A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE

Good morning all!!! Well, here it is, finally the weekend, and I am sooo glad!! This week has been a trying one for a lot of folks and I have actually sat back, stayed out of the fray, and thought this through for myself. The topic is the new IDA for Stampin' Up! You all know I am a demonstrator, I have never made a secret of that - I am proud to be one, and yes, I still am. I realize that the new rules are a shock for some since many of you (and yes, I have too) serve on Design Teams and like to play with other products - let's face it, there are some fun things out there, and I too enjoy all the choices. However, that being said, I understand the intent of what Stampin' Up! is doing and, once I really thought through what they were asking, I have determined that, for me, it is reasonable. They are not saying you can never use other products on a project you share - they are just asking that you don't promote that product! Here is my example:
(1) OKAY TO DO: On this card I used a swiss dots embossing folder for the background.
(2) NOT OKAY TO DO: On this card I used a swiss dots embossing folder made by Cuttlebug and it is sooooooooo fabulous, I just love it! You can get it at Michaels at 40% off with your coupon, WHOOOHOO!!!
I realize my example might be a little dramatic, but the point I am making is you can use the product and share the project, just don't promote what isn't SU! As for what I can and cannot say on my blog, I do represent myself as a demonstrator and I am okay with this. Stampin' Up! has always been good to me. I love the product, I love being a demonstrator. Being a demonstrator has allowed me to meet some fabulous people, make some great friends, and share with others something I love to do and that is create! So, for me, I will maintaining my demonstratorship and I am at peace with that decision. So, I have handed the reins over on the SSS site to one of the DT gals there and she will keep it running and have fabulous challenges going on. I will still regularly blog and really hope that you all will still visit because for me, nothing really has changed - 95% of my blog is SU! anyway!! And, yes, I will visit all of YOU!! I love the creativity you all have - it is amazing talent that I enjoy getting to see!! And, for those of my friends who have resigned as demos, I respect your decision and that will not deter me from stopping by and seeing all your wonderful creations!!! It's about choices and we all have the right to make the one that fits us best. I felt the need to share this today because I was really very sad to see all the negativity and angst over this decision and I wanted to share my perspective and then move on. That being said, I will be back tomorrow with some fabulous class projects that I am excited to show you!!!! Enjoy your weekend - SMOOCHES to all of you!!!!

A CARD FOR A FRIEND

Hi all!! Sorry for the disappearing act, but we went without electricity for a few days due to the fires here in CA....my neighbors house over on the mountain next to ours (about a mile away) burnt to the ground because their neighbor was careless with his power tools!! It is heartbreaking because there is NOTHING left!! And, it took out the power here so I have been without!!! I wanted to share a card that I made with no stamping *gasp* I know, it's crazy!!! I trimmed some of the beautiful papers, popped them up on dimensionals, added a rub-on and voila! all done!!! It is going in the mail tomorrow to a very dear friend whose son just deployed to Iraq - she is very sad, and almost like a sister to me, so I want to send her some love!! I have to work really late tonight to give a presentation to the night shift workers at the University so I hope to catch up on my blogging tomorrow and see what you all have been up to - I need my creative fix!!! Thanks for stopping by - I appreciate you!!!!