Friday, April 1, 2011

OLW April Blog Hop!


It's NOT April Fool's Day here!!!

April already??? Where has the time gone???? It seems like we just did March's blog hop! If you're here, you probably just came from Jill's blog---thanks for joining us!

This month is all about taking action---committing to our word and actually choosing an action during the month that represents your word. For those of you that have been following the blog hop, you may remember that my word is "Opportunity".

I chose to take several actions this month---the opportunity to spend time with friends, the opportunity to be creative, and the opportunity to grow our online business (http://www.scrappindealsnsteals.com/). My hubby is still participating & helping me with the prompts and he agreed these were the things that made me happy & that I enjoyed doing. Unfortunately, I don't always get the time to do them so since he's helping me, he helps make them happen.


(folded page)


I made a point this month to spend time with friends. Because of my health issues & taking care of my mom, I tend to become a recluse when I have a little free time. Socializing is so important for our emotional health that I knew it was something I had to conciously work on. It worked!! I was able to do some garage sales with one friend, craft with another, and visit with a friend/neighbor several times.


(Front side of page)


My second committment was to have the opportunity to be creative and recharge with ME time (one in the same!!). That one has REALLY happened!! LOL  Not only am I doing this class, I did Soul Restoration, She Art, Picture Inspiration, Write Down to the Nitty Gritty, and now Sew Easy----phew!!! Of course, they're not all at the same time so it's not like I'm on overload!! But the concepts are so different---they have made me take the opportunity to step outside of my box. I've learned to make an art journal, dig into my self for emotions and mental health, do fun canvases with cool backgraounds & cute girls. Now I'm actually writing in my journal, taking more pictures, and actually using sewig machine! I haven't done that since my 7th grade HomeEc class making a skirt with an elastic waist & a pocket -- woohoo!  I don't know about you, but creativity to me IS relaxing & helps me recharge.


(back side of page)

Last, but not least, I wanted to have the opportunity to grow my business. My goal for March was to do some additional advertising to get more people informed about my company (& hopefully they will buy!!).  With that in mind, I was able to do a major email blast with a publishing company and permanently advertise on a website & their weekly emails. The first ad just about doubled my customer base (we're a small company!!) and we're waiting to see how the website/newsletter ad works out. I'm very thankful that we have this opportunity---with so many small businesses going under, we're actually growing!

Love these papers from the new Webster's Pages Madeline line----just got them in for the store & I couldn't wait to use them!! They are so gorgeous--I just want to keep using them on more projects! ;)

Can't wait to see what our April prompt is going to be--Ali is doing such a great job!! And so is Margie---organizing & coordinating this fun blog hop. With that, your next stop is over at Kathryn's blog at www.katlodesigns.com.  Enjoy & we'll see you next month!!


April list of Blog Hop blogs...........

Margiehttp://xnomads.typepad.com/blog
Amandahttp://scrappnbee.blogspot.com
Donnahttp://donnabryantdurand.blogspot.com
Joywww.undiscoveredjoy.blogspot.com
Janhttp://mysimplelittlelife.typepad.com
Jamiehttp://jmpgirl.blogspot.com/
Nikkihttp://www.inkyart.com.au
Monica B2www.questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com
Cindyhttp://seriousplay.typepad.com
Staceyhttp://www.TheAcornGarden.com/blog
Katrinahttp://k84mansramblings.blogspot.com/
Rebekahhttp://istampscrapcraft.blogspot.com/
Monicahttp://scraplifters.blogspot.com/
Chrissyhttp://getcraftywithchrissy.blogspot.com/
Jillhttp://jillconyers.typepad.com/
Lisahttp://makeyourownescape.blogspot.com ===> you are here!
Kathrynwww.katlodesigns.com
Jenniferwww.studiojenn.blogspot.com
Jenwww.byjen.com
Samhttp://learncreatedo.wordpress.com/
Mirandahttp://mirandasscrapsite.blogspot.com
Lynnwww.crafty-creativity.blogspot.com
Cynthiahttp://paperpapereverywhere.blogspot.com/
Cheri Ahttp://cheriandrews.blogspot.com
Debhttp://blakleyhomeplace.blogspot.com
Nickywww.seejanebake.blogspot.com
Karen Dhttp://womenontractors.blogspot.com/
Tinahttp://ryzmomplus2.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Kimberlyhttp://foreverdaisies.blogspot.com/
Abbeyhttp://athomewiththerichardsfamily.blogspot.com/
Julie Ann http://julieannshahin2.blogspot.com

16 comments:

  1. Wow, you really WERE active this month, how did you do it all? Good on you Girl!!!! xoxo

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  2. That's a lot of achievements in one month - well done.

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  3. Exciting to hear about your business growing. And I'll have to check out some of the classes you took. I took She Art and loved it!

    I can also be the same way about socializing, yet it makes such a big difference in my mood when I do spend time with friends.

    So yeah for taking the opportunity to do these things.

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  4. Great job making your opportunities happen! Good luck with all those classes you signed up for. I'm sure you will have a great time!

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  5. such great news about your husband!! Love your album, and that he he helps you with the prompts.

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  6. Holy Moly that's quite a bit of action for one month! Love that your hubby helps and supports you and that you made time for some awesome classes.

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  7. your album is just so pretty. the colors and patterns are gorgeous. a great inspiration to stay on top of your word this year.
    ~j

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  8. Oh my goodness - I would love to have time to do all that stuff! I love your pages - that paper IS gorgeous! Hope all goes well in all your endeavors. Blessings...

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  9. I'm chief caregiver for my dad...and I know, some weeks are harder than others and I just want to crawl in a hole when I get free time. But a coffee date with a good friend always works wonders! Or playing outside with my kids even when I feel too tired to do so!

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  10. Very impressive, I love your pages. Good luck with the additional marketing efforts. I am sure it will pay off for you.

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  11. You have really embraced your word this month with all the classes and your business!

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  12. Sounds like your month went well. Love spring colors of your pages.

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  13. Love those papers!! You did a great job with this month's prompt, mine is so much more basic, lol!

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  14. Friends are so important. Kudos to you for a beautiful month!

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  15. Congratulations on a great month!

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  16. Beautiful papers and album! Great job on growing your business. I wish you all the best with that. And sounds like you have a wonderful partner in your husband helping you take care of yourself. Thanks for joining in the hop!

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