Stampin' Up!'s 'Statement of the Heart' sits very nicely with the philosophy behind why I scrapbook and stamp. I first discovered scrapbooking just after I had my first child through IVF in 2002. I can't even begin to articulate how the opportunity to journal about those times through my scrapbooking has helped me. Since then my scrapbooking has turned into a wider love of papercrafts encompassing cardmaking, stamping off the page projects and lots more scrapbooking.
I am so passionate about this hobby. I love the fun and excitement of creating, the pleasure it brings to others, the relationships I have developed with other addicted papercrafters and also the 'time out' from being a busy Mum. It's also my creative therapy at times. It has helped me through another IVF pregnancy and the unexpected death of my father and brother. I guess you could sum my philosophy up best by saying it's not about the pretty papers, the latest products or the stamps. It's about the connections people develop with themselves and each other through using those products.
I am really passionate about spreading the word about how therapeutic and just plain good for your soul scrapbooking, card making and other papercrafts can be.In 2006 I co-authored an article on 'Scrap Therapy' in For Keeps magazine, and I have had many layouts published now. More often than not they tend to be about connections or published because of the heartfelt journalling. My very first published page was this one in which I journalled about the incredible experience of finally being able to breastfeed my gorgeous babies after what we had been through to conceive them. Even now this layout brings a tear to my eye. This is what it is all about for me.
Since that first layout I have had other layouts published in Creating Keepsakes, Scrapbooking Memories, Scrapbook Creations, For Keeps and For Keeps Creative Paper. I have also been on design teams for several Australian scrapbooking stores.
I had always dabbled in stamping as part of my scrapbooking, but just a little here and there. During 2006 I found myself more interested in stamping but still as a way to embellish scrapbook layouts. In late 2006, I discovered Stampin' Up! was in Australia and got hold of a catalogue. I made the decision to join as I sat devouring that beautiful catalogue for the first time. I made my first card the day my starter kit arrived and as you have seen from this blog, many more were to follow. I now divide my time pretty equally between scrapbooking and creating handmade cards. Stamping features very heavily in both crafts.
I love the quality of the Stampin' Up! products, the philosophy of the company and the way my association with the company has enriched my life in so many ways, and the lives of those I have had the chance to introduce it to. In my first full year with Stampin' Up! (2007/8) I was placed in the top 25 Demonstrators in Australia (out of over 1000). That year I also qualified for an expenses paid Stampin' Up! Incentive Trip to Palm Cove in Queensland. In 2008/9 I was 3rd Place Demonstrator of the Year for Australia (1st Place Victoria) and 1st Place Australia wide for Recruiting and getting new demonstrators off to a great start with the company.
I am now a Senior Manager with Stampin' Up! and get to share and inspire the girls in my large and growing team. My team is spread throughout Australia but we keep in touch with our very active and fun team sharing & training forum. I am committed to their success (whatever that may mean for each person) as much as I am committed to my own, and treasure the relationships I have developed with other demonstrators in my team, in Australia and internationally.
I hope that by spending a little time on my blog, I will be able to give you some quality time out and maybe even inspire you to enrich your life through scrapbooking, stamping and other papercrafts.Most of all, enjoy your time here.
Claire
