Terri Conrad Designs

Listening is an act of Love

The essence of America lies not in the headlined heroes...but in the everyday folks who live and die unknown, yet leave their dreams as legacies.  Alan Lomax, 1940

While ordering my venti wet cappucino at my local Starbucks last week, I was compelled to return to my car to pick up a bit more cash to return to the store and purchase Dave Isay's book Listening is an Act of Love.  The title alone captured my undivided attention.  How often does someone take the time, make the time, to listen to what you have to say, to listen to the story of your life, or even a part of the story of your life?

When I quietly launched Heroes in the Hood - Sisterhood two months ago, I was unaware of Dave Isay's book, and his organization StoryCorps.  I also had not yet had the opportunity to talk with some terrific people over at scrapbooking.com and learn about their platform and desire to readjust the focus of scrapbooking to storytelling.  What a beautiful marriage - storytelling and scrapbooking!

This, I believe, is why I am so grateful to have a place, professionally, in the scrapbook industry - I have the privilege of designing product for the distinct purpose of memorializing our story; and encouraging, inspiring and nurturing each of you in the journey of telling your unique story.  If you haven't learned about Heroes in the Hood - Sisterhood yet, please visit and consider submitting your story of courage through adversity, or story of heroism. In my Heart & Hand Crafted Boutique on my website you can purchase a limited edition "Pieces of my Heart" paper crafting kit for yourself, or a loved one. 

This holiday season consider giving a gift that will be unique, like no other...record a loved one's story, on a CD, in a scrapbook journal - or both.  WOW!  Capture the whispers of wisdom from your grandfather, mother, best friend, child, or your own.

I have begun to design a few albums for this distinct purpose . . . I'm looking forward to sharing them with you in the next couple days.

Til then, remember - listening is an act of love; create a keepsake that records your story, or a loved one's - give a little love this holiday season!

More tomorrow, or the day after . . .for today, blessings to all!

Terri

Create Joy!

"Joy is not in things, it is in us." Richard Wagner

I LOVE the holiday season for oh, so many reasons.  My daughter, Katelyn asked me if every holiday falls on the same date, realizing that Thanksgiving was on a different date this year.  As we discussed the various holidays, she then pointed out that, "of course birthdays are always on the same date, and so is Christmas, because it's a birthday too."  I was so proud of her..."Yes, Katelyn, Christmas is a birthday, the best ever!"  As the masses rush out today to shop, I joyfully sit in my pj's (still at 12:15 pm!).  You could be too, and commit to buy hand made this year - and shop on line!  In response to my recent post on the topic of JOY, I designed this gorgeous heart, laced in french antique and velvet ribbon.  Click  here to buy "Joy in my Heart."

Now, I still need to hear from these ladies, WINNERS IN MY "12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS" holiday give away:

Elaine @ a place for ink

Amanda (need contact info)

LORI CRAIG (need contact information)

SHERI WALKER (need contact information)

TAMMY SCS Feathers & InK (need contact information)

Each of you has won a complete collection of my Winter Wonderland holiday paper and rub ons from Webster's Pages.

Thank you Christine, from My Pages Talk for joining in on the fun!  Christine has shipped some of her product to Terri Conrad Designs so we can include one recorder in each of the last few give aways. I designed one and am totally sold on this concept.  I only wish I had more than 30 seconds of time . . .cuz you all know I have a lot to say.  OMG!  I can think of 1000 ways to use these little goodies.

I recall meeting Christine & her sis at the summer CHA show.  They are just the nicest girls, and I adore innovative people and their ideas -

Are you ready to shop, win and play the "12 Days of Christmas"

HERE'S HOW:

1.  leave me a jolly good message on my blog, including your link to your blog (or email addy if no blog);

2.  click on this image and post it on your blog with these links:

Shop Terri Conrad Designs' and play "12 Days of Christmas" on Terri Conrad's Blog

3.  Commit to buy hand made this season and shop for gorgeous gifts like this artisan print and keepsake box for your best friend, mother, sister, or grandmother.

  Or, you could create something yourself and give it as a gift -- and here's just that something special that will carry so much meaning, a kit filled with all you need from my "Pieces of my Heart" collection 

I suppose I ought to eat some lunch now, get outa my pj's and get on with the rest of my day -

I wish you all joy!

Terri

Giving Thanks

  let us have a grateful heart for what we have

the love of my family

a family

a place where I belong

work that I love

my faith and the freedom to express what I believe

my health

shelter

laughter

joy

creativity

food

hope

friendship

new possibilities

Memory Makers gives more idea starters for your Gratitude Journal.

Happy Thanksgiving - Give a hug, ask for a hug, find joy in the moment.

Terri

"12 Days of Christmas" and counting . . .

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself.
Norman W. Brooks, “Let Every Day Be Christmas”

We're still playing the "12 Days of Christmas" and giving away

a gift a day -  it's as simple as 1, 2, 3!

1.  post a comment on my blog, with a link to your blog (no blog, no worry, simply post your email address along with your message).

2.  shop Terri Conrad Designs for lots of goodies to warm your heart & home this holiday season.  We created a special holiday Boutique, Ting-a-Ling, stuffed full with beautifully designed pieces featuring many of Terri's Webster' Pages products.

3.  click on the "12 Days of Christmas" image below and post it onto your blog, along with these two links:

Terri Conrad Designs' "Ting-a-Ling" Boutique

visit Terri Conrad Designs' blog inviting your readers to shop, play & win too!

Lot's of little lovelies have been added to my  Ting-a-Ling Boutique; "Christmas in my Heart" is a gorgeous shimmering, sugary 6x6 original collage with scallopped edges. Click here to order.

And take a look at this beauty of a star

And take a look at this shining beauty of a star - click here to buy.  Of course, you'll also find lot's of beautiful matted prints available for purchase as well.

It's not too late to place an order for your custom holiday cards . . .email inquiry to terriconraddesigns@ca.rr.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING WINNERS (Friday thru Monday's "12 Days of Christmas).

(for 11/16) Lori Craig 

(for 11/17) SUZY @
http://blog.papermonkey.org/

(for 11/18) Sheri Walker 

(for 11/19) Tammy SCS-Feathers&ink 

email me with your address & Webster's Pages will ship a holiday paper kit out to each of you.

Here's the image to click and past onto your blog if you want to shop, play & win our "12 Days of Christmas" (remember to follow steps 1-3 above).

Do something nice today - Cheers!

"Joy"

(EDITED ON SATURDAY 11/17) Thank you for your heartfelt response to this post.  As I shared with some of you, your greatest compliment is that what I may say, write, or do in my actions has on some level inspired and or encouraged you - for that is my deepest desire.  In light of the content of this post I am electing to take the week end to inquire within and reflect.

Please continue to post, play shop and win (read Nov 14 post below to learn how), and on Monday morning I will post the Friday-thru Sunday's winners.

May you know JOY today - blessings to each of you -

I didn't personally know Joy, or her sparkle, or warmth, all evident and radiating in her photograph . . .her photograph. 

This statement has significant and multiple meaning for me because joy, the emotional feeling, has eluded me for quite some time, as have photographs for a myriad of reasons.  However, this week, with the untimely death of an obviously vibrant, young woman, wife, mother, and teacher at my daughters' school has given me pause to consider a great many things.

One, that joy is a choice, it is an attitude that is born from within, irrespective of circumstances -

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."  James 2:3-4 

and two, (as I have been preoccupied with photographs this week, finally unpacking them after our fire evacuation a couple weeks ago) that I need to get back in the picture!

Looking through our family photos, I am all too aware I am in very few over the past seven years.  My youngest is going to be eight in one month.  When she grows up, and her early childhood memory fades, what will she and her sister have to recall and consider it pure joy?  Mommy wasn't in the picture!

I have shared some valuable conversations this week with some influential people in the scrapbook industry who have, along with my week's experiences, given me the opportunity to develop a different perspective on the real value of scrapbooking. 

I am, as you know an artist, I have a vested interest in the scrapbooking industry.  Now, I am proud to say I have a vested interest in scrapbooking. Capturing moments in time on film, and placing those photographs in a book or on a DVD, are and will continue to be a contribution to my sense of value, to my family and my appreciation for the time we share together, and to my children as a gift reflecting the past, present and future.  I shall "consider it pure joy."  It is a privilege to be a part of the scrapbook industry from a professional perspective; it is a pleasure to be a part of the scrapbook industry reinforcing the real value in capturing moments in time.

Words alone cannot express my compassion and sorrow for Joy Klepfer's  family.  As I have shared with my girls in a myriad of conversations we've had this week about her death, I have reminded them it is my faith in Jesus Christ that gives me hope - hope to live in a world that is far less than what I desire it to be, hope to give one more day a try when on those occasions I feel I really haven't the strength or desire to do so; hope that when I do die, or some one I love dies, that we go on to live in the glory of God and all His beauty - and that we will be together again, as loved ones.  It doesn't make experiencing a loss any easier but at least serves as a reminder that this too shall pass. And the privilege to look back upon photographs and reminisce reassures me of all that I am blessed with, and reminds me of all I hope to be.

Mrs. Klepfer has two sweet little babies who are still so very young and need their mommy.  How do they hold on to her?  I asked my girls if they thought it was a good idea to give each of the girls a special gift box with an album inside that they can put photographs and keepsakes in of their mom.  They really liked the idea and selected which keepsake albums to give (and on a lighter note suggested they each get the same so they don't fight over patterns!).  It is so small in the scheme of things, but I hope it will bring them some comfort, hope, and JOY when ever they feel they need some.

On the Fifth Day of Christmas . . .

Congratulations Cindy Vernon - you are Thursday's winner in our

"12 Days of Christmas" give away.  You too can shop, play and win.  Please read post below to learn how. And guess what, I just heard from Christina at My Pages Talk and they want to share in the fun...as I write Christina is shipping her product to me to include in a few of the next give aways.  We're on day 5, so quick math calculates we have 8 more days of cheerful giving!  This is oh so HoHoHo so much fun!

Do you believe?

I believe in hope

I believe we all have a divine purpose

I believe we each have a unique beauty, beloved spirit, and unlimited possibilities

I believe coincidences are gifts from God - it's up to us to untie the ribbons

I believe in weaving a ladder of dreams, having faith, being courageous, and aspiring to being more than our circumstance . . .

I believe in angels - do you? 

These are two of my angels, my daughters.  I delight in them each and every day.  When they tell me I'm the "most perfect mommy in the whole world" I know in my heart I am not. I make mistakes, I lose my patience, I get too focused on my work, I have to apologize on occasion - but they forgive, they forget, and they bounce right back into the enthusiastic, energetic, enlightened little girls that they are.

This photo is about six years old. 

My family has experienced so much adversity in those years that our focus has been on surviving vs. savoring...when I look at this photograph I am reminded that I must make a choice to savor the moments, capture the moments, and create a memory of these very precious, priceless moments in time.  I hope you will be encouraged to do so too.

Terri Conrad Designs is celebrating the holiday season with the "12 Days of Christmas" and the Ting-a-Ling & a HoHoHo'Lotta Bling holiday boutique and give away.

So many of you have visited here on my blog and at my web site and have expressed the kindest and most encouraging comments about my art.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I wish I could respond individually to each and every one of you, and hope that you will graciously accept this as my personal expression of gratitude to you and for you.   merci!

Please continue to shop for Heart & Hand Crafted Gifts, matted prints from my Whispers of Wisdom Collection and all new matted prints from my U r B Loved Collection.

You can buy this holiday frame along with lots of other gift items in my Ting-a-Ling Boutique - most of these boutique gifts feature my Webster's Pages product. 

I thought perhaps yesterday's winner was from France.  It turns out she lives in Canada.

Congratulations to  a place for ink - today's winner. Please email me with your address (I was unable to link to your blog from the post you left).  Compliments of Webster's Pages you have won a complete collection of my Winter Wonderland holiday papers and rub ons.  I ho ho hope you enjoy them!

Do you want to shop, play and win?  You too can play the "12 Days of Christmas"  It's very easy . . .

1.  post a message (a jolly good one) on my blog, with a link to your blog

2.  click on the "12 Days of Christmas" image and paste it into your blog

     with these three links:

     Shop at Terri Conrad Designs

     play and win at Terri's Blog and

     Websters Pages  inviting your readers to shop, play and win too!

3.   Shop Terri Conrad's web site for all your holiday gift buying.

Each day for 12 consecutive days, a winner will be randomly selected and his or her name posted on this blog, along with the prize being awarded.

"How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?” the Great Dr. Seuss said,

and I, I said, "now, it is time, time for bed!

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas . . .

I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year. Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

I love this quote, don't you?  I think it's all about having an attitude of gratitude, and a giving heart!

The season however, is about . . . . . .

"One star, One child, One Night"

Buy this now in my on line Boutique along with lots of other holiday gifts like these shown here - most featuring my Webster's Pages products.

Also now available at Terri Conrad Designs are matted prints

and decor like this gorgeous one of a kind magnetic memo board designed with my Classical Garden paper (6 postage stamp style magnets come with it!).

Tell your husband you did some early Christmas shopping on his behalf - for YOU!  You will both be happy.

    Terri Conrad Designs continues to celebrate the "12 Days of Christmas" with fun holiday designs available for you to purchase in our first on-line Holiday Boutique, Ting-a-Ling.

Play, Shop & Win . . .It's as easy as 1, 2, 3

(1) leave a jolly good message here on my blog with a link to your blog

    (if you have one);

(2) click on the "12 Days of Christmas" logo (below) and paste it in your

     blog, along with this link:

                            Shop for Terri Conrad Designs and

                Terri's Blog - play and win - "12 Days of Christmas"

     inviting your readers to shop and play and win!

(3) Visit each day, November 12th - 24th to shop, play and win.  Each

    day, we'll announce a new winner, their prize and share new designs

     available in our boutique.

 

Ting a ling, here them ring, Christmas bells are ringing! And today's winner (according to random.org) is Louise (from France???)

Here are your random numbers:

8	

Timestamp: 2007-11-14 04:32:04 UTC

Congratulations Louise, please email your address to me and I will ship a complete collection of my Ting-a-Ling designer papers, rub-on, WorldWin dark Berrry Red ColorMates, and Crafty Board.

Til we meet again, shop, play, and win Terri Conrad Designs'

"12 Days of Christmas"

HoHoHo this is SoSoSo much Fun!

Here's How to Play:

step 1:  Leave 1 post here with your link, and

          IF you have a blog click on the "12 Days of Christmas" image

          above and post it on your blog

          with this link: "Terri Conrad's Blog" and

          this link "Terri Conrad Designs"         

          and invite your readers play too.

step 2:  Shop in our on line BOUTIQUE - we have lots of

          new prints, heart & hand crafted gifts,

          & Ting-a-Ling our holiday Boutique;

           (no purchase is necessary but jolly nice of you if you do!)

Each day a winner will be randomly selected from our posts, their name will be posted in this blog the following day, and their prize awarded. Visit & play, post & shop each day, contest runs thru November 24th.  We will give away a prize a day for 12 consecutive days.

We had over 500 visitors on our first day!  OMG!  Thank you everyone for visiting both my web site and my blog and all your wonderful words of expression.  I'm having fun - hope you are too.

*********************************************************************

On the First Day of Christmas our winner is

Sharon Harnist of paperfections

Congratulations Sharon - hmm, I see you design for Cornish Heritage Farms.  How perfectly delightful and divine in the truest sense!

email me with your address and I will ship out your Coco Collection album and keepsake box - HOORAY!

***************************************************************

On our 2nd Day of Christmas the give away will be a complete collection of my Ting-a-Ling Holiday papers and rub-ons along with two sheets of WorldWin Papers' Crafty Board and two sheets of their Dark Berry Red ColorMates.

Is this card rich and gorgeous or what?!!!                                       Thank you Michele Boyer at papercuts   All I can say is WOW!

If you haven't ordered your holiday papers yet, there's still time...go to Webster's Pages now and place an order for my Ting-a-Ling and Winter Wonderland paper collections and rub ons.

Enjoy your visit to my very first on line holiday boutique - there are lots of new goodies in Ting-a-Ling and more will be coming.

O Happy Day!

Ting-a-Ling & a HoHoHo'Lotta Bling! Holiday Boutique

       Ting-a-Ling & a HoHoHo'Lotta Bling!

                                Terri Conrad Designs'

                          "12 Days of Christmas"

                    Holiday Boutique & Give Away

                        Here's How to Play:

step 1:  click here > CREATE AN ACCOUNT at

         Terri Conrad Designs' web site Boutique

         (no purchase is necessary but jolly nice of you if you do!)

step 2:  Shop in our on line BOUTIQUE categories -

          we have lots of new prints, heart & hand crafted gifts,

          & Ting-a-Ling our holiday category;

step 3:  If you have a blog, paste the Ting-a-Ling image

         anouncement below onto your blog with this link:

         "Terri Conrad's Blog" and this link "Terri Conrad Designs"

         and invite your readers play too;

step 4: Visit  "Terri Conrad's Blog"  and leave a post with your link.

Each day a winner will be randomly selected from our posts, their name will be posted in this blog the following day, and their prize awarded. Visit each day, thru November 25th to see who wins.  We will give away a prize a day for 12 consecutive days.

simply click on < this image, save it on your computer, then post it on your blog with the links as noted (it is not necessary to have a blog to play and win)

Here's a peek at today's gift give away!  From my Coco Collection, this sweet little package has stickers, tags, ribbon, an accordian album and dufex paper all tucked inside a wood keepsake box ready to be painted or altered as your imagination desires!

To purchase this and other items like it please go to Webster's Pages

Shop, play, enjoy, and win!

More holiday designs will be loaded into our Ting-a-Ling Boutique later Monday afternoon.

Merry, Merry -

Terri

xoxo