I'm Back!

Testing.....testing.... please do not adjust your set !  There was nothing wrong with your computer and no you did not unsubscribe by mistake....I did!  I've been MIA for the last month and a half and after a much needed break, I think I'm ready to jump back in!    First off I want to thank those of you who contacted me expressing your concern over my absence...you are so sweet and I thank you for caring!   Honestly, I just found myself overwhelmed with the whole business aspect of things, my real life (kids job, house, etc) and add Christmas to that and I think my brain blew  a fuse :(   As a result of all this, I pretty much had to abandon my business for a month and rediscover why I joined Stampin' Up in the first place.  I have discovered that I really don't like the stress of making this a business and so I have taken a step back from things and have decided that being a hobby demo is a better fit for me at this stage in my life.  With the full time job, 3 kids in sports and a house that is undergoing renovations....trying to keep up with the blog, my classes, and everything that goes with that, was driving me to drink .....I didn't even like being around me!  So with that done...you know what?  I am almost relieved...  I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders and I am happy again.   This March when I go on cruise I will enjoy it for what it is, a nice earned vacation and I will cherish every moment knowing it will likely be my last as well as my first!  I am okay with that :)  I know in my heart that should I wish to ramp things up again, it is in me to do when the time is right.  But that time for me is not now.  So with that being said, I still plan on sending out newsletters and offering specials, a monthly class to my customers and selling handmade things on-line (gotta make those minimums somehow, lol!)  and of course posting on my blog! 

So on that note, here's one of the cards that I designed for a shoebox swap that I did with my downline at our christmas party in December!

This card uses Flowers for You designer paper and the new level 3 hostess set Time Well Spent!  The flower on the tag is stamped on scrap white paper, colored and cut out, then attached to the tag using a stampin dimensional and Build a Brad.  The leaves were stamped with black on Olive cardstock, cut out and attached with glue dots.  The background stamp you see on the turquoise paper is the Polka Dot background stamp.

This next card was given to me and was designed by Sheri Van Hooren...

Isn't is sweet!!!  I love the way this card opens and the scalloped edge behind the snowman is glittery!  I am such a sucker for glitter :)  Thank you Sheri for such a beautiful card!  You can check Sheri's blog out here!

Comments

[jennifer reynard]

I know of a few demonstrators who are thinking the very same thing. You do have a very busy house and I think you have to have fun at this scrapbooking/cardmaking business/hobby,or it just turns into a life of stress trying to be everything to everyone! Glad to hear you listened to yourself and pulled in the reigns!
A good book you might want to read is "Real Women Scrap", by Tasra Dawson. I gave it to two girlfriends to read this Christmas, as they are S.U. demonstrators close to burnout.
It tells how women try to do it all, and it is not possible.
One quote from the book: "It takes wisdom to know what we should be doing and what we shouldn't. We can't do everything. Boundaries define us." Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend, Boundaries
So hope you do enjoy cruise,but don't get caught up with the sales pressure again.
Take care,
Jennifer
P.S. I have had a lot of admirers for your advent calendar!

[Kim]

I'm at the same place you are! I'm glad I'm not the only one feeling this way right now. I love Stampin' Up! but I just really need a break from the business end also. I've really been struggling with it...I'm not even sure I want to stay a hobby demo right now but am sticking it out for now. Just know that you're not alone either! I hope we both find the answer we need!! :)

[Michelle Habib]

Terri - I wish you really well. I've just found your blog, and it's fabulous, but I also know EXACTLY what you mean about burnout. It's really tough trying to juggle everything with a family and work commitments, so you enjoy your holiday - you've had an amazing year obviously. Get back to loving making cards, and ignore the feeling that you have to always do "more!".
Michelle