It seems I’ve always been a crafter in one way or another. Over the years I’ve enjoyed sewing, counted cross stitch, embroidery, crochet, wood crafts, Christmas ornaments, beading…even my garden was an ever-changing palette of color and form. One day back in the mid 90’s, my sister-in-law showed me a scrapbook of her son’s graduation. I’d never seen anything like this – it was colorful and creative, told a story, identified the people and events, each page made me want to turn the page for more. It was nothing like the scrapbooks I’d been used to -- pages of photos in neat rows on plain paper with names and dates scrawled underneath. My grandparents had piles of photo-books, the kind where you slip the picture in a plastic sleeve, but when they died and we became the new owners of those precious mementos, most of the pictures were of people and events we never knew. So, I’m looking at my sister-in-laws very cool scrapbook and my head is spinning with ideas. My only question was “Where can I learn to do this?” Within a week, I was going to my first scrapbooking class.
Now you’re probably asking yourselves, how does stamping come into this? Well, for me it was a natural step. I’d been scrapbooking, playing with color and embellishments, buying papercrafting tools and supplies by the bagful, carved out a crafting space in a bedroom, and finding I was more creative than I ever thought I could be. My crafting counter soon became a craft room. I found myself getting together with friends and family, sharing all our ideas and ‘stuff’, helping each other explore their own creative genius, and having a great time in the process. I started experimenting with stamps and inks, and was totally enthralled with all of it. I found found Stampin’ Up! a couple years later, and it’s been a love affair ever since!
Stampin’ Up! is an amazing company. I love their products. I love the way the other demonstrators freely share their expertise and ideas. It’s a loving and supportive environment. I became a demonstrator initially to take advantage of a great sign-up incentive and to get my own products at a reduced price, but I soon realized it was more than that. I was meeting new people, sharing a craft I truly enjoy and products I believe in, and most of all, I was helping others find and unleash the creativity in themselves. What really does it for me is that first card or 3-D item we make together. They look at it with both excitement and wonder and say “I made this!” Their eyes light up and the smile spreads from ear to ear. There’s nothing like it! I want everybody to know how good that feels.
Stampin’ Up!’s mission statement “The Statement of the Heart” reads: “To love what we do and share what we love, as we help others enjoy creativity and worthwhile accomplishments . . . in this we make a difference.”
How I can help you make a difference?
