Make A Change Monday: New Blog and FIVE DAYS of giveaways!!

When I originally started my MAC Monday list earlier this year, one of the things towards the top of my list was to "improve the appearance of my blog". Early on I realized that I wasn't going to be able to do that on my own - (see this blog post if you are even thinking about starting a blog or overhauling yours by yourself) so I enlisted the help of the fabulous MaieDae - and after MANY months (totally my fault...I'm sort of a procrastinator), you see before you the result of many hours of research and color choices and design options - and I couldn't be happier!

So to celebrate...I'm having giveaways ALL WEEK LONG!!!!!! 

I'm still working on a few things - still trying to sort my posts by "type" (military life, kids crafts, etc), figure out the spacing problem, feel my way around blogger, etc - but PLEASE let me know if something is missing, or a link doesn't work - and after you've poked around leave me a comment. 

I'll select a winner every morning - so today's winner will be announced (on my FB page and via email) tomorrow morning, then I'll post another giveaway tomorrow, and so it will go all week!


Today's giveaway contains paper packs from DCWV and Colorbök, paper and stamps from BasicGrey's new PB&J collection, and a Mega Runner and 1.5" create-a-sticker from Xyron!

Thanks so much for being along on this ride with me...with this new blog we've got some WONDERFUL new things planned - can't wait to share them with you!

Make a Change Monday - don't be afraid to ask for what you want

As pretty much every much crafter knows, CHA is being held this weekend. It is an amazing opportunity to get together and share ideas, products and inspiration with others in the industry and I LOVE coming here. However - I came to a realization about myself this weekend that I think applies to a lot of women. I am afraid to ask for what I want.

While I could probably write 700 blog posts about how this affects my personal life, this weekend I discovered how much it affects my professional life. Part of my job at Xyron is to build partnerships with other manufacturing companies - whether it is cross promoting through videos, supplying product for HSN, coordinating make and takes, or making sure our design team has the latest and greatest, I work with other companies to make it happen. I LOVE this part of my work - and have made some amazing friendships because of it. As I have been thinking about you guys this weekend - my followers on this blog and my FB page friends - I wanted to make sure I came home with some fun new products to use as giveaways. Before I came to work at Xyron I remember what it was like to see all the photos of CHA and wish I could be there, and I wanted to bring a little of that home for you. HOWEVER - yesterday as I was walking the show floor I realized I was AFRAID to ask anyone for anything. Now you are talking to a woman who works for a company that has given away THOUSANDS of dollars worth of adhesive to other companies for this show, yet I would walk up to a booth where we donated runners and Xs and refills and I couldn't seem to say "Hey - I'd love to take a pack of your new rubons home with me for a giveaway". Couldn't do it. I also could not walk up to Theresa Collins (who is working on an AMAZING partnership with Xyron and who I ACTUALLY know) and say "could I get a photo of us together?" - it just wasn't me. Until last night.

On the shuttle back to the hotel I was having a conversation with Jenn Mason from Cloth Paper Scissors and some of my Xyron peeps, and a woman sitting in front of us suddenly turned around and said "Can I have your card?" and started telling us her story.  Turns out her products are a perfect match for a partnership with Xyron so we are going to stop by her booth tomorrow, but I was SO impressed with this cool chick (whose name I didn't catch) who saw a chance to interact with some established companies, and was proud/motivated/confident enough in herself and her product that she jumped in with both feet. First time exhibitor, new business woman, she knew what she wanted and asked for it. Can I have your card? Will you come by our booth? She inspired me to just take a deep breath and ask - and today was a whole different story. So I am coming home with a bag full of goodies, some new partnership ideas, and the kick in the pants I needed to not be afraid to ask for what I want. Yay me - and lucky you! Stay tuned this week and next for some AMAZING giveaway goodies!

Valentine Album Giveaway on Paper Crafter's Corner!

Anybody wanna win a FREE Valentine Album donated by MEEEEE?  Then head on over to Paper Crafter's Corner

PCC is a treasure trove of crafty gossip, events, and more, created EXCLUSIVELY for scrappers and card makers in the SouthEast.  It has store listings, event information, local consultants, retreat locations, links to scrapbooking consignment/garage sales, AND Susan writes product reviews, has contests and giveaways, it is literally a one-stop shop for all things crafty down here in the South!  I encourage you to check out her site and sign up for her feed (scroll down the home page and you will find the sign up block on the right-hand side), and/or become a fan on Facebook!

I've just returned from CHA and as soon as I unpack I'll be posting some fun photos...INCLUDING photos of the new Xyron Creatopia Shapez component! Can't wait to show you!