Starting my Stampin' Up® journey

Welcome to my first blog post. 

As I was researching and deciding whether to join Stampin' Up® as a demonstrator I found it useful to read up on other people's experiences and I hope that I too can help you! So, grab a cuppa, sit back and join me on my journey.

How I got started on stamping

So I have only recently introduced to the stamping and paper craft world and I am addicted!

Card making actually started out as a hobby of my daughters. She would make all types of greeting cards to give out to family and friends and they were beautiful.  My sister in law, who is an avid crafter was excited to have someone to share her passion for crafting. So she decided to teach my daughter the basics of card making, whilst I watched on. They would use the Big Shot to emboss textures onto paper and then die cut images to stick onto cards. WOW! It opened up even more possibilities and before I knew it, I went out, bought a Big Shot and have never looked back.

So long story short, that is how my passion for card making began. 

Now, where was I? Ah, yes so of course, like many of my passions and hobbies I research and watch YouTube videos and taught myself new techniques. One of the things that caught my eye was how many them used Stampin' Up® products. The way the coordination of paper, ink, markers and designer series paper makes it so easy for a beginner like myself. In addition, there are a whole bunch of YouTubers that also teach you how to use the products to make beautiful projects. Free online tutorials without me leaving my house?! Yes please! Sign me up scotty! 

So why Stampin' Up®? 

When you first start stamping, it's very easy to go out and purchase some of the cheaper stamp sets and supplies and that's okay! I did the same as it was only a hobby for my daughter and who knew how long she would stick to it. However, when I realised it wasn't just a passing hobby, I found myself buying better quality tools and boy did it make a difference! 

The Stampin' Up® distinktive (yes thats how it spelt, not a spelling error I promise!) stamps caught my attention, and I was like WOW! The images were beautiful and they had this 3D look to them. Now, I will be honest here, when I saw the price of these stamps I didn't think I could afford them so I dismissed the thought of owning these. However, along came the Forever Ferns stamp set (pictured below) and they hooked me in again. I could not get over how beautiful the stamped images were, so I started getting serious and realised that I needed to get a discount on these bad boys and the only way to do that was to join. 

Joining as a demonstrator

Yep! I joined to get the discount and I'm not ashamed to admit it! 😎
The starter kit cost $169 but you receive $235 worth of products. In addiction for the month of June, you get a free bundle (stamp and die/punch set) for FREE!! I chose the beautiful Prized Peony bundle worth $100.75. So I got an extra $166.75 of product free. It was a really a no-brainer for me. 

(Disclaimer: note this special joining offer does end 30 June 2020 so by the time I finally get the courage to post this blog it may have expired).

Of course the discount was great but what surprised me is that I really enjoyed being part of a team of crafters that are just as passionate as I am, who inspire me everyday with their beautiful projects and encouraging words.

There are also many tutorials for card making and even business development training. We also get early access to the new catalogues. 

And that is why I am so happy to continue this journey exploring the Stampin' Up® world. 

If you have managed to read to here... thank you! I promise most of my future blgos will not be anywhere as long as this.

Here's a picture of my starter kit. If you want to know about the starter kit, and what I bought - watch out for my next post where I will give you a run down with pictures!