A few housekeeping items for this beautiful Monday:
{ holiday cards }
It’s on a lot of your minds. And if it wasn’t already, it probably is now (sorry?). I just wanted to let you know that we’ll have FREE holiday card templates on the website this week. I’ll blog about it when they’re up. See what happens when you follow my blog? You don’t miss anything exciting. ; )
{ thank you }
The messages and happy wishes and notes of gratitude for David are very much appreciated. That was really cool of you guys, thank you. He had a great birthday and is loving his new smoker grill. Dinner last night was soooo good.
{ winner }
I’m pleased to announce the randomly selected winner of The TomKat Studio giveaway. Congrats to Michelle Stohlmann in Ashland, Nebraska! Michelle, go ahead and email Toni at the TomKat Studio and she’ll hook you up with your goodies!
{ another winner }
Remember when I did that big giveaway of all that stuff we hauled home from The Creative Connection? Well, I announced Tami L. in Trabuco Canyon, California as the winner in the very next blog post. But guess what? No word from Tami. I wonder if she missed that announcement? Tami – if you’re reading this – please email customerservice@beckyhiggins.com by Wednesday. If we don’t hear from you by then, we’ll randomly select another winner.
{ your project life questions }
Unless you’ve been sleeping under a rock, you know that we just released a slew of new products on Amazon.com over the weekend. Hooray! I posted this video to review all the products that we have available now, and mentioned that if you had questions, go ahead and ask. This is just a reminder to let you know that I did my best to address every question that was asked and I’ll try to get through even more questions that came in yesterday. You may be interested in that Q+A in the the Comments of that blog post. A lot of great questions!
{ project life glamour shots }
You’ve seen this rotating collection of happy customers, right? So fun! There is no longer the “big white box” but rather the small white box and a whole bunch of white packaging for all of our products. Let’s keep the Project Life glamour shots tradition alive. So many of you will soon be receiving your Project Life products – as early as today/tomorrow – and this will continue on for weeks and weeks. When you receive your products, have someone snap a picture of you with your products and email those to projectlife@beckyhiggins.com. We would LOVE to see these, and update that part of our website with your new pictures!
This is my husband a “few” years ago. I know. Sooooo cute, right?
When David and I were newly married and in college, I worked as a receptionist on campus. I thought I was doing a great job but my manager made me feel otherwise. I felt defeated and frustrated and I realized this job affected how I felt about everything else. David was instrumental in helping me realize that simply getting out of that job and changing to something entirely different – something that I would truly enjoy – is what was necessary.
I quit. I found another job working for a family in the next town over as their “Mother’s Helper”. It was as fun as it sounds. I loved my job. I loved the Evensens. I loved how I felt about what I was doing. My attitude about everything changed – like magic. And – without this job I would have probably never met Lisa Bearnson, who invited me to join Creating Keepsakes magazine, which started everything for me.
Fast-forward.
A little over two years ago I was at a crossroads with my work again. Except it was different this time. I accidentally developed an actual career out of a hobby – and I loved my job. But in the evolution of my style and approach and practicality, I no longer felt like I had a place in contributing to a magazine that focused on the artistic side of scrapbooking. My passion was shifting.
David, once again, was instrumental in helping me through a significant transition. I resigned. Together we then decided that I would take my passion for creating solution-based products – and we would launch our company. We had a vision. He supported my passion. I honestly don’t know that I would have taken such a big leap without his support.
I know some of you know this, but in case you don’t – my husband is very involved in making our company what it is. I am the one you see all the time (too much, probably). But David deals with a lot of logistics, financials, and other behind-the-scenes stuff that’s pretty much essential for making things happen. And – the man has ideas. No, he’s not a scrapbooker. His career is in medicine. But when we put our heads together and listen to your feedback – magic happens.
Today is David’s birthday. If you feel inclined to leave him a note, go right ahead. He doesn’t love the spotlight and may even give me grief for blogging about him. But seriously – without him, Project Life may have never happened. For real. And PS – He actually came up with that name. Project Life.
I’m going to try to keep this short and sweet because you have a video to watch + some shopping to do!
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Item of business #1: You thought I was just announcing that products arrived on Amazon but nooooo. Oh no. We can top our own excitement because we’re finally able to share this other bit of super news.
Project Life designs are coming to you … in DIGITAL pieces! As in, what many of you have been begging us to do for the past couple of years! As in, all of the designs, title cards, filler cards, journling cards, stickers … everything in digital format so that you can create your own stuff with the Project Life flair. As in, all 5 editions that we have done so far! The Original Edition, Amber Edition, Turquoise Edition, Cobalt Edition, and Clementine Edition. Everything! DIGITAL. Go ahead. Jump out of your chair and do the happy dance. I am beyond thrilled to announce this partnership with JessicaSprague.com. More to come on that in the near future.
Oh – and yes, we’ll continue to offer digital Project Life in the form of photo books as well. We’ve been working on exciting improvements and I will fill you in more on that soon as well. We just want to make sure that you’re generally aware of the digital options, in time for you to shop for the physical products .
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Item of business #2: The plastics have arrived to Amazon.com just today. The wait is over; let the shopping begin! If you have 9 minutes to spare, here’s a little video to review everything that just showed up along with related, anecdotal information that may be useful to you. Eeeeep! Another happy dance. Let’s do this!
The TomKat Studio is always serving up fabulous party inspiration and they would like to giveaway one of each of their new party crafting supplies (you can see them here) and a $50 shop credit. More specifically …
2″ Scallop Circle Punch
2.25″ Circle Punch
Flourish Punch
Circle Cutter & Glass Mat
$50 Shop Credit towards Printable Party Designs
This is a $147 retail value.
Holy smokes! Want a chance to win? You know the drill. Leave your first + last name + city + state/country.
In my last blog post I introduced our new Good Life necklace. We’re super excited about the response and pleased that you like it! Congratulations to our two randomly selected giveaway winners: Dina in Rock Hill, South Carolina + Kelly in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. Ladies, please email customerservice@belkaidesigns.com and they’ll send your necklace to you. Enjoy!
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{ products that you don’t wear around your neck }
You know that our products are available in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
This year we also made our products available in Europe as well. This reaches Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden or United Kingdom.
And now — we are pleased to announce that our products will soon be available in Japan, Singapore and other South East Asian countries like Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei! If you are in this part of the world, you can find more information and place your pre-order on Scraplicious.com NOW.
You should know that it is because of Tammy Morales, our wonderful distributor in Canada, that this is all becoming possible. She is the one cranking those wheels to make it happen and bring Project Life to more countries – and we know many of you join us in thanking her for that!
And of course we are pleased to be partnering with Cheryl and the Scraplicious team in Singapore to bring Project Life there. This is their beautiful store.
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{ timing }
I know the next question on your mind: WHEN?? When will the product become available in my country? I will do my best to give you at least a general idea, but I really know U.S. timing best. Information for all other countries is best coming directly from those distributors. In our Products section, there is a tab called SHOP. This is always there – and you can get to your country’s Becky Higgins distributor from there. They are the best ones to ask if you’re outside the U.S.
Here’s a general idea on timing for everyone:
U.S. – We are expecting Amazon to receive all the plastics by the first of next week, and all the new Cobalt + Clementine stuff by the very end of November.
Canada – They are expecting Amber + Turquoise items and all the plastics by the end of this week, but most pre-orders will ship when the Cobalt + Clementine items arrive mid- to late-November.
Australia + New Zealand- They are expecting Amber + Turquoise items and all the plastics by the end of this week, but most pre-orders will ship when the Cobalt + Clementine items arrive late November.
Europe – They are expecting ALL products by the first of the New Year. Tammy has a detailed + very informative update here.
SE Asia + Japan – They are expecting ALL products by late November, but binders may be early December.
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{ final thought for today }
For those of you outside the U.S. and all over the world, who have pre-ordered our products (not an option for those in the U.S. who purchase from Amazon) … THANK YOU. You are awesome! Your local distributors are as committed to Project Life as we are – and helping them determine how much product to bring in not only ensures that you will get exactly what you wanted, but your pre-orders are very helpful to the big picture and is very much appreciated. Thank you for your patience as you wait to receive your products!
A new product that I haven’t even talked about. But what a fun surprise! And hello! – a super fantastic gift idea for the Project Lifer friend of yours … or for yourself, right?? It’s the Good Life necklace! Inspired by what our company is all about (“cultivate a good life and record it”) … and handmade by Bel Kai Designs.
Recognize the pattern on the back? It’s from the Clementine Edition of Project Life.
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A closer look at the front.
I love what this necklace means to me. I love what it means to so many of you. I love that there are so many of us who are like-minded in our quest to cultivate a good life for ourselves, our families, and those we care about … and that we do our best to record + document life.
I am pleased to tell you that this uniquely beautiful necklace is available right NOW - rightHERE(and only there on Bel Kai Design’s website). And … I am super-duper pleased to tell you that Bel Kai is giving away two of these necklaces to my readers. Of course! How can we resist doing a giveaway with something so fun!? Leave your first name, city + state (U.S. only) and we’ll randomly select 2 winners to announce this week.
PS – The necklace is now listed with all our other products so it’s always easy to find.
In yesterday’s post, I personally responded to every single question that was left in the Comments. I mention this because A) I’m not usually able to pull that off! and B) I addressed some questions that may be on your mind too, so it might be worth your time to breeze through those.
Today I’m keeping a promise and sharing pictures of the specific designer cards that come in each of the 4 Project Life editions. This will be very, very helpful as you decide which edition(s) will best suit your needs.
Disclaimer: In order to share this with you as quickly as possible, these are just quick snapshots I took. This is not the most professional photography, nor are you seeing the most accurate representation of colors … but you’ll definitely get a really good idea of each edition’s unique style.
I’m going to let the pictures do the rest of the “talking” now.
First a quick note to say – congratulations Amy in Scottsbluff, Nebraska! You were randomly selected to win the Favorite Four giveaway from Big Picture Classes! Please email projectlife@beckyhiggins.com with your shipping address so we can send your goodies to you.
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I know a lot of you – especially those who are newer to Project Life – have a burning question:
WHAT SHOULD I BUY?
We now offer a lot of products, which is fantastic for having options so that you can hand-select exactly what you need. But sometimes you just want someone to tell you - Get this. This is what you need.
This image is going on the top of the Products page. We’ll keep it there for your convenience as you browse products. And when you send your friends over to check out Project Life, they can instantly understand that there are must-haves and everything else is “fun” to add. Although … let’s be honest. Some of you say ALL of this is essential! : )
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If you have a question that I haven’t answered about all the new products, please ask it in the Comments below – and I will answer it in the Comments. In other words, be sure to check back for answers. With all of the plastics arriving in the next 1-2 weeks, it’s important to me that you feel like you understand everything you want to know as you prepare for purchases. You’re smart shoppers. I like that.
Just in case you missed some previous posts, here are a few questions I have already addressed:
Q: Is that clearance sale still happening? Yes – but only the Amber binders remain now. It’s a crazy bargain, folks – $8.44 for a binder. Wowza.
Q: What exactly is a Project Life Core Kit?What comes in it?Sept. 7 blog post, which is loaded with pictures inside the little white box.
Q: I live outside the U.S. and can’t wait to get my hands on Project Life. Visit our Shop page so we can direct you to those that can help you.
Q: How will I know when the new items arrive on Amazon? My best advice is to check my blog daily. There are a lot of exciting things going on right now and I wouldn’t want you to miss a thing. Plus – I give even more behind-the-scenes kind of updates (+ POTD Ideas + thoughts on cultivating a good life, etc.) on facebook + twitter.
Q: I like freebies. Can I get my hands on any Project Life goodies that are free? Okay, so that’s not a real question that anyone’s asked. But I just wanted to remind you that these super cute cards are yours, if you’re interested. Easy. Quick. Free.
{ it’s my birthday and i’ll put on a sale if i want to }
This week I am turning 35. Smack-dab in the middle of thirty and forty. But this isn’t about my birthday. This is about that wonderful number that is 35. It’s a number that will make many of you very happy today.
I want to give YOU a gift this week: 35% off a few of our select products. We hardly ever, ever, ever put things on sale – because there’s just not a lot of mark-up in the first place – but this is specifically for the products that we want to clear out, to make room for the NEW STUFF that will be arriving soon.
A: Click on any of the product names (in green) above. No need to enter a code. The sale prices are listed already.
Q: How long does the sale last?
A: Until we sell out (hence the word “clearance”). I’ll announce when they’re gone.
Q: Why are these selected items being cleared out?
A: Out with the old, in with the new. All the new plastics (Photo Pocket Pages, Big Envelope Pages, Scrapbook Dividers) are arriving to Amazon in the next week or two. If you haven’t seen what’s coming, you must hop over to the Products page before getting off your computer today.
Q: Why would I want to buy the “old” stuff, if the new stuff is better?
A: Yes – the new Binders and Photo Pocket Pages that are coming are new + improved. The new Photo Pocket Pages are constructed better – including stronger seams. The new Project Life Binders are … well, completely better in so many ways (see those details here). So to answer that question: You would want to jump on these clearance items because this is as cheap as it’s going to get. That’s it. That’s all. Oh, and they’re still good products for sure. We’ve just made them even better with this next round.
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{ other prices you want to know }
More products are coming soon and most of you are planning and preparing for your purchases. I know it would be helpful for you to know how much everything costs. NOTE: This is U.S. Dollars and only applicable to U.S. customers, who can only purchase our products on Amazon.com. If you live outside the U.S., go here to link to your country. You will find those prices there.
Here are the items currently in stock on Amazon (not including the sale items mentioned above):
Project Life Core Kit – $24.99
Project Life Cardstock – $7.99
3×4 Journaling Cards (box of 100) – $3.99
Here are the items coming in the next 1-2 weeks:
Photo Pocket Pages – Big Pack of Design A – $24.99 (pack of 60)
Photo Pocket Pages – Big Variety Pack 1 – $24.99 (pack of 60)
Photo Pocket Pages – Design A – $6.99 (pack of 12)
Photo Pocket Pages – Design B – $6.99 (pack of 12)
Photo Pocket Pages – Design C – $6.99 (pack of 12)
Photo Pocket Pages – Design D – $6.99 (pack of 12)
Photo Pocket Pages – Design E – $6.99 (pack of 12)
Photo Pocket Pages – Design F – $6.99 (pack of 12)
Photo Pocket Pages – Design G – $6.99 (pack of 12)
6×12 Page Protectors – $5.99 (pack of 12)
12×12 Page Protectors – $6.99 (pack of 12)
Big Envelope Pages – $9.99 (pack of 5 + label cards)
Scrapbook Dividers – $7.99 (pack of 15 + labels stickers)
Items coming later in November:
Project Life Binder – $19.99
(Project Life Core Kits and Cardstock in the new Cobalt & Clementine Editions are the same prices as the Turquoise & Amber Editions that are currently available.)
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{ what i want you to know }
Companies don’t normally explain their prices to customers. But I’m not normal.
I know you work hard. I know that most of you have to carefully select where to spend and where not to spend. I also know that you value your pictures and memories and want to do something with them … which is why I do what I do, and why I’ve always wanted to keep prices low and make scrapbooking affordable.
Some of you aren’t even thinking twice about your Project Life purchases. You know it’s what you want. You’ve put it in the budget. You’ve been waiting for this to all arrive and you already have your credit card in hand, ready to order the second it shows up.
For anyone who is concerned about the prices, you certainly have a choice. You can keep your album super simple with the basics (Binder + Photo Pocket Pages + Project Life Core Kit) and skip all the extra items. But I know you know that. I’d like to show you something:
This graph shows a timeline that spans from 2009, when we started Becky Higgins LLC and manufactured + sold our first products – to today. As you can see the exchange rate has not been kind to us. Or you. Because we’re a new company and offer a very specialized product line with low quantities (compared to Target, for instance) our manufacturing costs have risen with the exchange rate significantly in just two years. During this time, we have also improved the quality of our products, which of course adds to cost as well.
We really do work hard to keep prices low but some things are out of our control.
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{ POTD Idea }
The economy and exchange rates are the last thing I want to talk about on my blog. You come here for inspiring ideas, product information, eye candy, and motivation. So before you get back to your inbox or your work or your laundry, here’s a picture-of-the-day idea for you: Photograph a little piece of evidence of someone in your family.
Crew (3) matching letter stickers to my keyboard letters. Little Smarty Pants.
You saw my big announcement, right? If not – it’s HERE. These are the featured online class instructors in 2012′s 4Experts series on Big Picture Classes. Stacy, Heidi, Nic, me.
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{ the team at Big Picture Classes has this message for you }
We are celebrating 5 years of 4Experts at Big Picture Classes! We are thrilled to announce Becky Higgins, Heidi Swapp, Nic Howard and Stacy Julian as our expert line-up in 2012 and we join you in anticipation of these four 12-week workshops hosted in unique and custom classrooms, designed to provide the very best that BPC has to offer. When you take a 4Experts class you not only get top-notch education, you become part of an active and exciting community of friends from across the county and the globe. Watch the videos at BPC and make plans to spend quality time with Becky, Heidi, Nic and Stacy in 2012.
April to June: The Art of Observation taught by Heidi Swapp
July to September: Dimensional Details taught by Nic Howard
October to December: Project Real Life taught by Becky Higgins
Note: Registration for each 4Expert workshop begins approximately eight weeks before the first day of class. If you’re not yet a BPC member, click here to register so you can receive email notification when registration opens.
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{ favorite four giveaway }
Colorful Sharpies make Stacy happy!
Heidi loves Mint Milanos as a treat anytime of the year
Lip gloss makes Nic feel pretty and that is why she loves it!
Seeing the Everyday magazine is one of my favorite things because it inspires us to appreciate the little things in life.
I would love for one of you to win a fave four box featuring 1 favorite item from each of the four teachers + $50 BPC gift certificate to use towards one of these classes. To enter, leave your first name + city + state/country. If you want, share one of your favorite things. Someone will be randomly selected and announced this week.
She’s a real charmer, isn’t she? I’ve known her nearly 15 years, so I know she is kind and amazing and smart and funny and capable of doing just about anything … and a charmer. In fact, she totally charmed her way into convincing me that it is time – it is about darn time – that I teach an online class.
Me? Teach an online class!? What would I teach? I mean – I have steered so far from doing anything technique-driven, really. I have simplified the creative part of my life in a big, big way. I have channeled my efforts in helping others to simplify, too. What kind of class content would I have?
She convinced me – in the charming Stacy way – that my life is content. She explained that going about what I do with regards to organization, home management, projects, documenting life, living life … this is content for an online class. And you know what? I get what she means now. I see her vision.
Line upon line, my vision for an online class has developed. I am committed. I am excited. I am not ready yet (because I still have time to continue developing content). But I am inspired and the wheels are spinning. In other words, I am pleased to announce that I am teaching my very first online class! And I’m doing it at Big Picture Classes.
This is the 5th year for BPC to do the 4Experts series. I am honored to be one of the 4 featured experts in 2012, along side with Stacy Julian herself, Heidi Swapp, and Nic Howard. You can read about each of our 4 very unique classes, and watch a video on each of those classes at Big Picture Classes right now. The announcement was made TODAY, so this is all very hot off the press.
My class is called Project REAL Life. My class will run in Q4 – October-November-December 2012. Registration opens August 9, 2012.
Because the class runs in the last quarter of 2012, I still have time to develop the class. I’m brainstorming like mad to come up with 12 weeks of content that you will find interesting and inspiring. Do you know what this means? I’m asking YOU what YOU would like to see. You know my tagline – Cultivate good life and record it. That is the core focus of this online class … real-life application on ways that we can cultivate a good life … and of course inspiration for recording it all.
So tell me – If you were taking my online class … what would you like to see? I’m a good listener, you know. ; )
Oh, and I have a giveaway related to all this fun coming on MONDAY. Tune in.
I have no idea what possessed me to google your name (loved your sketches in CK) the other day, but I did, and I am just thrilled. I have not scrapbooked since 2006 (although I always loved it, I couldn’t find time for it anymore). In these past 5 years, I have accumulated many large bins full of old photos, memorabilia, and tons of my kids’ school and art work … not to mention thousands of pictures on my computer. My husband says my bins are taking over the house, and I feel terrible that I haven’t been recording these precious years for my 2 boys. That’s why I’m so excited about Project Life – such a great alternative to traditional scrapbooking and perfectly suited to me and my family. Thank you, Becky, for making it possible for me to get back into documenting our life again. Can’t wait to get started!
P.S. By the way, I have been talking about PL and your blog so much to my family lately, that my 11 year old son now affectionately refers to you as B Higgs!
Leslie Elllicott City, MD
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Dear Leslie,
I have a feeling a lot of people reading your letter are totally nodding their heads. We can ALL relate to the idea of having stuff stashed away and piling up (physical stuff and digital stuff) and feeling like we’re getting behind. Your family’s story is worth recording. Your boys will be thrilled when they see you putting their pictures and papers into a scrapbook.
I am so pleased that you know about Project Life – you will find that it is a fantastic system that makes scrapbooking easier than easy, certainly easier than how you and I did it 5 years ago, and then – even easier than that. What I also wanted to tell you is that I am also working on childhood-specific and school-based products for 2012.
There is so much that you and I can do in preparation for getting stuff into an album. You can certainly use the Project Life products! And when the childhood/school stuff comes out, you’ll have even more options for helping you to get those books caught up. Just so you know, I am working on a VIDEO right now that will outline some stuff that we can all do while you and I are “waiting” for those products to become available. I hope to share the video before the end of this month.
If you (or anyone!) have specific questions about this whole gathering, sorting, organizing process … leave me a note here and I’ll see what I can do to implement more thoughts + ideas into the video.
PS – No, I don’t have a release date for the childhood/school products yet. I do have an overflowing plate of responsibilities. And I am doing my best to make the products amazing. That takes time. ; )
I just invited you to wish my mom a happy birthday. I didn’t ask you to make me cry! You guys are so sweet, and have the nicest things to say. Thank you for helping make my mom’s day really special. Sounds like I wasn’t the only one getting weepy reading your comments. My mom emailed me last night and asked that I post this note + picture. And, like a good girl, I honoring that wish.
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Mom (Vicki) writes:
I want to thank each one of you so much for the wonderful birthday wishes you sent my way! Each and every one of them were very special to me. I DO have an amazing daughter and I feel so very blessed to have her (as well as our 5 wonderful sons!). I DID indeed have tears in my eyes as I read what Becky wrote to me. And what a total surprise that was to find it there.
My husband and I returned a few months ago from our wonderful mission for our church in Finland. (BTW … I could totally write volumes about that wonderful experience and the wonderful people we call friends, but this IS Becky’s blog!!). We are currently serving another mission for our church in Alexandria, Virginia as volunteers in the National Council For Adoption office. We love the great work we are doing and meet so many wonderful people.
Today, for my birthday, we had the privilege of being escorts to a 20-member Delegation from China … all government officials. Visiting the White House was a part of that. It has been a very rewarding and fulfilling day. Kiitos Paljon……Me rakastamme sinua!!
Becky indeed has the best ‘friends’ in the whole wide world. Thank YOU ALL for being so wonderful! This is a birthday to remember for sure!
Surprise! Bet you didn’t expect to see this on the blog today. You have been my biggest supporter since … forever. You check my blog faithfully, you are first in line to buy anything I produce (even though you totally know I’m hooking you up) and you are the first to be excited about anything I’m doing.
So today it felt completely appropriate to send you a big cyber hug since I’m not with you in person on your birthday. Plus, I kinda thought it might be fun to have a whole bunch of really kind strangers (and maybe a few familiar friends) add their birthday wishes. Go ahead, guys. Wish my mom a happy birthday in the comments!
Mom, thank you over and over for everything you do and everything you are. Thank you for always having a homemade dinner on the table when we were growing up. Thank you for serving your family, community, and church so faithfully. Thank you for choosing Dad – who also serves diligently and tirelessly. You are both such remarkable people and I will forever be grateful for the blessing of having you as my parents.
Thank you for being supportive every step of the way as I have struggled and triumphed. Thank you for never making me feel pressured in any big life decision I’ve made. I have always felt like you and Dad have completely trusted me. That’s one of the greatest gifts any parent can give a child.
I love your work ethic. You were never interested in paid work but you have worked just as hard as anyone in a high-power position. When I think of you, I think of volunteerism. I think of you holding hands with Dad. I think of you wearing that apron, and baking those awesome cookies, and delivering hundreds and hundreds of cookies to the nursing home, the city council meetings, the family gatherings.
Mom, I just made your famous Chili & Coleslaw Dogs the other day. Delish. I love making stuff that you taught me how to make — like Chicken Noodle Casserole and Deviled Eggs and sugar toast. Because every time I do, it reminds me of you. I think of you when I wear an apron or walk laps around the neighborhood or hear “We Built This City on Rock and Roll”. I totally laugh to myself just picturing you conducting that music from the driver’s seat in your Dodge Caravan when it would come on the radio.
Thank you for every sacrifice you’ve made on my behalf. Thank you for loving me through every tantrum (even though I don’t believe that I could possibly throw fits!), every mood swing (what!?) and anything I ever did that caused you worry or concern or heartache.
Thank you everyone for sharing your favorite health tips! I’m super inspired. If you haven’t read through the tips in yesterday’s comments, do. Such great ideas!
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{ tami, claim your prize }
Oh, speaking of giveaways … can you believe that the winner of the big, giant box of fun that I brought home from The Creative Connection – did NOT claim her prize?? If anyone knows Tami L. in Trabuco Canyon, California please tell her that these goodies are just waiting for her to give us her address. If I don’t hear from her by Thursday, I’ll choose another winner. Announcement was made here.
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{ reader writes }
Words can not express how stoked I am to hear from teens who love documenting life. That was so me. At an early age, I loved taking pictures, writing in my journal, and documenting my life – and my family’s life. The following is an email from sweet Emily in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is 16. And completely darling.
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Dear Becky,
I grew up loving photography and scrapbooking because I saw my mom doing it constantly. However, when she introduced me to Project Life, capturing memories took on a whole new meaning for me. There are many days when I feel bad about who I am, or doubt that I am truly loved. Flipping through my PL album always reassures my doubts and reminds me that I have a purpose in life, am fine just the way I am, and am loved by many. I am a junior in highschool and recently had to write about something that I believe in for my AP English class. I choose to write about remembering, and thought I would share. Thank you so much for all that you do.
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This I Believe | by Emily
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I believe in cameras. My parents always went to every school event; one videotaped and the other took pictures. They constantly stressed to get the typical student and teacher picture, the awkward school play shot no one wants to see, and the chubby smiles filled with gaps. Scrapbooks filled our shelves, eagerly awaiting the curious eyes of anyone who came to visit. We plugged the video camera into our TV and laughed at the ice cream stained faces and grubby children captured on film. Mom was always there, hidden behind her precious black box.
I believe in mirror pictures. Every girl spends time capturing various poses on film in their bathroom, whether they hide the pictures or post them online for the entire world to see. Even those goofy pictures are fun to look back through and remember what you once were like. I have my fair share of awkward middle school pictures, full of braces and faces breaking out. The embarrassing school portraits you once wanted to burn don’t seem so bad when they are sitting next to your high school pictures, oozing confidence and glowing skin.
I believe in preserving your pictures. Going back through old scrapbooks, my brothers and I were transported into a past world long forgotten. My youngest brother was captivated as he saw pictures of Christopher and me growing up and was able to glimpse into what our childhood was like. He spent hours asking questions about the books and made sure mom still carried her camera everywhere with her, in hopes that one day he would have a book of his own. Cameras have become a constant in my family’s life. They’re always there, capturing the little moments just as much as the big ones.
Above all, I believe in remembering. There is immeasurable value in a simple photograph. It tells a story, gives meaning, and has multiple memories attached to it. Nothing can describe the feeling of finding an old black and white photo of long lost family, or digging out your high school yearbook and reliving the crazy hairstyles and funky trends. Pictures keep loved ones close by or preserve our memories of them. Pictures give a history. They help us to remember the bad and learn from our mistakes; they show us the good and keep us strong enough to carry on. I believe in memories.
We have some very special friends - the Fuchs ("fewks") family - that are adjusting to a "new normal" with their special-needs daughter who had a terrible accident and is now confined to a wheelchair. You can read all about it HERE
For the benefit of Claire's family - and also for the benefit of many generous sponsors - I opened my blog for advertising for one month only! This is temporary + the ads will run February 1 - 29, 2012. 100% of the ad fees have gone directly to Claire's family.
Because of the nature of this fundraiser and the need to keep the entire process very, very simple - we are not taking any more sponsors at this time. Anyone who wants to reach out to the Fuchs family with a note of encouragement, or a letter in the mail, or even a cash donation, can find that information HERE
