Giving. That is what this life is all about and whether we are giving just a little bit or giving big, now is the time to Give Well. We all give a lot of gifts throughout the year and especially around the holidays, of course. How often do we run around at the last minute trying to come up with something meaningful and then have to resort to the old stand-bys of a candle or yummy lotion or a gift certificate? While I love all those gifts, wouldn’t it be nice to have a resource on hand for meaningful gifts? A file of fabulous, personal gift ideas within arm’s reach that you can go to, knowing that each idea will not strain your time or your pocketbook? Or what about having a stash of gifts that you can go to at a moment’s notice that are crafted by you and ready for those last-minute gift-giving situations?

This is Kolette Hall for Big Picture Scrapbooking and you can finally have all that and more if you join me for my newest edition of gift-giving how-tos in Giving Well 2011. I have been anticipating the return of this workshop for a while now. It was in the works when I got very ill with pancreatitis last year. I know that many of you took the time to send me well wishes via the internet…and I received more cards from my BPC friends than I can even describe. The outpouring of love from you was a gift in itself and I am excited to finally be back, sharing with YOU my new take on my popular workshop, Giving Well.

I have created a jam-packed four-week course where you will get tons of great BRAND NEW gift ideas for this holiday season – and for the whole year. Just pop these ideas in a folder and you have a giving resource file that you can use all year long for all of your gift-giving needs.

The way it works in this high-energy workshop is that you get a new gift idea every other day of all four weeks, complete with instructions and downloadable artwork and templates that I have designed especially for you. As you decide who gets each gift, you will get to upload and see each other’s projects in the gallery, get help from me and other students, and lots of encouragement from everyone on the message board. This is truly a class of “spin-offs” where an idea I present might spur your imagination so that you come up with your own version of it or combine something with something else, and share it with us! So, think of all those great ideas, not only the ones I’m giving you but the ones you’re giving each other, whirling around within the classroom of Giving Well 2011! You will be armed and ready for any gift-giving need that you have for a whole year. I guarantee it!

One bonus that you will receive is an audio file – at the beginning of class. This audio is the foundation of the class and sets the stage for how we can turn projects into truly meaningful gifts that will be cherished. There is more to Giving Well than just giving and I will teach you easy ways to adjust your mindset just a little bit so that the things we are giving become a reflection of the recipient – a meaningful and heart-felt offering instead of just an average gift. It just might change your life along with changing your way of giving!

The thing I am most excited about, however, is the price of this class. You get so much in this workshop that we definitely could charge a lot more for it. But I decided to keep the price low so that anyone could join. This is what you call a high-value workshop – you get serious bang for your buck. Because let’s face it, you need some money left over for gas to go pick up your supplies, right? As a matter of fact, one person on the Giving Well message board said, “I feel like I’ve already gotten my money’s worth and it’s only Day 1!” And just so you know, this year will be no different.

One suggestion I have is to wait on purchasing all of the supplies on the master supply list. Read the note I’ve written on that list because there are things that are used in multiple projects that you will want to have on hand. However, with the really specific items you might want to wait and see what the project is before your get them. As we have learned from past experience, you will see ideas that you will want to copy exactly like I have done them but there will be other ideas that you will want to tweak or change or adapt to fit the needs of those you are giving to. I encourage you to look at the supply list to get a general idea of what is to come (acrylic paint, canvases, spray paint, silk flowers, more paint….you get the idea) but keep your plan flexible so that you can tailor your projects to fit your needs.

As always, I will give you two audio files where we talk about the deeper meanings behind what it means to Give Well. Giving Well is an art form and you are about to become a master!

For those of you who have taken Giving Well before, you won’t want to miss out on this year’s edition because everything will be totally new – new audios built on what we discussed in the past, new gift-giving projects, new tags, new artwork, new friends, new everything! Whether you are a Giving Well alumni or brand new to this workshop – you won’t want to miss it and you won’t be disappointed with what we pack into just four weeks. I love it and I know you’ll love it, too! And don’t forget to invite a friend or two or twelve to join us – this is a class that everyone will want to be a part of! We’ll see you there in Giving Well 2011 because this is big!