I recently joined a new training program with Stampin’ Up!  Part of this program is completing challenges related to my business.  I was challenged to share my Stampin’ Up! story with others.  I would like to share it with you.

My Stampin’ up! story – I think I have 2 beginnings – when I was first introduced to Stampin’ Up! more than 13 years ago and when I became a demonstrator which was 5 years ago.  I have always loved to create – even as a little girl – I made everything I could.  I really don’t remember exactly who brought me to Stampin’ Up! but I know exactly who the demonstrator was that showed me about the products.  I was already making invitations for my kids birthday parties and valentines for school, etc. so stamping was something that fit right in to the things I was already doing.  I stamped on and off for years – always looking forward to the catalog coming out in the summer – that was the highlight of the summer.  I also spent a lot of time doing things for everyone else – I worked a full time job, had a family with 3 young boys and 2 dogs, I was room-mom,  school volunteer, soccer mom, cub scout leader, scout day camp co-director, you name it I’m sure I did it at some point.  I lost touch with Stampin’ Up! for a couple of years.  I was so busy with my life that I never took time for me and I really needed it.  I found a small group that stamped once a month and usually made one project – it wasn’t enough and I wanted more.  I spent a couple of months researching the idea of becoming a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator and talking and thinking about it before I decided I REALLY wanted to do this.  And thinking back on it I think I NEEDED to do this – I needed something for me – I needed “me time” –  to wind down, to relax, to de-stress, to help regroup so that I could keep going and without realizing it I needed this to help me face the fears that I have – to talk in front of a group, to meet new people, to call people on the phone.  I have loved every minute of being a demonstrator even when I have to do the things I’m afraid of and in the process have made many friends and met new people from all over the world.  This is my passion and I love to share it.

Thanks for letting me share it with you.