Yesterday on Facebook I read a wonderful article on Stampin’ Up!s CEO, Shelli Gardner. In the beginning she shares a secret that she is not very creative. She says, “I can’t draw a stick figure.” Yet she has built a multimillion dollar company centered around rubber stamps and all the accessories and supplies necessary to make homemade cards and scrapbook pages.

     That brings to mind a 4-letter word: Fear. One of the definitions in Webster’s dictionary is: to be afraid of something or someone. Sometimes I think of it as a nasty 4-letter word that can cripple our creativity. I think all of us are fearful now and then. We’re not _____________(fill in the blank.) When this applies to creativity, I think a common misconception is that being a crafter means your have to be artistic. I think I shared my artistic ability with you before–that I could use a coloring book and an overhead projector (do they still make those) and come up with bulliten boards for my Kindergarten class.

     When I became a demonstrator for Stampin’ Up! I was scared to death. Would customers like my samples? Were they good enough? Would the birthday cards I wanted to send to family and friends be worthy?

     Once I got into stampin’ and started hanging out with others that loved what I did, things started to get easier. Sharing ideas seem to make my creative juices flow. Will you ever be criticized for something you make? Maybe. Will you be praised for your efforts? Probably. I believe life is much too short! I want to do the job I love, share what I do with others and have fun doing it! Want to join me? Maybe you have a friend that would like to get started with you! Contact me today! Time’s a wastin’!

     Have a great weekend! See you Monday and until then–
Happy stampin’,
~Laura