I'd like to dedicate this section to what I affectionately call "Stashbusting".
So many toys, tools, and paper that I collected from various sources in my early days of scrapbooking - before I was introduced Stampin' Up!, before I became a demonstrator.. so many things I loved, and have been gifted by those I love.. it really can be so overwhelming..
I took on the task of sorting my "Stash" recently, and was blown away by the amount of designer paper, specialty paper, eyelets, fibres, and assorted stamps, punches and dies that I bought before I met SU. As a home daycare provider I had 2 sizzix machines and a pile of dies for just one example. My family collected 3 different sets of Fiskars scissors and paper edgers for another.. and though some Stampin' Up! purists would argue the point I can't just throw all of this stuff away because it would be considered bad form to use it in the presence of a customer.
I beg to differ. I am of the belief that we all got to this place by different routes and avenues. Some started with Stampin' Up! but some of us ventured through many other styles, and detours before finally settling here. I keep coming back to the analogy that adding peas or tuna to Kraft Dinner doesn't diminish the fact that it's Kraft dinner one little bit - right?
I'm not going to chastise you for buying your shiny new toy at your local craft shop. Some of them offer great incentives and coupons. Who wouldn't love that? Though I can challenge you with my promise that you won't find anyone in that local craft shop that will care more about your purchases, and your ultimate happiness with your product than your demonstrator. Personal customer service, backed by Stampin' Up!'s own high standard of service and replacement counts for something.
As a customer, I am aware there are many great products out there to complement our pages, cards and projects. I haven't forgotten the feeling of finding a product you love and wanting to get it in every possible color you can find it in or how easily that your little stash can become a mountain. I am as eager as you are to get my hands on the new catalog and see all the new toys that we're going to get to play with. I believe that coupled with all of the SU exclusive products and the personalized customer service that your demonstrator gives you is what will keep you coming back..
I've set up this area to challenge myself and others every week to pick up a stamp set they haven't played with in a while (maybe ever), to choose a color palette outside of their comfort zone to make something out of or to simply use up some of the extra "stuff" that has accumulated to become your "Stash".
I hope that you will join me in this journey. There will be regular challenges, and maybe even a few swaps.. Ready, Set, CREATE!
