Tuesday, May 31, 2011

The Dreaded C Word...

...Change!
I had a fun, crafty blog post ready to share today, but it’s going to have to wait. I have something on my mind that I could really use your help with. 

Change. 

Change is hard. Change is also inevitable. Things never stay the same. They’re in a constant state of motion. Ebb and flow. Evolution. Shift. 
I have and always have had a hard time with change. Especially big change. I like comfort. Things I know. People I know. Skills I know. The life I know. Don’t get me wrong. I love spontaneity. I love meeting new people. Learning new skills. Taking on new challenges. But I like these things happening while the foundation stays the same. 
Change. scares. me.
I know. It happens everyday. I see friends, family, and coworkers making major changes in their lives all the time. But, even if it’s THEIR change, if it impacts me in the slightest way, I feel it. I worry. I think about it. A LOT. And I often get sad, especially if their change involves them not being a regular fixture in my life anymore for whatever reason (move, new job, etc.). 
Today, however, I felt a big push for change in a particular area of my life. I didn’t see it coming. And I don’t want to see it now. But it’s here. It’s tapping on my shoulder, telling me... 

...something needs to change. 

I don’t know what that looks like, exactly. I don’t know if it’s a change in thinking or if it’s bigger than that. Honestly, I’m probably lying to myself (and to you) by saying that. I think I really know that it IS bigger, but I don’t want it to be. I want to be comfortable. I want to be confident. For me, confidence comes from doing what I know. Being who I know. Change takes all of that and turns it on its head.
My question for you--how do you know when it’s time to make a change? 

Do you just feel it in your gut as I did today? If so, do you acknowledge that feeling, or do you shove it back down? If you acknowledge, how do you go about doing that? Do you act on it right away? If you shove it back, do you find it ultimately shows itself anyway, or do you move on and still feel fulfilled, never to hear from it again?
I’m torn. I want to shove. I want to ignore. Who knows, maybe it won’t even be an issue when the sun comes up. What if I act prematurely and find myself regretting the decision? 


I’m sick. I’ve been sick for over a week with the cold that won’t die. This has to alter my perspective. 


I’m on a new medicine, which is also messing with me. 


Speaking of medicine, I’m currently without my narcolepsy medicine, which always makes a BIG impact. 


I’m stressed. I’ve been away from the office for two full weeks. That makes for a lot of catch-up. 


In other words, I’m probably not of sound mind. And I probably wasn’t when this desire for change hit me. SO, I’m left. Pondering...

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

My Secret's Out! (And a super cool prize!)

At last, it’s May 10th, which means all secrets can finally be revealed. Okay, perhaps I won’t be sharing ALL of my secrets, but I can share a BIG one that I’ve been keeping for the better part of year. Ready?
Creative Spaces with Megan Hoeppner hits newsstands today! 

At last, the project that consumed my life for a while is here. Well worth the work and the wait!

I was given the opportunity to write this Creating Keepsakes special issue, based on my former magazine column of the same name! And I’m so, so excited to finally be sharing this news with you. (It was a difficult secret to keep.) *doing happy jig* 

See the bitty text beneath "Spaces?" That's my name. Me! Isn't that neat?

This special issue is about a creative topic near and dear to my heart--organization. In it, I take you on an impressive tour of craft rooms around the globe. A total of 45 scrapbookers you know and love have invited us into their homes for a look at how they set up their creative surroundings. This includes a stop at my home, so I thought I’d share a peek of some of what you'll see inside my room. 

These boxes contain my stamp sets and stamping supplies. I have the sets divided by type (wood and clear) and theme (background, alpha, sentiments, holidays, natural elements, etc.).
As seen in the Creative Spaces 2011 special issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine. Copyright Creative Crafts Group. Posted with prior permission from the publisher.


I put some of my smaller sets and loose stamps inside of this wrapped shoebox.  And those basic (and cheap) mag boxes were dressed up with decorative packing tape. 

You can see more of this issue in the Creating Keepsakes online sneak peek here, including a look at Amber Packer's spectacular space, which happens to be one of my favorites. 

Gift for You!
Since this is a release party, I thought I’d provide a favor. How does free shipping on this issue sound? If you purchase the issue in the CK store, you can get free shipping on US orders by entering SPACESBB when you check out. 
Win a Copy!
Speaking of FREE, how does a free copy sound? I have one to give away. Simply leave me a comment here, and I’ll randomly select one as my winner. You have until Friday, May 13 to be eligible. 


Thanks SO much for celebrating this accomplishment with me. The entire CK team and I are very proud of this issue and hope you’ll love it as much as we do. 

And I'd like to add a great big word of thanks to the CK team. There's no way I could have done all of this without them. Especially you, Miss Jackson. Love you gals! 
Cheers! 

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Thanks, Mom!

Mom card: Patterned paper: BasicGrey, Jillibean Soup, and Making Memories; Letter stickers: My Mind's Eye; Star: Studio Calico; Baker's Twine: Papertrey Ink; Border punch: EK Success. 

Today and always, I’m thankful for my sweet mama. She does so much for our entire family. She’s our star, which is why I made her this card. Mothers are such gifts to our world. Happy Mother’s Day to my own Schmom and all the other beautiful mothers out there. Thanks for all you sacrifice to make this world a better place.

A blurry photo, but still one of my favorites. Mom and I were on our way to Denver. She's one of my favorite travel companions! 

Cheers!
Megan

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Free Fun for Nat'l Scrapbooking Day (and a giveaway)

Hat image from Creative Party Blog
Party hat? Check!
Streamers? Check!
Cake? Check!
Scrap Stash? Check!

Looks like we have everything we need to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day, so let's get this party started. Hop on over to the Big Picture Classes website and join me for a little scrapbooking fun. (Click here to register.) I've teamed up with 11 other amazing women to host an all-day scrapping extravaganza. There are free prizes, free downloads, free classes, and more! That's a whole lotta free.



The schedule is below. Look at all of the creative folks joining in this celebration. Wow! I hope you'll be by to say hi at 11:00 PDT, which is when I'll be sharing my ideas. I have a fun storage project, a challenge for you, and a giveaway that I'm super excited to tell you about. Looking forward to "seeing" you soon.
  





Win Stuff!
Leave a comment here for a chance to win a scrapbooking mystery box. After all, what would a party be without the favors? I'll randomly select a winner on Tuesday of next week, so you have until then to comment.

Happy Nat'l Scrapbooking Day!
Megan

Friday, May 6, 2011

Charity Boutique this Weekend

Hi there, friends! It's been a while. How have you been? I've been busy, busy, working on several projects. I'll share info on those projects here on my blog over the next week, starting with this post. Check out this pile of posies. My fingers are basically nubby stumps at this point, because I've been making so many bracelets.


These happy accessories will be available at a charity boutique this weekend. Proceeds from this event go to the Children's Miracle Network. If you're in the Salt Lake area, I'd love for you to stop by and visit. There are SO many amazing things for sale, whether you're looking for a Mother's Day gift or just some fun new spring treats. I hope I'll see you there. Here's the info:


Spring Boutique
Friday, May 6th 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 7th 11 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
13400 South  922 East  (Draper) 
(Take Fort Street to 13400 S.
Turn East,  2nd house on the Right) 
* Look for Pink & Yellow Balloons  


P.S. If you're not in Utah but you're interested in ordering a posie bracelet, e-mail me at M2E2G @ aol.com. I take custom orders and would be happy to make a bloom for you. Thanks! :)