Wednesday, January 15, 2014

"What Do You Want?" a Winner and a Giveaway

Blogging is such a personal experience. I started blogging because I wanted a creative outlet and thought it would be fun. It has become so much more than that. Over time, I kind of followed what everyone else was doing because I thought that is what I wanted too. Somewhere along the way I got lost in it and confused about what the goal was. Was it to have fun? to make friends? to be creative? a friendly competition? 

I wasn't sure.

I did know that I loved the art of it. I did know that when I made a pretty card I felt happy. And the people were the nicest and became real friends to me. But I didn't really know more than that. One day I spoke to Joscelyne Cutchens (my Gallery Idol pal and winner for 2012) who asked me a simple question: WHAT DO YOU WANT?

And I didn't know the answer.

I thought the best solution was to back away from it for a while and "Operation Fade Out" began. When each of my design team term finished I happily removed it from the sidebar and then waited for the next one to be completed. The goal was to be free so I could think about what I wanted to do with my time and the blog. I didn't want to just make cards. I wanted to read and spend more time with my kids and exercise! Things that I used to do more of, but got replaced with cards. 

When I really thought about it, there were a few companies who were on my love list. and Crate Paper was on top of that list. I have said many times on my blog that the Maggie Holmes collection is my favorite of all time. So I made a mental note to myself that this was the company that I wanted to stay for, love, and work for. The whole time thinking there was no stinking way they would EVER notice me. It was my hail Mary idea as I continued Operation Fade Out. 


Over the Christmas break, I got an email that changed my whole blogging life. I was asked to join Crate Paper.

me?

ME?!


Hooray for wishes and dreams and goals. 
I am a Crate Paper Girl!!



In celebration for my dream come true, I made my own GIFF. I fell in love with Maggie Holmes version HERE.  Sometimes my girls and I like to take photos together in my craft room. This was a few months ago. Next time I will put my make up on and look more fancy, but I had to use what I had! I am also giving away one Maggie Holmes for Crate Paper paper pack and some other CP doodads. Leave a comment for a chance to win. Deadline is Monday January 20th at midnight EST.





And finally the winner of my Reverse Confetti stamp set is: AMY TSURUTA!!


I will be contacting you shortly Amy!

You can see some cards I made for Crate Paper for CHA HERE.

82 comments:

  1. I've mostly said it all already, so I'll just summarise: I am so proud of you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Woo hoo! Congratulations, Wida! Well done on focusing on what you wanted. I'm so excited for you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congratulations Sweetie! That is such wonderful news. They are lucky to have you. Yes, Wida. They are lucky to have YOU! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yippie for you, I think you've found yourself! Have a wonderful time making pretty things and be sure to still spend lots of time with those pretty things sittin' on your lap :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. YOU. Are the cutest. And I'm so, SO happy for you. Seriously <3

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ha ha - super cute! I'm so happy for you! Congrats and enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  7. congratulations! crate paper is lucky to have beautiful you <3

    ReplyDelete
  8. you're the cutest! You know how happy i am for you!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congratulations! Great GIFF and I love that paper pad :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love the photo(s) of you and your girls ! So, so sweet. Congrats on your design team spot with CP!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Yahoooooooo! I'm so very happy for you! Crate Paper is lucky to have you! Love your giff, love that your dream came unexpectedly true, love your style, love you❤️

    ReplyDelete
  12. Congratulations, and sending a big hug your way!
    Very happy for you!! Yes to dreams coming true! :D
    Oh, and the pictures with your girls; TOTALLY CUTE!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wida, I know how huge this is for you and I am just thrilled for you!!!! So happy this dream of yours has come true. As for that gif? HOLY CUTE BATMAN!!! I just love you and your beautiful girls!!!! LOVE!!!!!!! You are such a beauty! Inside and out! Never forget it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. YAY! Congrats to you - and thanks for the encouraging words! It is always good to remember why we started crafting - and so easy to lose sight of it as well!

    housesbuiltofcards@gmail.com
    www.housesbuiltofcards.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. CONGRATULATIONS!! Love the video reaction party!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
    Congrats....I am sooooooooooooooooooooooo happy for you... "Crate Girl"
    p.s. pretty happy with my Freida too :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Congratulations! I hope that you continue to enjoy your creating - you are certainly inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  18. ah, you and your darlings are too sweet! Congrats! I know what it's like to get an email like that from a company you love! I know you will knock our socks off with their fabulous product and your wonderful creations :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Woo hoo, a big YAY for dreams come true! I'm so happy for you, Wida!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Very happy for you, Wida! A big congratulations. Love the animated photo of you and your girls :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. congrats ...glad you have reached your goal... All the best. Your little angels are adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hooray!! I don't know what else to say, since we've pretty much discussed every aspect of this journey. ;) I'm so thrilled that you achieved your goal. Crate Paper is lucky to have you--your designs are so gorgeous! As an aside, I'm glad you got the gif to work! It's cool!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Congrats on getting your dream spot! Love the cards!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh Wida, this is such AWESOME NEWS!!!! What a big deal! I know you've been having these "what the heck and I doing" thoughts, which I think many people can relate to on one level or another, and it's SO WONDERFUL to see a happy ending. This is YOU, Fits you perfectly. Way to be proactive about managing your time, and look at the results. Couldn't be happier for you, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hooray, Wida!!!! This is AWESOME news!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am sooooo excited for you, my crafty friend!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. So happy for you Wida, how exciting!!! Your art is beautiful, they made a wise choice!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Aw.....isn't that something? I still remember a while back that I was reading about you wanted to be a Crate Paper girl....wow, that is amazing! I am over the moon for you, Wida! Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That little reaction with the two cuties is simply darling! And lesson learned here: when you had lost the goal, it will find you....eventually :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Congrats!! You deserve it. Your words really spoke to me today, as I've been feeling the exact same way for over a year. Thank you for letting me know I'm not alone and it is defintely time to get going on what I want! So excited for you. Been admiring your work for awhile.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Yay! Congratulations! Can not wait to see what you create for them! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I'm cheering for you all the way from Texas! Woo Hoo!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Congratulations, Wida! I think you made the right choice to back away from the blogging, and try to figure out where it fits in your life. Its so easy for it to become all-consuming. And yay for your dream-come-true! We all look forward to seeing some Wida-originals with Crate Paper.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Congrats Wilda, I've just discovered this company over here in the UK and they are such pretty paper and the embellishments are adorable, hope to see your creations soon, Rebecca x

    ReplyDelete
  33. Way to go Wida! They are lucky to have you!

    ReplyDelete
  34. This is wonderful and truly deserved, Wida!!! I'm so happy for you! And they should feel happy for themselves, because having you is one of the best things that could happen to a company :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Wida - such excellent news! Crate Paper is fortunate to have you. As for us: double yayyyy....more of your fabulous creativity to be gazed at and admired. Your 'story' reveals so clearly the importance of doing what YOU want, clearing the clutter, focusing your vision, holding fast to dreams and having hope. You're an inspiration! I think I, too, need to reconsider my goals with crafting (well, aside from becoming a better, more creative card-maker...and whew, that will be a long road before coming to fruition). For you, it started with Operation Fade Out (fabulous term); perhaps for me, it's Operation 'Figure Out.' You're awesome - thanks for sharing your news! Now, you and your girls - it doesn't get more darling than that!!
    c

    ReplyDelete
  36. How wonderful that you accomplished your dream, AND wonderful that we will still get to see your creations. i am glad Operation Fade Out is no longer.... Congratulations!!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Congrats, Wida!! I told you, you could do it!! So happy that your dream come true!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Don't count me in for the giveaway. I just wanted to congratulate you on a fairy tale ending! Crate Paper--YAY! I just bought three pads of that paper because I fell in love with the bokeh, and I thought it was being retired. So happy Beachorado will still be around for a while, too. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  39. How awesome! Congrats on your happy news! This is YOUR year! :)

    ReplyDelete
  40. A HUGE Congrats to you, Wida! So happy for you! I'm fairly new to the card making realm, so have never got my hands on any Crate Paper!! I sure hope to try it! Thanks for the opportunity to win some! Love your style and I know you will do a fantastic job for Crate Paper!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Congratulations, how wonderful and so very exciting for you and us that will be delighted to see all of your creative and inspirating creations you will be making and sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Whew...glad to hear that Operation Fade Out is over! Seriously, Wida, congrats on figuring it all out! I'm proud of you, and love seeing you with your kids! You are beautiful inside and out! Hugs...

    ReplyDelete
  43. Good for you!! Congrats big time. :)
    Thanks for offering blog candy. How yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Awesome ! This is what I want! Focus on a company you love - and make the cut! GO you! Mission accomplished! SO happy here Wida!!

    ReplyDelete
  45. So happy for everything coming together for you!
    Laura Holt
    [Google will show me as "unknown"]

    ReplyDelete
  46. Woo Hoo. So happy for you. Love the happy jumping girls on this post.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Cute pic :) and congrats to you! Love crate paper!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Congratulations, Wida! I'm so thrilled for you!!

    ReplyDelete
  49. some times I just love to say, see, I told you so! I am so happy for you! xox

    ReplyDelete
  50. I just found your blog recently and love your cards. Congratulations on your news, and more importantly, on taking the time to figure out what you really want!

    ReplyDelete
  51. CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am so very happy for you Wida, your dreams are coming true! Hugs<3

    ReplyDelete
  52. Congratulations!! I'm so happy for you! I can totally relate to everything you said here. Sometimes I wonder what I'm doing all of this for and if it's what I really want too. You are your girls are totally ADORABLE!!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Wow! That's really good news! I could quote a few sentiments (not sure from what stamp sets...): "wish big", "always believe that something good is about to happen", but it's always better to be genuine. So... BIG congratulations! Crate Paper has some very cool products. Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Hi Wida! What great news!!! You deserve it you are so talented and really hard-working :)

    ReplyDelete
  55. Congrats! I've just been following you since New Year's Day, but I think you are so wonderful and I'm so happy for you to have reached a goal that you really wanted! I too love Maggie Holmes! So Happy For You! Robin

    ReplyDelete
  56. Congrats Wida:-)!!! You so deserve it! Love the GIFF of you and your kids. I should sit back and relax more often too. Thanks for the chance and again, congrats and good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Hooray Wida!!! Congratulations! Crate Paper is so blessed to have you on their team. :)

    ReplyDelete
  58. Right on!! I'm happy that Crate Paper "finally" made the right decision and brought you on board! Your family is adorable!!!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Congratulations on becoming a "Crate Paper Girl"!! I am so excited for you! I, too, have wanted to start a blog, but do not want to get burdened down by lots of "extras"!! I will wait and see what comes! Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  60. How awesome for you Wida! Congratulations! Blogging is fun but can be "work" too sometimes...you've obviously set sail in the right direction...have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Congratulations! And thanks for the giveaway chance :)

    ReplyDelete
  62. Congratulations on becoming a Crate Paper Girl. Love the GIF!

    ReplyDelete
  63. CONGRATULATIONS!!! I can feel the joy oozing out of my monitor looking at the happy, happy, happy GIF!!!
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  64. I really enjoyed your honest, thoughtful post. Sometimes when we let go, the universe sends just what we need. Congrats! I so love your work and look forward to more inspiration with Crate Paper designs-- LOVE their DIY Shop collection. All the best!

    ReplyDelete
  65. OMG!! CONGRATS Wida!! I'm so STINKING' HAPPY for you!! ;) I have LOVED your work FOREVER and it was a DREAM for me to be on the Paper Smooches SPARKS DT with you!!! ;) I know you don't really know who I am, but I can't wait to be INSPIRED by you and your totally AMAZING creations!! I blog when I can and I struggle with the fact that I can't make it to more of my FAVORITE Blogs (like yours) more often!! I barely have time to get challenges entered and then cards for pubs done let alone visit all the blogs I'd like to visit and be the mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend, DT Creator I'm supposed to be on top of it too!! So please know even if I don't visit as much as I'd like I LOVE your Blog and I look forward to your future creations as a Crate Paper Girl!! YIPPEE!! ;) have a Afabulous Week!! P.S wish I looked that cute without makeup on!! ;) love the pics!!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Hey Wida, I wanted to let you know I referenced you in my current post: http://pinnednpenned.wordpress.com/2014/01/20/a-brighter-day-indeed-thoughts-on-the-creative-journey/
    Thanks for getting me thinking!!

    ReplyDelete
  67. FABULOUS, FABULOUS news Wida :) :) :) Dreams are free, and when they come true it's AMAZING :)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by...