Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Lots to Share!

First off, I have a post up today over at Paper Issues where I am featuring a layout that Izzy Anderson linked for our current issue She used a really fun journaling technique, and I definitely pinned that idea!

Next, I just wanted to share my thoughts about what I want to accomplish with my blog in 2014.
A few people have mentioned to me that they like the new design. Thanks to my friend Holly, I decided to make a few changes to freshen it up a bit, and she gave me some good tips and ideas. :)

Mainly my blog is for sharing my scrapbooking with a little bit of personal life thrown in.
But since I am on the design team for Paper Issues, I will of course be promoting them at least once a week.
As you may notice under design teams listed on the right, that it is the only team I am designing for right now. Last fall I decided not to take on another term with the Crafting Ireland design team. And last week, I decided it was also time to say goodbye to Craft Your Nest as well. They are both design teams I really enjoyed being a part of for over a year and a half, but it's just time to move on.

As far as design teams go, I think my main goal right now is to concentrate on applying to a few manufacturer design teams that I really like. We will see where that leads in the next few months.

For now, I am planning on creating new blog posts on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It may be more some weeks or it may be a little less depending on my work schedule. I have decided that Fridays are going to be my "Lists with Friends" day. You can read more about that project *Here*. I am excited that quite a few blog friends have mentioned joining in with us.
Otherwise, I will be mainly sharing layouts, projects, Paper Issues news, tutorials and a little bit of family life here.

As you can see on my sidebar, I have a favorite links section. I am including Two Peas in a Bucket, because of the free classes and videos they offer. Plus, it was the site that changed scrapbooking for me forever. I have a history there. :)
I am also including Paper Issues because I currently design for and love them! Crafting Ireland, Craft Your Nest, and Scrapbooking From the Inside Out are there because as a former design team member for these sites, I feel I can personally recommend them without hesitation. They are all great resources for scrapbookers!
I have also decided to have a link list for my current favorite manufacturers that I am loving and using the most right now.

And as for my blog rolls...well, I love my blog friends whom I have met through either the Two Peas in a Bucket blog thread or What's On Your Workspace Wednesday. You are all such a great support, and I love "chatting" with you. It's like I told Julie in a message on Facebook - I wish I could get all of my blog friends together for one big scrapbook weekend crop. I think it would be so much fun!

"The people I know" blog roll are some of my favorite people I have gotten to know over the years through scrapbooking that I have met in real life or we were formerly on a design team together and stayed in touch. With the exception of "Photo Mojo" That photography blog belongs to my fabulous brother who does not scrapbook, but I love to check his blog out frequently. :)

I guess what is important is that I am feeling excited about blogging again! And putting this down in writing helps me get a good perspective on why I am blogging. And what I hope to accomplish this year! I am really looking forward to sharing my first page of 2014 with you on Friday.
And I would also like to do a small giveaway to kick off the new year...


I have a few stamp and flair sets from The Paper Bakery kit club, and one great alphabet stamp set from Elle's Studio.  There will also be a wood veneer project life card and a scrapbook mystery paperback book that didn't make it into the photo. If you would like a chance to win just leave a comment on this post. The giveaway is open until Sunday night at 6pm CST.
Thanks for stopping by today!




18 comments:

  1. What an awesome post!! So happy you have your goals/aspirations in sight!! :) What an awesome giveaway too ... LOVING those stamps!!!!!

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  2. Sounds like you have put a lot of careful thought as to how you'd like to proceed with your blog this year and it you can definitely tell that you've streamlined, organized, and kept a grasp on what's important to you! Thanks for the chance to win some goodies!

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  3. I think your goals for blogging are perfect. I love your blog!
    2 Peas is important to me too.

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  4. Its lovely to see your new direction Mary Jo, you are doing what makes you happiest and that is so important in life! Thanks for including us in your favourite links too :) And super best of luck with your design team applications plans too! PS: Love the new blog look too :)

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  5. sounds like a wonderful plan, glad you are excited!
    we seem to have done some similar thinking on this! love it

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  6. Great new look for your blog. Time is so short and you have to do with it what you can and sounds like you made those deciscions. Have a blessed New Year!

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  7. Sounds like you are on track and ready to blog! As is evident, I have been struggling but I finally cleaned my scrap area late last night and I feel like that has also given me a clearer path to start blogging again....weird, I know! Can't wait to see what you working on AND those goodies look AWESOME!!! Have a great day!

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  8. You have obviously put a lot of care and thought into the direction you are going with your blog. I admire how organised you are. I am going to think about what you have said, I seem to spend more time blogging and commenting than I do crafting these days so I need to take a serious look at the direction I want to go in too. Thank you so much for inspiring me! Anne x

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  9. This is awesome! Love the new look! It's so nice to change it up every now and then! And I'm THRILLED to be included in your Blog Friends section!! **happy dance** :)

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  10. Great post =) Good luck with DT applications =) x

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  11. LOVE your new blog look and your goals ~ they sound great. Awesome giveaway!!

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  12. Love those stamps.....and the new look is great. Always love following your blog.

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  13. I love the goals you have for your Blog Mary Jo! And good luck applying with some of your favorite Manufacturers!! Your work is always amazing, so I don't think you will have any problems!!

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  14. I love the new look, Mary Jo! Very clean and modern. The goals and ideas sound great and well thought out. I'm with you: I'd so love to do a crop with my bloggy friends. Thanks so much for featuring my layout today at PI. :)

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  15. I totally get setting some goals, trimming the day and Getting all of this written down!! Excited for 2014 for you!!

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  16. I am so so excited for your new plans for 2014! They all sound wonderful :)

    And I'm with you and Julie - can there please please please be a big blog friend weekend crop???!

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  17. Your plans sound great. I admire your determination!

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  18. It is good to put things in perspective and also write them down.
    Sound like you know what you want and I hope you achieve your goals :)

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