Tuesday, April 26, 2011

216 IHeart: Gadanke & a Giveaway!



Sure, here on the blog we chat all the time about organizing the objects in our lives, but what about organizing the stories of our lives?

Objects are just objects, but stories and memories have true meaning and if ever lost, there is no replacing....

Today, say hi to Katie, who shared a story with me on how an incredible idea was born:

"A couple of years ago, NPR's StoryCorp was in town.  It was also my grandma's 90th birthday.  The two of us decided to hop into the recording studio to capture some pieces of her story.  I had all sorts of prompts to help her with her story telling.  {I was always the listener, the one who asked question after question.}  The only problem?  My grandma couldn't remember.  Too much time had passed.  Later, my dad turned to me and said, "Katie, I need you to write down your story."  I knew he wished he had his mom's stories.  So I started writing.  I started wondering about all of the other women who have stories deep inside of them, and I started thinking about how my tendency to just listen and ask could help put those stories onto paper.  Gadanke was born with fabulous writing prompts and recycled papers.  I feel so lucky to be living my dream."

That's why I couldn't wait to share a new idea and website, unlike anything I have seen out there before!

Gadanke.com is a journal shop loaded with beautiful handmade journals, which are filled with writing prompts to help you draw out stories.  They have bindings that open and close so you can organize your story or add more pieces {like letters, photos, and postcards}.  Then to make them extra fun, they're filled with old school library cards, pockets, envelopes, tags, and other fun embellishments!!

Document who you are and what you crave and believe.  Handmade journaling products at Gadanke are filled with creative writing prompts and tidbits to make you think {and laugh!}  These baby books, prayer journals, travel books, and diaries make your writing process more meaningful and fun!  Plus they're totally eco-savvy with 100% recycled papers.

Here is what you will see when you pop over to Katie's adorable website, Gadanke.com

There are oodles of journals to browse through:

You can take a peek at the contents received with the journal package:



Most even have different covers and options!


With the pages of this handmade journal, you’ll find yourself reflecting on and defining who you are and what makes you feel alive. What are your passions? Your dreams? The things that make your heart soar and skip a beat?

Here's how this journal works:
  • Writing prompts help you step away from the traditional day-to-day documenting and really dig into the fun stuff. You’ll find yourself thinking back on childhood favorites, creating fun lists for the future, and laughing about the stunning secret things about yourself that you never really told anyone else.
  • Capture the senses like taste and touch with spaces for mini sketches or phrases with other prompts. Document what makes your world beautiful.
  • The details make it extra fun. Pockets, shipping tags, hand-stamped envelopes, and even old school American library cards are the perfect enclosed embellishments for tucking away details.
  • Hand-cut Italian patterned papers add texture and color. Use them for dividing your book into sections or pasting on photographs and memrobelia.
It’s a nice place to journal, to tell stories, and to dream. It's the kind of book you can pull out years later and say, "This is who I was, not just what I was doing."

Each journal is 4x5.5 inches (10 x 14 cm) - perfect for many standard photos and postcards. So add your own; insert more pages; organize to suit you.

All 52 pages of writing prompts are printed on a colorful mixture of recycled papers, the most of which are 100% recycled.


Wanna see more?









Adore what you see?  Want to start recording your stories in a lovely journal?  Today, Katie is offering you a $25 Gift Certificate to Gadanke.com!!

Sounds completely fabulous right?  Here is how to enter:

  •  Hop on over to Gadanke.com, browse through the incredible product selection and leave a comment here on the blog with the product you would choose to celebrate your stories!
  • For an extra entry, you can follow Katie on Twitter and leave a separate comment here that you are!
  • For an extra entry, you can follow Gadanke on Facebook and leave a separate comment here that you are!
  • For an extra entry, you can follow Katie's Blog {a blog about creating a simple, handmade home}, and leave a separate comment here that you are!
  •  Giveaway is open from Tuesday, 4/26 through 9 p.m. central time Monday, 5/2.  One winner will be selected using random.org and will be announced here on this post on Tuesday, 4/26.
  • Leave your email or blog address so I have a way to contact you when you win.
  • Anyone is eligible to enter!



Thanks everyone and good luck!



216 comments:

  1. {Love Where We Live} is such a neat idea

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  2. Following Katie on Twitter
    email: upsidedownk8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. Liked Gadanke on facebook
    email: upsidedownk8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  4. I am moving so a home minibook would be so appropriate for me right now! I love them.

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  5. subscribed to the blog
    upsidedownk8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. There is no way in heck I could decide, I want the Home Mini Book, Travel Journal, personal Journal, mini book for someone I love and the doodle book...I'd be using that $25 gc towards the purchase of all of the above, what an AMAZING site!!!!!

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  7. subscribed to the blog
    kristenfowler23 (at) gmail (Dot) com

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  8. Liked Gadanke on FB
    kristenfowler23 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  9. I'm going and adding them to my pinterest paper love this second. I'd use $25 towards the purcahse of a Home Mini Book, a Love Letter, and the She journal. So, so, so cool.
    upsidedownk8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  10. Such beautiful journals! It's so hard to choose a favorite, though I adore the Vintage Fabric Journals for jotting down notes, ideas, goals, etc. I especially love the Citrus yellow blooms fabric!

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  11. I love the She Journal in the orangy color! jordiecooper@yahoo.com

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  12. I am also now following Katie's blog!

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  13. I'm following Katie's blog! jordiecooper@yahoo.com

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  14. I love the LITTLE THINGS journal - so cute - love this idea. Thanks for the chance and I love your blog! Cheers!

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  15. I love the Home Mini Book! Thanks for the chance!
    lauralu04 at gmail dot com

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  16. I liked Gadanke on FB! thanks!
    lauralu04 at gmail dot com

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  17. My grandmother suffered from Alzheimer's Disease and so many times I have wished that we had her stories to reflect on. I absolutely <3 this idea. I would love to have {She: Me, My Life, My Days} ~ Personal Journal 1.0

    monicaesman@gmail.com

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  18. I'm following Katie on Twitter

    monicaesman@gmail.com

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  19. Facebook too!
    Monicaesman@gmail.com

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  20. Went ahead and followed her blog too!
    monicaesman@gmail.com

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  21. I love the SHE journal! I remember watching her video about different foods that conjure up memories... and for a whole week I thought about a ton of different food memories I had.

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  22. I'm already a follower of Katie's blog on Google Reader!

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  23. I like the mini book for someone you love.

    antrichards(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  24. Seeking Grace in Yellow, Seeking Grace in Yellow, Seeking Grace in Yellow!! Thank you! gillianlee03 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  25. Oh and I liked Gadanke on FB- thanks! gillianlee03(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  26. Amazing site! My favourite are the Vintage Fabric Journal as well as the "Something Serious and Something Silly". However, the choices are so hard to make :)
    my emailadress is natachak81(at)hotmail(dot)fr :)

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  27. Adore the "You are Loved" book as well as the "Prayer Journal."

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  28. I would LOVE the travel journal(s) as my little family is about to go to Germany for 15-17 days.

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  29. I follow Katie on twitter @buttrflychic05

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  30. Would love either of the "she." journals. :)

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  31. I like the Love where You Live book!

    andreaworley@live.com

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  32. I would choose a baby book, travel journal and mini book!

    turtlgrl68(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  33. I'd love to have the {She: Me, My heart, My world} journal. I'm enrolled in a beginning writing course for emerging authors and am developing stories and articles based on my journaling. This would be a great way to inspire and organize creativity for my writing. Cara(at)starvingwebmasters(dot)com

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  34. This was a toughy, but I'm about to move away from home for my very first time and like the love where we live or else you are loved for my expecting sis-in-law.
    Thanks

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  35. I'm following on Twitter. Cara(at)starvingwebmasters(dot)com

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  36. I'm following on facebook. Cara(at)starvingwebmasters(dot)com

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  37. {Love Letter}...How fun would it be to keep this journal for a year or for an entire engagement and give to your husband to be on your wedding day...or valentine's day or his/her bday! So romantic and thoughtful!

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  38. I liked Gadanke on FB. Thanks!

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  39. Now following her blog...love the diversity! :)

    thecurvylife2011.blogspot.com or hmw0250@gmail.com

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  40. "Liked" Gadanke on FB! :)

    thecurvylife2011.blogspot.com or hmw0250@gmail.com

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  41. Now following her on Twitter!

    thecurvylife2011.blogspot.com or hmw0250@gmail.com

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  42. Following the blog. Cara(at)starvingwebmasters(dot)com

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  43. I would definitely get the baby book for my new precious little girl!
    jillekirby@yahoo.com

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  44. {She: Me, My Heart, My World} ~ Personal Journal 1.1
    would be perfect for me! :)

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  45. I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!!! I would get the {Seeking Grace} Prayer Journal and probably get the {Expand Your Story} Refill Kit too :) Love the vintage design and the colors!

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  46. I also follow Gadanke on Facebook!

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  47. I follow @makingthishome on Twitter!

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  48. also following Gadanke on facebook!

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  49. I don't know how to follow her blog, but I added it to my reader!

    My email is also ErinLSanchez@yahoo.com :)

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  50. angiesal6@yahoo.comApril 26, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    Following on facebook. When I was younger I always kept a journal of some kind. I find them and love to read over them now that my kids are getting older. I miss journaling and would love any of them (they all are perfect)to make sure my memories never fade:)

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  51. I would order the SHE journal, probably a couple!

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  52. I liked Gadanke on facebook

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  53. I signed up for Katie's blog

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  54. I love the Home Minibook & the Child Book.

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  55. I would love a "Love where we Live" journal. And I think my best friend needs a She journal. I also love the Child journal. I guess I love them all!

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  56. I just love these journals. They are so beautiful and it always helps to have some prompts in order to get you going. I especially love the journey journals, since I love to travel and wish I kept a closer detail of my trips.

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  57. And I'm following Gadanke on Facebook! Thanks for the chance.

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  58. I am now following Katie's blog. Really great article on international travel! Thanks.

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  59. Following Gadanke on facebook.

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  60. Following Katie on twitter. Thanks!

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  61. I'd probably get the She journal 1.1 - either that or the 1.0 :)

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  62. I liked her on FB!

    kristi.griggs86 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  63. I follow her blog!


    kristi.griggs86 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  64. I would definitely get the She journal 1.1 :)

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  65. I would get one of the Personal Journals... I'm leaning towards 1.0 but I'm not positive. ;)

    kristi.griggs86 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  66. i really like the "she" journal! the color and artwork are beautiful!

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  67. i added katie on my twitter @echolyricdesign!

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  68. i "liked" katie on facebook with my business and personal accounts!

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  69. The You are Loved baby book is adorable. I'd have to do one for each of my sweeties!

    teacherjess@hotmail.com

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  70. I now like Gadanke on Facebook.

    teacherjess@hotmail.com

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  71. Hey Jen...I just love Katie's blog and shop and have followed her for some time in my google reader. I love the "Little Things" and "Love Letters" but could take one of each ;}
    Fondly, Roberta
    rlphilbr13@aol.com

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  72. Hey Jen,

    Another thing that I love about your fabulous blog, you introduce us to fabulous products!

    I am following Gadanke on FB!
    Tiffani
    paini (dot) 1 (at) osu (dot) edu

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  73. I liked Gadanke on Facebook

    Kristina
    kjcarter68@gmail.com

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  74. I am following your blog!

    Kristina
    kjcarter68@gmail.com

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  75. I love the Journey ~ Travel on Gadanke.com!!

    Kristina
    kjcarter68@gmail.com

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  76. I started a Happiness Project this year as a resolution. Instead of looking at things negatively, I make an adamant attempt to stay positive. One of the most powerful motivators is remembering all the people who love me...I was hooked when I saw the {You Are Loved}; however, instead of using it as a baby book, I want to use it as an encouragement to my future self - just as it refers to in the journal about the baby's future self...we are all evolving.

    http://www.gadanke.com/product/you-are-loved-baby-book

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  77. I would LOVE to have "Love Where We Live" journal! Too cute!

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  78. I also liked you on Facebook!!!!

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  79. wow that's a great give away jane... :)
    love it very much
    thanks....

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  80. i wold love to have "{She: Me, My Life, My Days}" journal! it's perfect! =)

    thanks for the chance.

    Ge Cavalcante
    gcavalcante(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  81. Sooooo hard to choose one I like from Gadanke's choices...torn between the "The little things" in blue bird trellis and "She" 1.0 :) Thanks for the introduction!

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  82. I also 'like" Gadanke on Facebook!

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  83. I would choose the Personal Journal 1.0

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  84. I'm following her blog through Google Reader. I couldn't find another, more public approach!

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  85. I just bought books for this purpose for my mom and MIL for Mother's Day. I'm hoping to get their stories chronicles for future generations. I need to practice what I preach and this is the perfect way!

    I would also love the Journey books. My husband and I love to travel!

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  86. I love the baby book! My best friend is pregnant and this would be perfect for a shower gift!

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  87. I love the 'Love where you live' Journal. Very appropriate for our lives currently as we have just relocated and it has turned out to be the best thing ever!!
    Clare
    crapellarc@bigpond.com

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  88. Love the Seeking Grace Journal! It's great!

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  89. I LOVE the Seeking Grace journal in YELLOW! So cute!

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  90. I am following Katie on Twitter!

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  91. I "Liked" Gadanke on Facebook!

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  92. I don't think I could choose just one! I like the She ones, the gift ones, and the "where we live" one! Such a cute idea.

    xo_whitney88 (at) hotmail (dot) com.

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  93. I "liked" Gadanke on Facebook as well!

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  94. I love the she:me, my life, my days set! Such a nice idea!

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  95. I "liked" Gadanke on Facebook!

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  96. I've added the blog to my reader!

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  97. I just went over to Gadanke and fell in love with these journals! I immediately ordered the prayer one for mother's day.
    http://btemom.blogspot.com/

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  98. I subscribed to Katie's blog
    http://btemom.blogspot.com/

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  99. I liked Gandanke on facebook

    http://btemom.blogspot.com/

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  100. i would pick a She journal - i love both versions

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  101. i am following katie's blog in my reader too

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  102. love the prayer journal! that is something that is on my list of things to do and maybe this would get me started!

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  103. Wow! beautiful stuff! And so reasonably priced too! I think my favorite is the prayer journal. :)

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  104. Following her on Twitter now :)

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  105. Liked the Gadanke FB page :)

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  106. I like the home and the prayer journal.

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  107. i would pick the {you are loved}.

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  108. i am following Gandanke on fb :)

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  109. LITTLE THINGS journal..LOVE it!!
    schmerfette AT cox DOT net

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  110. I'd choose the She Journal. So wonderful!

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  111. Posted a message on her website.

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  112. Tweeted about the giveaway! :)
    I must say this is a fabulous giveaway and fabulous journal(s).

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  113. I really like the Something Serious with Something Silly doodle list book :)

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  114. I'm follow Katie @Mellietronx on Twitter :)

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  115. I would love to win "The Little Things"
    I Heart I heart Organizing!
    Homequeen (dot) is (at) gmail (dot)com

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  116. I follow Katie's Blog too!

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  117. I've never kept a prayer journal before, but I would try the prayer hournal if I won.

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  118. I think my HEART SKIPPED a beat! I LUV all of them, but I think I'd start with the Baby Book! What an AWESOME idea! I've tried to journal but felt it was boring, and I think this would make it so interesting that I'd look forward to it!
    Kate Hawkins ehawkins@smwc.edu

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  119. The home mini book would be great. We tend to move A LOT~
    Nikki
    nddalzell at cs dot com

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  120. I love the "Seeking Grace" journal in Lavendar!

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  121. These look so great! I think I would pick the you are loved baby book. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  122. I love the SHE journal-all of them are so unique and something I would love to have!

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  123. I would choose seeking grace or love where we live. Such a great idea!

    dez_jon@yahoo.com

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  124. I liked Gadanke on Facebook

    dez_jon@yahoo.com

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  125. I like the prayer journal.
    Thanks!
    vlmiller04(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  126. I followed Katie's blog
    dez_jon@yahoo.com

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  127. Love Where We Live would be my choice! Wonderful idea!

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  128. Love this site. I think I have ideas for Christmas now!! Love the she books!
    I will follow on fb, too.

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  129. I love this idea. If I were to buy a journal, it would be the 'Love Where We Live' journal. My husband and I move quite a bit and I'd love to journal everywhere we have been so I can rememeber and share it with my children.

    maddielmo@yahoo.com

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  130. I went to facebook and liked Kate's page. I love the extra pictures she posted of her journals.

    maddielmo@yahoo.com

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  131. I followed Katie on twitter. Twitter is such a great application cause you can learn so much about each other.

    maddielmo@yahoo.com

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  132. So many cool journals. I like the She Journal and the Travel Journal.

    katferr1(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  133. Wow! Love those journals.... so hard to pick just one. I think I would start with the "She" version 1.0 then I would have to try one of the travel journals.
    Thanks for the opportunity to win.
    lpumphrey67@gmail.com

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  134. I subscribe to/follow Katie's blog

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  135. I love the Love Letter journals. AND the She Journals. So hard to choose just one, really.
    douglessk at gmail dot com

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  136. I'm following Katie on Twitter!
    douglessk at gmail dot com

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  137. I "like" Gadanke on FB!
    douglessk at gmail dot com

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  138. I would get the "Love Where We Live" journal.
    dana.dagman@gmail.com

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  139. i would get the "you are loved" baby book.
    ssylvester06@live.com

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  140. following Katie on Twitter!
    ssylvester06@live.com

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  141. I "like" Gadanke on FB!
    ssylvester06@live.com

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  142. I subscribe to Katie's blog!
    ssylvester06@live.com

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  143. I would probably get the "she" journal. My mother and grandmother are both deceased and I find myself wanting to ask them all sorts of things. I would love to have had something passed down to me from one of them. I hope to pass something on to my own children.

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  144. I loved the she journal and the thankful little things journal. What a great idea!!

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  145. I love the Baby Journals!! What a great site :)

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  146. For me, I would get the "Something Serious with Something Silly" book; if I got this for my gramma, though, I'd get her the "She: Me, My Life, My Days" Journal. What a great idea!

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  147. Thank you for introducing me to Katie and her blog! I'm going to be reading it from now on!

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  148. Liked Gandake on Facebook (and have ordered three journals!)

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  149. I'm following Katie's blog through my google reader!

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  150. I'm also following Katie on Twitter! I'm @emilyxkathryn

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  151. I love learning about amazing products like this!!!

    The seeking grace one is most definitely my favorite, although....I think I would eventually want them ALL!

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  152. And I follow her on twitter!!!

    summer@lemusingsofmoi.com

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  153. I'm following Katie on twitter! @julierhoden

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  154. I'd choose {Become} ~ Creative Journey Diary

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  155. I heart the love where we live home minibook. It would be a great project for a summer staycation with my kids.

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  156. The where I live mini book is a great idea!

    skippy179@hotmail.com

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  157. I am following Gadanke on FB.


    skippy179@hotmail.com

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  158. what wouldn't I want...lol
    She journal and the travel journals.

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  159. I'm now following her on facebook.

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