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.

Today's Knitting Challenges

Working my way through this first hat attempt and I am really enjoying my journey. But as many of you know, teaching is my jam. I have been teaching paper crafting and Cricut forever. I know it was time to retire my paper crafting but my love of teaching and sharing ...well that is another story! I know I am just

a beginning my knitting obsession but I am quickly discovering many of you are just like me. You have always wanted to knit but don't know where to start. I remember how many of my Cricut students felt!

We are going to learn to knit together. I will share resources and tips I have discovered here and hope to save you some of the time I have spent trying to figure out how, why and what you need.

Do you look at other projects and think oh I could never do that? Ya , me too! Do you check out a YouTube video and I think I have no idea what they are talking about??!! Yup that too. How about wandering around the yarn section of your craft store and realizing you don't know what you need or what you don't need? I have been right there with you.... for years. I was paralyzed with confusion and just gave up. I decided now was the time (and I have had many many second thoughts this time too!)

But I am determined and I promise we will figure this out together. My goal is to take away the mystery and confusion. With each post I also plan to share some of the thoughts inside my head, I know I know I might wish I kept them to myself! See if you have some of these thoughts too!

INSIDE THOUGHTS Another challenge for me is the need to knit useful projects that I can keep or give away. As I sorted thru my crazy craft closets, I realized I had so many "cute" projects that were fun to make but then what? I want what I knit to be used not just fun to make. Ya that makes it trickier too! How many scarves do you need?