This challenge really got me thinking back to those first stamp parties I went to and the stamps, stamp pads, and paper I purchased then left them sit on the counter. I remember some of those first cards I made, given what I owned and what I knew, I think I did a mighty fine job!! Then I heard of a place called Splitcoaststampers and 'oh my' I could spend hours looking at cards and get ideas...I just knew I could never stamp as well as so many of the ladies whose galleries I visited. SCS was a place I visited for about 2 years before I joined in 2007 AND I just knew I would never post a card there, I was way too intimidated.
During those early years a friend, who had been stamping for many years, challenged me to get together with her every few weeks and as I watched what she did I began to grow and learn and WANT to step out of my little box. When she moved back to Illinois she invited me to be a part of the 'Stamp Club' she belonged to (and her sister stampers welcomed me with open arms). What fun to get a challenge each month to create something of a certain color, or layers or whatever the theme was that was chosen. How I looked forward to receiving their cards in the mail to see what they had done with the challenge - I couldn't wait for the mailman to come.
I'll never know what possessed me to play at the computer and become a blogger a few years ago. What an adventure it has been!!! The talent and ideas I have come across amaze me. The kindness of people who I have sometimes contacted to find out 'just how they did what they did'.....has overwhelmed me. Friendships have been made with people I have never met (but sure would like to). Its been great.
SO today I took the "Back to the Early Days" challenge and created this wonderful simple little card. In those early days I had few supplies and would have stamped my image and layered it onto some colored paper....to make a real statement I would have probably put a few colors of paper under it. The only way I could even think of adding texture would have been with my Fiskar cutter and stylus....to color my image I would have to raid my kids colored pencil box. So what you see below is pretty much what an early card from me would have looked like...simple, clean, straight and pretty much one size fits all. I don't regret those days and am glad to have had this challenge to keep me grounded about what it is I love so much about stamping.
Registered: January 19, 2009 Location: iowa Posts: 37114
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 @ 6:24 PM
I loved reading your story~I know exactly how you felt~I felt the same way. There's so much talent on SC! I didn't upload a card for a whole year. Just looked and commented! But Pat Smethers kept after me to upload so I finally did~and the rest is history~love SC and all the wonderful stampers! Thank you for sharing your heart. I love your sweet simple card.
------------------------------ ~Linda~ Proud Fan Club Member My Gallery
Registered: October 3, 2009 Location: In a state of grace Posts: 10850
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 @ 5:27 AM
Thanks for sharing the story of your journey...I agree with your assessment of the stamping and SCS community. I've learned so much and made some wonderful "friends across the miles." Your CAS design and use of simple tools has been very effective. Very nicely done.
------------------------------ MarieMy time is not mine to have, but mine to share
Registered: February 21, 2007 Location: Bay City, MICHIGAN Posts: 17556
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 @ 6:23 PM
Perfect little Horse Thank you card - from days of yesteryear - LOL - SCS has so helped us all to grow by sharing what we know and learning from each other. Look at how far you have come!!! I love this sweet little guy - guessing it was one of your first stamps about your first love - of horses!! When will you be heading off into the sunset again for a week of riding??!
------------------------------ SUE aka GREENIE - Twisted Sistah Handmade cards because..No one displays an email on their mantle, or saves a FB post in a box of treasures! Nothing is impossible with God!