Friday, May 04, 2012

giveaways, life, & inspiration


 This month's BYOC kits are bright and full of happy color and best of all they are ready to go! These 3 just went up in MY SHOP at the lilypad, and EVERYTHING in the store is 30% off to celebrate international scrapbooking day this weekend! I just kinda like the idea of shopping for good deals in jammie pants with no line ups ;)
 
 
{photos by Kal Barteski}

Every once and awhile  there are those people who cross your path and leave an impact forever on your heart. My friend Kal is one of tho people; anyone who has taken a class from her, listened to her speak, or who has the pleasure of knowing her is a person who is left changed, left  better than they were before. The new pack above is a kit celebrating that incredible beauty, cuz I think the world needs more people like Kal and this is just what my hands did with all of that thinking. Check out HER BLOG, she has beautiful Art and words that stir the soul. You will be inspired I guarantee you.

There's a story behind my kits this month. They are all about Living life, loving life, going for it with all you've got and sharing the best of what you have!
NOT something I take for granted these days. It is only a few weeks ago that I couldn't even join my kids for a walk no matter how badly I wanted to. So not only am I inspired by my friend Kal's fierceness, bravery and strength as she has been walking a similar journey, but I am trying really hard to learn to make the best health choices I can. Trying do the best I can with what I have each day, and do my little bit to help fill the world with goodness and light. Amazingly it works every time, sharing goodness makes me feel a whole lot better and brighter. Hence, the frenzy of giveaways this week. ( did I just say Hence? oy)
I am trying to be more open, trying to share more and that means I need to tell you a bit of what's been up. Weeks ago I got rid of  all wheat, dairy and sugar ( as well as a whole bunch of other things)... I had had a wicked migraine for months with no relief, severe pain all through my neck and back and nothing was helping at all, no pain killers no treatments and though I have suffered with migraines for most of my life That has never happened before. I'm usually a smile and keep on going kind of girl. But this time all I could do was lay there on ice for months and tell my girls to come and cuddle up. Such a trapped and helpless place to be. It was a tough road figuring out some thyroid problems, and then battling through this at the same time. Hard to be inspirational, hard to just get up and try to be a wee bit wife and mommy while hurting so so much. I'm not telling you this to bore you with a sad story, just being real. I definitely want to not only live life, but absolutely adore every minute of it! Simply existing is just not an option for me. NOT!!! I've never been someone who just let's the days all run together, and I don't wanna be, SO here's to all of that positivity I'm grabbing at, here's to mighty conquering and choosing to give life your ALL no matter what comes your way...aaaand a few spray painted butterflies thrown in cuz spring is my fave and they make me happy.
I LOVE this beautiful layout by Amanda Resende, she always manages to wow me with her flow on a page but this one makes my eyes so happy I just wanna keep looking! The wood grain paper looks perfect next to my journal tree, I adore her use of warm colors, and she did an excellent job of clustering everything above the line, leaving lots of white space to rest the eye. Amazing job Girlie!!! Show her some Love HERE
 The kits are up and you can find them HERE

OK friends, Leave me a comment by Monday morning 9:00 CST and tell me how you are fierce in the face of life, how you are choosing to put goodness into the world. I'll will pick two peeps to win all three of these sets. I'm happy to help you get it printed if you are a non computer person.
Can't wait to hear how you shine!

13 comments:

Eryn said...

wow what an inspiring post cd! I was in love with your new products already but the story behind them just makes them shine even more. Hugs for you and I'm so glad you are doing better now.
I wish I had some inspirational wisdom or tactics of my own to share here now, but I don't. I struggle with the day to day of raising 4 kids and sometimes it gets too much and so I pull myself away for a breather. I guess this is my way of making the world brighter..by removing my darkness from it! lol But it's only temporary to regain my sanity and then I can come back to my kids and enjoy them. hugs. eryn

stampin_rachel said...

I just love reading your blog & all of your products are stunning (I already grabbed the "Go Big" kit (b/c I can't pass up a sale on your stuff). I am sorry you have been suffering so much pain, but your attitude is commendable. I have two sweet girls who make my life worth living - if it weren't for them, I am not sure where I would be. I have suffered several bouts of depression, but knowing that I need to care for and raise these beautiful little ladies, makes me go one. Thanks for sharing your art and stories!

Christina Carnoy said...

Hi CD! First of all I am so glad to see that you are blogging again, I have really missed reading your posts! Secondly I am glad that you are no longer suffering. I have suffered migraines off and on since I was about 21 so I totally get the agony and to have them last for months would be unimaginable torture. Thank God you got through it!!! And praise God that you are healed! Thirdly, how I stay fierce in the midst of all the very difficult, painful, abusive crap I've been through, not to mention mild depression and anxiety, is to never stop hoping, focus on the positive, and be thankful for everything!!! Of course that is secondary to my faith in God. I wouldn't be able to do a darn thing on my own strength, as you can probably agree!!! So glad that you are back and feeling better!!!

Kathleen said...

Love your post and your philosophy. My dad is at the end of a long journey with a brain disease. He and I have had a rocky relationship over the years. A while back, I decided I needed live life with the mindset of making my decisions based on my morals. I wanted to always look back at my decisions, know I did what was right, and be proud of them. Sometimes that meant keeping my children safe from not seeing my dad. Other times, it was trying to get him help when no one else thought he was sick. Now, it's letting go of the past and helping him as he faces the end of his life. We all have our struggles, don't we.

Kal said...

xoxo

Unknown said...

I am struggling to deal with my son's health problems right now, seems like it's 1 step forward, 2 steps back and never any definitive answers. I'm trying to not let that be the focus of our lives, and instead enjoy this fun toddler stage, have fun doing what he can do, and not let his health problems slow us down!

CD said...

I think it's actually a pretty good thing to let your kids see you take a "time out" when you need one. Teaches them that it is ok to take care of yourself so you can be your best for others! See, you're totally Rawkin it Eryn :) thanks so much for taking the time to pop in and read my stories xo

CD said...

Oh Rachel, you are such a sweetie. Thanks for all of your support and cheering me on. Its nice to know whether anyone is reading all of my chitter chatter ;) I really appreciate you sharing do genuinely

CD said...

I Love that you are looking for the magic in those fleeting precious toddler moments, no matter what else is coming at you with his health. There is such healing in positivity and a wonderful Love like that...I really hope you get some solid answers soon do you will know where to go from here. Xo

Traci said...

I just wanted to say that I am so happy you shared what's going on in your life. I am a firm believer that sharing comes back, ~that's karma, right?!~ and I do not feel at all that you were sharing a "boring" story but sharing something that may very well help someone else who is reading, though I know you already know that. I want to tell you that you are an inspiration and I have missed you so much. I do know you have brighter days ahead and hope that you are feeling better, sweet girl!

farabee said...

Thanks for the opportunity to win these delightful kits. Glad life is on the upswing for you.

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