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Gadanke Journal Giveaway
April 1, 2011
Last December I did something I've never done before. I kept a seasonal journal.
Journaling is nothing new to me. I've been writing in journals or diaries for over two decades. Sometimes what I write is painfully personal and other times I record life's mundane details.
Because I'm packing for our move I recently went through all my adult life journals (my girlhood journals are kept in a separate "growing up memories" bin).
There were several books with mostly unused pages - I wasn't always as dedicated with my writing as I am now. I ripped out unused pages to make room for a more recent journal in the bin and packed them all up again.
Unfortunately I didn't have the time to read everything in those old journals though I did spend one night flipping through and remembering my life at important points along my way.
Waiting to be Damien's wife, the struggles of being newly married, my first pregnancy with Celine, moving away from family, having more babies, self discovery and so much more. All of those thoughts are recorded "in the moment" in my journals.
I treasure those journals. I will not downsize those journals.
Nor will I downsize the lovely Gadanke journal I kept during last Christmas.
What I like about these little journals (my Christmas one is 4.5 x 5 inches) is that there is enough space to write your thoughts but not too much space to overwhelm you with pages and pages of empty. I like finishing projects and wanted a complete journal by the end of December. Call me crazy for being more focused on the product, not the process - It's just the way I am!
I also love the prompts. There were some blank pages but many pages had a thought to get me going. When I sit down in the morning to write in my personal journal I don't need prompts but for remembering and chronicling our Christmas I sure appreciated them.
These little journals are scrapbooking made easy. There is less focus on the photos and more emphasis on the writing. Which I like since I rarely develop photos these days.
For our Christmas journal I printed a few photos from our printer to add to the pages (since I am a very visual person afterall). I also enjoyed embellishing with the beautiful eco-friendly papers included.
One more thing I liked was the rings. This allowed me to add my own touches - cards from family, handwritten gift tags from the children, a concert ticket and other things I wanted to remember.
Can you tell I liked keeping this journal?
So when Katie e-mailed me earlier this year asking if I'd like to host a Gadanke giveaway I jumped at the chance to put one of her sweet journals in a reader's hand.
To be entered to win the giveaway visit Gadanke and take a look and come back and leave a comment about which journal you'd like most.
One winner will be chosen to receive a journal of your choice with shipping world wide. Gotta' love that internationally minded Katie. I'll close the giveaway midnight on Thursday, April 7th. Giveaway now closed. Congratulations to winner Louise.
By the way, if you haven't visited Katie's personal blog yet you should. Making This Home is all about creative inspiration for an eco-savvy and simple home.
Thanks Katie so much for offering this to FIMBY readers.
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Olivia on April 1, 2011, 1:22 p.m.
The You Are Loved baby book would be perfect to journal about the arrival of our new little girl, Evangeline. :)
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tara on April 1, 2011, 1:45 p.m.
Beautiful collection of journals. I really like the Personal Journals 1.0 and 1.1. Thanks for the giveaway, Renee. Now I'm going to go check out katie's blog. have a great weekend.
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amy w on April 1, 2011, 2:07 p.m.
I love them all. Especially the Home, She and love letter book. And the add-ons look really cool, too. Great stuff!
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Sarah on April 1, 2011, 2:11 p.m.
Oh, I love all her journals! I would probably choose the You Are Loved baby book for my new little boy, Ezra.
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Beetnik Mama on April 1, 2011, 2:12 p.m.
I really love your Christmas one! Where is that? In case I don't win, I want to have that one in mind for this year.
But, of course, I'd be thrilled to win one of the Personal Journals. :-)
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Emily on April 1, 2011, 2:40 p.m.
What fun journals. I also like the fact that they aren't so "intimidating" to fill and that each has a directional purpose. Love the prompts and pockets, too. If I had to choose, I think I would go for the vacation journal. I could see me using one of these, hopefully in the not too distant future! Thanks for the givaway.
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Katie @ Making This Home on April 1, 2011, 2:47 p.m.
Beetnik, Christmas journals are available seasonally. So they'll be back in a few months :)
Katie (at Gadanke)
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tenaciouslace on April 1, 2011, 3:26 p.m.
so many great choices! I would have to pick the Love Where You Live, because we recently made the choice to stay where we are and put down roots.
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Matthew on April 1, 2011, 3:40 p.m.
I've never looked at the Gadanke journals before. How delightful! I would love to have the {Something Serious with Something Silly} ~ Doodle List. As both a compulsive doodler and list maker, this would be perfect for me!
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Tara on April 1, 2011, 4:24 p.m.
I'd love to win the something serious, something silly.
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Kim on April 1, 2011, 5 p.m.
I've never seen these before.....Love where We LIve looks like a good one!
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Jen Titus on April 1, 2011, 5:09 p.m.
My husband and I just found out that we're very newly pregnant and I would love to win the You Are Loved or the She journal. Things I can write about the baby when she/he comes, but also things about myself - my thoughts, my feelings, my growth.
Thank you for the opportunity!
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Ann on April 1, 2011, 5:29 p.m.
I'd choose the prayer journal--thanks for the giveaway!
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Ellen on April 1, 2011, 5:30 p.m.
Hmmm. They are are neat, but I really like the "Love Where You Live" journal!
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Pam on April 1, 2011, 5:47 p.m.
I really like all of the journals! At this time in my life though, I would love "The Little Things" journal. The past few months have been very stressful and this journal could help me focus on all the blessings I've been given and quit thinking about things that don't really matter in the long run anyway. Thanks for the giveaway!
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Naomi on April 1, 2011, 5:56 p.m.
The Love Where You Live journal! That would be great, either for remembering our home we're leaving, or celebrating our new home :0)
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mb on April 1, 2011, 7:30 p.m.
i had to comment because i love what you said about not downsizing your journals- i have a similar bin/stack situation and have never been able to part with any of them- except a few blank pages, like you. :) i really like the "little things" the bird print on the cover is eye catching to me, and as another commenter has said, i like the idea of a gratitude journal very much.
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Sara S on April 1, 2011, 7:56 p.m.
What a great way to journal. I'm on my way to her website. Thanks for offering a giveaway Renee.
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bethany on April 1, 2011, 8:58 p.m.
those are beautiful, and what great ideas! i tend to lose steam journaling, but prompts are a great way to keep it moving. i'd love a she 1.1 one, it's time to do some positive reflecting :).
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Louise Johnson on April 1, 2011, 9:38 p.m.
the "you are loved" baby book in blue :-)
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renee on April 9, 2011, 6:06 p.m.
Congratulations Louise. You are commenter number 20, which was the randomly chosen winner. I'll let Katie know and she'll be in touch with you.
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Kika on April 1, 2011, 10 p.m.
I am actually awaiting the arrival of my first order from Gadanke: a "She" journal for my daughter; two of the doodle books (one for my daughter and one for her friend); and a baby journal for one of my neices. I think if I won the giveaway I'd get myself a "She" journal.
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Sarah on April 1, 2011, 11:33 p.m.
I love the idea of the doodle list. I'm a bit of a wanna-be writer, so the prompts in this one would be perfect. I love all of her ideas and am now going to spend a little time checking out her blog!
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Shannon on April 1, 2011, 11:45 p.m.
Oh, the Journey journal would be the perfect way for our family to keep track of our upcoming 6 week adventure around the country. Thanks for sharing.
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Beth on April 1, 2011, 11:46 p.m.
The Something Serious with Something Silly Doodle List sounds very intriguing!! I love trying to journal but don't often get it done. maybe this format would help!
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Gabriella on April 2, 2011, midnight
I love the Seeking Grace journal!
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Rana on April 2, 2011, 1:12 a.m.
You are like me I have kept a journal since I was 10 years old. I have all of them in a pretty keepsake box. I think I would like the Love where we live journal. These would make great gifts too. Thanks for sharing this.
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Ruth on April 2, 2011, 1:30 a.m.
- these journals look great! I'd love to try being more consistent at this, as I read about 25 of my Mom's journals after she passed on - even tho they were more activity oriented than about what she was feeling or experiencing emotionally, it gave me more insight to the great mother she was! I think I'd choose 'The Little Things', but it's hard to choose!
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renee on April 2, 2011, 1:47 a.m.
I thought that was you Auntie! I remember grandma writing in her journals at night, before bed if I remember correctly, when Brad and I would stay overnight at the farm. Do you still have those?
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Trish on April 2, 2011, 2:10 a.m.
All of the journals look really neat but I would love the win the {She: Me, My Life, My Days} journal. I think it would be great for my children to read when they are older & a great way to preserve little bits of family history for future generations. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
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Anonymous on April 2, 2011, 2:27 a.m.
The grace prayer book, as my prayer life is lacking at the moment.........
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Kimberly on April 2, 2011, 3:36 a.m.
These journals are exquisite! I see these becoming my go-to gift! I would love to win the She 1.1 journal. Thanks for the giveaway!
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Beth on April 2, 2011, 4:19 a.m.
I just received my first order from Gadanke and am very excited to fill the pages. However, I failed to get a journal that focuses on me, so I'd love the win She 1.0.
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Alli on April 2, 2011, 4:41 a.m.
Would love any of them but would choose You Are Loved for my baby girl Em-the youngest in my trio of beautiful babes ages 1, 2, & 3. And while I have completed almost one third of her siblings baby book pages I have yet to even purchase a book to hold her memories! (I'll catch up eventually, I hope!)
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Emily E. on April 2, 2011, 1:18 p.m.
I would love to have the "love where you live" journal!
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heather Bruggeman on April 2, 2011, 2:10 p.m.
oh wow renee! i've never heard of these journals, they are exquisite. i especially love the "she" and "seeking grace" journals. i'm so happy to have learned of these!
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Ashlee on April 2, 2011, 7:38 p.m.
I really like her tag line - Celebrate your story. What a great thought:) My favorite journals are the prayer journal and the travel journal. Not sure which I would actually choose!!
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Jennifer on April 3, 2011, 2:50 a.m.
Those are some great ideas! I think my favorite is the prayer journal. Thanks for introducing us to this wonderful company.
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KM on April 3, 2011, 3:19 a.m.
With baby #4 due in less than 3 months, I'm going to have to go with You Are Loved!
Thanks for the link- so beautiful and inspiring.
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Tara on April 3, 2011, 4:18 a.m.
THe home minibook and She 1.1 look wonderful! I love journals but have never kept one that has prompts...! Thanks for the chance to win one!
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Caryn on April 3, 2011, 6:09 p.m.
the Travel Journal!!! A big extended family vacation is in the works...grandparents, all 4 sibs and their spouse and the 12 cousins...It may end up being a once in a lifetime trip, so I want it well documented! One way or another, I'll be using this journal!
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Katherine A on April 3, 2011, 7:10 p.m.
Gorgeous!! I would love to win the 'Seeking Grace!' Journal.
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Catherine on April 4, 2011, 12:43 a.m.
I've never seen these before--really wonderful! I think Love Where You Live looks like fun.
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Crystal Harris on April 4, 2011, 4:08 a.m.
These journals look wonderful! I would especially love the "Love Letter" journal.
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Mel on April 4, 2011, 3:46 p.m.
They all look lovely, and I am going to have to keep an eye on them for next Christmas. Since we are soon to be traveling, the {journey} Travel Journal hits home (pun intended).
thanks for hosting this giveaway.
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Elizabeth on April 5, 2011, 7:47 p.m.
I love them all... but especially the Love Where You Live Journal. Maybe because we have been turning out house into a home lately both inside and out. Thank you for the giveaway :)
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Amanda B on April 6, 2011, 5:21 a.m.
The journals are all so lovely! I liked the vintage fabric journals the most because I love all things Textile. Thank you for hosting such a lovely giveaway!!
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Nicola @ Which Name? on April 12, 2011, 3:46 a.m.
I am so behind on your blog?! WHat a lovely journal post. This made me smile, as journals are something I did downsize a year or two ago. It wasn't so much downsizing as purging negativity. I had journals full of whininess. That was my venting. And to let it all go, I let them go.
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Natalia on April 1, 2011, 12:45 p.m.
I love Katie's blog - and her work! I think my favourite of all her journals is {The Little Things} ~ Listing Thankful Thoughts. I have been meaning for some time to keep a gratitude journal ... this post has been a good prompt for that!