Oh I have made a U-Turn!

I feel a little foolish but we are allowed to change our minds, right? and I just want to share my thoughts with all of you as I know you feel this way too sometimes. Several years ago I was in the middle of needing to make some big life changes, but I didn't really see what those were at the time. My husband and I were getting older and starting to freak out that we were missing something. I knew I wasn't happy but had no idea what it was. (no I wasn't unhappy with him ever!) I foolishly thought oh I need to really retire from online paper crafting business ...that will do it! I closed my online classroom, stepped away from Stampin' Up! and my team and my customers. I sold and donated EVERYTHING! All my supplies, all my stamps, all my Stampin' Blends and inks.... EVERYTHING!!

Today, hindsight is 20 20, I now realize that WAS NOT what I needed and I never should have done that but I did. Eventually it became clear, yes we need to slow down and take time for us. It took more than a year to see what that looked like but fast forward to where we are now. We sold our home and moved into my daughter's inlaw apartment, right next door to our 3 wonderful grandchildren. We bought an rv and parked it on Lake Champlain for the summer and phew life was slower and much easier. And, honestly less lonely. My husband still works (I say putters ) at a good friend's antique store so much of my day was spent with just Mort and me!

I felt kind of foolish for my decisions and worried what you would all think of me and that held me back a bit. I decided to share honestly so those of you that have changed your mind my see yourself in my journey. I have tried to find my way back to my crafty roots thru my Cricut and my SVGs but honestly, I am over that. I want a hobby that can easily travel with me to the lake or sit on the couch with Mort or go sit on my deck outside. hmmm

I made a big deal about leaving Stampin' Up! and I no longer wanted to run a "business" so I thought well I will try other stamp companies. I did ... think Lawn Fawn and Honey Bee stamps. I did love them sort of.... but I feel like Baby Bear, they were not quite right! I remembered that I was both a Copic and Spectrum Noir certified teachers so maybe coloring would be a good addition but ... remember I SOLD EVERYTHING! So I decided to try the new OLO makers for a fresh start and again they were beautiful ... but again not quite right.

The reasons I fell in love with Stampin' Up! way back when was the simple coordination of the colors and how easy it felt to my matchy matchy brain.

BUT if I was going back to Stampin' Up! you might all think I was crazy and wishy washy.

And yup maybe you do! I rejoined Stampin' Up! starting from scratch with no team, no customers and was kind of afaraid to really share Stampin' Up! (I am getting better at it) and I had to get past the notion that you can't go home again. I discovered yes I can and Stampin' Up! welcomed me with open arms and no questions asked (at least outloud!)

I have started to reinvest in my favorite alcohol markers the Stampin' Blends (never mind that I have a large collection of OLO markers ..oh dear) I will be sharing why I love them and how relaxing and stress relieving Stampin' Up! blend coloring can be.

Everyone is different and has different crafting loves. I wish I was able to see that my Stampin' Up! business wasn't the reason I was unhappy and could have figured this out long ago.

I will be doing things very differently this time around. I am not selling classes, not setting up a classroom and juggling multiple websites and Facebook groups. I am working on building up my supplies again ( ok ok I will shop a little!) and my Stampin Up! store will have my projects and links to new videos as I slowly create them again. Yes I even gave away my camera set up. So if you are still reading, you are getting a peak behind the curtain and sometimes it can be a lil messy in my world. I colored an image with a couple of blends that I have and waiting for my orders to arrive and I smiled as I realized this is what I was missing and what I should be doing. Be sure to make yourself happy first and hugs to you all, Cara

Monday Musings

Mort and I are resting my ankle for a bit. Yes it is getting better and I went half of the day without my boot! In case you missed my graceful-ness, I was walking downstairs and thought I was at the bottom BUT there was one more step! Not broken, badly sprained :( so I am moving a bit slower for a few more weeks)

Anyway, what I wanted to chat with you about today was my new "tiny" house living and how Stampin' Up! is going to be possible ... and exciting. The last time I was a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I thought I needed (ok ok I wanted) every color inkpad, every shade of cardstock, lots and lots and lots of stamps and dies and punches. It was fun for sure.

I knew that wasn't possible here and so I thought I had to leave Stampin' Up! behind but as we settle in I realized I missed it but could do things a bit differently. I have a section of cabinet that will be my paper crafting space, not a full room haha. So I have to be a bit more selective. I have sold, donated and given away all my supplies too. As I decided to start fresh, I really studied the Stampin' Up! catalog. This October Special was just what I needed!

As I shared, I chose the $35 option and then went shopping as a demonstrator saving 20% and earning 10% rewards too. But what did I choose?

The Mini Stampin Cut Emboss Machine was my first pick. I love the way stamped images look when die cut and this is a perfect size for me. Yes I will need to be sure the dies and folders will work with this one but that is clearly marked in the catalog. I picked a couple of stamp sets that I will share when my order arrives.

I ordered Basic White Thick cardstock, a few of my favorite inks and some Stampin Seal and Dimensionals. I will add to this collection but it will be selective.

The BIG CHANGE in my Stampin' Up! life is focusing on Paper Pumpkin! I never really did in my past but this is a PERFECT answer for tiny living. Each one comes with a tiny ink sample Stampin' Spot and everything I need to create the projects each month. I have subscribed so each month a sweet lil gift will arrive in my mailbox and plan to complete a couple of the projects as designed AND THEN use the supplies to design my own cards, yes I will share with you too, and not have to have a huge storage closet with EVERYTHING. Hurry if you want to have this Paper Pumpkin this month along with me!

October 10th is just around the corner!

Simple Cards are Back!

I mean it ... really simple but fun to make.

A little over a year ago, we started a massive lifestyle change. My craft room and closets were closed for good!

We made the decision to downsize and simplify our lives. We worked to put our home on the market and on my 70th birthday in March we moved into a "tiny" in law apartment at my daughter's home.

Home sweet home!

My contractor son has transformed this once studio apartment into a one bedroom with gorgeous decks and views. Everything has a home and we simplified for sure. We based a lot of the renovations on the style of a seasonal camper we love at Lake Champlain. As I realize we are now "settled" I have looked around and found my crafty side could find a spot here! I have been knitting small and large and I love it but I really miss my Stampin' Up! and sharing my simple cards both in Facebook live events and YouTube videos too.

The fantastic special Stampin' Up! is offering this month was the only push I needed. Yes, my Simple Cards are back. Stay tuned for details and welcome online classes in a few weeks. Thanks for joining me on this fun ride!