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.

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.