Hello Unity Stamp Company community member. Welcome to my Growing In Unity week. A little about me before we get started with some crafty inspiration.
I’m Annie, I’m a Unity-aholic ((Hi Annie)). I’ve been a cult member, uh
“Loyal Customer” since 2012. I
currently hold the record of 5 purchases in one month before my husband gives
me the stink eye for spending too much $$ on stamps. He never says anything,
but I so get the “LOOK”. You know the
“LOOK”. It’s the one your mom gave you
when you told her at 7pm you needed a shoe box the next day for school. That LOOK.
I love Unity, so the guilt only lasts until the next sale.
I’ve been stamping since 1995 and have a sizable stash of Non-Unity stamps
and I really do like those too. But, I still feel like I’m cheating on the
Unity Company when I use them, so that’s weird.
Not as weird as say, putting mayonnaise on your peanut butter sandwich
weird. But odd in regard to the growing level of obsession, uh loyalty, yeah
loyalty I have cultivated over these stamps these past few years. Why is that so odd you ask? Well truth be
told, if I had to pick between giving up one of my 4 kids, or giving up Unity,
I’d have to write down a pros and cons list. #unitywinsoutmostdays.
This is my second go around as a GUI girl.
The first time was terrifying as the opportunity sort of landed into my
lap at the last minute. I never felt
worthy of the honor. I still don’t. What
can I say that you might not know? Or produce what you’ve never seen a
resemblance of before? I’m not terribly
creative. No specialties to speak of. I
haven’t mastered any one technique or medium.
I don’t really have a particular style of card making, unless you
consider throwing enough stuff on piece of paper until your besties tell you it
looks tacky is a style. If it is, then
I’m at an expert level. I am the queen of the “girl do you even know what you
are doing?” look. Also, known as “Princess
Happy Accidents.” I think it’s because Bob Ross and I were cousins in a former
life. I digress… But, upon some
reflection, I do have some unique advice as a Growing In Unity Girl that you
may find very useful.
I’ve been able to surround myself with a quality Firm of girls who are my
guidepost to creativity. Each with their unique style and eagerness to tell me when
I lay down a stinker of a card. They are also there to boast my creative genius
or to simply brainstorm. You need those
type of girls in your creative corner. If you want to be a better stamper,
artist, paper crafter surround yourself with people that push you. They should encourage
you to be better, to try new things, to expand your skill set.
My best friend is so dang talented I want to smack her with a wet ink pad
most days. She’s the kind that just pulls awesomeness out her butt in blink of
an eye. She has true vision. She’s so good you leave an angry emoji at nearly all
her creations. She has vision that I just don’t have. But, she’s the one that I go to when I’m
stuck. The one that offers a solution that takes my card from simply “meh” to
“ok, I’m not ashamed to show people this one.”
I’ve also been lucky because I found a couple of my girls on the Unity Show
& Tell page. I wasn’t searching them out in a stalkery crafter on crafter
way. Because, that would be super creepy.
They sorta landed in my lap. They
each bring their own unique talent and creative perspective to the table. More
inspiration to soak up like a stinky sponge. They also enjoy a fair bit of
hijinks on and off the Show & Tell page.
You love to hate their masterpieces day in and day out. You too secretly
wish their inkpad would dry up. You know
you do.
These kinds of women are the secret to a successful career as a paper
crafter/card maker. They are the key to really mastering this creative
outlet. I encourage you to find your own
tribe of women who push you. Be jealous
of these women, compete against these women, listen to these women. But most
importantly, cherish these women and you will see your creativity bloom. Your
people are here in this community. Find them and devour them up like a freshy
baked Krispy Kreme donut, just don’t put mayonnaise on them. That would be weird.
If you made it through all of that nonsense... you deserve a medal. Anyway... on to the real reason you are here. CARDS!