Why Stampin' Up! (Part 4)

Happy Monday!  At last, the final chapter in my little story.  I hope at least some of you have enjoyed it.  I think it has been a bit therapeutic for me, but I promise in future posts not to be quite as introspective and actually provide you with some useful information.

Although I wasn’t scrapbooking for several years I continued to stamp.  I loved making cards and other gifts for people.  During this time, I dabbled with another company – Stampin’ Up!, which I believe is the best rubberstamping company in existence.   The stamps are awesome and their system of color coordination among ink, markers, paper, ribbon, and embellishments is wonderful.  I was also working at the time and once again gave up this endeavor due to a lack of time.

At this point, the setting will change.  Fast forward several years and a move across the country.  I once again wanted to work from home and tried a short stint with a skin care company and while I loved the products, my heart just wasn’t in it.  I also started a teaching job but had to quit due to medical issues once again.  So here we are at the present time and finally I am getting to the question of why I have become a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator.  After explaining my history with scrapbooking and rubberstamping, I hope that question is easy to answer.  No other occupation – and I have tried several – has meant so much to me.  This is something that I love, that I am passionate about, and that I believe in.  Especially with our present age of technology – a handmade, handwritten card can mean so much to a friend or family member.  Through this hobby, ( I hate to call it that but to call it a way of life seems a little overdramatic), once again I hope to inspire others and watch them experience the friends that can be made and the lives that can be changed through scrapbooking, rubberstamping, and expressing oneself through art.

So there you have – not quite in a nutshell – my heart and desire to return to my first love.

Coming up - my next few posts will be about our adventures as my best friend, Debbie, visits for two weeks.  

We always have a great time together and love to share things that we find.  You will also be graced by her photography.  I will share with you the places we visit, the projects we attempt, and who knows what else.  If you want a sneak peak of how we roll, read my posts from one of our junking trips to Dallas here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Meschill

Why Stampin' Up (Part 3)

Welcome to Part 3 about why I decided to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  I'm enjoying sharing this story and appreciate those who are following along.  I would for you to leave comments!

As I continued experimenting with scrapbooking,  I met a Creative Memories Consultant and I fell in love with the company.  The natural teacher in me was dying to share my new found passion with others so naturally I became a consultant.  This was the beginning of a wonderful time in my life.  For the next 10 years

I continued with Creative Memories

 Meeting many wonderful people

 Hosting extravagant workshops

 and even attending a national conference.  I loved teaching and planning the workshops.  With my health improving and my daughters in high school I went back to work and discovered that I no longer had time to be a consultant.  However, I continued to scrapbook until a tragic event which changed my life forever.  My oldest daughter passed away after an auto accident.  For years I could not bring myself to continue making scrapbooks out of the vast number of photos still waiting for a home.  I would try, but it was just too hard.  

Kristi had enjoyed scrapbooking as well and although it was something that had always brought me such joy – I just didn’t have the heart for it.

  During these first years following the accident, I came to realize how important those years of preserving our memories would be.  I had at least 20 scrapbooks that included pictures, memorabilia, and stories.  I can’t express how precious those albums are to me and to my family.  I have also heard from past customers about how scrapbooking has enriched their lives as well.

Today, scrapbooking has taken on many different forms but the idea is still the same - enriching lives by preserving precious memories!

Next time - Stampin' Up!

Thanks for stopping by!

Meschill

Why Stampin' Up (Part 2)

Welcome to Part 2 of why I am once again a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  Part 1 was entitled Worst Blogger.

Before I get started on the story I wanted to share what I've been doing today.

Something new to Stampin' Up! since I've been with the company is Paper Pumpkin.  Each month you get a new kit with everything you need to make a project like this.  My kit consisted of everything to make four cards with envelopes and a little stamp set and two mini stamp pads that can be used over and over!  If you're interested in more information on how you can subscribe to Paper Pumpkin Click Here 
or leave a comment and I will get back with you personally!

And now................................

The story begins many years ago. 

My daughters were just starting elementary school and I had just been diagnosed with Lupus.  

Due to some complications with my medical issues I was once again a stay-at-home-mom.  In my pursuit of meaningful things to fill my days, I decided that I would make a scrapbook.  Now you have to consider the fact that scrapbooking was not a major player in the craft industry at this time and I had never even heard of Creative Memories, which at that time, was the only supplier.  I did research - something that I love to do - and met some online friends who were doing the same thing.  

My old Creative Memories customers will laugh, but I started with a three ring binder, a box of page protectors, and some construction paper.  My first pages were rather simple and rough but I had discovered my new love!  I don't have many of those first pages. Most of them have been redone.

With more research, I learned the dos and don’ts, which adhesives to use, the importance of all materials being acid free, and how to lay out a page.  





During this time I also discovered rubber stamps.  I met many wonderful people online, some local and some far away.  I learned many things from these friends and became a member of a group of ladies that got together and scrapped and rubberstamped just about every week.

Join me next time as the story continues to my Creative Memories Days!

Worst Blogger

Hello World!  

Ok, I admit it.  I am the worst blogger ever!!!!!  

I haven't written a post since November of last year. 

So much has happened.......... but I won't bore you with the details.

****** Due to medical reasons I am no longer teaching.  

******We are now living on St. Helena Island, 

One of the Sea Islands of Beautiful Beaufort by the Sea in South Carolina. 

 I am still marveling at the beauty that we are blessed to see each day. 

******Finally, I am once again a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. 

 So now you're caught up!  Whew, I can wipe that guilt from my mind!  AND I vow to be a better blogger!!!!!!!

My posts over the next few days are mainly about why I decided to return to my first love - rubberstamping and scrapbooking - hence Stampin' Up!

.

This is a rather long story and probably boring to some, but I know there are some old friends out there, and maybe some new ones, who will be interested.  

Old friends - you know who you are! :)

The story begins many years ago……

Look for my next post as I reminisce a bit – but ultimately for a reason.  Now is that a spoiler or what?  P.S. I LOVE COMMENTS!!

Have a blessed day!

Meschill