JB Studio

WE ARE MOVING TO A BETTER PLACE!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 02:02:00 +0000

Before we start celebrating my birthday in February, I would like to introduce my new blog. I decided to move to typepad so I could offer more features for you. I am still working on it and that are many things to come yet, but when I was about to start my birthday celebration I thought why not? and hubby agreed.

Don't let perfection become procrastination.

Something I have been working on is to start something even though I am not sure if it is the way I would love it to be. And then I am focusing on the rule of 90/10 here. I hope you enjoy our new digi home.

www.simplyjbstudio.com

NEW RELEASES REVEAL AND DOUBLE GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 02:11:00 +0000

This week I paired up with a new sweet and talented friend to bring you a beautiful collection. Meagan of Meagan's Creations was such a sweet and inspirational partner.

Last week I opened the Love Season with Sweet Love and today we are releasing another very romantic collection that includes full kit, journal cards, wordart clusters and add-on bits.

Love is in the air, baby.

HONEYMOON COLLECTION
First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes...the honeymoon! With it's vintage inspired elements and rich purples and gold, your memories of that special time or anytime will be given the royal treatment.

PURCHASE AT GINGERSCRAPS

Bundle over 50% off | Full Kit | Wordart Clusters

Add-on Bits | Embossed Papers | Journal Cards

PURCHASE AT SCRAP TAKEOUT

Bundle over 50% off | Full Kit | Wordart Clusters

Add-on Bits | Embossed Papers | Journal Cards

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And now time to announce the winner who guessed my new partner!!!

Congratulations to……

meagan43!!
Please contact me to claim your prize.

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And it's not all. I have another new release exclusively at Scrap Takeout. And we have a special offer for one week. Purchase the kit and get pack of flairs for free.

AT SCRAP TAKEOUT

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And now time to announce the lucky winner of I Was Here Kit & Flairs FWP !!!

Congratulations to……

Mary!!
Please contact me to claim your prize.

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*May all your dreams become real this year.

MY EXPERIENCE AT START FRESH EVENT AND LAYOUT "CREATE WITH INTENTION"

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 10:00:00 +0000

As you know, I'm a member of Simple Scrapper Community and I really like all the resources and great support and motivation Jennifer offers every month.

BEING PART OF A COMMUNITY HELPS US
BE FOCUSED ON WHAT MATTERS.

Every year, she gives members Start Fresh Workbook and host an event to get us started. It is such a great tool to have our ideas, plans and projects all in one place. It's not my first workbook as I had downloaded and used the 2014 version, however it is the first time I participated in the event and I think it helped me get organized and ready to start my creative journey in 2015.

HOW IT WORKS

It was a 5 days event with instructions and tips on how to use the workbook and get prepared to make a layout about your relation to scrapbooking. I could follow 2 days of the event and then real life required me. I could manage to finish it some weeks later and I am glad I did.

My workbook is filled with all the information I need to get started. I feel so good about having all my plans and ideas in one place, easy to access and to stick to. I now have some habits to build.

Ther workbook has sections and covers pretty much everything you need to put your plans in action: lessons learned, desires for your creative journey during this year, monthly spreadsheets and lists, project and page planners, seasonal planners. I'll share more about how I'm using it in the future. As I said, it's my first time and I'm experimenting.

THE INSPIRATION FOR THE LAYOUT

I have been reading blogs and listening to podcasts related to living with intention and doing what you love, finding your mission and following your desires. Lots of good advices have been nurturing my days and supporting me in this time of change.

Jess Lively talks about living with intention. She's a life coach and is always trying to inspire us to listen to our intuition and find our values to live a value-based life. I love her approach and I've been practicing some of her exercises.

With this in mind, I made my layout based on the idea of intention. I want to make my scrapbooking pages, albums and projects not only for the creative outlet or relaxation, but also with the intention of being more present, to get in real.

Layout created with Recharge Kit by Amanda Yi Designs. More details in the gallery.

Journaling close up:

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*Affiliate link

Jennifer is offering Start Fresh Anytime. The event in your own pace.

COMING THIS WEEK: A DOUBLE SNEAK-PEEK GIVEAWAY

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 20:14:00 +0000

Today is Tuesday. It means we have a new sneak-peek giveaway.

And today it feels even more special because we have a DOUBLE GIVEAWAY.

HOW IT IS GOING TO WORK:

First you leave a sweet comment - as you always do - saying how much you want to win one of the kits. Also include your guessing about who is the great designer I designed the collab kit Honeymoon (the first sneak peek).

I am going to raffle 1 winner using list randomizer as usual. The winner gets I Was Here Kit.

And we are going to have a second winner. This will be the one who guesses the designer name correctly. The first person to guess it correctly is the winner and will get Honeymoon Collab.

Hurry up! Winners will be announced on Thursday.

May all your dreams become real this year.

LOVE LOVE LOVE AT THE SHOP

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 17:00:00 +0000

I know it's a bit early, but I just can't resist the celebration of Love. I get really excited about having a special day to show people my love. Here in Brazil, Valentine's Day is only celebrated by couples, but we usually take our daughter with us, after all she is the fruit of our Love and we have a special day - or night - together.

In two occasions, I made mini albums as a gift to my husband, I love making mini albums. I'll be posting them here soon.

Sweet Love is about love and all its greatness. It's a delicate full kit you can use to scrap your romantic memories and celebrate all your loved ones. You can also add the journal cards to your stash and include them in your layouts or create Pocket pages.

Note: you better check your digital stash before purchasing because it is a re-release.

Available at GingerScraps

WEEK 2 OF A PHOTO A DAY - JANUARY

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 00:40:00 +0000

Another week of A Photo A Day Project inspired by The Digital Press. Some days ago I shared Week 1. This is my first photography project and I'm loving it.

To stick to my plan, I have already printed first week photos and saved to add to a 4x4 mini book.

Some of the prompts this week were a bit tricky but I think I found my way thought it.

WEEK OF JANUARY 8 TO 14

White: As I told before, colors are not my favorite prompts because I think it's hard to find an object that tells our everyday story, it took me a while to figure it out and then it clicked. White paper in my printer has been my best friend in my creative business, I've been printing lots of handouts and planners and materials from classes.

Eyes: At first I tried to photograph my daughter's eyes, but we didn't really like the outcome. Then I remembered our dog has that look that is always saying "please hug me" and I couldn't resist.

Dinner: I always forget to take pictures at night because I love natural light and it's hard to take a good picture at night with no good supplies. Well, I ended up taking the picture in another day while we were at the mall. We had Japanese food and ice cream as desert. - I only remembered to photograph when we were having the desert. hehe

Chevron: This one was tricky again. And when I was getting dressed, I looked at my hair brush...

Shoes: I broke two pairs of flip flops in about 3 months. Not exactly shoes, but this is my new pair and I chose the same color as JB Studio's brand logo. - Love it! And it's my best friend during the super hot days of Summer we are having.

Organize: Something I've been working hard on - building my planner so things run smooth.

Black and White: I know I said I don't drink anything for breakfast. I like neither coffee nor milk, but I do like tea. I drink it only in Winter, though. I love cups and I have about 5 or 6 of them. I wish I liked drinking hot beverages to put them in use more often.

You can follow me on Instagram. Find me as @justbecausestudio to see my project in progress.

QUESTION FOR YOU

Do you like photography projects? Do you have any photography project in progress? Share a link to your photos or posts in the comments, I'll love to see it.

THE BIG REVEAL POST: THIS WEEK'S RELEASE, STORE I AM GUESTING, KIT WINNER & $10 COUPON WINNER

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 22:18:00 +0000

Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and get comfortable because there are lots to be announced today. Let's start with this week's release and giveaway winner.

We are heading to the end of the second week of 2015 and my question for you is Are you feeling lucky? Do you feel hopeful to accomplish everything you are aiming for this year?

For me, feeling lucky has all to do with feeling grateful. I think gratitude creates a positive energy that makes everything flows in our lives. I talked about it a little bit in the guessing game post this week.

Lucky To Have You is about feeling thankful for being surrounded by the people you love. It's a full kit you can use to scrap your romantic memories, about the boys and men in your life, about your kids or your husband, about Saint Patrick's Day traditions and many other non-themed scrapbooking pages and projects. You can also add the journal cards to your stash and include them in your layouts or create Pocket pages.

Note: you better check your digital stash before purchasing because it is a re-release.

Available at GingerScraps and Scrap Takeout

Now for the lucky winner of the giveaway of Lucky To Have You.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Ruthe (comment #3)

Please contact me to claim your prize.

I guess you already know what store I am guesting. hehe

I am happy to announce I am guesting at Scrap Takeout. This week I added some of my Tell Your Story kits which are very popular. We are having an opening sale for a short period.

Now for the winner of the special guessing game.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Rae Brown (comment #2)

Please contact me to claim your prize.

SPECIAL GUESSING GAME WITH A CHANCE TO WIN $10!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 23:17:00 +0000

I've been a digital scrapbooking designer for some years, but I didn't consider it my primary job before. It was more like I could make some money to support my creative passion. So, when things were hectic and time was tight at work, I just stepped back.

This caused me to be in an out of the digiland many times, until I gave in to it and decided it is my primary job because I love it and I think I can improve and make bigger things I wasn't able to do before due to time - the lack of it.

And then, the universe started giving me what I asked for.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE LAW OF ATTRACTION? I TOTALLY DO.

It doesn't mean that the universe just gives you everything you ask for, you know. It's more like keep it in the direction of where you want to go, as says Danielle Laporte in her Credo to Make It Happen and then the Universe just follows.

I've been an exclusive designer at Gingerscraps since last August and I am loving it. The team warmly welcomed me and they are so supportive. All the forum members are so engaged and lovely. I had great times in the chats and events and we talk a lot in the forums. It is super fun.

I believe this is part of the universe energy on my side to find such a good store to be when I decided to take this job seriously.

And now I am here to announce I am going to be guesting at another store soon. HOW COOL IS THAT!

To celebrate I am going to have a guessing game here in the blog. Guess which store I am going to be guesting at and you can get a $10 coupon to spend there.

GAME GUIDELINES

You can make a guess only once - one store name only - one only comment;
First to guess correctly wins;
If there's no correct guessing, I'll raffle the coupon among the ones who left a comment;
Store and Winner Reveal will be done on Thursday, 15 with the new product reveal and the guest store opening here in the blog.

Start guessing and ask it to the universe. hehe

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photo credit: Jobopa via photopin cc

COMING THIS WEEK: SNEAKY PEEK GIVEAWAY

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 10:55:00 +0000

Do you feel lucky?

So, leave your comment for a chance to win the kit that is coming to the shop this week.

JANUARY JOURNALING CHALLENGE: NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 10:30:00 +0000

As you already know, I've been hosting the journaling challenge over at the GingerScraps forum since last November and the January challenge is hot! There are so many people participating. That is the January fresh start atmosphere I love, people getting engaged and deciding to do things they want to do!

For me, journaling is a big part of scrapbooking. It's a big part of telling our stories, pictures sometimes don't tell it all - in my opinion they never do.

Yes, I am not afraid of saying it.

JOURNALING IS AS IMPORTANT AS PHOTOS FOR ME, if not more.

Scrapbooking your resolutions will make it more visual - a tip from specialists is to make your goals visual; they even suggest you build an inspiration board with pictures. So I recommend you print your layout and add it to your board if you have one and if you don't, just hang it somewhere you will see daily – more than once a day is even better.

My January Goals are on my wall next to my chair so I can easily remind myself what my intentions are. I also added my morning and nightime routine suggestions, a photo a day prompts list, and other papers from my business that I have to focus on. My wall is only missing my OWL layout and my New Beginning layout which has my declarations for 2015.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE.FOR DETAILS AND JOURNALING TRANSLATION

Come play with us. Besides being inspired to make your scrapbooking pages, you will also win the Challenges Reward designed by Aprilisa, Colies Corner, JB Studio (yes, me!) and LissyKay.

MAY ALL YOUR DREAMS BECOME REAL THIS YEAR.

A PHOTO A DAY: JANUARY

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 13:24:00 +0000

As mentioned in the January Goals post, I decided to keep things simple by having only a few small monthly goals, rather than committing to large projects. I also discussed how I will be focusing on unfinished projects instead of committing to new ones as mentioned in the Unfinished Projects Take 1 post.

…And then I was browsing TDP forum and found Amanda’s inspiration sheet for a photo a day and I thought to myself, it won’t hurt.

Really? Are you committing to new projects?
MY ANSWER: YES.

This is because it will add a lot to something I have been aiming for: improving my photography skills. It will also help me unlock the ultimate answer to the question: what story can I tell today? Why not give it a try?

It won’t hurt because…

It is simple and easy – just snap and share on instagram daily,
Edit the photos and take the files to the local printing store weekly,
Save the photos to add to a 4x4 mini album.

DONE!

Another great advantage I see with this simple project is that I can use the photos I have taken to tell stories in solo layouts and I can also add them to my Project Life 2015. There will be lots of inspiration to explore our family stories, not to mention it’s such a short-time commitment.

IT ALLOWS ME TO SEE THINGS I WOULDN’T NORMALLY PAY ATTENTION TO
IF THERE WASN’T A PROMPT TO FOLLOW.

My goal is still the same because I am still focused on telling stories! I can’t help but think of a story to tell when I see the photos I have taken or when I am in the process of taking them. Here are the first 7 prompts captured.

WEEK OF JANUARY 1 TO 7

New: Something totally new for us is spending the New Year’s Eve in a calm and peaceful place with new friends and their family. We used to go to the beach with friends and get drunk and have so much fun. This year was fun for us in an entirely new way.

Natural: We are growing a little spice garden and I’m so glad we are doing it. I want to add more variety to it.

Routine: We’ve never really had a routine at home. It is good in some ways and bad in others. When I read the word routine, all of your photos of coffee popped into my mind and I couldn’t help capturing the fact that I don’t drink coffee, tea or any other beverage in the morning. When I say “your“ I am referring to Americans, you Americans sure do love your coffee – hehe

Throwback: This was tricky at first. I browsed through throwback on Pinterest to understand the idea behind the word - as English is not my mother tongue, some words get me confused – after figuring it out, I quickly remembered my daughter’s colored pens we recently bought. They remind me old times at school.

Blue: Colors put a question mark in my face. Finding a blue object is easy; finding a blue object that connects to me or my family and tells our story is another thing. Well, I was lucky enough to find lots of blue things on my first day of exercise outdoors. Here’s for a great story to tell.

Change: I am not used to having oranges; in fact I am not used to having fruits everyday (shame on me!). I like fruits – I am just not used to having them. Oranges are not my favorite at all. However, I do like the juice. So, on this day my little daughter who is crazy about fruits offered me an orange and I accepted it for the sake of change.

Morning: When I wake up I usually go outdoors to say “Good Morning” to my dog and then I looked at the sky. I love when it’s that blue!

QUESTION FOR YOU

Do you like photography projects? Do you have any photography project in progress? Share a link to your photos or posts in the comments, I'll love to see it.

SCRAPBOOKING WITH JUST BECAUSE STUDIO DESIGNS AND SUPER SALE!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 10:00:00 +0000

Last time I shared layouts using my designs was in November and there are some new products added to the store, besides that we have a great sale running, so I guess it's a good moment to share layouts with you again. (read on to get more information about the sale)

Seeing my products in use is the best way you can really see what you are getting when you purchase my designs.

Let's start with the newest addition to the store - DIGITAL BESTIES COLLAB. It is not totally new because I am still adding some previous products to GingerScraps, but it is totally cute.

Amanda Yi, Juno Designs, Two Tiny Turtles and I created this huge collaborative kit to celebrate the digiland friends we all met and made during our scrapbooking journey.

You can see more details about the layouts

and find more inspiration in

JB Studio Gallery at GingerScraps.

A TRUE FRIEND BY KACY | Kacy is an extraordinary scrapper. I admire her minimalist compositions and photo filters. And of course I love that she is a story teller. I always wish I could read her journaling.

I just love how she used different patterned papers to mat the photo and left a lot of white space.

LIFE IS BETTER WITH YOU BY KIM | Kim scrapped a romantic page full of insteresting elements. What I love most about her page is the arrows connecting the texts and photos helping express her ideas.

BEAUTIFUL FLOWER BY MAURA | She scrapped a page with her own pictures. She is lovely. I love how she used the patterned paper on the background and kept some white space not to make it busy.

BESTIES BY MARCELA RELVAS | I am a fan of that wooden textured background and also crazy about blockings of patterned papers. I love how she used the quote to express her friendship relation.

Quick Tip: Find more about using quotes in your scrapbook pages.

ONLINE BY GI CRISTINA | She made a page about the reason why she is frequently online. I love how she divided the page with two very different patterns and added the icons.of her computer to the bottom. Such an insteresting composition.

Let's now take a look at TURNING THE PAGE COLLECTION. It was designed to be part of January Buffet and inspired by the fresh atmosphere of a new year.

HELLO 2015 BY GI CRISTINA | I loved how she used the months patterned paper on the bacground and added a vellum mat to bring focus to her photo. This reminds me a traditional page. Love it!

HELLO 2015 BY CHILLI | It's so great to see Chilli had the same approach as Gisele on welcoming the new year in her page, however their composition is entirely different. I love how she added lots of strips of paper. Beautiful layout.

JANUARY2014 - WEEK 2 BY SHELLBY | Here's a project life page full of pictures. I love all the little notes here and there telling their everyday stories.

CELEBRATE 2015? BY EDNA GONZALES | I love the story she tells in this layout. While adults are expecting to celebrate the New Year, the kids are sleeping. Oh and her basket of fruits is beautiful, so cool to know this tradition. I really like her design.

NEW DAY BY KACY | I love her minimalist compositions and photo filters as I mentioned before. This is such a great layout

MY OLW 2015: REAL BY DANI ALENCAR (yep, me!) | You can learn a little more about this page in my post about my one little word for 2015.

You can see more details about the layouts

and find more inspiration in

JB Studio Gallery at GingerScraps.

VISIT THE STORE NOW AND SAVE BUNCHES!

May all your dreams become real in 2015.

DIGITAL BESTIES REVEAL AND WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 16:43:00 +0000

Start Fresh event started over Simple Scrapper. On the first day, Jennifer asked us to reflect about our creative journey and one of the items that I added to my accomplishments as a scrapper is the friends I made.

I am very happy for being able to make friends and enjoy great moments with them online. It's so cool to learn about their traditions and lyfestyle which sometimes is so different from mine since we live in different countries. I love the oppportunity of meeting people from all around the world.

That took me back in time to National Scrapbooking Day in May, 2014. Amanda Yi, Jill of Juno Designs, Simone of Two Tiny Turtles and I decided to design a huge collaborative kit to celebrate and that's how Digital Besties was born.

You are going to love this collection, it's big and beautiful, perfect to scrap about your digi friends, real life friends or even other relationships you may have. I will be sharing lots of inspiration tomorrow here in the blog. I suggest you follow by email and don't miss a thing.

Note: you better check your digital stash before purchasing because as I just mentioned, it is not a new kit.

You can choose to purchase individual packs or the bundled collection. As we are running a special sale, you can save up to 40% through Jan 20, 2015. (read on for more information)

Now for the news you are waiting for. The winner of the sneaky-peek giveaway of Digital Besties.

CONGRATULATIONS!

kfedolfi (comment #5)

Please contact me to claim your prize.

May all your dreams become real in 2015.

UNFINISHED PROJECTS | TAKE 1

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 10:00:00 +0000

As the new year was approaching and almost all I could think of was my resolutions for 2015, one particular item popped in to my mind everyday for the last couple of months: Unfinished projects.

I can't help but feel sad or angry when I remember how excited I was to start that new project and how all the excitement turned into "I don't have time to finish it now that I accepted this new client/student" or "oh, this is such a difficult project" or "I need to spend more time with my family" or "I need to have more Me Time" and well, I could come up with excuses all day long.

That is why I planned my way out of all of this partially-made stuff. I have two options:

finish them or let them go.

Today I want to share with you a little bit more about how I'm doing it.

WHAT ARE THE UNFINISHED PROJECTS?

First step was to list all projects I could remember and/or find. That's the moment I open drawers in my scrap place, go through digital file folders, and browse blog archives and planners that were left behind at some point in the past.

Very important note! As much as I wanted to add projects I was (and still am) very excited to do, I only listed the ones I actually started. Can you imagine the size of such list if I had included those?

TAGGING THE PROJECTS

Tagging the items in your list is a great way to narrow it down. I have two methods of tagging.

I sometimes use stars to prioritize my to-do lists and it's a method that can be used here, too. I work from 1 star (it's ok to let it wait a little more) to 5 stars (it should've been done already).

Another great way of tagging I adapted from Simple Scrapper is to use two different tags; one will reflect how much you are inspired (I) to work on that project and one will reflect on how much it's a priority (P).

The difference between the two methods is that with the I and P tags, you can visualize the ones you are more likely to start again and actually finish because you are inspired by it. Sometimes we force ourselves to do something we don't feel inspired to do and I think that's a difficult approach to creative adventures since creativity is directly influenced by inspiration.

CHOOSING THE ONES I AM WORKING ON

When choosing the projects I will work on, some elements have to be considered.

Time: How long will it take me? Do I have this time available now?
Supplies: What supplies will I need? Do I need to buy a lot of materials or can I use the supplies I already have? If I need additional supplies, do I have the money to spend on it now?
Space: Do I need to clean or organize some things in advance or can I start it right now?
My personality: Am I going to be more motivated if I see projects finished? If so, it's better to start with smaller projects first. While Project Life can take a long time to be finished, a mini-album can be crossed off the list in a few days.

Reflecting on those elements will help me realize how likely I am to finish a project.

TAKING ONE AT A TIME

I have goals to achieve during this year as I mentioned in January Goals post and they have to share my time equally otherwise I won't have much done. That's why I decided to pick only one unfinished project at a time and then, when it's finished I can choose the next one and repeat that until all my desired unfinished projects are finished. That way I may also choose to have a break in between if I don't feel like working on unfinished projects or if I have a pretty busy moment or unforeseen situations, etc.

FOCUSING ON THE OUTCOME

For me, sometimes it's difficult to stick to a plan or a project, so focusing on the outcome helps me to continue on getting the project completed. I have two big difficulties that are contradictory. I get really bored when I'm working on a project that requires repetition - using the same kit or color scheme throughout an album, using the same sketch for most pages of an album, doing the same exercise every day, eating the same food every meal (you get the idea, right?) and I get stuck when I'm working on a project that requires too many different actions.

Are you that complicated?!

MY ANSWER: I guess I am. hehe

This is why focusing on the outcome/end result helps me not only stick to the plan, but also to rethink and replan if I find it is necessary.

PHOTO FROM SIMPLE SCRAPPER BLOG

QUICK TIP

I am a Premium member of Simple Scrapper and Jennifer offers a Start Fresh Workbook every year. I love using her Project Planners. If you want to learn more, please visit her site by clicking in the filliate link here. I appreciate.

SNEAKY PEEK GIVEAWAY: COMING THIS WEEK

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 10:00:00 +0000

Another great collab is arriving at GingerScraps and it's time for a quick giveaway.

This is huge! Designed by 4 hands. I bet you don't want to miss.

You know what to do, just leave a comment below and cross your fingers.

JANUARY GOALS

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 10:00:00 +0000

I've been setting New Year's Resolutions every year for the last four years. After some reflection, I realize I had very good days, new opportunities, great achievements and also failures and none of them - I said none of them - were due to my resolutions. I say that because I find myself lost on my own planners and goals and all notes after the first quarter of the year. So sad realization.

That's for a new year, new me.

Nothing fancy actually. I decided to approach my dreams and goals in a slightly different way this time. This comes to my word for the year. GET IN REAL.

First thing that comes to my mind about getting real is simplifying. PLAN LESS, DO MORE. Because that's who I was - big fat WAS... bye bye old Dani - I used to think too much, plan too much, get overwhelmed by my own thoughts. Not anymore.

And then, during my blog reading moments, I came accross a post by Danielle Porte and I can relate to it.

Destroy before you create.

Last year was very hard, but I consider our little tragedies great opportunities to growth and after reading this post I couldn't help but think we had some destruction around the house and they were perfect! We are in the moment of creating - my husband and I.

SEEING THE BIG PICTURE
Is it that much difficult?

A couple of years ago I just couldn't see the big picture, I just couldn't imagine or visualize long term goals. Every time I was reading a book, a blog post or taking a class or seminar in which I should set a long term goal, it was pure frustration because that visualization was impossible for me at that time.

I've changed a lot, and now I can imagine a long or medium term goal, I can visualize my house, myself, my family, things I want to be doing in 5 years time, in 10 years time. However I still find it too hard to stick to a long term objective, it seems far far away, so untouchable. That's why I decided to approach the year with small monthly goals, babysteps and keep on going.

We underestimate a year and overestimate a day.

There are so many things I want to do, goodies I want to buy, goals I want to achieve, arts I want to create, places I want to visit, foods I want to try, people I want to meet, money I want to make.. it is a very big list - actually there's no list at all, they are a bunch of ideas right now.

That's the thing!!

I have so many ideas all the time and it's hard to concentrate and plan and really make them happen because my mind keeps shifting from one great idea to the other. This year I just gave up the idea of having a big list of resolutions. I am going to have small monthly lists that I am likely to be focused on and get going.

JANUARY GOALS

EAT LESS, MOVE MORE for a healthier me and a bigger family in the future.

STRESS LESS, LAUGH MORE because my family is so cool and funny and I should enjoy them much more.

STICK TO MY BLOG PLAN because blogging is something I've always loved and what I need now is consistency.

BUILD MORNING AND NIGHTIME ROUTINES for a better day everyday.

GET BACK TO BLOG LIFE CLASS because I had a purpose when I enrolled.

HAVE A WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY so we can spend more time together and live our stories to tell.

DECLUTTER OUR DAUGHTER'S ROOM to start creating a cozy and warming house the way I dream. There are lots of things to toss and donate from her bedroom.

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Want to see how I progress in my January goals?
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FREEBIE: TURNING THE PAGE JANUARY DESKTOP PREMADE PAGE

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 10:00:00 +0000

Last month, sweet Mônica made a Christmas Quick Page to offer as a freebie and I loved it.

I really did.

I loved it so much that I added my daughter's photo, printed 4 of them, framed and gave as a Christmas present to her grandparents and great-grandparents.

JANUARY DESKTOP CALENDAR

Well, Mônica was sweet enough to create a new freebie this month. Now it's a desktop premade page which includes a calendar. I am already wearing mine.

I hope you appreciate.

Happy 2015!

MY ONE LITTLE WORD 2015 | REAL

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 10:00:00 +0000

P.S.: We moved to a better place, you can read this post in our new home.

Back in November I shared a little bit about my one little word project also known as OLW and how my life was affected by my word. Today I am here to share my word choice for 2015. I don't believe I have much to share this time since all the reflection made in getting real post was the prompt to my choice.

The word I chose for 2015 was REAL. If you read the getting real post, you must understand why - not very creative, but totally meaningful.

WHAT REAL MEANS TO ME?
Real is about embracing all my decisions with no fear. I am in between jobs now, I decided to quit my job as a coordinator at a language school to be able to dedicate more to my creative business which is my passion. I've been reading and learning a lot about having an online creative business and I know I have so much to learn and grow and I'll be able to do it only if I have no fear.

Real is about spending time on myself, taking care of my health, body and soul. Something I've been procrastinating for so long. I want to grow our family and for that I need to be thinner and more prepared.

Real is about finding my own voice instead of trying to be part of every group or project I see. Well, I feel like trying so many things, but I end up not doing anything because everything is too much. Finding projects that fit my personality and express my own voice will get me more motivated to accomplish and accomplishment is such a great feeling.

Real is about finishing projects and classes I have started once and truly benefit from them..

Real is about living the stories I want to tell because scrapbooking can only be when there's a story to tell. I must be present at the moment, enjoy it otherwise I won't have anything to tell.

Real is about spending great time with my family everyday and not only on special occasions. Listening to my loved husband and daughter, giving love to my dog and plants, too. Be more present at home.

Real is about having a shorter to-do list at a time so I don't feel overwhelmed before starting and then I can see things done. In an year term there will be a lot done.

I like to have a layout to make my OWL more visual. I'll print it and hang on my wall over my work station to remember it everyday.

LAYOUT MADE WITH TURNING THE PAGE COLLECTION AND SOME BRUSHES.
FOR MORE DETAILS, VISIT MY GALLERY AT GINGERSCRAPS.

- QUESTION FOR YOU -
Do you take part in the OLW project? Have you already chosen your word for 2015? if so, share it with us and what it means to you.

TURNING THE PAGE GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 14:01:00 +0000

First of all I want to thank you so much for all the Happy New Year Wishes. I hope you have the most amazing year ever! You brought a smile to my face leaving such kind comments.

Now for the news you are waiting for.

CONGRATULATIONS!

zanthia (comment #17)

Please contact me to claim your prize.

BUFFET COLLECTION | TURNING THE PAGE

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 10:00:00 +0000

It's the first of a new month - and a new year!
It means it is time for Buffet, lots of goodies you can add to your plate and be delighted.

The color swatch chosen is so cute and I couldn't resist the new year approach. If you are a bit like me, you want to kick off 2015 scrapping your resolutions and hopes for the year. This kit is a must-have!

TURNING THE PAGE KIT
12 amazing patterned paper from the classic lined and striped to the great and modern written ones. Includes lots of elements designed to support your storytelling. There are journaling aids tailor-made to scrap resolutions, projects and hopes for a new year.

TURNING THE PAGE ADD-ON
For the scrappers who love to add clusters to their layouts, this add-on pack is a perfect fit. It also offers some blank labels and tabs so you can add your own notes.Perfect for Project Life Albums and mini books.

TURNING THE PAGE ALPHAS
Titles are always important, they give us an idea of what we are going to see in a layout. Besides that this pack includes a set of paper strips alphabet that can be used also as references or notes.

TURNING THE PAGE OMBRE
10 papers mixing 2 colors each to give your layouts a great look.

Hurry up!

Sale ends on January 5th.

SNEAKY PEEK GIVEAWAY

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 10:00:00 +0000

I know it's been forever, but real life got me super busy.

I am getting back now and have a new release this week.

You know what to do, just leave a comment below and cross your finger.

PIN IT WIN IT CONTEST WINNERS

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 23:46:00 +0000

It's been a really difficult week because I've been pretty sick. It is probably due to all the sudden weather change, I have a sore throat and a bad cough, also had a fever and felt really weak for a few days. I am on medication now and getting better and finally could get back to working.

That's why I didn't announce the Pin It Win It Contest winner before. I can imagine your expectation. I am sorry for being absent. I promise I won't make this post longer. Here's the winner announcement.

CONGRATULATIONS

Tammy Morgan

Check her wishlist here

Teresa Carlucci

Check her wishlist here

Tammy and Teresa, please contact me to claim your prizes.

Happy December!

GET 2 KITS FOR FREE

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 22:40:00 +0000

BLACK FRIDAY | PIN IT TO WIN IT CONTEST

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 08:52:00 +0000

Let's kick off Black Friday with a super contest.

Links you will need:

PINTEREST | SHOP

MY ONE LITTLE WORD 2014 | ENJOY {VERY PERSONAL AND SINCERE TALK}

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 13:28:00 +0000

P.S.: We moved to a better place. You can read this post in our new home.

I haven't talked much about my OLW this year. Actually I have mentioned it only once back in March and this is a good time to reflect a bit about it again.

THE CONCEPT

For the ones who are new to the concept, let me briefly introduce you. One Little Word is a concept created by Ali Edwards - her again. Can you tell I am a fan? hehe - in which she chooses a word to focus during the year and encourages everybody to do the same, because she believes in the power of words. If you are curious and want to know more, read her first post explaining the concept and also all the other posts in the category.

I really like the idea and I also believe words are powerful and can impact our lives in many ways, that's why this is the second time I took part in the project. And I am now planning to do it for many years ahead.

OLW 2014

My word for this year is Enjoy in the attempt of being more present in the moments of everyday life and also at special occasions, because I used to be always concerned about the future, worrying about stuff and sometimes I missed the joy of the moment. My aim at first was especially to enjoy my family and everyday life.

I didn't mention my word many times, but I kept it in mind all year long and I believe that helped me remember to be present in many moments and it still has been a reminder everyday. When my little girl wants to tell me something that happened at school or play a game, when hubby wants to talk to me or maybe watch a movie together, I just turn off everything else going on in my mind and become present and enjoy that moment. This may be silly to some people, but it's an achievement for me.

For me, being present and enjoying people I love also meant being a better listener, give more of myself and I see this makes a great impact in my life.

Another great achievement is that I'm enjoying myself and my journey as never before. Like all human beings exposed to scrapbooking and arts, I've been very harsh on myself and always comparing myself to others and that usually blocks creativity. I feel that for the first time, I'm allowing myself to experiment and try with no chains.

I like to reflect about the impact my word makes for the year because this is the objective of choosing a word and now I feel ready for the next word and the next year with great hopes.

- QUESTION FOR YOU -
Do you take part in the OLW project? If so, share your word and thoughts about how it impacted your life during the year.