Scrap Big

Resolutions: part 2

Are you working on those resolutions for 2009?  I hope you'll consider resolving to craft your spirit in 2009.  After all, to achieve all of the goals you have for yourself, your family, and the various aspects of your life that you cherish, you must cherish yourself.  To show you the way to live a Life Well Crafted, BPS is happy to welcome Kolette and Jason Hall for an inspiring 2009, as they show us, month by month, ways to develop our very best selves.

Kolette and Jason have created an inspiring line-up of topics for us to explore throughout the year.  For example, in January, we'll look for ways to Rise to the Occasion, no matter what the circumstances might be.  I've been so fortunate to work with Kolette on several classes and benefit from her inspiration and guidance... and I know that she's helped me (perhaps without even realizing it!) to rise to the occasion more than once in the time I've know her --- so I hope you'll join us on this amazing journey in the new year so that you, too, can benefit from her experience and wisdom.  (Oh, and there are fabulous downloads and projects too, of course!)

Kolette and Jason have several options available to choose from as you consider all they have to offer -- by far, the best deal is to register for the full year while you can and save 20% -- but a monthly option is also available.  Plus, if you just want to hear their amazing messages, but don't want to commit to a year of pages and projects, I hope you'll look at the audio-only option, too (available as a year-long purchase or monthly) -- and it would make a great gift for someone who wants to make 2009 the year to create a life well crafted for himself or herself.

To let you have just a taste of all you'll enjoy in Life Well Crafted, I'm giving away a spot in the January audio-only class -- so it's perfect for you or to give to a friend (even one who isn't so crafty).  Just leave a comment regarding which monthly topic intrigues you the most (you'll see a link to the sneak peek on the registration page)  before 11:59 p.m. PST on Monday, January 5th.  Don't worry if you've already signed up (or if you sign up now) -- if you are the winner, we'll credit you! 

Class starts on New Year's Day -- so click here to explore the options and sign up now!!  May  2009 bring you a life well crafted!

Resolutions: part 1

As we get ready to welcome 2009, many of us start thinking about our New Year's Resolutions, don't we?  And lots of us resolve to organize ourselves in one way or another -- and it's a perfect time to do so, as we naturally want to start off the year on the right foot.

If you've been thinking of resolving to get your scrapbooking supplies organized, then I want you to consider pushing that resolution further: in 2009, resolve to Get Organized and Be Inspired with Wendy Smedley -- because once you have your supplies arranged, you'll want to create an environment where you can have fun, be productive, and express yourself! 

Wendy Smedley, creative editor at Simple Scrapbooks magazine, is returning to Big Picture Scrapbooking for three months of coaching you through the organizational process.  She'll help you to understand your organizational style so that you can create a unique system that works for you -- and a system that works will last well beyond the three months (so you can resolve to do something else in 2010) of class together!  Just click here to see what scrapbookers who worked with Wendy in 2008 had to say about her class!

In 2009, Get Organized and Be Inspired students are in for a special treat, too -- Wendy is joined by Aby Garvey of Simplify 101.  Aby co-authored The Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker with Wendy, and we know you will enjoy learning from both a seasoned scrapbooker and a professional organizer! 

Registration closes on January 7th, so don't delay if you have resolved to get organized and be inspired in 2009.  To help one of you along with your resolution, I'm going to give away one spot in class to a randomly selected winner -- just leave a comment with your greatest craft-related organizational challenge before 11:59 p.m. PST on Monday, January 5th.  Don't worry if you've already signed up (or if you sign up now) -- if you are the winner, we'll credit you! 

Class starts on New Year's Day -- so click here to sign up now!!  Happy Organized and Inspired 2009 to all of you!

BPS on YOUR Blog!

Yep, that's right. You can now put a BPS badge on your blog. There are TEN great designs to choose from (thanks Kayce!) and it's so easy to do ...

1. Visit our FUN Stuff page and click on "badges."

2. Select the badge (or badges) you want to add to the sidebar of your blog.

3. Copy the HTML code, listed under each design.

4. Embed this code into a "NOTES" style typelist and then select it to show up on your sidebar. You can also copy these codes into the body of any post!

How will you ever decide?

If you're an alumni of Library of Memories, you could choose this one ...

OR this one ...

OR this one ...

We LOVE YOU, our students.
Now YOU can show your blog readers that you LOVE us!!

Get to know Kolette Hall!

We want you to get to know Kolette better. First go check out her blog, The Art of Choosing Joy. Then, if you want to spend more time with Kolette, check out her class A Life Well Crafted at Big Picture Scrapbooking. You can spend a whole year with her!

We also have this exclusive interview with Kolette:

What is it that you hope the class Life Well Crafted brings to people?
After being here at BPS for a few years now, we have taken everything that you have told us you love about our classes and applied them to LWC.  It is full of inspirational messages, downloadable quotes, and great layout ideas.   But the real bonus is the projects each month that will help you scrapbook the best parts of your life and the lives of those around you.  There is something for everyone, every month.  You’re going to love it.

What was your favorite book for 2008?
I love to read and have a list but for 2008 I would have to say The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon hits the top of my list.  It was original and heartwarming but poignant as well.

What is on your iPod frequently played list? Top ten?
I have a “Faves” playlist that anything new immediately goes onto and then gets weeded out as time passes.  The Top 10 right now are:
10.  S.O.S – ABBA
9.  The Ghost in You – The Psychedelic Furs
8.  Carolina In the Pines – Michael Martin Murphey
7.  Waiting For a Girl Like You – Foreigner
6.  Take It Easy – Eagles
5.  Dreamgirl – Dave Matthews Band
4.  Get Rhythmn – Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash
3.  Love Story – Taylor Swift
2.  Better In Time – Leona Lewis
1.  Life in a Northern Town – Sugarland with Jake Owen & Little Big Town

What can’t you get enough of right now?
I’m almost 7 months pregnant and feeling like I can’t get enough G2 Gatorade – the pink or purple kind.

Do you and Jason watch much TV? If so, what show has most of your attention?
Right now we’re into “Life” and “House” and “Eli Stone.”  We know nothing about food but like to watch Top Chef and I feel like Heidi Klum is now my personal friend after watching every season of Project Runway.

What does a typical day look like for you?
I check my email first thing to see what deadlines and assignments have popped up, adjust my list of things to do that day, get ready for the day and then start checking off the list.

I spend a lot of time at the computer designing products and working on BPS but take breaks to fix a little lunch for Jason and I, take care of “house” stuff and all the other non-work things that we as women have to do.  I count myself lucky to work from home, right across the hall from Jason – we have a good life.

What’s your favorite part of that day?
Being with Jason and being my own boss.  It’s a luxury, for sure.  I can go to lunch with my friends if I want and just do my work till midnight to make up for it.  I like being the master of my schedule.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I’m really proud that Jason and I have hung in there in spite of our circumstances and overcome a lot of hard things.  I’m also proud of myself as a business woman because I never expected or planned to do that at this level.

What’s the least glamorous thing you do regularly in the line of duty?
Just like any person running a household, I do a lot of things that are mundane and tedious but still have to be done.  When it comes to my job, people think that it’s all just being creative and crafty and fun but trust me, editing and revising and researching is not very fun.

What do you look for in a friend?
I’m a big believer in surrounding myself with positives and that extends to those who become my best friends.  I seek out hopeful people, I admire capable women and I love anyone who embraces life, even with its ups and downs. 

I would love to get to know you – find me on Facebook or check out my blog (http://www.kolettehall.com/)!   Having friends all over the world is amazing and makes my life so rich.  Join me!  And if you want to see what Jason is up to then head over to his blog, too (http://www.jasonhall.com/).  He loves scrapbookers so let’s get together!

 

The Gift of Words

Congratulations Tricia! You have won a free seat in The Gift of Words!

I would like to give the gift of words to my husband. I would like for him to have a document that shares my feelings and deep love for him.

Posted by: Tricia Wilson | November 26, 2008 at 08:16 PM

Enjoy! :)