Blog Candy and Getting to Know You

502 Comments

Times Up and we already have a winner!!!!

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Do to some work commitments I was unable to stamp this morning. 😦   I really enjoyed last weeks comments letting me know where you are from.   Knowing about my readers helps to motivate me to continue sharing with you.   My Word! there are a lot of you readers out there!  My blog gets around 2,000 to 3,000 clicks a day and there are about 1,300 of you subscribed to this blog by e-mail.  The shear numbers freak me out a little, lol.

This week I want all of you to share with me, please what brought you to stamping?  In return I have some BLOG CANDY to give you a chance at!

So to enter for a chance to win these 16 Studio G, Series 6 stamp packs with a bonus Valentine pack, please leave me a comment on this post telling me what brought you to stamping.  If you are getting this blog update by e-mail you will need to click this link to leave a comment on this blog post:    http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2008/07/24/blog-candy-and-getting-to-know-you/

I will use a random number generator to pick the winner on the morning of Saturday, July 26th.

I will start by saying, my friend Claire Sharkey asked me to come along with her to a stamping workshop.  I didn’t care about rubber stamps and wasn’t all that interested, but I wanted to spend time with my friend, Claire, so I went along.  Next thing I know, I’m ordering my very first Stampin’ Up stamp set “Frosty”.  That was back in 2001. 

I almost felt guilty for stamping at first, because I like to paint with watercolors and pastels and there I was just stamping the images instead of drawing them.  But my stamping in time became more artist in nature and more satisfying too.  I know you don’t believe it, but I can pretty quickly do a scene now with stamps and ink.  Now I say quickly, but quickly to me is 1 hour.  I like the creative process and why rush it.  🙂   My paintings with pastel can take me, literally months to complete, so 1 hour to accomplish a scene seems super quick.

Alright, that is my beginning in stamping, what is yours?

502 thoughts on “Blog Candy and Getting to Know You”

  1. Marilyn W.'s avatar Marilyn W.

    Hello
    I moved to Oregon five years ago for my husband who is losing his eyesight.
    I was so lonely all I could do is cry. I am a shy person that has in the past been mistaken for snobby.
    I went to the senior center to see if they had anything I could do and the director (Sue)
    ask if I would like to make cards. I agreed to give it a try and met some really fantastic women in the group. They invited me to a stampin up party. Wow! so many to chose from.
    I became hooked and have been trying to get up to the same level as these women.
    They are extremely talented.
    Your web sight and some other web sights have also helped me.
    Now I am trying to figure out how you make those fantastic dots on your card.
    Tried it and did not get the same result that you do.
    My grandchildren and great grandchildren open the cards before the gift since I have been making the homemade cards. How could you get a better compliment than that.
    Thank You for all you do and sharing with all of us.
    Everyone could always use some more stamps. I know I could.
    Marilyn W.

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  2. Liz's avatar Liz

    My daughters-in-law were my initial inspiration. They are so talented and were making cards. Then a friend invited me to a stampin-up group to make some cards and learn some techniques. I was hooked. I had recently retired and needed a creative outlet and this was it. I’ve spent waaaay too much on supplies and can spend time stamping during winter evenings. But boy the summer sure fills up with events and my card making has slowed considerably. I’ll get together with my friend next friday and try to jump start my card making.
    Your site Michelle has been a real inspiration to me since I found it a few months ago and I’ve tried your brayering technique but need a lot of practice. Thanks for all your help.

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  3. Lyn Wareham's avatar Lyn Wareham

    I, too, never got around to telling you where I was from. I am from South Devon in England. I first started to use rubber stamps about 16 years ago, before there were very many craft items around. After a couple of years they were put away and I became interested in cross-stitch, but then I realised that I really wasn’t very good at that! By this time there were more craft items available so I started to make some cards for family and friends’ birthdays etc. As time went on I bought more and more stuff until my DH decided to hand over his photography dark room to me, so I now have a small craft room but it is all mine! I still make cards but they are totally different from those first attempts and I much prefer to play with my ink pads and make a mess thesedays!
    Thanks for being such an inspiration Michelle; I really enjoy receiving your emails and tutorials.
    Lyn

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  4. Darlene (SCS: akronstamperdpk)'s avatar Darlene (SCS: akronstamperdpk)

    Hey Michelle … I currently live in Akron, OH (originally from the Pittsburgh, PA area) and I have to blame my daughter for getting me started in ALL OF THIS!!! She does scrapbooking and is a demo for Creative Memories so of course in order to be supportive of her efforts, I started scrapbooking. One of the other scrapbooking ladies (and a friend of my daughter) was also a SU demo and so to be supportive of her efforts, I also started stamping. Well … long story short … now I’m addicted to both with stamping being my primary at the moment!! Thanks for sharing all of your wonderful tutorials … I hope someday to be able to create some of the beauty you create. P.S. We get to meet in person at the end of August in Wadsworth, OH … I’ll be at the gathering there … so EXCITED!!

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  5. Sharon Reynolds's avatar Sharon Reynolds

    Hi, Michelle. I live in Durham NC and have been stamping since 1999. Previously, I was a scrapbooker; however, a friend of mine introduced me to stamping and I haven’t looked back (and can’t remember the last time I scrapbooked). As they say, stamping is an addiction and therapy all rolled into one! I have never “met” a rubber stamp I didn’t like and I’m embarrassed to say that when I moved last November, my boxes of craft supplies and rubber stamps far outweighed anything else I had to move!

    As always, love your blog and work! Thanks for sharing!

    Sharon

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  6. Dawne's avatar Dawne

    Well, I have always been a person that has to help someone at any cost–even if I it seems I can’t–I do my best to try to find some answer–some way, to help! I have had quite a few of my famiy and friends living with me-some more than once! If someone needs a roof over their heads–no matter where I have lived and how big or small–I squeeze them in…:0) At one point in my life in 2005, I had my aunt who is slightly MR–I really like to say she is challenging–and in an amazing way, not a bad way! She challenged me and still does to this day to view life in a whole different light! I love and admire that life is seen and lived “so simply” by her! She was always trying or wanting to try new things to do with her hands–and with her limitations, was often frustrated by how things would turn out–in her eyes– not up to par, even with all the postive words of encouragement by us and others. Well, there was a small craft store at the end of our street and they were holding a card making class–Whalah! –I went with the intention of my aunt finding a new passion in creating things that only belonged to her! A way for her to show, create and express herself–through work that was exclusive to who she was and it didn’t have to be up to par with anyone or anything else–only her-and that that was what made her and her work unique! I realized during the class, in helping my aunt and learning all the above myself–that we both needed that! I was hooked and so was my aunt! We both have continued to create with stamps and more and even some scrapbooking since! We have found a peaceful place to just be and be free in what we create–our craft areas! :0)

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  7. Kathy R's avatar Kathy R

    Greetings from Chagrin Falls, Ohio. I don’t have any particular story to tell about how I began stamping. I think I just went with a friend to the convention in Cleveland, and then to a SU party. Bought tons of “stamps and stuff” not knowing what to do with it all at first. While I have fun stamping, I’m sure I am still at the Junior High School level and not a PhD candidate like you!

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  8. Janice Williams's avatar Janice Williams

    Thank you so much for sharing your talent with all of us! You are certainly an
    inspiration to me, as I am a beginner…..just started scrapbooking about a year
    ago and am now getting into stamping………I am not familiar with SU products.
    But I am enjoying the adventure of stamping.

    Janice

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  9. Flybabymom's avatar Flybabymom

    Well, a friend sent me a stamp probably 15 years ago, as a birthday present (I think). I loved it and used it a couple of times, even bought a couple of stamp pad (one a Colorbox–back before the individual colors came out of the box), but never did anything much with it. 2-1/2 years ago, though, I ran across a very cool paper-crafts magazine at the grocery store. It was full of ideas for valentines, so my little boy & I made cards for the grandparents. Well, the rest is history. We’ve been crafting ever since, making cards, mostly. My little boy, who is now 5, works alongside me most times. Fun!

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  10. Nancy T's avatar Nancy T

    Like many others, I started out scrapbooking and originally tried to convince myself that I was not going to get into cardmaking. That thought didn’t last long. I found that card making and stamping are such a great stress reliever for me. I am a chronic pain patient and this is great therapy for me. I can do a card in a short period of time or I can spend hours on cards, depending on my mood, my pain threshold level. Especially now with all the great card ideas that you share, I’m even more excited about stamping. Thanks for always sharing your incredible talent with us!

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  11. Ruth Sharpe's avatar Ruth Sharpe

    I went to a group for mom’s who have special needs kids for the first time. I had stayed up really late the night before so I could take pictures and supplies I needed to begin life books (both our boys are adopted) to scrap. I was SO disappointed that I had lugged all my supplies and was so ready to begin scrap booking, and I found that a SU rep was there to teach card making to the group. I finally got over it and did the life books….and then started making cards and found that I really enjoy trying to create them. I haven’t been at it for long, and I don’t have much time for it but do enjoy it when I can.

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  12. Julie's avatar Julie

    Hello Michelle,
    My name is Julie from Sapulpa Ok. (A small town outside of Tulsa) This is my first time to visit your blog. Your abilities amaze me. I’ve only been stamping for about a year. My sister-in-law got me started with paper crafts by showing me a little about scrapbooking. Then she told me I needed to get some stamps and ink. I was like you at first, I thought why would I want to use stamps…I thought of the little stamps that kids use. But then my sister-in-law bought me a card making kit with a set of stamps. She showed me how to make my own patterned paper with the stamps to create my own unique cards, and then I was hooked. I’ve not gotten back to the hundreds of pictures needing to be scrapebooked, I’ve been making cards, joining card swaps and stamping everything in site!! I now blame my addiction on my sister-in-law. Because of her I have redecorated my extra room for a craft room and own a Cricket Expression and have to go to the craft department at every store I go to. I now have my own blog that my niece (a Stampin’ Up consultant) started for me. I have not yet mastered my computer yet to post pictures of my cards, but hope to soon. I do have to say that I don’t think that any of my cards come close to comparing to yours. I look forward to seeing your more of your work.

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  13. Laurie Helgason's avatar Laurie Helgason

    In 1989, I saw a picture made for a nusery. I just knew I wanted to do that same thing. I didn’t even know how to describe it when I would go into art stores. I thought the drawing was done with a pen.

    Eight years later, in the newspaper, I saw rubber stamps for 50% off at JoAnn’s and thought that might be the item for which I was searching. I spent $50.00 on a mish mash of stamps and nothing on ink pads or paper, and it sat in storage for another year. LOL

    Then a friend invited me to a SU party and I pulled out my stamp stash, thrilled to finally learn what to do with the stamps.

    I am still with the same SU demonstrator. And I host parties at my friends requests, because they need supplies and I love gatherings at my house and they don’t enjoy hosting parties. We are all happy stampers.

    This might be my second entry. I don’t remember.

    Laurie from MN, formerly of WI with a brief stay in MI.

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  14. Tracy's avatar Tracy

    Wow the give away is so cool. I got started when a friend of mine offered to let me use her stamps to make valentines cards for my kids classmates. The first time I stamped I fell in love with it.
    Tracy in Oklahoma

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  15. Linda's avatar Linda

    Hi Michelle!

    I am a “crafter” from way, way, way back! lol There isn’t anything that I’ve learned along the way that I didn’t enjoy……but, when my sister-in-law asked me to a SU party, I said to her, “I’ll go, but I can’t imagine I’m going to much like stamping things on paper!?!?!?!?” lol Do you believe it?? Now, she often reminds me as we get together and claims that I’m “more into it” than she is. I beg to differ…..anyway, it doesn’t matter. She opened the door to this wonderful craft, and people like you keep the interest going as I’ve found more and more things to do with this wonderful medium. Thanks a lot!

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  16. Joan's avatar Joan

    A friend of mine was an avid stamper and she introduced me to stamping. That was about five years ago. My style started out very simple and has evolved from there. And, while I still think simple is better, I love trying out and seeing others try new techniques. You never get bored with stamping.

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  17. Terri's avatar Terri

    Hi Michelle

    I started stamping around 7a ago. I decided I was going to make my wedding invitations. I also introduced my 2 nieces to stamping by getting them to help me with the invitations. They were so happy to help and made them feel important helping me with the wedding.
    I live in Stittsville, a part of Ottawa, On., Canada. We have a few stamping stores, like Heather’s Stamping which is an awesome store. It’s the store where I took some classes to help me learn how to stamp.

    Ter:)

    P.S. Love your Blog and always look forward to your new cards and instructions.

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  18. Michele L.'s avatar Michele L.

    I started stamping because:
    1. I love the smell of ink.
    2. I love all the eye candy.
    3. I love to shop.
    4. I love to create!

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  19. Dawn's avatar Dawn

    Hi Michell,
    I started stamping as a result of helping my girlfriends daughter get her numbers up for a Stamping presentation in her home. I had no intention of buying, but ended up facinated by the whole stamping craft thing! That was 15 years ago!! Now I am hooked….especially with your stamping style which I have recently tried. It fits so well with a church outreach project for prisoners. We are not allowed to use glue, glitter or yellow ink of any kind! I am really enjoying learning your style.
    Thank you so much for taking your time to show us all a new technique. Dawn

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  20. sandyh's avatar sandyh

    my best friend, debby, was into making paper. one day in 1996, she gave me a stamp of an anatomically correct heart (i’m a cardiac nurse) and a big, fat juicy red marker. that got me started. i went to a couple of s.u. workshops and a couple of classes at my lss. i got hooked really fast! but what really got me to be a total “collector” was my first stamping convention! i worked double shifts every other sunday for 6 months so i would have some mad money. then, i told myself that i could buy anything i really wanted at that convention. i was there from 8am-5pm. they were telling me, you really have to go now…the vendors want to leave! lol! but i took pictures of wonderful samples and bought as much stuff as i wanted (took 3 trips to my car!) the rest is history. i don’t get to play as much as i’d like, but i’m retiring in a couple of months and will be in stamping heaven soon! yippee!!!
    i love your daily tutorials since they give me such inspiration every single day.
    i wish i could see you in san jose (i’m in sacramento) but i know the women (and men?) you will be instructing will thoroughly enjoy their time with you!
    sandyh
    sandyha@comcast.net

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  21. Saundra Grose's avatar Saundra Grose

    About 5 years ago, I saw a vintage-style canvas framed in a picture frame in a craft magazine that I fell in love with and, after reading the article, I realized it was rubbered stamped and antiqued with gesso, paint etc. I managed shopping centers in four states and passed a rubber stamp store every month for three years on my rounds of the centers but thought it was an office supply-type rubber stamp store, i.e., “paid”, “overdue”, and “file” etc. After reading the article, I stopped by to take a look. I stopped dead in my track at the door and my mouth fell open; the owner told me that she loved the first-time reactions of people who had never been in a stamp store. I was hooked and hundred of stamps later and thousands of receipts from Michaels, Hobby Lobby and numerous stamp stores …here I am!! I went from having everything in a plastic container to a room crammed full! I love the all aspects of the craft and have to have and try everything I see. I never get bored! I love your artwork and check you out every day. Thanks for taking the time to share your art with us.

    Saundra Grose

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  22. Sara's avatar Sara

    I was trying to find a local group who did scrapbooking since not many of my friends are crafty. One of the groups I joined had a SU rep as a member. When I asked her what SU was, I never expected to get such a heartfelt and passionate response! She went on and on about the great products, the people she’s met through SCS and the wonderul inspiration that they provide. She then showed me her gallery online and it was love at first “site.” I spent days browsing the gallery, amazed at the wonderful work all those stampers were creating. I stalked the site for weeks before finally joining and began crafting with only one stamp set. (“Always” will always have a place in my heart!) My collection has since grown, as has my love for the art form.

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  23. Karen's avatar Karen

    Hi Michelle,
    I love, love your blog & tutorials. I’m still afraid to try my hand, but after seeing grapes I’m gonna go for it. How did I get to stamping? Two years ago my friend Rose said ‘Come on over this afternoon. We’re going to stamp.’ Stamp? I had no idea what was coming! I made 4 very simple cards that afternoon. The following week Rose invited me to a SU party. I went. I purchased a stamp set & a set of stamping spots. I figured I could go anywhere w/ my new toys. Just put it in a shoebox & go. Little did I know that I would give up my counted cross stitch hobby & have my stamping addiction grow into a whole room of supplies! My daughter saw my first simple cards & said I can do that & she now is stamping. I even had the opportunity to demo a technique at a recent stamp camp. I love to stamp. Thanks for sharing how you became involved.

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  24. Peggy's avatar Peggy

    Hi Michelle,
    I took me a while to ‘get’ stamping. I’ve been scrapbooking for 7 years now and my family albums are done and the kids are out of the house. I was interested in making my own cards and when I attended a card making class with CTMH consultant, I hated what I made and said “this is not for me.” But I keep seeing some cool cards while I got invited again to try stamping with Stampin Up, it all clicked for me. I’ve never looked back. I want to stamp everyday now and look forward to seeing the beautiful designs you come up with. thanks so much for sharing we me.

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  25. Mari's avatar Mari

    I went to a SU! party and really enjoyed myself. I bought a bunch of stuff but the hobby didn’t really catch me until I went to Vegas with my friend. On a whim we looked up one of the stores there (sadly not there anymore) and happened to get there on the day they were having their anniversary. Big Sales! Lots of different products, such different stamps, friendly people and, oh yeah, Big Sales!!
    My mom always jumped from one hobby to the next. We had a huge old dresser full of different things; paint, fabric, yarn, pencils. She couldn’t settle on one thing – and I followed her lead. My dad said ‘Don’t spend too much, you know you’ll just change your mind!’. Now I laugh (8 years later) when I think about picking up another hobby!

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  26. Earline's avatar Earline

    I give my friend Roseann the honor in getting me involve in stamping she was a stampin up Demo. I did a show in my house for her and I was hook. So Thank Roseann for helping me in bring out the little girl in me, because growing up I would rather color in a coloring book then play with dolls.

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  27. cheryl's avatar cheryl

    I used to manage a flower/craft shop and going through a supply catalogue one day I came across some beauitful papers and embellishments so I ordered a bunch in. They arrived but because I and no one else knew what to do with them they didn’t sell!! About a year later I knew what to do with them!

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  28. Becki Flanagan's avatar Becki Flanagan

    I’m in Lexington, Kentucky – The Horse Capital of the World!

    A good friend stamped with her mom, gave me lots of stamped things and invited me to her stamping workshops but I was never available and thought – I don’t have the time or the money. Besides I tried it once (non-SU stuff) and for some reason I just couldn’t figure out how to put it all together. Then one workshop was scheduled on a night I could go and I said to myself- I’ll go to be nice and buy a few things because she’s my friend. I remember the date clearly – January 29, 2001. As the demonstrator was making the first card, it was like the heavens opened and the angels sang!!! Seven years, many workshops, and LOTS of money later, I am a demonstrator and love stamping more than any hobby I have ever engaged in. I have an 8-person stamp club and just acquired my first downline in May!! This is the first time I have ever represented a company like this and I really love SU. I truly believe they have the best products in the industry, and thought so long before becoming a demonstrator. If I work at a full-time job (gotta pay for this stuff somehow!) I would more vigorously pursue my business and do it full time.

    Michelle – you are SUCH an inspiration to me!! I wish I could see things as you see them. Your creations are absolutely amazing and look forward to seeing more and learning more from you!!

    *HUGS*
    Becki

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  29. Tamara's avatar Tamara

    Well for me, it was because I wanted to make my own wedding invitations. THere was no stamping on them, but I went to the local scrapbooking store to get supplies, and took an invitation class. Well after that class I saw they had more classes, and signed up for the Rubber Stamping Basics, which I learned lots of neat techniques. I was hooked. I used to make cards, but I’d do it all with no stamping…. now that I’m into stamps, I do mostly stamped cards, but still do some without. Love all the great things you can do with a stamp, and love that I can amaze others and get them to start stamping!

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  30. Denise Wells's avatar Denise Wells

    I live in the Florida Keys, otherwise referred to from some as Hurricane alley. I started scrapbooking many years ago when my son was young. Worked with the Creative Memories products. I was invited to a round robbin by another CM consultant, not the one I normally made my purchases through, anyway, while there I met a lady with Close To My Heart products. I decided that I needed to try a few things there. That was a really bad decision………I AM A STAMPOHOLIC! Are there any meetings in the area, I need to attend a three step program! Oh what the heck, enter me into the blog candy drawing and forget the three step program. I do not think it will work anyway!

    Denise Wells
    mamascollections@aol.com

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  31. Francine's avatar Francine

    Hi Michelle! My name is Francine and I’m from London, Ontario Canada. I was intruduced to scrapbooking by a friend and then almost immediately to stamping (SU!) and I was hooked as a matter of fact I have made so many more cards and invitations than scrapbooks….although I’m going to try and do some scrapbooking pages for my Mom’s 50th birthday using mainly stamp sets as my embellishments… Oh and I should let you know that thanks to you I have ventured out of my square box and started working outside of it!! Here’s to whatever inspires you, and all of us stamp/scrapahoic’s!!

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  34. Kris's avatar Kris

    I moved to Kansas City 10 years ago and was invited to a SU party by someone we met at a church we visited. The rest is history. My friend has moved away but left me with something very fun to do in my spare time.

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  35. Vivian's avatar Vivian

    I had gotten a glimpse of stamping at a cross stitch convention (of all places), but never actually got into it until I had breast cancer. It was so therapeutic for me. My mom was very ill at the same time, so it came into my life at just the right time.

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  36. BevieBee's avatar BevieBee

    I knew this lady who really could gosip about people at work. One day she invites me to a “stamp camp” and being curious about who she talked about (if she talked about me), I accepted the invite. Of course, it turned out to be a very enjoyable day making cards. We became friends after that and I started a new hobby.

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  37. Sher's avatar Sher

    I have always been crafty.. Over the years it has been many different things that have been my passion. I’m a scrapbooker and a few years ago my cousin become a SU demo. And I really enjoyed her class. Keep on scrapbooking and tossed and turned the idea of SU around in my head FINALLY March of this year I became a demo…. And I love it . Your Blog is just terrific. The things you come up with are amazing.. Thank you

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  38. Larie M's avatar Larie M

    Wow let me think I have been scrap booking for about 12 years and thought stamping would be fun to add to my pages manly using alphabet stamps well it just took off from there and now I do my card stamping more than scrap booking.
    Larie M

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  39. Leslie Canuel's avatar Leslie Canuel

    5 years ago I moved into the same community as the Mother of a very old friend, Dee was like a second Mom as her daughter and my sister and me had been friend since we were 6 years old……It didn’t take long to discover that Dee had a hobby and a passion…. stamping. She also belonged to several groups that met on a regular basis and she invited me to one…… Well I was HOOKED…. Dee passed away last year and is dearly missed…. but she has left me with her passion for Stamping that will probably last my lifetime.

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  40. Sharon in NE's avatar Sharon in NE

    I had just suffered my second miscarriage and my friend thought this would be a good hobby for me to become interested in to keep me busy. Let’s see my daughter is now 21 so that would have been 22 years ago. (Yikes! That explains why I have so much stuff.)

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  41. Shirley Lee's avatar Shirley Lee

    While my husband was working on his doctorate at BYU, my step daughter and I visited the Provo Craft shop in Provo. We saw these examples of cards made by using rubber stamps and thought it might be a fun thing for the two of us to do while my husband studied. We had a fabulous time complete with lots of giggles trying to emboss using our hair dryer and then the toaster. I went to my first at home meeting with the company called D.O.T.S. (now it’s Close to My Heart) and bought many of their stamps. My collection of stamps and products is huge. I AM AN ADDICT! I love introducing others to this hobby, too, because I am so passionate about it.

    Shirley L.
    Roseville, CA

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  42. kim3timemom's avatar kim3timemom

    I’ve always been a crafter…and I SWORE I would never get into stamping..because you would have to buy so many stamps to do stamping projects. I make cards..so if I were to get into stamping..I’d have to buy a different stamp for each project. BUT…one day I decided to give stamping a try…ever since then I was hitched…I love my stamps..and I have a nice selection. Yahooo 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win.

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  43. Abby V's avatar Abby V

    I got introduced to stamping by my Mother. She had just visited this store that just opened on island (Guam) and when she came home, the first thing she said was “You’ve got to take a class.” I did take that 3 hour long class, and it opened my eyes to so many fun possibilities–I have never looked back! That was back in 1995 when there weren’t a lot of stamp stores to browse from and online shopping was just taking off. I remember moving to Florida and one of the first things I did was look up craft stores/rubber stamps stores so I could learn the route to get there! Over the years I have replaced cardmaking for scrapbooking, but I have tried to incorporate stamping on my pages (to the chagrin of my CM Demo); and every one of my children’s birth announcement have been handmade and handstamped! I have now come full circle–dusting off my stamps and replacing my stamp pads (surprisingly may of them are still “juicy” even after years of non-use) and coming back to my first love. It’s been a long journey, and I look forward to where it continues to lead me!

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  44. Vicki's avatar Vicki

    About 5 or 6 years ago I was looking for a crafty present for my daughter and bought her a stamp, inkpad and some embossing supplies. She thought it was OK but I fell in love with it. I have since collected many stamps & papers and am now in the process of trying to use it all. Your blog is a fantastic inspiration. Thank you for sharing your talent. Vicki, Australia

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  46. stephanie's avatar stephanie

    I was pregnant with my son and took a class. I was hooked after that. Of course, I haven’t got have the stuuf finished that I want to. My son is 2. What is funny, is my mom could not believe the amount people spend on the hobby. I took her to a class and now she is hooked also. haha

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  47. Annapurna's avatar Annapurna

    My friend gave me a birthday card she made for my birthday and that is what started it all. I thought, why buy a stamp and use it on one card when I can draw. I do stamping more for the consistency of the image and embossing etc. Still do a bit of drawing.

    I was talking to a friend and wondered if you were an artist to start with, you know the one with a brush and a canvas. Now I know the answer 🙂

    I have cased your birds on a wire. Will let you know, when I mount and post. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  48. Rebecca's avatar Rebecca

    Hi Michelle!
    I’m one of your subscribers. Are you really going to read ALL these e-mails!?! Hehehe!!! I’m happy to answer your question.
    I, too, came to stamping from a fine arts background. I can recognize yours from the dimension you get in your scenic stamping. Those trees with the birds were AMAZING!!!
    I bought my first rubber stamps after seeing an episode on The Carol Duvall Show featuring Nathalie Metieviere (sp?) and Magenta stamps nested frames. The rest is history. I immediately became addicted and now own around 1500 rubber stamps and stamp every chance I get. I still draw too (my favorite fine art technique), but often in conjunction with stamping and have even sold some of my stamp designs to rubber stamp companies.
    If you are interested, you can see the stamps I designed at the following websites. My name is always shown with my stamps so you will know which ones they are. Here are the addresses:

    http://www.heartsintouch.com
    http://www.aboutartaccents.com

    This is a terrific question, Michelle! Thanks for asking!!!
    Big happy hugs,
    Rebecca
    p.s. Yours is the ONLY site to which I subscribe.

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  50. Sandy's avatar Sandy

    I have always loved all kinds of crafts and started stamping when I was in jr. high. One of my art teachers taught us a batik technique. I did a little bit of stamping from then on. I really got into stamping about 19 years ago and haven’t stopped.
    Sandy in Utah

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