it!! I am learning to live with it better, and try to be a better mom, wife, friend and a person who finds time for my love of scrapbooking! Thanks Ali for all your inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Amy Zarrella says…
    02/04/2009

    great giveaways! I am not a leaper, at all. I don't embrace change and actually fear it sometimes. Maybe I should try to get over that. That would be a leap.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Johanna says…
    02/04/2009

    My recent leap is finally, finally! having met all requirements for graduation, so that I can now sign up and start working on my diploma. This feels so, so good.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Korey Lindberg says…
    02/04/2009

    My most recent LEAP came last night when I was out bridesmaid dress shopping with my sister-in-law. I had to continue reminding myself that it was, in fact, her wedding and what she wants goes...She did pick out a lovely dress!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Julie Marshall says…
    02/04/2009

    My biggest leap has been going back to work full time. I worked part time for nearly 10 years and was home with my kiddos and it has been quite the adjustment for all of us. But it has been a great experience and the kids are becoming more independent--a great move all around (except for the tired part, but I can live with that :)
    Great prizes, wow, thanks Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Susanne N. says…
    02/04/2009

    My biggest leap was going through a time of self analyzation and realizing that because of a traumatic event in my life when I was a child, I now know why I respond to things the way I do. I understand so much more about myself and, while painful to experience, it was such a great aha moment for me. This even impacted by scrapbooking as I now understand why I've never recorded certain events in my life--because I didn't want to go through the pain of reliving them again.
    I loved your quote for the day--who doesn't need to read something like that?
    Thanks for the chance to win some great things (although there's no way I could go to Italy in March, so I'll leave that great prize for someone else!)
    Thanks Ali for the inspiration you provide people everyday. Hope all goes well with you and your upcoming delivery!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. jen says…
    02/04/2009

    I agree that leaps come in different shapes, sizes and commitment levels, and it seems that everyday I am leaping alot. I am a teacher, and I have been leaping for some of my children lately because no one else is. I love my job and my kids but sometimes I wish that their families could leap for them too.
    I love that fact that you remind us of these little things that make me realize that I am not the only one out there. Thanks.
    Also, thanks for the give aways. I have been thinking about taking Stacy's class. I have her book and love the concept. But I worry about the time commitment. Thanks for the opportunity to participate...

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Kim says…
    02/04/2009

    WOW awesome goodies!!
    Ali I love your blog for so many reasons!!
    my most recent leap of faith is making babysteps in my life to live how I want instead of how our circle of friends does. I watched Fireproof on Sunday & It really got me thinking of the person I am vs. who I want to be. I thought I was 'doing my own thing' but realized I can do much more. and am looking fwd to it :) thanks for this opportunity!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. ShellyJ says…
    02/04/2009

    the big leap of courage i just took... i tried Coke Zero...yummy! i have made the switch over to that :) it is a small one, but a big one to me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Twila says…
    02/04/2009

    My family's recent leap was when we learned that my husband is losing his job last week. A stunning blow to someone who actually LOVES what he does. I really needed that quote today, Ali. I am going to post it in my office for daily inspiration as I become the sole bread winner and the encourager for the love of my life as he himself jumps into searching for a new job. Would love to win that kit or the class! Can't see myself going to Italy anytime soon--ha!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. tami says…
    02/04/2009

    my leap, i am very very very close to signing up for my first marathon. i have been inspired by lots of blogs that i read and found this quote from nike yesterday which might just push me over the edge
    No one runs in my family.
    I am not built like a runner.
    My bones aren’t weightless.
    My legs aren’t gazelle-like.
    As a child, no one ever said,
    “Now that one…she’s going
    to be a runner.”
    I am not a marathon runner.
    But, I know that no one
    is a marathon runner until
    they actually run one.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Ginger L says…
    02/04/2009

    The New Year was supposed to be awesome for me. I had just started a new partnership back in October of 2008 and it was going well. To make a very long story short, we dissolved our business on very short notice. I was heartbroken, but made the leap of faith that this was God's will in my life. After the initial heartache, the letting go has been easier than I ever dreamed. Thank you, Jesus! :)
    Thanks for giving me the change to win!

    Reply 0 Replies

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