Sunday Spotlight: April 7, 2013

If you haven't had the chance to check out this week's showcase, there is extra incentive to do so. There are two free digi files for one lucky winner up for grabs from My Paper Crafting.com.  Clicking HERE will take you directly to that post where you can learn how to link up for your chance to win.  Draw is open until next Saturday when the new Showcase is posted.

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If you are just visiting for the first time, it is that time of week when I say a particular thank you to one of my readers acknowledging them for something thoughtful, inspiring, or mindful that they have said in one of their comments. It is not just about flattery [although that is nice sometimes too ;-) ]; it is about walking away from the comment and wanting to touch on and explore an idea they have presented.  Sometimes it might just be one or two words that they have said that reaches out and elicits a response in me.  

As a way of saying thanks, I will present this person with an advanced copy of a freebie that I promise, no one else will be able to get their hand on for at least three months and possibly longer.

So without further ado, the comment I'm highlighting and reflecting on this week belongs to...

MANDY

who said this:

This is such a positive and inspirational post and I couldn't agree more. The key to happiness is seeing the positives in every day things and drip feeding ourselves with a little bit of happiness every day. We need to be happy in our own lives and appreciate things we have, the new car or bright shiny object with not bring us happiness, only a large price tag and even worse debt. I think as crafters we get to play all the time and absorb ourselves in something that makes us happy, and we give to others in the process, thus spreading our happiness to other people. Have a wonderful day Lisa xxx (from Live Life to the Fullest)

Mandy's comment resonates so well with the point I was trying to get across in the post I did for a recent Motivational Monday (if you are interested you can see that original post HERE).  It is so wonderful knowing that people are reading these posts and walking away thinking about what I have said.  It makes the time and effort I put in to creating them worthwhile in so many different ways.  I also abide with what Mandy had to say at the end of her comment.  I completely agree that since we as crafters have the opportunity to do something we love and play a little bit--weekly for some of us, daily for the luckiest of us--we are in a unique position to pass the happiness we experience on to others.  Whether it is by visiting a favourite blog and leaving the author a little love, creating a special card for someone we love, or just passing on words of encouragement to the people around us who may be struggling, we really do have the capacity to bring joy to others.   We are obviously surrounded by people who support us or we could never spend the time that we do creating.  It is wonderful when we can turn around and support someone else in turn.  Happiness really is contagious!

Honourable mentions include:

• Oh, Lisa, I laughed out loud. Isn't it funny how we sometimes struggle so much with one particular project? No worries - you hit the ball out of the park - again. Deb on Card Design: Lady Anne's Progressive Christmas Challenge #2-First Card
• Wow, SUPERB POST Lisa!!!!!!!!!!!! Your showcase on all three is so detailed, appreciated by you (you can tell!!!, lol) and couldn't have been put together any better. I am a fan of both Vicky and Ike and I am certainly off to check out Hannelie!!! I enjoyed this post soooooooo much and I appreciate what you do Lisa, I couldn't even imagine working as hard as you do , on top of that you have the most amazing heart. Super big hugs Naomi on Saturday Showcase: March 23, 2013
• I'm so glad to hear I'm not the only one spending hours and hours making one card! I do put a lot of time and thinking to chose papers and embellishments. I don't usually have a design in mind when I make a card, and when I do, it never ends up looking anything close to what I had planned for! Your coloring skills are great - you do shades and folds so well. Pia on Card Design: Lady Anne's Progressive Christmas Challenge #2-First Card
• I truly hope that you will take next weekend to rest!!! Take time with your hubby ;) And some for yourself as well! Hugs Vicky PS you could be a little less good at being promotional and that would be really awesome for MY bank account lol Vicky on Sunday Spotlight: March 24, 2013
• Lisa your card is lovely! So spring like and sweet. You are always so good about telling us how and where you got things. It blows my mind the amount of research and information you do for your posts. You are simply a gift to bloggers everywhere! ~Deb~ CDAC DT Member A Look Through My Eyes on Smiles & Laughter Are Good For the Soul
•  you are so generous with your fabulous images. THANK YOU. happy, happy easter. may your day be filled with wonder, love and blessings. hugs :) Stef H. on Holiday Handouts: Easter Goodies 
• Great post Lisa! I agree with Naomi! One learns so much from your posts! Sandy S on Holiday Handouts: Easter Goodies 
• Oh wow Lisa, you are one amazing lady. It must have taken you ages to put this post of achievements by your bloggy friends, together. You deserve a super gold medal for this. I just love the my 500 Follower badge you have created for me, and might just pull that rubber arm of yours, when I have reached 600 Followers, to the same for me, but would love to pay you for it. I am totally in love with the 300 Follower Badge you have created for my wonderful Tammy's Scrapin Corner design team mate, Vicky. I have already informed her about this, so I am sure she will be popping in here very soon. Trust you also had a blessed Easter. Lots of bloggy Hugs Desíre {Doing Life – my personal blog} on Congratulatory Considerations for March 
• I enjoy reading so much about the new releases. I know I will leave here smiling. Plus I get to see what is new with your friends. Thank you so much for the happy feelings. Edwina Brown on Promotional Post: New Digis at Fresh Brewed Designs & Scribbles Designs
• Impressive how you keep track of all our of doings and achievements. Someone should make you a badge too (I would have if I knew how to) - you deserve it :) Pia on Congratulatory Considerations for March
• Truly...your brain is amazing. :) How you keep track of everyone is beyond impressive. At this very moment, I can't even remember where I put my coffee cup at!! Isn't it a wonderful little family we have here in bloggy land? I just love it and you have certainly highlighted many of my favorites here on this post. Love Vicky's badge you made her. It looks so perfect on her blog. Thank you for all you do Lisa, it's mind blowing! big hugs, the other one (Lisa M.) on Congratulatory Considerations for March
• You are the worlds best promoter! No one could take your place even if we wanted to try which we don't (I'm speaking on behalf of Ike as well... because I'm sure she would feel like I do lol). Keep on doing what you do so wonderfully well. Just watch it that you don't totally exhaust yourself in the process!!! Hugs Vicky on Bit By the Bug Tuesday: Bouquet and Wine Bottle

 Also...

 A very special thanks to the members of the Design Team over at My Paper Crafting World who took the time to come over and read yesterday's Showcase.  Never in the history of showcasing a blog with an attached design team, have so many members come by to check it out.  I was very honoured that so many of them came!

Thanks everyone for your continued support.  Please know just how much all your comments mean to me.   Always know that I read every single one and respond when I can. Without you spending some of your valuable time coming over and leaving me comments, there would no incentive to continue doing what I'm doing!  So as always, thanks from the bottom of my heart for your continued support. 

Wishing you all a wonderful week!

Until next time,