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. Jennifer Schultz says…
    02/04/2009

    After about 7 years of being a stay-at-home Mom, I took the leap and got a very part-time job. It has been much more difficult than I imagined, getting back into the working world. Just interviewing and applying was a lot of work. And now that I am training, I find it much harder to focus, than before I had a family. I the long run, I know it was a leap out of my comfort zone that will benefit my own self as well as the family.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Jennifer Patin says…
    02/04/2009

    My biggest leap of my life so far was the leap into motherhood 6 months ago. It's been the scariest one, but the most rewarding leap.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Wendy A says…
    02/04/2009

    Ali - All I can say is WOW - what awesome giveaways you have today. It's a good thing you are choosing the winners - I could never choose between these - all are AWESOME. Ok so my biggest leap/act of courage is simple really - I have been experimenting more in my scrapbooking. I am trying fabrics & sewing, more paint & more altered looks on my pages instead of just paper, pictures & rubons. I have even been experimenting with alcohol inks. I feel such a creative release these days in the creation of my pages.
    Wendy A

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

    I think my most recent leap was a little one. I cut my hair short. I had the same hair sine I was 13 and decided to cut it. My husband thinks it is really cute;)
    Kara

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

    My recent leap was to put away the laptop for one week to reconnect with family and friends on a face to face basis and to re-discover the joy of simply reading a book for entertainment.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Kimberly Williams says…
    02/04/2009

    My most recent (and most difficult) leap was to pack up my 1 year old twin daughters and move to a different state, far from my family. It continues to be a challenge everyday...one that I question often.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Heather Diane says…
    02/04/2009

    I'd say my first really big leap was moving to South Florida right after I got married. I was a very small town girl in Idaho and moving to Florida was a HUGE culture change for me. It was good though - just a big change.

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

    Hmmmm, my most recent act of courage? Well, that might have to be taking on a new job in December. I'm in the financial industry and if things aren't shaky enough, a new job with new (more) responsibilities has left me feeling a little anxious. What? I have to give training presentations? Yeah, I will be needing lots of courage! ha ha

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

    Hi! I can't afford the trip to Italy and I am housebound, so please, please... I'd love Stacy Julian's class... Bless you and your lovely family.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Gracie Ann Tan says…
    02/04/2009

    I guess my most recent leap was when I forgave someone who hurt me badly and learned to forget about the pain he caused me. It was hard but I know it's for the best.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Terri says…
    02/04/2009

    My big leap was getting back into my business after a 2 year slow down because of cancer.
    It feels great!

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

    What incredible giveaways!!
    My most recent leap is actually occurring this afternoon when I have my first official photoshoot. So far I've just been "practicing" on friends and family - this will be my first time going to someone's house to take pictures. I'm pretty nervous and excited at the same time!

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

    I'm taking a small leap and I'm learning to make my own baby food for my little munchkin. It's healthier, fresher and not as hard as I thought and I'm learning more about fruits and vegetables than I ever knew before. I highly recommend it!

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

    wow....loved that....thanks for sharing!!
    my biggest leap of courage (likely since becoming a mom) has been to book myself (and myself only) on a ten day trip to Seattle (leaving my husband and kids in London.) Our family (in Seattle) in expecting two babies in a matter of two days and I am going to meet the new little additions. I am scared and excited and nervous all at the same time. I haven't left the kids before and have a tiny bit of me saying "but how can you leave them for so long"......but Spike is behind me 100 percent and this is a chance of a life time!!
    Here's to "leaping"!!
    xo

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. evalyn says…
    02/04/2009

    My leap of faith is in my willingness to be home alone again. A recent break-in has left me jumpy and nervous.

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

    so - I forgot to include a leap or act of courage... my apologies. It would have to be trying to start a new career. I have an incurable pain condition called CRPS and I am housebound, so I lost my job and cannot work outside my home.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Sandy says…
    02/04/2009

    so - I forgot to include a leap or act of courage... my apologies. It would have to be trying to start a new career. I have an incurable pain condition called CRPS and I am housebound, so I lost my job and cannot work outside my home.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Leah says…
    02/04/2009

    my big leap: taking care of ME. For years everyone else was first, it's my turn.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Jennie says…
    02/04/2009

    Yes I needed to hear this today...I'm a SAHM and did some tutoring on the side for a little supplemental income. Lost those jobs because parents lost their jobs. So BIG leaps need to come lots of decisions to make....

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. De Anne Barker says…
    02/04/2009

    Our biggest leap would be finalizing our son's adoption last week. He has special needs and we have always found comfort in knowing that his caseworker was just a phone call away if needed for advise. It is almost like the feeling when you have your first child and you have brought them home from the hospital with no clue how to care for them.
    We know that God has blessed us and we will be just fine however, it is a little scary flying solo.
    Thanks,
    DeAnne B.

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

    Fantastic giveaways! My recent "leap" is not really a leap, but I found out I am pregnant! It's definitely a life changing discovery that I am most excited about!

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

    My Big Leap was to take responsibility for me, all of me. Now that I have the responsibility -I can make things happen. My house is cleaner, I am healthier and happier.
    Julie

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

    We moved back to Texas from Illinois and our house had been on the market for over 15 months. We just couldn't do it anymore . . . paying for a house we couldn't sell. My leap was renting my house out--the house I worked so hard to get how I wanted it. It's been a week since our new tennants have moved it and through this change we're able to now close on a house this Friday in Texas.
    Sometimes letting go gives you a gift of a new start--I'm so glad we took this leap!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. make art every day says…
    02/04/2009

    hmmm. i think my leap is rebranding my photo biz to emphasize my name. i'm putting it out there more confidently now. i'm in the midst of rebranding everything and it's exciting!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Lesley says…
    02/04/2009

    My most recent leap of faith was quitting my job and pursuing my love of photography while being a stay-at-home mom. I love it.
    Italy? Are you kidding me?

    Reply 0 Replies

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