Tag: Creative Memories

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 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

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

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 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.

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 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.

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 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 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.

Sunday Encouragment

I have been enjoying the Cultivate What MattersWrite 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 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, 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.

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 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, 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.

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.

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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 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, 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.

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 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 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.

Where do you plan to pick up your order?

 

Food & Community

At a recent gathering of friend over dinner, I couldn’t help but realize how much Food and Community are tied together for me.  There is something special about sharing a meal together.  Whether they are family gathered for a holiday, longtime friends who haven’t connected recently or new acquaintances, the time around the table or standing in someone’s kitchen builds a unique sense of community.  I believe we all value community in some way but I know that spending time with “my people” around a table of food feeds more than my belly but fuels my heart too.

One of the projects I started years ago when I first began digital scrapbooking (Forever Artisan) was to take some of my favorite recipes and create Recipe Cards with them.  Many of these are “Go To” family recipes we use so often I can almost quote them by heart while others may have only been tried once or twice.  Each time I made the card, I printed it as a 4×6 photo with a few extra copies to share and tucked it into a photo album that I keep in my kitchen.  This album has pockets for 4×6 photos like the Multi-Pocket Pages that Creative Memories offers (you can find them on my CM Website under Shop > Pages & Protectors).

Having a few extra copies of my most favorite have come in handy more times that I can count.  Whether it is a when a friend is over for dinner and asks for the recipe of that dessert I just served or I am taking the dish to a pot luck or to someone’s house who is having a baby or surgery, I can pull it out and hand it off.  Another tip I will share is that now that I have these in a 4×6 photo format, I also have them in my Forever Storage account where I can access them while I am out at the grocery store picking up ingredients or out of town and want to make it on vacation.  I also have found myself not pulling out my photo album Recipe Book as much these days and instead pulling it up on my phone and cooking with that version of the recipe out.  The best part of having this access to my recipes is that when I don’t think to grab a copy of the recipe, I can pull it up on my phone and share in a text or e-mail right while I am talking about it.

I have my Favorite Recipes Album available in the public side of my Forever account that you can check out by going to my Profile Page to get a few ideas for how to make your own recipe cards.

Do you have a recipe card that is written by someone you love dearly?  Would yo love to capture those precious handwritten cards in the same way?  Did you know that you can have those recipes scanned and uploaded to your Forever Storage account as well and do the same thing that I have described above?  Forever’s Media Conversion Services take a white glove approach to our precious photos and documents when they scan and digitize them.

What recipe would you want to create a card so you can share it more easily?  Join us at our next Photo Fun Day to learn more about how to create these in Artisan yourself.

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

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.

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 below, I will offer you up to 16 of your favorite photos or recipes scanned with my next media conversion box for FREE.  I will coordinate with you on the details after you submit your request.

What type of media do you have to convert?(required)

Do you have more than 16 items you wish to have scanned now?(required)

Speed Systems – Power Layout

Sometimes we just need a quick way to get a project done and as I dust off a traditional project that I have set aside while I caught up my current projects, I am reminded that my ticket to getting these projects done quickly is to use one of my go to speed systems – Power Layouts.  It doesn’t have to be fancy although there is a tool from Creative Memories designed just for this approach but even if you don’t have the Power Layout Box and guides, you can tackle your project this way without it.  You can order your own Power Layout Box by going to my CM website and looking under the Shop Menu for Storage and Totes.

Whether it is my annual album or project with a theme or event focus, I first will gather my photos and sort then into the order I want them in my project.  Most of the time for me it is chronological but sometimes it might be based on people or other events.  Then I will lay out 2 page spreads across my table using my refill pages or cardstock background paper.  TIP: Remember that if you are using refill pages, the left side of your pages will be on the pack of the previous one.  You will want a placeholder or cardstock to help with this side.  Sometimes I will use the extra cardboard insert from our paper packs as the place holders.  This is where the Power Layout guides are really helpful if you have them but either will work just fine.  I like to use the whole dining room table or one of my big 6 foot tables when I do this but if I have a smaller space I just lay out fewer pages each time.

I will then pick 4-6 photos from my pile for each side and plop them down on the side I believe they might go.  I don’t arrange them, just put the whole stack on that page (or place holder guide).  After I have plopped my photos down on all the pages that are on my table, I take a few minutes to think about the papers or other tools I might use and gather them so I can add or use them when it is time.  Before I put any papers or embellishments with the pages, I go through and simply arrange my photos that I had picked to be sure they fit the 2 page spread well.  TIP: I might do a simple cropping step here or pick one to accent with an oval or circle photo.  To keep this moving fast pick only 1-2 photos per 2-page spread to crop.   I don’t spend a lot of time in this cropping step but generally will eliminate a few photos and further refine my layouts possibly shifting photos to other pages or consolidating where needed.  Now I add the paper or embellishments that I expect to use.  I lay them with the photos (again not sticking anything down yet).

Once I have the paper and embellishments with the pages, I stack the pages up as if they were in the album first page on top and each page after placed under it.  I sit these aside and move on to the same steps for the next batch.  I work this way until the stack of photos is complete.  TIP: One thing to remember is that the first page will not be a 2 page spread so you might want to think as you work through your photos if you want to do a title page with a favorite from the whole project or if you want to jump right in and have the first page be the beginning of your photos.  Now that I have a stack of pages, I can work on them in a smaller space, 2 pages at a time.  I like to keep my unfinished pages to my left and then as I finish them stack them to the right.  I typically will journal as I finish each 2 page spread but if you prefer to journal the whole album at once, you can go back and do that at the end.

If I have to stop along the way and pack up, I place all completed pages in my album so I can start enjoying them right away and put the unfinished stack in a Power Sort Box or other container that can keep the items together and not shift until I can work on this project again.

I find that when I spend the time to plan out my projects like this, I work much faster and get a more cohesive book in the end because I am looking at 8-12 pages at once during the initial steps.

This approach works well with traditional printed photos but you can also do a similar process with digital projects.  The Pixels2Pages team recently shared a video about this on one of their virtual crops.  If you are interested in seeing it you can go to their website: Digi Power Layout .  This may be only available to members now but it is a great video that shows how I do many of my digital projects too.

Join us at our next Photo Fun Day and you can have a full table to try this out or let me know you want to see the Digi Power Layout system in person and I will be happy to share my current project.

What project would you like to complete with this approach?  Can you imagine completing 10-15 pages in one day?  I encourage you to give it a try if you haven’t before and watch those projects get completed!

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

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.

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, You will need to stock up on the staples when you do your project with this Speed System so today 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 below for your order!