Don't Miss The Annual Clearance Rack Blitz!
Stampin' Up! has added dozens and dozens of new items to the Clearance Rack—some as low as 80% off! Wow!
Don't wait! The Clearance Rack Blitz items are only available while supplies last. You don't want to miss out on some of the best deals of the year!
►►►FREE Gift With Purchase! The first 10 orders I receive through my Online Store today only will receive a special anniversary gift valued at $10 or more! Use the Hostess Code: EPXGYGKK to qualify. First come, first served. Offer ends Thursday, December 12, or after the 10th order is placed.
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Hi Stamping Friends!
It's a special day for me today—my 10th Anniversary of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator! Woohoo!
Who knew that 10 years ago, when I mailed in my Starter Kit form, that I'd still be just as excited as I was back then about sharing my love of stamping? Back in 2003, I simply wanted to support my new stamping addiction by having a few workshops and finding a few friends to stamp with me. It's seemed like a fun little opportunity.
I still have every single one of my catalogs and mini catalogs that have been released over the last decade. I've pictured the 2002-2003 catalog that started it all for me!
Fast forward to 2013, and I'm now a full-time demonstrator with a growing business, doing classes out of a huge basement studio, and publishing a daily project-oriented blog to inspire my stamping friends all over the world! Heck, back then, I didn't even know what a "blog" was! Haha!
I feel so very blessed to be able to "Love what I do & share what I love!" Thank you to all of the stamping friends that I've had the privilege to create with, and for, over this past decade! I'm so grateful to be a part of this amazing community of creative individuals!
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Hey Stampers! Give Me A Shout-Out! To celebrate my day, I would love hear from you! Please post a comment for me today…tell me where you are from and how long you've been stamping! Leave a comment at the bottom of this post. Remember, if you're reading this as an email or through your RSS reader, you'll need to click on my original post to comment.
►►►FREE Gift With Purchase! As part of my anniversary celebration, the first 10 stampers to place an order through my Online Store today only will receive a special anniversary gift valued at $10 or more! Use the Hostess Code: EPXGYGKK to qualify. First come, first served. Offer ends Thursday, December 12, or after the 10th order is placed.
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A Look Back…My First Stamping!
I thought it might be fun to show you some of the first cards I made with Stampin' Up! Wow, things sure have changed in 10 years…
My First Christmas Cards In 2003—These are the cards that changed my life! I had been to two Stampin' Up! workshops earlier in the year, but when the holidays came along, I decided to make my own cards for the first time. I ordered the Holiday Wishes stamp set with some Forest Foliage and Baroque Burgundy inks and paper, and a lifetime stamper was born!
Two Cool—Notice that I even created Two Cool cards…I'm not kidding that making two cards at a time has been my philosophy from the very beginning! For those who can't bear to give away their creations, I've always said, "One to keep, one to give!" Mostly, I make two cards because I'm a horrible decision maker, so I need to see one "like this" and one "like that." I can't make up my mind! Do them both…win-win!
The designer papers were only one-sided then. And, eyelets were all the rage, so I used a Gold Metallic one for my tree topper! The ribbon was just some scraps I had on hand.
My First Love—The very first set that I "had to have" was the Terrific Tulips two-step stamp set. This was the first card I created with it using Pale Plum for the bold image and Perfect Plum for the highlights. It was stamped on Naturals Ivory card stock (still around…I need to use that more!). It's mounted on a Mellow Moss layer and Eggplant Envy card base. Back then, the ribbon didn't coordinate with the Stampin' Up! colors, so lavendar was close enough. This card was part of my very first Open House in January, 2004!
Oh My, Valentine—This was the second card that we created at my first Open House. I never loved this card, but I only had limited supplies starting out, so I had to go with what I had. It features the Loving Hearts stamp set with Baroque Burgundy and Rose Romance inks and card stock. We didn't have many tools at the time, so tearing the edges of the card stock and crinkling it with the Paper Crimper was the thing to do!
Love Notes Confetti—The first Hostess Set I earned was Love Notes and I did indeed love them! This card paired Green Galore with Lovely Lilac colors.
Watercolor Pencils were big, so I used them, along with a Blender Pen, to color the image. I love the popped up cake! But, my favorite was the confetti dots! I used the Anywhere Hole Punch, which you tapped on the end with a mini hammer to punch a hole anywhere in your paper in order to set an eyelet there. Instead, I punched random holes, then backed them with scraps of other bright colors. Too Cool!
Color Changes—I was just talking to a stamping friend about the color changes over the years. I can't speak before 2003, but since then, there are only 7 colors that haven't changed hues or names: Perfect Plum, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Rose Red, Night of Navy, Chocolate Chip and Basic Black. I've been through two or three complete color renovations, and I'm always even more excited with the new color selections that become availalbe. I love how Stampin' Up! keeps up with, and is even ahead of, the color trends!
First Favorite Technique—Flash forward a couple of years to Sell-A-Bration 2006. I used the Best Blossoms set with clear embossing and sponging and got my first taste of Emboss Resist.
To this day, Emboss Resist is still my very favorite stamping technique!
Big Girl Pants—My celebration wouldn't be complete without mentioning My Mommy! I lost my mom in 2008, but she always encouraged my creativity and admired the stamping projects I made. Oftentimes, she would exclam that a card I created was, "Too Cool!" She continues to bring me hope and inspiration every day. Love you, My Mommy! Read more about this very special Big Girl Pants card that I created just for her.
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Thanks again to everyone who has touched my life along this fabulous stamping journey!
It has been an amazing and exciting stamping adventure so far, and I can't wait to see how much fun we can have stamping together over the next 10 years! Whether you're here in my hometown of Fort Wayne, Indiana, or stamping with me "virtually" from anywhere in the world, I'd love for you to stay along for the ride!
Stamping hugs!
Angie
Congratulations! Thanks for the walk down memory lane. The stamp designs have come such a long way, haven’t they? I have been stamping since 1996, using SU products, but I have never wanted to become a demo. I have every catalog and mini since 1998 and I have almost every product, including all the colors of ink, refills, markers, paper,and craft ink. I have almost 1,400 SU stamp sets from all these years, and when I look back at the old catalogs, I see stamps I now would like to have. I find it difficult to part with any of stamp sets and am grateful for the clear sets that take up so much less room. I have been working on my stamping room for over two years and have run out of room to store everything, but I keep on buying! It is definitely an addiction! Thanks for your blog and all your sharing. Here’s to the next 10 years! Nancy B east of Cincinnati on the Ohio River overlooking California, KY.
CONGRATULATIONS Angie!!! 10 years is quite an accomplishment.. that is “Too Cool”!! 🙂
I have been stamping for 18 years. I have all of the catalogs and mini’s also from over the years. I love that they are Catalog AND Idea Books!!!!
I remember the first time I was introduced to heat embossing. To this day I still find it “Too Cool”!!! lol
I need to get with Nancy B… I have my “collection” of stamps and if I even think about parting with them I get separation anxiety… (yes, a definite addiction). I like to think of my stamping/scrapping habit as therapy!!!
I love your inspiration and look forward to your future projects and “Too Cool” ideas!
Trish from Benton City, Washington (WA).
Way to go Angie! 10 years doing what you love as a business is “Too Cool”!
I’m a Stampin Up! Demonstrator from New Zealand and I just love my job too! I’ve been a Demo just over 5 years and have still got a long way to go to build my business. Keep up the good work! 🙂
Thanks for your awesome comments, Nancy, Trish and Rosie! Isn’t it awesome that we can share our love for stamping from every “corner” of the globe?! Thanks for sharing your stories!
Happy 10th Stampin’ Up Anniversary, Angie! I loved your post! That’s really neat that you still have those very first cards that you made!
HAPPY 10th Stampin’ Up ANNIVERSARY! I live in Massachusetts but I clearly remember my 1st class with you when I was visiting my daughter in Ft. Wayne in Sept. 2012. I’ve been hooked ever since!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Congratulations on your 10th anniversary in Stampin’ Up! I started stamping in the late 80’s so your cards bring back memories. My
sister is a demonstrator and I just stamp for fun almost every day. I read your blog daily and get inspiration. Thank you! Currently I have been volunteering at a nursing home and make cards with a small group of ladies. It’s fun to share my love of stamping with others.
Happy 10th Anniversary Angie !! Continued success to you !Thank you for sharing your projects with us !