Author: Elizabeth

2020 Favorites – Monthly Catch up

Remember that post about Little by Little progress on our photo projects. It is the first of March and now is a great time to make a little more progress on your photos. If you already set up your 2020 Favorites Album and put January photos in it, then you are ready to move on to February. If you haven’t joined us yet with this, go back to the Little by Little post and start there.

As we enter a new month, it is also a great time to look at your calendar for the upcoming months and sign up for the events you are interested in joining us so you can make even more progress on those projects. We will be headed away on our 2020 March Retreat this weekend but now is the perfect time to sign up for any of our sprint Photo Fun Days by checking out the Events Page.

5 years ago

Download, Backup 1, 2, 3

Happy Leap Day and Happy Final Day to my 16 Gifts for 16 Years series. I didn’t quite get each post out on time but we have 16+ great gifts that have been shared and I look forward to continuing to use this website and blog posts as a way to share more with you.

With the p2p Team sharing Blueprints on the final Saturday of each month I want to take time today to share my process and encourage you to create a routine for keeping your Forever Artisan projects and digital content safe and secure.

Download Day is my reminder to download the latest Blueprints from the p2p website as well as back up all of my digital content whether it be from p2p Blueprints, Forever Digital Art or CM Digital Content and my completed projects. Here are my steps:

Log into the Pixels2Pages website and Download the latest Blueprints under Recent Posts. If you are interested in learning more about the P2P community for Forever Artisan and Historian software users, you can check out here for this Premium Training Resource:
- Once I have downloaded the latest Blueprints, I file them away in my Blueprints folder. Here are the simple steps to remind you but for details instructions you can go to the P2P page for helpful tips on Downloading Blueprints:
  1. Download the Blueprints to my Download Folder
  2. Unzip the folder from the Blueprints folder using Extract All option
  3. Open the Unzipped folder and copy contents
  4. Paste in my Blueprints folder under Documents (or in the location where I save my Blueprints)
  5. Delete the unneeded folders from my Downloads folder.
Go to my Forever account and verify from my order history if I have any orders with digital art that I need to Download and install:
- There are helpful instructions in the e-mail confirmation on How to Install your Digital Art.
- Once I have downloaded any recent purchases and added any new Activation codes, I go to Artisan and select Manage Content (from the Welcome screen). Choose Activation Codes from the top of the screen and then Make a Back up of my codes.
- This will create text file. Save it on your computer or where you keep your Art Kits.
- In addition to this file, I also convert to a PDF file by clicking on File > Print to PDF and save that file as well. I always put the date in the file name so I know which one is most current and can delete any extras if needed.
- I upload my PDF version of my file to my Forever Account so I have it backed up there as well.
Steps 1 & 2 are about mainly about Downloading, this step is where I back up 3 groups of files. I back up my Artisan Projects, Blueprint files and Digital Content on an External Hard Drive (EHD).
- I have a folder for each of these on an External Hard Drive (EHD).
- Simply plug in your EHD and then in your File Browser, go to the location on your computer (typically under your C: drive) where you save each of these types of documents and copy the whole folder.
- Go to the folder you have on your EHD and paste the new contents in that folder. If you do the whole folder each month, you can delete the past version once you know the information is safely copied for the new file.
- Keep your EHD in a safe place – best if it is not kept with your computer.

By doing these simple 3 steps each month, you will not have to worry about lost files or projects if something happens to your computer. With the project files and content, if you have to buy a new computer (or rebuild from a crash) then you will have everything you need to reload your projects to keep working.

If you want a refresher on how backing up your photos, check out the post called Back up, Back up, Back up

Now for the Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years:

Here is a recap of the gifts for Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years plus the new one for today:

On the first day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I went back to where it all started with a Creative Memories product that I LOVE – one person can get the CM bookcloth album of your choosing for 50% off. Available until claimed!

On the second day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I am reopening the 2020 Photo Fun Club until the end of the month for the 2 remaining spots in the 2020 Photo Fun Club ~~PLUS for the first person who replies I am offering 1/2 off one of our upcoming 2020 Photo Fun Day – FULL day registrations.~~ Message me if you wish to sign up and I will share the details or answer any further questions.

On the third day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I am offering to the first 2 people who respond, 10GB of Forever Storage for 1/2 off.

On the 4th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I am offering Buy One Get One 50% off on those supplies you never want to run out of – Refill Pages with Protectors, Tape Runners, and Tape Runner Refills. There is no limit on how many people can take advantage of this offer however all orders must be placed no later than Feb 29th and pick up at my home in Apex or at my next Photo Fun Day or Retreat. Please use the form in the original post here!

On the 5th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I want to help you get those family recipes or photos of your community gathered around the table scanned and digitized so you can share them too. For the first 5 people who complete the form on the original post, I will offer you up to 16 of your favorite photos or recipes scanned with my next media conversion box for FREE.

On the 6th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I want to keep the sharing theme going and share FREE shipping on any CM order over $50 placed before the end of the month. All orders must be placed directly through me in the form on the original post (and not on my CM website) and picked up at my home in Apex or at one of my upcoming Photo Fun Days or Retreats in March or April.

On the 7th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I will create your panel for you with Forever Design and Print and have it shipped straight to you for 50% off the retail price. Take a peak at the Forever Design and Print options so you know what you might want me to create for you. To take advantage of this, please use the form on the original post

On the 8th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, Share a blog post & comment on the original posts with your favorite snow day activity and earn an entry into my $10 Starbucks drawing. Drawing will include all entries as of Feb 29th at 5pm and must include a share AND a comment below.

On the 9th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, Join with fellow customers and when your online orders equal $200 or more in one day, I will a drawing for a $25 Gift Certificate. Available with each CM and Forever orders.

On the 10th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I am offering the first 3 people who upload (up to 16) your favorite photos, I will have them printed for you with Forever for FREE and available at our next Photo Fun Day or retreat. Check the original post for details.

On the 11th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I always enjoy helping my customers and friends with their projects. Do you have questions and want to meet for a FREE 30 minutes coffee chat with me? Today is your day – the first person to message me will get a Coffee Chat in the next month to get any of your questions answered.

On the 12th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, One idea that I learned from a friend sharing with me was how to use Forever’s Artisan software to create luggage tags with our ornaments. For the first person to reply to this message, I will create a customized luggage tag just for you.

On the 13th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, As a member of my team, I am always here to support you in your own goals for your business but for those that join my team in February, I will partner with you for a joint event in March to kickoff your business. Message me for more details.

For the 14th & 15th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I want to help you tell your story through printed and digitized photos so I am offering the first 2 people who want to take advantage of this offer. Order a media conversion box from Forever (don’t forget the coupon code for 20% off through 3/9) and I will send you a Gift Certificate to use on your next order or to apply to any additional items you may include in your box over the allotted credit. The Gift Certificate increases based on the size of the box:

Personal Box – $10 Forever GC
Value Box – $50 Forever GC
Family Box – $100 Forever GC

For the FINAL day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I am going to take everyone who has participated in the 16 Gifts for 16 Years Celebration in some way prior to 10pm tonight 2/29/2020 and do a drawing for a SWAG Bag of Forever and CM goodies. This may be logo items or products but the gift bag will be full of surprises. I will do one drawing for each 10 entries we have in the drawing so help me spread the word so increase the number of drawings.

THANK YOU for joining me in this celebration of 16 years of my business!

5 years ago

Family History

Part of why I spend time with my family’s photos is that I love learning about our family history and capturing those stories in a place where others can enjoy too. Whether it is stories about my life or those that have come along before me each story is precious to me.

I was recently visiting one of my grandmothers and she reminded me of a story I had heard over the years. It is a story that reminds me of the joy I bring to my family and the fun adventures we have had through the years.

When I was a just a baby there was a day in the middle of the week when my Granddaddy was in town for a business meeting. When he got out of his meeting for the day, he surprised my mom at the house for a short visit and from all versions of this story, he was really there to see me. While there, he cooked up a plan to take me home with him for a visit. Mom called Dad at work to bounce the idea off of him but in the end everyone was game for a big trip for the grand-baby to go home with Granddaddy and surprise my Grandma. Mom tells how I was ready for a nap so she helped pack me in the car and off I went with Granddaddy with the hopes I might sleep a bit as we traveled.

The next part of the story is the part my Grandma tells where she had no idea what he had cooked up but she was busy at home when he arrived. She tells of the grin on his face that was ear to ear as he showed who he brought home to see her. The tells of what all I did and who I saw over the next few days are fun to hear but the best part is this is a story, I have no way of remembering myself but the intentional effort of my family to retell this story to me over the years has made it where it is one of my favorite “memories” too.

I have a few photos from around this time of me with my Granddaddy and whether they were taken on this visit or another one in the same time frame, the remind me of the great love he had for me.

What story to you hold that a child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or friend’s child might like to know one day. Whether it is through a traditional scrapbook or through a Forever account capture that story while it is still fresh and pass that memory of love and joy on to the next generation.

We will do 2 posts today to catch up from the end of the week and for those who have place orders or claimed other gifts, I will be in touch with you shortly with further details.

Here is a recap of the gifts for Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years plus the new one for today:

On the third day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I am offering to the first 2 people who respond, 10GB of Forever Storage for 1/2 off.

Personal Box – $10 Forever GC
Value Box – $50 Forever GC
Family Box – $100 Forever GC

Don’t forget that the Value Box is the perfect size to send a CM Scrapbook (or the pages) to be scanned and shared.

5 years ago

Have you ever considered?

Have you ever considered joining my team? I have a team of amazing friends on both my Creative Memories Team and Forever Team? I love that we can partner together to share each of these companies products and services further than I could do alone. We enjoy bouncing ideas off of each other and celebrating with each other as we achieve personal and business goals. If you are interested in learning more you can find details online:

Creative Memories – https://www.creativememories.com/advisors.html

Forever – https://www.forever.com/ambassador/elizabethgoodson/opportunity

I am happy to meet or set up a call to chat with you about any questions you may have.

Here is a recap of the gifts for Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years plus the new one for today:

On the third day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I am offering to the first 2 people who respond, 10GB of Forever Storage for 1/2 off.

5 years ago

Inspiration

I am thankful that others share their ideas with us through blogs. If you are looking for inspiration for your scrapbook projects or as you work on chipping away at your family’s box of photos, blogs are a great way to spring board new ideas. I am glad that both Creative Memories and Forever have Blogs filled with Inspiration. I would encourage you to take a moment to check out each of these:

I would love to hear if you try one of these ideas or tips with your photos or projects.

Here is a recap of the gifts for Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years plus the new one for today:

On the third day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I am offering to the first 2 people who respond, 10GB of Forever Storage for 1/2 off.

5 years ago

Recharge

I love these messages that Creative Memories shared over the last year. I recently took some time to recharge between jobs. It was much needed after an intense time of wrapping up one position and preparing for a time to enter the next job. It wasn’t fancy and I didn’t go away but I took time to do some of the things that help me recharge:

Take a walk
Went to bed early so I could get a bit of extra sleep
Spent time working on my own photo projects and making progress
Took time to write several of these blog posts
Connected with friends and family through lunch dates, coffee and dinner.

What helps you recharge whether it be on a routine basis or not so often?

Here is a recap of the gifts for Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years plus the new one for today:

On the third day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I am offering to the first 2 people who respond, 10GB of Forever Storage for 1/2 off.

On the 11th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I always enjoy helping my customers and friends with their projects. Do you have questions and want to a FREE 30 minutes coffee chat with me? Today is your day – the first person to message me will get a Coffee Chat in the next month to get any of your questions answered.

5 years ago

Sunday Encouragment

I have been enjoying the Cultivate What Matters – Write the Word Journals for over two years. It is a simple journal that includes a passage of scripture to write out in your own handwriting and a place to journal your thoughts whether it be on the scripture or whatever may be on your heart that day. I don’t use it every day but typically a few times a week is my current rhythm and I am often encouraged by the specific scripture that I turn to on a day that I need to hear it most. Each journal is focused around a theme. I have done the one on Cultivating Joy previously and am now working my way through the Cultivate Hope Journal.

As I opened my journal this morning the scripture that I turned to was most encouraging to me today – in the particular season I am in so I wanted to share with you as well. The passage as the image above says is Philippians 4:6-7. I have always treasured this passage as someone who in moments of anticipation can over-analyze a situation and become a bit anxious about the unknowns that may come. Today as I am right in the midst of changing jobs and swinging back and forth from being very excited about this amazing opportunity to return to a group of people I so enjoyed working with for many years to a bit anxiousness about my new role and the changes associated with this move, I needed to hear this reminder and and encouragement.

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

So whether you are experiencing changes in life that have you a bit anxious or you have excitement and anticipation that has you uncertain, I encourage you to remember these words and be reminded like I was about the peace that God give us when we place our needs before him.

I hope you are enjoying these posts. We will continue until the end of the month with daily posts but after the 16 Gifts for 16 Years focus, I will return to a post a week (with a few bonuses from time to time) going forward.

Here is a recap of the gifts for Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years plus the new one for today:

On the third day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I am offering to the first 2 people who respond, 10GB of Forever Storage for 1/2 off.

On the 10th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, Forever offers amazing printing of our photos as well as our completed projects. Whether you are a traditional scrapbookerer or you do more digital projects, we all have a time when we need a few of our favorites printed. We are keeping the magic number of 16 and I am offering the first 3 people who upload (up to 16) your favorite photos, I will have them printed for you with Forever for FREE and available at our next Photo Fun Day or retreat. You will need to upload them directly to this album (16 Gifts for 16 years) so I can place the order. Click the text highlighted in Blue and then you will see the upload button. You will need to log in to your Forever account. I am using Forever’s Collaborative Album feature for this collection point. You do not need a permanent storage account to upload, just a free account. If you are new to Forever and have not created an account before, please use this link first to create a FREE account first (Create a FREE Account here) and if you are not familiar with collaborative albums, I will be happy to share more.

5 years ago

Snow Days

Between a new job and unexpected snow in the last couple of days, yesterday’s post didn’t get posted as expected so today’s post is a little delayed but will include a bonus with Day 8 & Day 9 gifts listed below.

Are you a fan of Snow Days or do you dream of flip flops and sun? I love a good snow day although this week’s fun was not at the best time for me, I still enjoyed pausing a bit to enjoy watching the snow fall and marveling in the beauty.

What are you favorite things to do when it is snowing? I love a chance to stay inside with something warm in my favorite mug and watch the snow fall through my window. Driving in the snow or the stress that comes from determining if it is safe to venture out to work or other activities are not my favorite parts but each time it snows, I enjoy the quiet and slowdown that comes naturally with a snow day.

We are at the halfway point of my 16 Gifts for 16 years so be sure you check back through past posts to take advantage and then jump on these 2 Gifts added today (well I guess you might consider this 3).

For the first gift – Let’s celebrate sharing: I would love for you to help me share this series with others you know that may not be connected already. Share this post where you see it either through e-mail, FB, Instagram or straight from my blog AND post a comment below with your favorite Snow Day activity. I will do a drawing of all of those who have shared this post AND commented with their favorite snow day activity for a $10 Starbucks Gift Card. Drawing will include all post as of Feb 29th at 5pm.

For the second gift – Let’s celebrate online orders: I am doing a lot of specials that require your order to be placed through me directly to take advantage but today I want to celebrate those who place your orders directly on my websites. It is a win-win when you place your order directly on the website. You get your goodies shipped directly to you and I am able to stretch toward my next sales goal. I am getting close to a bonus with both CM and Forever so for each day (starting with Saturday, Feb 22) until the end of month that we have $200 or more in online orders, I will do a Gift Certificate drawing for that part of my business.

For example, if you place a customer order through my CM website – https://www.creativememories.com/user/ElizabethGoodson of any amount you and your order plus others for that day total $200 or more, I will do a drawing for $25 Gift Certificate off a future order OR if you place a customer order through my Forever website: https://www.forever.com/ambassador/elizabethgoodson and your order plus others for that day total $200 or more, I will do a drawing for $25 Gift Certificate off a future Forever order.

If you alone make a purchase through either site that totals more that $200, I will automatically give you a $25 GC in addition to doing the daily drawing.

Whether you place and order or share a post, each of these are valuable ways to support me and my business.

Additional gifts for Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years:

On the third day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I am offering to the first 2 people who respond, 10GB of Forever Storage for 1/2 off.

On the 7th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, Another thing that can bring joy and make you smile is to take a favorite photo or quote and create a simple canvas or wall panel. Would you like to make the walls in your office or home bring a smile to your face? For the first person to reply here with your e-mail, I will create your panel for you with Forever Design and Print and have it shipped straight to you for 50% off the retail price. Take a peak at the Forever Design and Print options so you know what you might want me to create for you.

On the 8th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, Share a blog post & comment below with your favorite snow day activity and earn an entry into my $10 Starbucks drawing. Drawing will include all entries as of Feb 29th at 5pm and must include a share AND a comment below.

5 years ago

Fresh Start

For those that have followed my blog and journey over the last couple of years, you may remember a post in 2018 titled Turning the Page… where I was changing jobs. I have found myself in a similar place closing that chapter and starting fresh again this month. As you read this message, I will be embracing a new “day job” this week and with that comes the perfect time to freshen up my work supplies.

Do you have a favorite pen, notepad, snack or tool you keep at work to bring a little happiness and joy to your work day? Here are a few of my must haves for office supplies or tools that I have tucked in my bag for the new job this week.

I love having my Painted Pearl 2020 Watercolor Miniature Calendar on my desk. Since I knew I was likely changing jobs earlier this year, I waited to open my 2020 Mini Calendar until I started the new job so I am extra excited to pull out my new one and add it to my desk for the last part of February and rest of 2020.
My go-to work pen right now is the Pentel EnerGel Medium Point Pen, typically in Blue but I love fun colors too. Be careful if you ask to borrow one, I might be a bit possessive or ask for it back before you leave.
My TI-82 Calculator – yes I still have the calculator I got for high school math class. It has been with me for decades now but is still going strong and will be heading to the office with me this time too.
For those times when I need to focus and work without interruptions, I will have my Bose Headphones tucked in my bag and a few of my favorite playlist queued up on Spotify.
And last but not least, there will be a bag of Dove Promises – Dark Chocolates to put in my candy dish. This has become a favorite of friends and visitors through the years. The conversations that come from sharing a piece of chocolate with a coworker on a crazy day or sharing the message of encouragement that Dove puts on each of their wrappers are a perk of having this simple candy dish on my desk.

Do you have a item on your desk or in your office that brings you joy or puts a smile on your face when you see it? I would love to know what your favorite office items are too.

Now for the Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years:

On the third day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I am offering to the first 2 people who respond, 10GB of Forever Storage for 1/2 off.

5 years ago

Sharing is Caring

There is nothing like a sweet 5 year old to put things into perspective with his words – “Sharing is Caring”!

It was a Sunday after church and I had arrived at McAllister’s for lunch a few minutes before our family and dear friend with her sweet 5 year old son were going to join me. To help make sure we had a table when the restaurant got busier, I had gone on through the line, ordered my lunch and found a table large enough for our group. About the time the rest arrived, my food was already being delivered to the table. I had soup and they had put a few tortilla chips on the side of the plate. As our family likes to say – they put just enough to garnish the plate, rather than the serving you might like to accompany your meal.

As I sat there waiting for our group to make their way through the line to join me, my friend’s son came to wait with me at the table rather than stand in the line with his mom. He had no more climbed up in the chair when he snagged one of my precious few chips. I teased him and said he better not eat all of my lunch or I would have to share his. With those precious eyes looking up at me, he said without missing a beat, “Sharing is Caring” and helped himself to another chip. As I looked back at him, I knew that this moment needed reinforcement of this message that he clearly had been learning recently and was still navigating just how it applied. So I shared my few chips with him and chatted a bit more about sharing while we waited for the group to make their way through the line and join us.

Whether it is a lesson like this with a child or sharing in other ways, I know that there is truth in this message. When we share what we have in our possession, what we have learned previously or even of ourselves and our time we are showing that we care for those around us and want them to experience the best we have to offer.

My business over these 16 years has been about sharing something I love and have found to be useful with those around me. I am blessed by those of you who help me extend this by sharing with your friends and family too.

I am thankful for each and every referral you send to my business. Did you know….

You can share with a friend my Creative Memories link: https://www.creativememories.com/user/ElizabethGoodson so that they can place an order for Creative Memories right from my website.
You can use your own Forever Refer a Friend link and share Forever with a friend and earn a coupon to use on your next purchase (It is $10 this month). Your friend also gets a welcome coupon to use on their own first purchase.
If you are not already connected to me with Forever, you can use my link: https://www.forever.com/ambassador/elizabethgoodson to connect yourself and get your own welcome coupon.
You can share our upcoming events and invite a friend to join us by pointing your friends and family to this site. Don’t forget that I offer a FREE after 3pm Option for our first time attendees – Use the link on the Events Page to sign up for our next Photo Fun Day!

Thank you for being the Heart of my Business for so many years! I look forward to sharing more with each of you!

Now for the Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years:

On the third day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I am offering to the first 2 people who respond, 10GB of Forever Storage for 1/2 off.

On the 6th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I want to keep the sharing theme going and share FREE shipping on any CM order over $50 placed before the end of the month. All orders must be placed directly through me in the form below (and not on my CM website) and picked up at my home in Apex or at one of my upcoming Photo Fun Days or Retreats in March or April.