Do you know what helps me most here on this blog? When you comment. And I don't mean that I need flattery, I just have no way to knowing who stops by without a comment. I say that because I recently did a video for YouTube and I simply asked people for a comment and it was GREAT!
I think what's missing more than anything else in the crafting space is interaction. We used to see a picture on social media and we would comment and share and do all the fun things.
Now we “doom scroll” as the kids say these days.
We go from one image to the next. We save favorites for “someday” that never comes. Our inspiration lives (and dies) on those dang devices!!
We used to watch craft videos, some of us used to love watching the crafting TV shows.
We used to engage with the content creators, but now there's so many of them, it's hard to keep up.
Right?
Story Time
I've been professionally in the crafting space for 21 years now. Crazy since I am only 24.- lol!!! (I had to try it.)
I've was with one company for one too long and then in my other craft blog (did you know I have two?) I've worked with several companies, big and small, doing designer work.
And this space is simply amazing!
Over the past two years, I have some REALLY big decisions to make. Actually, let's back up. You probably didn't know that in 2019 I was offered my dream job for a Fortune 500 company, since that's not a story I like to share.
So yeah, let's start there. 2019. Offered my dream job and turned it down after my six month trial option period was up.
I turned it down because of Stamping Family. If I stayed with that company, I had to shut down what I was doing. And I couldn't imagine closing the doors to the Stamping Family site.
It turned out to be a great move – trusting out guts is SO IMPORTANT!
It did mean keeping some parts of the business I didn't want to keep. So I kept chugging along until almost two years ago when my gut was telling me to make some changes.
As I was working through the changes, some things happened that negatively affected the parts of my business that I wanted to let go of. While it was negative at the time, it was the push my butt needed to align with my gut! (that might need to be a t-shirt… get your butt inline with your gut!)
Fast forward and while practically EVERYTHING changed in my stamping business, one thing stayed the same….
Our Stamping Family was still going strong!
We weathered good software updates, one bad one we don't talk about, and a big member shift.
That shift was painful but welcome at the same time. We had a lot of members leave because I wasn't with SU any longer. And I respect that. I thought of myself as more of a card maker and they saw me as only a SU demo. And that's okay!
Those that are still there – they are awesome! Some of them have been in there since 2009! Good gravy, can you even imagine?
That speaks to me more than anything else!
Story Over, On To the Card!
So twice a year we have our Crafternoon's. It's a 3 hour craft extravaganza that is just flat out fun!
We usually do 3 projects during that time, everyone using whatever supplies makes their hearts feel warm and fuzzy.
The challenge was an Olds Meets New challenge. Mix 2 products you've never used before with 2 you have.
Since my entire craft room was emptied and restocked with new items over the past year, the never used was a little hard for me.
But I across a set of stencils that I got in June but hadn't touched. Why? Because they are layered holly leaves and berries and it's been a little warm here in Texas, hard to get into the Christmas card season!
So that was perfect for this challenge.
Oh, and I threw our members for a curve ball – it had to be a Z-Fold card!
And here's what I made:
How pretty is this card?
I'm sure I would have used these stencils in the coming weeks, but I don't think I would have made this layout or used the other products that I did if it weren't for this challenge!
And I think it was Debbie who said she came up with her masculine cards for the year based off this challenge too! I know it was Debbie, just don't remember which challenge for sure.
We had SOOOOO many different Z-Fold card ideas, it was crazy!
And that's another reason why I love our Stamping Family! It's not about what I make in there, it's always about what they make – and I am all here for it!
I will share the list of supplies down below, but before we do that…
I have a question for you…
- Do you have a group that you can create with?
- A card making group that inspires you to create more than you buy?
- A group that consistently shows up for online events?
- A group that's more about fellowship than anything else?
- A group that has a member-led challenge because she felt driven to start it for our family members?
- A group that does swaps without product requirements?
Yep, I hear you, that was more than one question. But I just kept going, lol!
If any of that sounds like a group you want to be a part of, don't miss out on this opportunity to join Stamping Family! The doors to new registrations ends on Nov 6th and I don't want you to have to sit on the waitlist! The waitlist is all fine and good – but it's way better to be off the waitlist and in the family!
I always say that the only thing missing in Stamping Family is you, and we would love to welcome you!
I hope you do take this opportunity to join us, I'll just tell it like it is – we are fun!
THE DOORS CLOSE TONIGHT AT 10PM CENTRAL- SO DON'T MISS OUT!
The Supplies For This Card
Click the product below to shop — a little creative treat for your craft collection never goes out of style. ✨
A gentle note: some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission (never at any extra cost to you). When you choose to shop through them, it truly supports the content I create and helps me maintain wonderful relationships with the brands I share with you. Thank you for adding a touch of sparkle to this creative journey with me. 💛
So I hope that this card inspires you to create. Whether with us in Stamping Family, or in your craft space with this blog as your inspiration – fun fact, you can do both!
But however you choose to craft, just keep crafting!
It's the best thing I do for myself every day! I love sharing it with you and can't wait to share more!
XOXO, Meg
