Happy Friday, everyone! Are you all ready for the big Easter weekend? I finished up all of my shopping & preparations yesterday. I am looking forward to sharing the special holiday with the kids this year.
I thought I would stop by before the weekend kicks off and provide you with a few fun links that I have been meaning to share…
—>If you haven't checked out this amazing blog yet, you simply must head over there immediately! The Bright Side Project not only introduces me to new & unique products available online, it gives me a dose of happiness each and every morning when I wake up! Here is their story that first intrigued me about their project, taken directly from the "about us" portion of their blog….
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Once upon a time, it was very, very gloomy. The skies thundered, the economy crumbled, and people only spoke to grumble. Everything looked bleak, bleak, bleak.
Until one day, shortly after a market crash and right before another round of layoffs, a girl named Miss B. came up with a terrifically bright idea. As she later explained to her friend and business partner, Miss K., their mission would be to scour the world for the best in fashion, design, and décor. Then, one by one and everyday, they would give it all away to some very lucky people.
This is how The Bright Side Project began on a wintry, gray day in February.
In February they gave away art for 28 days, In March they gave away 31 days of accessories. In April, they celebrated social conscience with 30 days of eco-friendly everything. And so on, and so on, and so on. Suddenly things didn’t seem so bleak anymore.
In fact, metaphorically speaking, the sun started to shine 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and everyone stopped for a second to remember life is (still) beautiful and there is goodness in the world.
To learn more about how The Bright Side Project works, click here.
An amazing perspective to have, isn't it? Any who, I hope you will stop by and visit "The Bright Side", and heck, throw your comment into the mix to have a chance to win each day!
—>I stumbled upon a fabulous etsy shop that sells some of the most unique purses & handbags I have ever seen! Quote Bag Studio features one-of-a-kind bags with some of them featuring the unique twist of a small leather label on the interior, embossed with a meaningful quote. They also have a blog to showcase more details about the bags as well as keep you up to date with what's new. One of my very favorite posts they did was where they showed how they go about selecting hardware for their bags. There's also THIS POST about their design process and how they create paper models before delving into the fabric production. SO FUN and fascinating! You'll have to check them out!
—>I read an amazing book while on vacation last week. The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright. LOVED IT! It is one of the best love stories I have ever read. I won't give away too many of the details, but the basis of the story is on the fact that it is discovered that a man wrote to his wife each and every Wednesday throughout the course of their 20+ year marriage. Fascinating, gripping, emotional and a true page turner that you totally will not be able to put down! I highly recommend it! Have you read t already? What did you think of it?
—>Do you subscribe to our monthly newsletter? Jennifer Ellefson does a wonderful job of putting it together each month and the April newsletter that went out yesterday was no exception! In case you missed it, links to two new videos were included and I thought I would share them here as well. They highlight some super fun ways to re-use & re-purpose supplies that you probably have just laying around the house!
I think that's all for today! Enjoy your holiday weekend! I hope you find some time to be creative!
Newsletter???? I am looking and don’t see a link for that. How could I have missed it! I will keep looking and find the link I am sure–Happy, Happy Easter!
Thanks for the great link to The Bright Side Project–we all need sunshine in our life everyday. Happy Easter to you and your family.
I have read Wednesday Letters and wow what an ending huh…I wish I could say more as well but alas don’t want to spoil it for others. I passed it on to a few friends and one loved it as much as I did and the other just thought it was ok. I thought it was a great read and second your recomendation.
Wishing a very Happy Easter to you and your family.
Nichole,
Thank you for the bright spot on my computer, you are a very generous soul. I am grateful for your sharing and your inspiration; and now I have another spot to check out in “my favorites” with the inclusion of your recommendation of The Bright Side Project.
I am looking for a new book to read so I will try out Wednesday Letters. Ever since I read yesterday’s newsletters I have been looking for things to emboss. I tried toothpick randmonly scattered. I loved it. Then I took several coins of different denominations and used them, great look. If it is standing still it may get embossed. My son told me he is glad he is too big to fit in the Big Shot. Thanks for everything!! Happy Easter!!
great projects…love the paperclip card
Thanks for the dose of inspiration this morning. I, too, have read The Wednesday Letters. It was certainly a great read.
I just wanted to let you know how special you and all of the ladies have become to me in the last year. Your collective knowledge and creativity are truly inspirational. It has become a special part of my day to check in and see what wonderful things you have come up with. I feel like you are all my BFF’s, even though we have never met. I love all your new products and great ideas. Keep up the good work!!
Your site is so special. I wanted you to know that I drew inspiration from your ideas about storing ribbon. http://www.containchaos.com/?p=436
Thanks for sharing new techniques with us! Visiting Papertrey’s blogs is like taking a stamping class. I love learning new things.
Happy Easter to you and your family Nichole!
I have gained so much inspiration from Papertrey Ink, the DT and the wonderful group on the forum. What a talented crew!!
I love the paper clip embossing!! Now I am thinking of what else to use for embossing on paper…maybe washers for bolts, those would leave lovely circles on the paper! Oh now the wheels are turning!!
Happy Easter to you! I just wanted to let you know that I know author Jason Wright’s brother, Jeff. Jason’s stories are great, aren’t they?
Happy Easter, Nichole! Jason Wright is my husband’s first cousin! He’ll be thrilled to hear you like the book!
thanks so much for doing these videos! such great ideas!
Happy Easter to you and your family! Thank you for sharing these “Bright Side Project”. We can always look for the sunshine under a cloud. Thank you, too, for the videos!
Sending lots of Happy Easter wishes to you and your family! Thank you for the book recommendation, who doesn’t love a good love story to read? I’ve never heard of this one so Im doubly glad you posted it. :o)
Thanks for the link to the Etsy store — love that bag! I read The Wednesday Letters last year and absolutely loved it!
Papertrey Ink is one of my favorite sites. You have the best products, terrific service always have new ideas. Blessed Easter to you and your family. Thank you for always inspiring me.
I really must read the book you suggested, but I don’t know if I could handle it. You see, my dad wrote my mother a letter every single day while he was in Vietnam on duty. My mom kept every one of those letters. She gave them to me after he passed away seven years ago. There were so many letters that if filled up a big cardboard box. Shortly after his death, I pulled out one of those letters and didn’t even make it through to the end. I cried so hard because you could see the love he had for my mother and for his two dauthers in each and every word he wrote. I put the letter back in the box and closed the box. Some day I hope to put them in a binder in chronological order. But for now, it’s staying in the box.
LOVE the paperclip embossed card!
Thanks for sharing your time and creativity.
The paperclip and frog card is adorable!
Love all the ideas!! And a very happy easter to everyone @ PTI
ps: i got this bag http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43986592&ref=em in the Suan Lum market in Bangkok for half the price they sell on etsy…
Thanks, Nichole! I will look for the book and today I added “The Bright Side” to my list of favourite websites! Happy Easter! Looking forward to the April release!
Like the others, I have been thinking of items to try embossing. I have some different sized circular paper clips that I plan on putting through my Cuttlebug. Thanks for the idea.
The Wednesday Letters is an incredibly moving story. I read it last year and wondered if my marriage might have survived if a weekly letter had been shared. I plan on giving the book to my daughter when (if?) she marries.
You and the ladies in your DT help brighten my day.
I loved that book! I think it should be a movie! I can’t believe it’s not as popular as it is.
Thanks so much for the awesome video tutorials and site links. And that books sounds amazing. So cool of you to share your awesome finds with us.