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My family (mother, cousins, aunts) started stamping many years before I did. In fact, I actively resisted becoming involved at all. I loved receiving everyone's hand-stamped cards for Christmas, but had no desire to do it myself. Then, out of the blue, I decided to host a workshop for my cousin. I just wanted to have a party, and I also wanted to help her with her business.
The wokshop was a lot of fun, but I did not do any of the hands-on projects. Afterward, when I looked through the catalog to choose my free merchandise, I could not think of a single thing I wanted (really -- not a single thing!). My cousin helped me decide on a few sets and some supplies, and we closed the party.
Then I decided to do another workshop. Again, we had a lot of fun, but I had no intention of doing the hands-on project. Until my cousin insisted. I like to tell people that she stood behind me with a baseball bat ("You WILL do this project!"), but it's not true. ;o)
At any rate, I did the project, and got hooked.
Then, I discovered swapping. It should come with a warning -- it is very addicting. At one point in the beginning, I had 17 swaps outstanding! I sent out 5 or 6 every week. I loved getting new and creative cards back, and I do have to say that I have formed friendships with some people I swap with often (my husband teases me about having friends I have never met).
Eventually I started hosting. Suddenly I wasn't getting one envelope of new cards each time, I was getting a dozen or more! Wow, what a feeling!
Now I have shelves full of card samples to show people. A guest asked me once what I did with them all. The only answer I could come up with at the time was, "Look at them." Since then, I have used them for ideas to put together several sets of 12 to 15 cards given as gifts -- thank you cards all done in blue for my sister-in-law's baby shower, and all-occasion cards for Christmas and birthday gifts.
My goal is to collect samples for every set in the catalog, so that when someone says, "Gee, I really like this stamp set, but I'm not sure what I'd do with it," I'd be able to pull out a bag full of ideas.
So that's my story. Thank you for letting me share it with you. |  |
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Favorites Favorite Sets:
Music Speaks (retired)
Cottage Rose
Watercolor Garden
Rainy Days (retired)
Snow Angels
Button/Bow Bears and Accessories
Little Boys
Darling Dragons
Favorite Colors:
Sage Shadow
Real Red
Creamy Caramel
Brocade Blue
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