One Little Word 2013

For 2012, my One Little Word was 'Downsize'. And I meant it in the most extreme sense: lose weight that was literally hanging on.

And I did.

In 2012, I lost over 20 pounds. No pills. No quick weight loss methods. Just pure sweat. And less cookies. ;) I have gone from a size 14 to a size 6/8. I have ran in races locally, as well as out of state. I have pushed my body to extremes (for me, anyway) that I never knew I was capable of.

As I began thinking about what my word for 2013 would be, I kept thinking about how I felt like my foundation had cracked. In the middle of all my working out, running, and trying to be a better me, life happened. And it happened hard and I felt myself sinking on the inside. I no longer was trusting that God had a beautiful plan for my life. I just lost hope, and felt uncertain about the life around me.

 I didn't feel secure in my faith anymore, or who I was. 

One day last week, I was reading on a message board other people's choice in words. There were some great words, words that were beautiful and inspiring. But they weren't for me. They just didn't cause the hair on my neck to stand up as I read them. Until I saw where someone had suggested 'anchor of hope'. And I knew I had my word. Anchor.

For 2013, I am going to anchor myself to my Lord. I am going to trust in Him, and to rely on Him to be my foundation. I am going to REFUSE TO SINK. Because while I am anchored to the Lord, He will not let me sink.  With Him, I am secure.

'We have this hope, as an ANCHOR for the soul, firm and secure". Hebrews 6:19

 

Lets Celebrate (with a BPC Class Giveaway!)

 

*edited to announce who won - DEENA, I will be emailing you shortly! *

 

 

Today is my birthday - my 33rd birthday! On 12/12/12, no less! I also recieved some great news that I will be joining the Simple Scrapper Design Team! You can check out the announcement here (sidenote: Simple Scrapper is having a killer holiday sale. Check it out!)

To celebrate, I am teaming up Big Picture Classes and going to give away one seat in the upcoming Home Blessings 4-week workshop taught by Courtney Walsh. The class starts on 1/3/2013 and cost $25. I am so excited to take this class.

But one winner from my blog will win their very own free entrance pass!

 

Class Description

Wouldn't you love to be surrounded by beautiful, subtle expressions of your deepest beliefs? To reflect your gratitude and love of life on the walls, shelves, and refrigerator fronts of your home?

In this four-week workshop, you'll learn to create mixed-media wall art, collaged frames, and dimensional decor to bless your home with your own unique touch. Along the way, you'll discover meaningful ways to bring blessing into your everyday and then create tangible elements to reflect these blessings.

Can you think of a better way to put your paper-crafting products (and skills) to use?

You'll also uncover new ways to incorporate your whole family in the blessing process, helping yourself (and them) remember that life itself is the greatest blessing of all.

You can read rest of description here. Are you new to Big Picture Classes? Learn more here.

 

How To Win

To be eligible to win, you need to do two things:

1. Become a follower of my blog.(either by email or by 'joining my site' over on the sidebar!)
2. Leave me a comment with your email, saying your are a follower.

 

Thats it! I will close the contest on Friday, December 14 and will post the random winner there shortly after. Make sure you leave your contact info with your comment so I can track you down!

 

 

Galveston

*deep breaths*

What a long week this has been. And its only Wednesday!

Ask any Interior Designer and they will tell you the time between Thanksgiving and the first full week in December is the busiest time of the year. And business has been good. Things should slow down after Friday. Hopefully.

In the mean time, I worked with one of the Simple Scrapper Premium Sketch Templates. Have you seen them? I am fairly new to finding the Simple Scrapper templates, but I am really finding that they are easy to use and leave plenty of room for personal interruption.

This page uses a photo that I snapped off the balcony of our Condo in Galveston. Back in November, Alex and I headed down there with 2 of our couple friends. We rode our Harley's...but also found time to soak in the sun and drink fun drinks that had umbrella straws. It was a totally relaxing week.

I felt that this month's Gossamer Blue kit paired well with this photo.  Those sky colors? A-mazing.

Have a great Wednesday, friends!

"The Premium Membership at Simple Scrapper provides skills and shortcuts to help you simplify and find more meaning in your memory keeping."

Fifty Shades (of Basic Grey)

Have you heard? The Paper Issues Design Team is working with Basic Grey this week! We are hosting a blog hop that will feature amazing layouts from us and free Basic Grey swag for you.

I worked with the Lucille collection from Basic Grey. I love the soft, vintage feel of this line. Perfect for scrapbooking my favorite little pint-size person. I went super simple with this page, as it is for Olivia's baby book. My plan is to have her Momma go back and add a note of love to her on the page itself.

I am going to be linking up all of my Basic Grey projects, and any projects that are grey! You should too! Link up here!

Blog Hop + Giveaway

Check out the other members of the Paper Issues 50 Shades of Grey Blog Hop. Be prepared to be amazed and inspired as you hop through all of the blogs!

Ashli  

Kate 

Sarah 

Pamella 

Amy B 

Melissa <<You are here

 

 

Paper Issues and Basic Grey are giving away this amazing prize pack to three people! You have until December 15 to play along!

 

Here are the rules to win:

1. Like Basic Grey on Facebook

2. Like Paper Issues on Facebook 

3. Leave a comment that you did both

4. Link up a project for a Bonus entry

PaperHaus - Winter Edition!

Its that time again! PaperHaus Magazine has just released their Winter Issue and it is loaded! Lots of amazing projects for your viewing pleasure, and its free! Download your copy here!

The PaperHaus Design Team is also hosting a blog hop and there will be giveaways for the 12 days of Christmas! You should go check them out!