Archive for November, 2010
Monday, November 15th, 2010
Your questions. My answers. Stuff on your mind. Things you want to know. Here we go!
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Q: Any chance you could start showing us some of the darling outfits I’m sure you wear every day?
A: Ha! Sorry, but ummm … you would be highly disappointed if I shared a picture of my daily outfits. Unless jeans and a t-shirt are impressive to you. Seriously, I promise you the level of cuteness is not very high. But I will share one of my favorite clothing items as of late. Behold, the leggings:
As in … simple, cheap, black leggings that you can find anywhere. In fact, I picked these up at Target. The key is to wear shirts long enough to cover the boo-tay. Or another option is something else to cover up your not-so-favorite curves. I found this little ruffly number at Forever 21 not too long ago. (Got it at the actual store. Not finding the exact skirt online, sorry.)
Q: I totally get why you don’t travel for scrapbooking events anymore. My question is — will you consider organizing an event there in Arizona?
A: The short answer is … no. I can’t imagine taking on such a huge project at this stage in my life. So much more goes into planning these types of events than most would realize. Don’t get me wrong. I love projects. And you know I love organizing. But I have plenty of both going on in my world as it is. Thank goodness for people like Shealynn Benner who are up for such a challenge. She has put together Creative Estates. And I’m going to be there in April. This will be the first time I’ll be attending and participating in an event like this since starting our company a year ago.
Q: I was wondering where you found the maps you used for pointing out Finland and for the Big Photography Giveaway earlier this year?
A: Google. Just do a google search for map images and there are more to choose from than you’d ever need. If you want a map of a specific region or country, obviously you’d narrow your search accordingly.
Q: Is your Becky Font still available for download?
A: Absolutely. If you haven’t checked out the Free Stuff section of my website lately, it’s worth a peek. (Scroll down and you’ll see my font downloads in the sidebar.)
Note: The Free Stuff section will be updated this week with our new featured freebie — holiday cards! The winners of that design contest have been chosen and I will soon be announcing those fine folks as well as posting all the new designs.
Q: Which do you prefer — matte or glossy?
A: Both. When it comes to my prints, I typically prefer glossy for my photos that will be protected in a scrapbook or in a picture frame. I find the image is usually just a teensy-weensy bit sharper and crisper. I prefer matte for photos that I know will be handled, such as when they are used for announcements or invitations.
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Do you have a burning question that I haven’t answered? (If you’ve missed my previous Q&A posts, click here for a run-down of the most recent posts.) Leave your question in the comments for this post. Be sure to include your name. I’ll choose someone (with a really cool or interesting or thought-provoking question) to be my next Random Reader Spotlight.
NOTE: Please hold your questions about Project Life because I’m getting ready to share lots about that this week. : )
Tags: clothes, creative estates, fashion, Forever21, free fonts, google, leggings, map, pictures, Q&A
Posted in Uncategorized | 55 Comments »
Friday, November 12th, 2010
[ vintage rose wraps ]
Okay, so the baby’s way cuter than me. But I just wanted to show you one that I was just wearing the other day. Love these headbands. They’re comfortable and flat and adorable. And they work for all size heads. A winner will receive $50 credit to spend on her product. And 3 additional winners will receive a head band. Learn and see more of Vintage Rose Wraps at vintagerosewraps.com.
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[ bead creations international ]
Oh, the customizing possibilities! These handstamped custom necklaces are dainty and sweet. They make a great gift too (the holidays are just around the corner and I know most of us have gift-giving on the brain). A winner will receive $40 to spend in her shop. Check out all the designs at beadcreationsinternational.com.
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Want to be a lucky winner? Leave your name, your city & state, and what you’d love to win (headband or jewelry). All winners will be announced next week.
Tags: bead creations international, giveaway, vintage rose wraps
Posted in Uncategorized | 1,120 Comments »
Thursday, November 11th, 2010
Okay — do you love this? I love this.
It’s a picture my brother took. Totally inspired the next photo challenge. So this is the challenge: Take a picture of a reflection. Any kind of reflection. Maybe the image includes people. Maybe not. Maybe you put yourself in the shot. Maybe not. It’s whatever you want.
If this inspires you to take a cool shot, great. If you feel inclined to submit your picture, cool. Email your picture to submissions@beckyhiggins.com. Be sure to include your name and where you call home.
Deadline: Monday, Nov. 15th.
As usual, I’ll choose my favorites to share here on my blog for continued inspiration on taking pictures and documenting life. Someone will win Project Life. For a little more photography inspiration, just click on the Photography category at right. Or type “photo challenge” in the Search field to the right.
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Speaking of my brother, I’m so super proud of Andrew. He took a leap 4 years ago, started his own business, and has now helped over 150 companies with their graphic design and websites. I am one of his very happy clients. Check out Cambio Labs if you have graphic design, logo, or website needs. Andrew’s so modest (when he’s not being a punk) and probably blushing right now that I’m mentioning this.
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Speaking of design, I know many of you are wondering about the results of the holiday card design contest. Winners announced and free downloads posted next week. Yippee! And … I will be sharing information and pictures of the new Project Life stuff too. Next week is going to be BIG and FUN.
Tags: andrew allgaier, CambioLabs, photo challenge, reflection
Posted in photography | 25 Comments »
Wednesday, November 10th, 2010
Back on October 13th, I randomly selected one of my facebook “likers”. I sent her a Project Life kit just for fun and today, I’m spotlighting her here on my blog.
Here’s the thing. I like my readers. My blog readers, facebook likers, twitter followers … and readers even dating back to when I wrote books & magazine articles. I appreciate the fact that you carve a minute out of your day here and there to stop by and see what I have to share.
So … I think it’s rather fun to draw one of your names out of a hat once in a while, send you some product, and get to know you a little.
Note to self: Do this more often.
Remember the “Random Reader” spotlight in March — Michelle in Utah? So super fun. Well today, enjoy a little Q&A I had with Charlotte in Maine.
(Digital frame found here.)
Q: Where do you call home?
A: Brunswick, Maine.
Q: Who do you call family?
A: My husband of 14 years (Jim), my son Hudson (11), my son Simon (5), and our new bulldog Millee (6 months).
Q: What are you main hobbies & interests?
A: I love scrapbooking, of course! Although I never feel like I have enough time to do it as much as I would like. I also love exercising (jogging, aerobics with weights), taking my bulldog for walks, going to the beach with my boys, and reading, reading, READING!
Q: What are a few of your family’s little traditions — things you do each day or week or month or year that are unique to you?
A: Our family cherishes every moment we have together. We have an unusual schedule in that my husband works during the day and I work in the evening so we have never had to use daycare. We have developed little routines that make each day special. My husband gets to read to the boys every weeknight and I get to read to them on the weekends. They call me at work every night at 8 to say good night. My husband and I love to text each other all day and night in order to stay connected. And we live for the weekends when we can all be together. Every Mother’s Day my husband takes photos of himself and the boys and frames them for me – those are my favorite gifts.
Q: What are you doing to document your family’s life?
A: I love to scrapbook pages that highlight major events as well as everyday moments in my family. I usually look through the pictures I have printed and I choose whichever ones speak to me at the time, regardless of when they were taken. I am a bit of a hoarder when it comes to paperwork! I have binders for each grade my boys have been in. I also love to keep receipts here and there that show what we were up to that particular day. I have a Facebook account which helps keep an easy and fun online “journal” for me. And I really love the “Project 365″ app for my iPhone – I take a picture every day and it keeps a little album for me that I can look at whenever I want.
Q: How will you use Project Life?
A: I am so excited about getting the Project Life kit. I have been scrapbooking (in the way we know it now) since 1999. I used to scrapbook regularly but I am a bit of a perfectionist and I got so tired of agonizing over the right papers, embellishments, and photos that I don’t do it nearly as much as I used to, or as much as I would like to. I have way too much ‘stuff’ and my scrapbook room is overflowing with beautiful product that I don’t use anymore. (Can you relate to this?)
I have great intentions of getting back into it but when it comes to actually doing it, I push it aside for housecleaning, exercising, running errands, even watching TV. I still buy all the new magazines, take tons of photos, read the websites and follow the blogs, so my love for the hobby is still there, I just need to rethink my approach and adapt it to something I can actually do and enjoy.
I think Project Life is going to help me find the balance I need between making the memories and preserving them. I will still make those elaborate pages that let me play with product and techniques but the pressure won’t be there to do so for every page I make. And I will be able to look at pretty, completed pages — a whole album of them! — that document our lives right now and feel a sense of accomplishment that didn’t come at the expense of my sanity! So thank you, Becky! 
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Thank you, Charlotte, for sharing a little about who you are and what you love. I’m sure many many readers relate to things you’ve noted.
Tags: random reader
Posted in Uncategorized | 23 Comments »
Tuesday, November 9th, 2010
Our gratitude poster is filling up quickly. (If you missed that post, it’s here.)
Sometimes we talk about what we’re grateful for in the car … or over breakfast … and then write a few things on the poster. Sometimes the kids will think of something and immediately go to write it or draw it without letting anyone else see it. Then they “unveil” the surprise. Yesterday Claire did this and just couldn’t wait to show us what she had drawn. When she explained her sketch I melted into a puddle. Claire drew a picture of the grateful poster. She’s grateful for the grateful poster. Can someone please tell me how to bottle up the cuteness as it is right now?
This has turned out to be one of the most meaningful and valuable family projects we’ve ever done. It’s ongoing. It’s thought-provoking. It’s conversation-starting. And it’s fun! It keeps us all focused on gratitude which I truly believe is “not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” (Cicero)
Something to think about: “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” (William Arthur Ward) Someone in your life needs to hear your appreciation today. What are you waiting for? Let them know. Send an email or a text — or even better — write a good ol’ fashioned letter and put it in the mail.
Life’s too short. Express your gratitude.
Tags: gratitude poster
Posted in DIY, family & children, holidays & seasons | 26 Comments »
Monday, November 8th, 2010
Gratitude continues to be on my mind a lot. And now I have even more to be grateful for because I just spent a few days with some of my very dearest friends.
The destination: Colorado Springs, Colorado.
The occasion: We try to do this every year.
The secret to (9) thirty-something moms being able to do this: Amazing husbands and families who are supportive of our yearly girl time.
The best part of it all: I come home exhausted and yet completely refreshed. I am grateful for friends who uplift and inspire me. We all love motherhood. We all adore our husbands. This isn’t about escaping our lives at home. This is about reconnecting, reminiscing, laughing our heads off, and just plain having fun.
And it always, always feels best to come back home.
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We missed the peak of Fall colors, but Colorado Springs is beautiful and the weather was perfect. We spent a lot of time outdoors (thanks to our hostess with the mostest who happens to be the athlete of the group). I even experienced about 12 miles of mountain-biking for the first time and l-o-v-e-d it.
(We got a few cell phone pictures. No trekking around with an actual camera.)
Another big personal highlight was making it to the top of “The Incline” in Manitou Springs, CO. While it’s not literally vertical, it sure the heck felt like it. My sea-level lungs were not used to that altitude but it was sooo worth the climb.
I’ll claim the glow-in-the-dark legs on the far left. Those legs climbed over 2,000 feet, reaching an 8,595-foot elevation. Which is why we felt okay busting out the chocolate later on.
We can’t get together without some sort of creating or crafting. That’s part of what brought us together 8 years ago. My main project was putting together a couple floral arrangements for our friend who hosted everyone in her beautiful home. Isn’t this pot terrific?
And we helped her with a little mantel makeover. We found everything (pots, flowers, mirror, decor) at Hobby Lobby … and it was all 50% off so woo-hoo for that.
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Anyway — I’m happily back to “regular” life again and will soon be sharing …
- Winners from the holiday card design contest
- Free holiday card template downloads (resulting from the contest)
- Sneak peeks and more information about the new Project Life stuff coming early December
- Answers to your questions
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But first — the randomly selected winner of last week’s Posh Lily giveaway is Becky in Port Orchard, Washington! Congratulations Becky. Just shoot an email to poshlily@gmail.com and she’ll hook you up.
Tags: biking, colorado, floral design, flower arrangement, friends, hiking, incline, interior design, mantle makeover
Posted in style & design, travel | 15 Comments »
Thursday, November 4th, 2010
Project: Framed poster.
Participants: Everyone in our little family.
Topic: Gratitude.
Supplies: Frame (ours is 20″ x 28″), poster board, letter stickers, pen.
This here is the very beginning of a family project that will be ongoing throughout November.
Introducing the theme: Earlier this week we talked with the kids about gratitude. I shared this thought: “Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love.” (Thomas S. Monson) It’s true. When we make an effort to be more conscience of how blessed we are and all that is good in our life, we will feel greater love. And feeling more love leads to making better choices. This, of course, brings greater happiness. So really — if we could all be a little more grateful, all the world’s problems would be solved. ; )
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Starting the project: I showed the kids this big, blank poster with one word on it: GRATEFUL (Letter stickers are “Text” chipboard letter stickers from American Crafts). Everyone was invited to think of different things they’re grateful for and then … start writing and drawing. No rules. If you’re grateful for it, you write it down. I love that Porter insisted on drawing something next to everyone’s words. I love that Claire thought of “prayer” … but only after dogs and cats. I love that Crew has a talking bubble that says “Einstein!” because that’s what we hear the most from him. I love that Diet Mountain Dew made the list (way to be honest, David). I love the misspelled words. I love that we’re doing this as a family. Most of all, I love that we’re all a little more focused on what we’re grateful for.
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Moving forward: Every day we’ll each add a couple more things. In the frame, the glass is behind the poster board, keeping everything firm and in place. This also keeps it exposed and readily available to write on any time. We will hang this on the wall soon and continue to add and add and add until it is completely full of words and pictures.
Fun twist: We didn’t do this, but it’s something you may want to consider if you do a similar project with your family. Give everyone a different color marker so it’s easier to identify who wrote what.
This is one of my favorite family projects ever … and we barely started! I began with the end in mind. I see the finished project — full of words and art as an expression of our gratitude. Seeing this on a daily basis will remind us to feel gratitude and express gratitude — in our prayers, in our actions and words, in our choices.
Feel free to share what you’re doing in your family to increase awareness of your blessings and to express gratitude. I love when we inspire each other.
Tags: gratitude, poster
Posted in DIY, family & children, holidays & seasons | 88 Comments »
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010
Congratulations to Vicki R. in Clinton, Mississippi! You were randomly selected to have a $30 shopping spree in *Shey*[B]‘s shop! Email shealynn@gmail.com and enjoy your new camera strap cover. Anyone else who is considering a *Shey*[B] purchase should note that Christmas orders must be in by November 23rd in order to receive them in time for Christmas.
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Another giveaway today!
Little girl hair accessories are too fun. One such provider of this adorableness is Posh Lily, found on Etsy. Jennifer would like to give away $30 credit to get anything in her shop … to two (2) of my blog readers.
You know the drill. Leave a comment and a we’ll randomly select 2 winners to receive this gift. In the meantime, happy browsing in her Etsy shop here.
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Reminder: This Saturday, November 6th, is the deadline to submit your holiday card design for our contest. All details can be found in this post from last week.
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Coming up: Tomorrow I’ll be sharing a really special family-centered project with you.
Tags: giveaway, hair accessories, posh lily
Posted in Uncategorized | 305 Comments »
Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010
Adorable camera strap covers by *Shey*[B] … What’s not to love? I’m a fan. And I know some of you are too.
This week, Shey wants to share a gift with my readers. First of all, a randomly selected person who leaves a comment will get $30 credit in her shop. Hello, shopping spree.
And there’s good news for everyone: When you enter 15OFF at checkout you’ll receive 15% off your entire purchase. This offer expires in one week, on November 9th.
Are you thinking what I’m thinking? This makes a great holiday gift. It’s already time to be thinking about that, believe it or not. Have a look at all her current designs here.
Oh — and — tomorrow is another chance to win something! We’re doing a little back-to-back giveaway action this week.
Tags: camera strap cover, giveaway, sheyb
Posted in Uncategorized | 758 Comments »
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