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Do you ever have a moment of intense gratitude? A moment where you stop, are still and recognize all the good that surrounds you? In today's busy world it can be hard to be still for a moment but I had such a moment several weeks ago.  I don't usually offer some personal insight on this business blog but SCT is my business and it happily makes up a big part of my world. Let me go back to that moment several weeks ago. During our annual summer trip to Maine, my family was busy and I was quietly paddleboarding on this pretty lake nestled in the mountains. There were a couple of loons and their two babies serenading those of us on the lake that morning. It was that perfect moment to allow what I call "blue sky thinking" and consider where SCT is headed next.  It was also in that moment that I began to reflect on how far beyond all expectations SCT has gone. While it's been the hard work of this amazing team of ladies I have had the pleasure of working with over the past 9 years and of course it's a huge part because of the supportive readership we have all over the world but there is one more large part and that is our industry partners. Those partners that took a leap of faith when this 30 something walked an industry trade show floor in February, 2006 and said these words "I'm going to launch a free magazine." The plan was simple. And one by one our partners understood what it would take.  For almost 10 years they have stood beside us, encouraged us and championed for us. While media has shifted and magazines have struggled, we have had our most successful year yet. Am I grateful? Oh yes I am.

In that moment on the lake an idea took shape and now it's here. TODAY! As part of our 100 days of summer, for the month of August we will celebrate our partners. One each day. We will link you to their website, to their social media sites and we will thank them.  But do you want to know the great part? They want to share their gratitude and each day have offered a fabulous giveaway – just for YOU! Yes, we are celebrating you too! Ready to get started? 

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

First up in our celebration is American Crafts. A family owned company that have been a very large part of everything we do at the magazine. I have worked with Grant and his amazing team for a long time. Besides having some of the most innovative products in the market under some amazing brands like Pink Paislee, We R Memory Keepers, Bazzill, Heidi Swapp, Imaginisce, Becky Higgins, Pebbles, Crate Paper and Seven, they are pretty amazing to work with! They also, like us, love the celebrate! To kick off this "gratitude celebration" they would love to offer one lucky reader this…

3-AC

Amazing products including some items from their brand new Desktop Essentials line and we see some of their brand new "Sticky Thumb" line of adhesives in this package too! To be entered to win, we are keeping it very simple.  Just leave a comment below letting us know in just a few words (or more if you want to!) what SCT means for you. We would like to select some of those comments to be a part of our new 2016 media package! Please leave your comment by Wednesday, September 2nd.  All winners will be announced on September 4th!

We would also like you to visit American Crafts on their facebook page and leave them a BIG "SCT thank you!" If you think they don't see it, let me assure you they do. We are complimented all the time on the grateful audience we have.  I could not agree more. If you don't already "like" them on Facebook, this is a great time to do that.

Here are all the places you can be inspired by American Crafts and their talented team: 

Facebook:    American Crafts

Instagram:    @americancrafts

Blog:           American Crafts

Website:    American Crafts  

Pinterest:    American Crafts     

YouTube:    American Crafts

Thank you for letting me speak from the heart this morning. I work with an extraordinary team, I have a pretty great family (that puts up with a lot of crazy!) and I have YOU! Happy Monday!

~  Catherine Tachdjian, Publisher, Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine