At Leadership, Shelli reminded us of her Stampin' Up! story, and although I had heard it before there were many in the audience that had not, and I will admit I enjoyed hearing it this time just as much as the first time, and I think I enjoyed it more, cause I feel that I know Shelli better now, so it means even more to hear it.
So she told us that we should also share our Stampin' Up! story with our friends, and at workshops too…and well since we are all friends here, I thought I would share my story with you:
"About 12 years ago I was invited to a stamp party by a friend and the
Demonstrator was from a different rubber stamp company. I really
enjoyed the evening and the whole aspect of stamping, but I was not
impressed with the stamps offered or the prices. I did purchase a few
things to help my friend earn hostess benefits.
A few months after I went to my friend's stamp party, I was introduced
to Stampin' Up! (by my now-upline Lori Brand who was a client at my old
job) and my eyes popped out of my head with the beautiful artwork, and
that the stamps came in "sets". I ordered quite a bit over a short
period of time, and finally asked her about signing up "to get the
discount". I know maybe we shouldn't say that, but basically I know I
did not join Stampin' Up! ever thinking I would be still a Demonstrator
11 years later, many trips later, and many many dear friends later. Me,
talk to strangers? Me, sell anything? I couldn't do that…ha! But it's
amazing what you can do when you believe in what you are talking about.
What turned me into a business Demonstrator instead of the girl just
getting a discount, was when my classes started to fill and I had to
turn people away cause I did not have room for them to sit (we pushed
the furniture around in the living room and added a couple banquet
tables.) Then one day our son Eric, who is learning disabled, got beat
up on the way home from school, and my office was 45 minutes away. My
neighbor called to say he was ok, but I still felt that something had
to change.
I gave my notice (which was hard, I must admit, my boss of 10 years was
great and even let me stamp at work as long as I had all my work done)
but that 45 minute drive home every night, and that I could not get to
my son when he needed me made me see things differently. I won't even
mention him calling me at work with the smoke alarm blaring in the
background, that might have been the last straw on me working outside
of the home.
So we converted our 2 car garage into a 20×20 studio and I don't have
to turn anyone away from classes anymore. I was home when Eric got off
the school bus (he is now 21 and working, and I am still home when he gets off
the work bus).
Stampin' Up! has changed our lives, and I am ever grateful for these
"little rubber stamps" and I am glad that Shelli challenged us to tell
our story, and I am enjoying reading everyone's story too."
Thanks for listening.
How about another display sample? Let me look in my little goodie bag of cards…what to show? hmmm…no not that one…maybe this one…yeah that's it…
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Green Galore, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Going Gray
Misc: Playground buttons, white taffeta, watercolor pencils
I love these little houses. Makes me remember when we lived in Strathroy (hey Corinne), and we lived in an apartment, and my sister Jacqui and I played with these three sisters, I think the Mum worked with our Mum, I can not remember their names, but I remember the little one they called her Frog. Isn't that horrible to do to a little child? But yet that is the name I remember. Anyway, one night we were playing and the oldest girl was using a skateboard, and she went down the little pavement slope that led to the apartment complex and she fell on her arm, and then she was like "I think I broke my arm". OMG! I have never seen anything like that to this day. Her arm was like all crooked, one part went this way, and one part went that way, but there was no blood or anything, and I don't even remember the girl crying or anything. In fact I forget pretty much everything after that moment of seeing her crooked arm… I don't know, but every time I see a kid on a skateboard that is what I think about. Gee and I got that horrible story from those cute little houses…sorry.
Anyway, I am gonna sign off for now, and call it a night.
Have an awesome Saturday, Jeff said he would take pics of the horseshoe tournament cause I will be inside working.
Thanks for stopping in!
Thanks for sharing your great story Diana, like you, I have enjoyed reading every one ๐ While I don't have a blog, I may just figure out how to post it in our stamping connection. Love the brightness & cheeriness of your card ~ brought an instant smile to my face. Have a great day and best of luck to Jeff ๐
I love this sample; the colors are so cheery! Your life inspires me.
Thanks so much for sharing you're story. I've learned things about you that I didn't know. What an honest great story. Isn't great that we get paid to stay home and stamp! I love the fact that I can be home with my kids and still make money. I love stampin up!
Di,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. That is so touching. What a blessing Stampin' Up has been for you and your family. I enjoy checking in on your blog every morning. Feel like I know you! ๐ If I ever get to come to AZ I'll come and introduce myself and sit down in your studio, just so I can say I've been there! ๐ lol! Anyway, thanks again for all your inspiration and keep up the awesome work! You're a blast!
~Amanda
What a great story, thanx for sharing! I think a lot of us started out for the discount. No shame in that…just being thrifty! OK, I have this stamp set and haven't even taken it out of the box…I will have to do that now from seeing this stinkin' cute card!
Diana
I love your story! What a husband to convert a garage for you. I have been asking for 7 years now for a room by itself to get everything out of my office, kitchen, diningroom, spare bedroom and livingroom in our basement! Is that a clue to you that I am a compulsive buyer! and definitely a hoarder!!! I love to share what I do but my area is so saturated with demonstrators and well can I say I really am not that great a speaker….but I am awesome on ONE on ONE teaching….but most of the time they are friends and I do not get paid!
It's great how it worked out with you for Eric…SU is a great company and even if I have to leave SU for lack of support, I would never buy from any other company…
Inky Hugs,
Terry~~
I can't remember their names either. That's terrible – but I do remember their mom pierced our ears with an ice cube and a needle!!!!!
Luv ya
Jax
thanks for the flashback
I just loved reading your story! It's so nice
to know that you made such a great choice to
stay home with your son. It was obviously meant to be as shown by your success and
determination!
Thank you for sharing your story. It brings us closer to you. Wow what a compromise your husband made by converting the garage into your craft room. I was glad to hear you were able to be a stay at home Mom for your son too. As I can only tell you life is to short…and so live each day like there is no tomorrow. We lost our son suddenly and it is difficult somedays to cope with the loss.
Being able to follow along with you on your Blog is something to look forward to and to get on with the day…that is on the days that I feel like going on the computer..
I love your card it is cute
Thanks again
Hey Diane
Enjoy you blog. What a great story. Did you live in Strathroy near London ON. That's were I am from. What a cute card ๐
Thank you for sharing your SU story, I love what a sweet and genuine person you are, Diana!! Your sense of humor just tickles me and is one of the reasons I follow your blog (oh, besides the gorgeous cards, I guess!).