Artisan Design Team- WHAT?
There are a million things going on in my mind tonight as I write this post.
This weekend was a whirlwind. Â Complete whirlwind. Â The On Stage event was amazing and while the presentations were fantastic and the catalog was amazing …hands down the best is always seeing my team and friends from all over the United States.
Getting together with your friends is just spectacular and add in the crafting it makes it 500% better.
Then something else spectacular happened. Â Something unexpected.
I could feel every ounce of blood pumping as my heart raced.  My name up on the big screen for Artisan Design Team? WHAT?
The process….
Where do I begin? Remember back in April or so when I fell off the crafting cliff because I snuggled up into a depression cocoon? That was around the time frame for demonstrators to enter their submissions for the Artisan Design Team.  I thought about entering, but during that time frame I had put every ounce of my energy to finding Kimberly again.  Believe me, it took every ounce of energy I had.
While being an Artisan has always been a dream of mine, sometimes God has a different plan. Â I felt that He was leading me to just heal after so much had happened and I did. Â I put 100% into myself which I had NOT been doing.
Being selected by Stampin’ Up! was God’s plan and I am humbled they chose me.
How Did This Happen?Â
It makes me giggle when I think back to 13 years ago when I first started stamping. Â I had never heard of stamping or Stampin’ Up!. Â I knew that what I had seen in their catalog was awesome and I wanted all of it. Â I was the girl who loved stationary and pens after all. Â This “stamping thing” was right up my alley.
Once I received my starter kit I had NO clue what I was doing but I didn’t care. The box was filled with pretty things that made my heart go pitter patter! I stamped what I wanted and back then there was NO inspiration except their beautiful catalog. I was just excited and wanted to share with everyone what I created. Â This still holds true today!
My First Card…
I can remember going to a demonstrator meeting and putting my card in a contest. Â Again, I thought it was smashing and for sure a winner. Â While I am sure it wasn’t in the eyes of others (I could tell a few didn’t like my card) I honestly didn’t care. Â I loved it because I created it. Â I knew that Stampin’ Up! and I were now an item… the rest is really history.
Artist, Who Me?
Why am I sharing this with you?
Because I want you to believe in yourself. Â Who in the world would have thought THIS girl would become an Artisan? Truly, not me. Â It was over time, lots of trial and error, lots of copying others, lots of projects in the trash, LOTS and LOTS of TRYING, that in TIMEÂ it would flow on it’s own.
Funny thing… I’m still learning, still inspired by others and STILL lots of projects fall into the trash.  I’m still trying all the time.  It’s just part of the creative process of an artist.  And GUESS what?  We are all artists when we get to use the amazing tools Stampin’ Up! provides.
13 years ago I never would have put the word “artist” behind my name. Â Today, I do feel like an artist because Stampin’ Up! has given me the tools. Â These are tools that anyone can feel like an artist to uplift and inspire others. Tools I’m sure you have at your fingertips. Â YOU are an artist, never let anyone tell you differently.
Overwhelmed & Gratitude
I’m overwhelmed.  I don’t know how else to explain it.  I’m overwhelmed with your kind words. Dang. It all started with the Birthday Giveaway from last week (winner to be announced today!) and then lots of interaction between my blog, Facebook and my Facebook Fan page over Artisan.  I honestly wish I could have a big gathering and invite all of you over to have coffee.  We could sit for hours and chat, laugh, cry, pray.  I know that it would be a glorious day.
I don’t think my dream of gathering is too far fetched. Â I picture you right now with your coffee in hand and you are listening intently like you always do. So let me share a few pictures with you from Saturday.
I received a beautiful decorated gift box from Stampin’ Up! It was so beautiful I didn’t want to open it.
Then I opened the box and a loud squeal happened….
These two beautiful pieces where tucked inside.
The fact that they didn’t misspell my name is pretty amazing AND the fact they didn’t use my nickname…
“deep in trouble” was more amazing. <grin>
This little stamp… sigh…. I’m grateful.
I’m not sure about you but my coffee pot is now empty. Â It’s time for me to get my day started. Â My bestie is here for this week and we have a lot of creating to do.
If you are new to Stampin’ Up!, check out the amazing products that we have in my Online Store. Â YOU can be an artist. Â We have the tools.
Want to start your own journey with Stampin’ Up!? Â Click HERE to learn more about the amazing Starter Kit and how you can do this too. There is NO obligation but there it IS a lot of fun and you will love my team of amazing demonstrators.
I’ll leave you with this today…
Remember God’s timing is not our own timing. Â Remember to continue to believe in yourself and make something pretty!!
XOXOXOXO
27 thoughts on “Artisan Design Team- WHAT?”
Congratulations to you!!!! It was very exciting to be there and hear your name announced as an Artisan Team member. I look forward to seeing your creations and CASE’ing them. Again, Congrats!
Enjoy the ride my dear friend! Your hard work and long hours got you here and you deserve it!!!! You are so talented but so humble and that’s what I love about you. (Well and a few other things!) The stamping community is so lucky to have you! Stamp on girlie1..
So proud of you! You TOTALLY deserve this! I love what you make, love your blog! You are an inspiration in so many ways. Just keep letting God shine through you. CONGRATULATIONS!
This is great news! You are so deserving, Kimberly! Your work is always so beautiful, artistic, and full of creativity.
I am laughing – you are so very creative –
My surprise is HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW THIS!?!?! Really!?!!?
So this is the natural decision in my mind Sister! Keep being amazing & Congratulations!
Much Love Joni
What a beautiful blog post! Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
Girrrlll! So dang excited for you! You’ve come a long way, baby! You are looking good and sounding good and now you are out in the light sharing your truly artistic gifts to the world! Cannot wait to stalk you to see all the beautiful masterpieces you are going to dazzle us with! You rock!
Huge congrats, Kimberly & thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Blessings for an amazing Artisan year. Can’t wait to see what you create & the wisdom you share with us.
Di 🙂
KIMBERLY – THIS IS AWESOME – A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS – I am sooo happy for you 🙂
I’ve been admiring, following, and CASEing you for years. Now I’m even more excited to be doing so. Congratulations! Your name absolutely belongs on that board! Can’t wait to see what you’ve got for us this year!
Kimberly – This is so awesome! YOU so deserve it too. What a year! but how wonderful it all has been. God blessses! Hugs… Barb
I’m SO incredibly happy for you and I know that God has even bigger things in store for you. You are an awesome inspiration and I’m blessed beyond measure to have you as a friend.
Congratulations!!!
Kimberly, I have so enjoyed sharing your journey through it all. Your honesty and creativeness is inspiring! Look forward to continuing this journey with you. Congratulations on your well earned honor.
Congratulations! I don’t know of anyone more deserving.
Of course it’s you!!!! You don’t even NEED to enter to win!!! You are THAT amazing!!! Congratulations!!!!!
Kimberly – Never once did it occur to me that you hadn’t been on the Artisan Team sometime along the way! You have a signature style that SU needs and Demos covet. Congrats
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story. I look forward to following you and the other Artisans. Congratulations!
So happy for you … I love your style!
Huge congratulations. I was not surprised when I saw your name up on the screen at OnStage Live Brussels. Very well deserved. Looking forward to the Artisan Design Team Blog Hops 🙂 x
Congratulations!! You totally deserve it!
Congratulations Kimberly! You are so deserving of this honor, and I am so excited for you! I love your story about becoming an artist, it is so true. We all are growing every time we put ink to paper.
Congratulations Kim ;o)
Not surprised when I saw your name on the board … your cards are amazing!
Congratulations, Kimberly! I was really excited to see your name on the Artisan team list. I have been following your blog for some time and love your design style. I have also learned much over the years about Digital Design via your MDS classes — still bummed that this is no longer part of SU’s offerings.
Congratulations Kimberly! I have admired your work for years, I case you very often, and I think you are perfect choice for the artisan design team your work is so unique and gorgeous!
Thank you for writing this and sharing your heart, this was my first year applying. I think I got my hopes up bc I had many people boost my confidence, Cindy Schusted recommended me as someone to watch, and even had SU feature a few of my products on their homepage. However, most importantly, I prayed about it and left it to the Lord. Not my year. But to be honest, I was at peace. God is still good and has something else planned. We just moved and maybe it would’ve been too much.. then I read this and I’m reminded to never give up! Keep trying! I can honestly say, it’s tough creating projects right now bc I almost feel like “who am I trying to impress” but it comes down to why am I doing it? Because I love it! I love to stamp, I love sending a card more than receiving one, I love the creative outlet.. So I’m going to keep trying, whether it ends up one trash or not :). And sorry if I made this seem like it’s about me.. It’s not – I truly do appreciate you sharing this – you’re an inspiration to so many and I’m truly happy for you and your adventure ahead!!
Hi Kimberly! I am so happy that you have received this well-deserved recognition! Your blog is one of the very first I subscribed to years ago and one of the only blogs that I never let go. You are an inspiration, not only with your awesome projects but also in the way you play the cards you’ve been dealt. I love watching the kids grow up and hearing about your happy life with Russ, your parents, and all the craziness of your life. I also love how you knew I’d be sitting here with a cup of coffee taking in your every word! 🙂 No one is more deserving of this honor! Congratulations!!
P.S. Love your very first card AND I hope you show us the back of one of your cards with your new Artisan stamp!!
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