My Stampin Up Story:Act 1:Recruit Crew

I have been given the opportunity to participate in Recruit Crew through Stampin Connection.  Act1 requires me to put 'My Stampin Up Story' down on paper.  I decided to post it on my blog so that more of you can get to know me and why I decided to be a Stampin Up demo.

I was introduced to Stampin Up! through my best friend, Naomi.  She is an avid card maker and uses Stampin Up in many of her projects.  I went with her to a card show that she was participating in and I was amazed at the overwhelming love people have for her cards.  I experimented with some of Michael's and AC Moore's papers, inks, and stamps and had a very hard time coming up with ideas on my own.  Naomi showed me the Splitcoast Stampers website and led me to the Stampin Up portion of it. I saw the most amazing projects and colors, stamp sets and embellishments. 
During this time of learning about SU! my daughter was undergoing chemotherapy for Osteosarcoma.  She was also undergoing a prosthetic surgery to remove the cancer from her leg.  I felt so helpless during this time frame.  I also needed something to occupy my time for the days upon days that we were constantly in the hospital for her treatments.  SU! was having a promo for people to join as demo's, so I decided to give it a shot.  I figured it'll give me something to do and help earn extra money for my various trips back and forth to the hospital.  I talked to a few neighborhood friends who also stamped, and they were excited that I would be a demo close to them to be able to hold workshops and classes. 
So, I joined.  It was so hard at first getting myself organized enough and finding the time to hold the workshops since my daughter was constantly in and out of the hospital.  The one thing I realized was that SU! was my outlet to keep my mind off of all that was going on around me, and it actually gave me something to look forward to.  With the help of my family, I was able to host a few workshops and demonstrations in my local area.  I felt like I had accomplished so much. 
Now chemo is over.  Our day-to-day routines are falling into place (aside from a new arrival due 4/13/11), we're back to normal.  I am able to focus so much more time and energy on my business and helping others understand why SU! is such an amazing company to work for.  I started in March 2010 and by October of the same year I was promoted to Senior Associate.  It made me realize that if I could be promoted that fast, during a time that my family was struggling the most, I can do so much now that we're back to normal. 
Participating in the Recruit Crew is giving me that momentum that I need to make my business everything I want it to be.

Thanks for taking the time to read My Story!