Jason and I are busy getting all of the last minute preparations ready for Creative Escape in Arizona next week. For those of you that going – LUCKY! For those of you not – I have learned already that it is an event like no other and if you have any desire to attend next year then I encourage you to go for it!
Heidi Swapp and Bazzill Basics Paper are the ones who make this event possible and I am flattered that Heidi would include me in her list of teachers presenting this year. Then to make it even more fun, she shared our vision of “The Jason and Kolette Hall Team” and is utilizing Jason’s skills for the keynote speech on the final evening. Over the years, Jason has proved to be amazing with all the scrapbookers out there so I think it is fitting that we do this event together – and don’t worry, we’ll have his DVD and Quote Cards available for purchase for anyone interested.
As I put together the project for the class I really wanted to focus on something meaningful to me. I figured that if it had made an impact on my life then it would have a better chance of impacting those in the class. A couple of years ago I was given an assignment by BPS to do something interesting with the new “MyBook” calendar by Per Annum. I decided to create a gratitude journal because I am not a very good journal writer and I wanted to take the time each day to find something to write down – just a sentence or two was all I wanted and the calendar’s small daily spaces gave me “permission” to not have to write more than that.
I kept that gratitude journal all year and added photos in the photo page inserts that came with the book. The experience had such an impact on me that I count it as one of the major growing times in my life. Because of that, I like to share the idea as much as I can. I have already used the actual gratitude journal in my BPS classes but my project for Creative Escape was founded on this same concept – with a twist.
Here is a sneak peek at one part of the project – I don’t want to give anything away to all of you Creative Escape goers out there! I’m very grateful for the generosity of Crate Paper, Hampton Art, Making Memories and Bazzill for making the project possible. I am looking forward to creating the project with all of you who will be at the event because I know that you will catch the vision of what is possible with a project like this.
Just do me a favor, and this goes for everyone reading this post. Start thinking about the good things in your life each day. The little things. The things that might not seem big to others but make a difference to you. Think about becoming an expert at noticing the good and ignoring the negative.
Here’s a little challenge: for the next week, think about the good in your life, in others and in yourself. I want to know what happens to you when you make a concentrated effort to find the good. For those of you that we will see at Creative Escape – I would like you to share your experience with us during class. For those of you who won’t be there, share what you find here on my blog. I’ll mention this again in my next post and you can comment there. I might even rustle up a give-away for a random comment-leaver so watch for that post!
Finding Good. That’s what gratitude is all about and that is what is on my mind this week before Creative Escape. Let’s face it – it’s not possible to find too much good in our lives.
And now’s the time to start looking. Happy Good Hunting!
I love this Kolette! I think we all need a reminder to find gratitude, rather than negativity in situations.
I wish you a wonderful time there, and maybe I’ll meet you there next year. Can’t wait to see what my friends come back with from your class. I just know they’re going to be making something really, really amazing!
I am upset! I had been signed up and all set to attend Creative Escape this year. Then, for financial reasons, had to back out. I had NO idea that you and Jason were going to be there. Had I known, I would have figured out a way to get there no matter what!
I can’t wait to meet you both at CE and see the project I’m so excited, CE is my one escape from WOrk, Family, Home, Scouts, Awana, Life in general each year.
I will have to pay attention so I can go next year. Those of you who are going are in for a wonderful experience. Kolette and Jason, you are quite a team. Listening to the two of you at CKU Stamford a few years ago gave me great perspective at a time when I sorely needed to quit feeling sorry for myself and get on with appreciating my blessings and living the best life I could.
Thanks for the inspiration. A lot of the times – we do focus on the negative and not the postive. I wish I was going to AZ to take your class, will you be offering it somewhere else. Would love to see the whole journal – love to make my own. Have a great time.
Kolette, Thank you for this message! I will be attending CE this week – I have been wanting to since the event was first announced… So I am grateful that it is finally happening. I am also grateful that this week I have had the opportunity to appreciate and welcome the support of friends and loved ones – Now is a difficult time – and the love around me has been strengthening.
The class sounds great, and I think the scrappers will be so incredibly blessed by Jason, I know I was blessed by you both in the Art of Becoming More. I need to make myself a gratitude journal… hmmmm… now you have got my wheels turning!
I have been doing this gratitude journal (from your BPS Giving Well 2007 class) this year and I Love It! You’re right -it’s just the right size for me to jot a note each day and I love picking out the pictures for each month. It has been just what I need to keep the positive front and center. Enjoy CE.
Kolette, I love this idea and can’t wait to meet you this week at CE! I think it’s so important to remember the good we have. It’s way too easy to concentrate on the negative! Thank you!!
Kolette, I’m so excited that you and Jason will be at CE this year! I had a chance to hear him when he spoke to our Young Women, and am SO looking forward to his presentation on Saturday night. Thanks for the sneak peek, and congrats on the baby!
Wow, what a fabulous project. I love this idea and would love to try it out. We just left Arizona in July, but hopefully you’ll be out there again in a couple years when we return!
smiles, Jami
OMG!! The G stands for Goodness. I soo wish I could afford to go. I truly need a gratitude journal. Hopefully I will get to see a finished product or maybe you will be offering it somewhere. big Hugs.