Stampin' Up! Business or Fun

So you may be thinking, what is different this time around. Yes, I have been in and out as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator over the past few years. I even made a big video about really really retiring! (That makes this even more embarrassing too!) As I worked my way out of my really huge craft room, my huge stockpile of older stamps and papers I realized I had lost sight of why I liked Stampin' Up!

My Stampin' Up! world had morphed into a struggling business that was more headache and pressure than crafty fun. I let my happy place turn into a JOB and it was certainly no longer fun. I was running on a treadmill trying to "sell" the next big thing. Ugh!

Stepping back, donating and selling all my overwhelming stock was so freeing! I remembered what I loved and missed about Stampin' Up! I tried to duplicate that with other stamp sets and realized that I was shopping and certainly not getting a demonstrator discount either.

Sooo, I decided to could just sneak in and not tell anyone and be a happy lil stamper quietly. But I also realized I had shared the journey with all of you, why stop now??!

Here I am sharing my change of heart and a promise that it is different this time.

• No classes for you to buy, no paid classroom membership, no weekly Facebook lives that are really just info-mercials like home shopping club shows.

• Just me sharing my card making and fun techniques on my YouTube channel and sharing my thoughts and bumps in the road here.

• If you want to join me here at Stampin' Up! I will tell you when its a good deal (like in January 2025) or when sales are coming.

• I will share what I am using and tell you why but promise no sales pitch about how to you have to grab it now!

Thanks for following along! Hugs, Cara

Really? Stampin' Up! again??

This is a serious behind the scenes look, honest conversation about my thoughts and decisions.

Several months ago I thought I was ready to "retire" and stop teaching and sharing my love of paper crafting. I was truly just spinning in place. I have felt this way before and tried different directions but sometimes I have to be willing to admit I was wrong. I should have just stepped back for a bit and not rushed into an all or nothing choice.

I had a wonderful summer camping at the lake and yes I did teach myself to knit too! I tried using other papers, stamps and coloring. I even tried using just my Cricut but all of those options left me wandering aimlessly. I missed belonging to the Stampin' Up! community and the coordinated products.

I love teaching simple cards, sometimes sharing the Cricut Joy but sometimes just paper, stamps and ink is relaxing too. I have streamlined my online world and plan to share on my card tutorials on my YouTube channel and this blog.

EDITED: Yes I did it again! Come see what's new here MY STAMPIN UP! STORE

I have not re joined Stampin' Up! just yet but plan to over the next few days. I hope you understand my decision a little bit more.

Getting started with simple card making

I have a formula that I use for all my simple cards. I find if I pre cut the pieces, it makes putting the cards together so much easier. No I am not a Stampin' Up! demonstrator right now (although I am seriously thinking about it cuz I really miss sharing cards with all of you!) But this pattern works really well to get you simple card making kit ready to go.