A New Year presents an opportunity to reflect on the past and make projections for the future. In reflection, I have to say 2008 was a stellar year for me...especially in the stamping arena.
January...I rolled over a New Year, had an average of 30 hits per day on my blog...most were from me and my Mom!!
February....I won Julee's Mojo Madness contest, and in doing so recieved my very first acrylic stamps and my very first "Non-Stampin' UP!" stamps. Yes that's right, until 11 months ago, I had never touched anything but a Stampin' Up stamp.
March 15...I got a PM from Julie Ebersole asking me to join the Splitcoast Dirty Dozen. Oh my word. Can I just say that I was so stunned, elated and some days I still can't believe it. The invitation came with a clause that I must keep it secret for the next month...and just the fact that I did keep the secret makes me feel bullet proof. Thankfully, my good friend Jodi Collins (Kharmagirl on SCS) was on board with me, and the frantic emails between the two of us are saved forever in my files and my heart. I am still honoured to have had the priviledge of being a Dirty Dozen Alumni, and I will carry the badge with me forever.
March 30...Julee Tilman sends me the sweetest email inviting me to join the Verve design team. Holy moly, let me just say I was a real basket case. I couldn't tell her the "other news" I was bursting with, but I was head over heals with joy to be a part of her amazing team and amazing company.
April 15...The big reveal on Splitcoast Stampers. I recall the scene from City Slickers when Billy Crystal asks Mitch Robbins what was his "Best Day ever"...well April 15, 2008 was mine. I felt like I had been crowned and at last the secret was out. I was a Dirty Girl. Sometimes I still can't believe it.
May...I win the "Mom of Mine" art contest with Stampin' UP! That landed me three free sets...and those ones are always the best.
June...I chance upon a Design Team call for a stamp company based in my home town Red Deer! I was thrilled when Julia invited me to be on her team for the Little Paper Shop.
July...My blog hits 100,000 hits. I couldn't believe it, less than 1 year!
August...I get an email from Julie Koerber, Flourishes' Design Team Coordinator asking if I would like to be on the Friends of Flourishes blog team. I was a little hesitant, but with my 6 month term on the Dirty Dozen up in September I hop on board.
September...My Dirty Dozen title becomes "Dirty Dozen Alumni". Such a sweet and wild ride, rooming with the fabulous Jodi Collins is over. However, the friendship bonds formed with the amazing group of ladies is something I will treasure forever.
October...my one year Blogaversary; oh it was funny to look back on those earlier posts when no body was even watching. It was like talking to myself LOL! I am so grateful that you come to visit me every day and leave your footprints so I can follow you home and be grateful for your comments and inspired by your amazing art work.
November...Flourishes invites me to be on their Senior Design team. I'm thrilled to pieces again. I love their elegant stamps and they bring out the best in me. My blog hit 200,000 hits. It took nine months to hit 100,000 and only 4 more to get to the next 100,000. I am humbled and amazed that you choose to visit so frequently!
December...My "Roll with the Punches" technique is published in Stampin' Up!'s demonstrator support magazine - Stampin' Success. I'm published!
What an amazing year. So what's next?
Well, I always look at the New Year as an opportunity to move forward...and I start with resolutions. Some people don't make them, but I do. I don't always keep them, but that doesn't deter me from making them. I see it as a fresh starting point. So here are my stamping resolutions....and here's where YOU come in.
1) I resolve to use my stash. I have discarded some and gifted some, but I still have piles of stuff; purchases over the course of 10 years, adds up to so much now it's getting out of hand. Some of you may remember my "Ugly Paper Challenge" with Cindy Major back in October, well I'm ready to do that again and again! I'm a challenge addict...but are you up for a challenge? I am challenging you, one on one, to use your stash too! Here is a list of items that perhaps you have too. ***If you would like to participate in a challenge with me, send me an email scrapnextras@yahoo.com and let me know what you would like to challenge me on and I will get back to you.*** I would like to do this as a weekly blog feature, and I would feature your card and blog (although you don't have to have a blog!) in the weekly post. Here is some of the stuff I need to get using, and if you have some obscure item that is not listed here, let me know. I probably have it too, and I would love to revive it! Here's my list so far:
Stickers older designer papers eyelets paper clay fibers sticker/die cut letters die-cuts punches tags(luggage, metal rimmed, die cut etc) beads wire specialty paper (embossed, mulberry, handmade) slide mounts confetti(I have so much of this from when I first discovered shaker boxes) metal/epoxy frames charms tiles (ceramic, acrylic, wood) bottle caps and I could go on...
2) I would like to get published in a widely circulated magazine. I will follow the magazine calls and start submitting. I haven't heard them knocking at my door, so I think that's the route I will have to take if I am going to realize that goal.
3) Make more "mailable" cards...and mail them! I will make at least one "mailable" (with one stamp) card a week and mail it. I'm not sure about you, but I make between 7-10 cards every week, and they are taking up as much space as my supplies these days. Which brings me to my next resolution,
4) Start an Etsy store. I'm not sure if anyone would buy my cards, but I won't know letting them stack up to the rafters here collecting dust. It would also be nice to have some money that I feel "justified" spending on supplies. Not that I don't spend, but I confess I often feel guilty about the amount of stuff I have all the while still wanting more LOL!
5) Get back into scrapbooking. That's where I started. I can certainly recall the distinct mystery about card makers...I mean why would you put so much effort into something you gave away. Needless to say I discovered the amazing feeling of "giving" and "sharing" and have looked back with a twinge of guilt sometimes. My dh didn't mind my scrapbooking, but he doesn't understand the stamping. I also miss the wonderful feeling of completing a page that represented a time and space in my life...so I want to get back. A page a week. That's my resolution. As much to preserve my marriage as my family history LOL! A page a week. Keep me honest on this one...OK?
Well, that about covers it. So are you up for a challenge? If you have any of the items in my first resolution, send me an email, and I will get back to you. Together we can make a dent in the huge pile of stuff that we have amassed over the years. It'll be fun don't you think?
Well, that's it for me tonight. A very long post, and if you've read this far, well thanks for indulging me in my reflections and resolutions. It's always a pleasure to have you visit, and I look forward to another fabulous year of blogging with you!
