I am many things, a wife, a mother of many lovely children- six to be exact (4 mine, 2 his- but all loved, or at least tolerated somedays!). I am a Office Support Specialist, an avid reader, a daughter who tries to spend time with her parents, a taxi cab, an events coordinator (yes, doctor visits and eye appointments, birthday parties, etc. count as events!!) a zoo-keeper (there are soooo many of them!!) a referee, a body-guard (MOM!! She took my favorite pants!!!) and so many other things. We are all so busy nowadays! No matter if you are single, married, have children, have dogs and cats instead, life has become so hectic.
So what do you do to unwind? As I said, I do love to read, to lose myself in stories that others have written, to be whisked away to a strange land filled with adventure and make-believe. But, one of my other favorite pastimes is CRAFTING! I have been crafting off-and-on for many years now. My favorite love is Stampin' Up!© Because of my love of paper crafting, I became a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator (for the second time) a couple years ago. I love my Stampin' Up! family and friends, the people that I have met through my workshops and classes, and those I hope to yet meet! There is nothing more rewarding that sitting with friends and making things that will bring a smile to someone's face.
Stampin' Up! makes it so easy to create "WOW" cards, gifts and other items that can be used as gifts, items to display around your home, to show someone that you are thinking of them, that you love them and that you care. They have high quality products, everything is color coordinated, and easy to use. Don't get me wrong, I do go to Micheal's, but it is simply for items that I don't get from Stampin' Up! Things like planners, some storage products (for my Stampin' Up!) and other miscellaneous items. I have made the mistake of trying to buy paper from other sources, its not as great a quality, its not double sided, its not the product that I have grown to rely on and love!!!
For example, I love Project Life!! by Becky Higgins. These items can be found at Micheal's, but they have a special line with Stampin' Up! that coordinates with other products, colors, papers, etc from Stampin' Up! I have lots of products bought through SU that are Project Life - I love the ease and how much time you save with this newfangled "Memory Keeping System" (but more on that later!!). So, anyway, I happened to be in Micheal's and there was a huge sale on Project Life that is carried in the Micheal's store. And I had a coupon!! It's a win-win right? Nope!! Although, its a lovely product and I am not in any way knocking the stuff that Micheal's carries, I am spoiled by Stampin' Up!! These products are not double-sided! Don't coordinate as well, don't feel as good. Stampin' Up! TRULY takes it to another level!!
Although at this point I am somewhat rambling, I have decided that although I have been somewhat of a "hobby" demonstrator, that I am going to try and step up my game! I am going to start blogging about my Stampin' Up! projects, ideas and activities. I am going to also attempt to make how-to videos and show you how easy it is to create all of these wonderful things!! Making homemade, gift-able items, sending an actual card for a birthday, these are things that are falling by the wayside, but they shouldn't. Crafting has health benefits! Crafting helps bring friends together!
Simply Stamptastical
