SOCIAL MEDIA

Writing it Down

3.06.2008
So it seems that my Dad was right. Starting a very, very long time ago he told me to write down my goals, my dreams, what it was that I wanted to accomplish, to call my own. I always just laughed, thinking, all right Dad...sure. Well, two years ago now, I was at a point in my life when something needed changing. Outside forces as well as internal ones were at my back and I needed to move and it needed to be forward. I needed to find "me" again. I started this blog. It was more of a creative experiment at first and then it became a great source of growth and of comfort, to some extent. I started sharing some of my scrapbooking layouts, project ideas, musings about what this craft meant to me and then became involved in Emily's challenges which in turn, I think really opened my eyes to other artists and other women that were like me, that had so much to share and had found a way to do so via scrapbooking/art journaling through this awesome medium called the internet. It was incredible to have found so many kindred spirits through that year of challenges with Emily and it really boosted my self confidence and really made me come to the realization that this is something that I wanted to pursue. Scrapbooking, altered art, journaling, paper-crafting, etc. It's funny how those early days of being a stay at home mom really made me feel lost and lonely. While being totally in love with my new baby girl, I was at the same time losing my sense of self, the woman that I thought I was. When I started scrapbooking, some of those early pages served as reminders to me of what was important in my life. What was right, what was working, what I wanted to celebrate, what I wanted to remember and what I wanted to strive for. It's amazing how when you concentrate on the positive and what it is that you want your life to look like, how it actually becomes to resemble that of which you seek. One day (after many, many, many days of thinking about it and agonizing about it - I over think absolutely everything!) I wrote down that I wanted my scrapbooking to be published one day. And then it was. I then wrote down that I wanted to be a designer for a scrapbooking kit club and I have been given the amazing opportunity to work with some incredible women at Kits & Pieces. And when I say incredible, it doesn't even come close to how I feel about Linda, the owner and Rosy the DT manager and kit designer. These ladies I can truly call friends and I am so very blessed to have them in my life. There are some individuals that come across our path in this life that open doors, of acceptance, understanding, compassion and these two are definitely two of those individuals. They couldn't have come into my life at any better time than when they did. I also wrote down that I wanted to one day work for one of the industry's most succesful scrapbooking manufacturer's, specifically acting on their team of designers. And I now have been invited to do so. A while back there was a question posed on a scrapbooking website chat board that asked "What manufacturers' would you most want to work for in the industry?" and my number one answer was Creative Imaginations. And now it would seem that I have been invited to join the Creative Imaginations team of designers! The official announcment won't be for another couple of weeks, but I've been given the okay to share a bit early! There was a point when clicking that "post" button on blogger was so intimidating to me. What would the people that "know me" think of my passion of all things "paper & glue?" And while worrying about what other people thought of me, I stopped and realized that I really didn't care, as this "paper & glue" stuff was something that I was good at, something that was important to me and for the first time I knew the answer to the question that it seems that I had been asking myself for so long. That question being, "What is it exactly that you are going to grow up and be Jen?" Well, it would seem that I am a papercrafter, scrapbooker, journaler, a photographer (who is very much still learning the art!) whatever you want to call it, this is it. And the funny thing is, I probably knew this all along. I just didn't give it value myself, until now. I love drawing, doodling, sketching, painting, making things, altered art, reading about art history, learning new techniques, when I was little I remember standing in the paper isle of the local pharmacy and agonizing over what papers and pencils I wanted to get (a special treat that my parents would offer - isn't it telling that it was paper and pencils that I wanted?), I would literally stand there and pick each sheet of paper up and feel it, put it back and do the same with the next and so on and so on. I collected pencils like they were buttons (and now I do the same with buttons!). It's probably pretty obvious to those that know me that I should have been involved in something relating to the arts, my father after all is an artist by trade and my mother is an avid knitter, seamstress and when I was young a weaver. For some reason I think that I thought I needed to prove myself in a totally new way, branch out and be something different, turns out that I didn't...or maybe I needed to try so that I could come back to what was me all along. Whatever it is, I'm here now and so very thankful for the opportunities that have been placed before me. I look forward to the challenges that I am sure to come and am blessed to be able to do something that I love so much from my home, with Zoey here right alongside of me. I am thankful that Ethan is so supportive and that he sees how important all of this is to me and that he is willing to make little sacrifices along the way for me so that this can happen as well. I always have been the one that has put Zoey down to sleep and the other night I had my first conference call with CI and it was right when I would normally be reading to Zoey and Ethan did it no problem, (of course he would!) and he actually fell asleep with her! It's funny how something so very small can make me feel so supported and loved. Anyways, I am thrilled to be where I am at right now. A little bit nervous. And I just had to share a secret with you all that worked for me...you should write down what it is that you want. Even those crazy, lofty far-fetched ideas. You just might find yourself pleasantly surprised. Thanks Dad.
Bobbi said...

Congratulations!!!! Since I've come to know you on the K&P MB the last couple of weeks, you seem like a great gal.....keep up the good work-we're all proud

Anonymous said...

wow wow WOW!!! That's is so awesome, Jen! I think CI would be in my top 3 faves, too, so I'm excited for you! Can't wait to see where this opportunity takes you - congrats!

Anonymous said...

Congratulation! I hope that you will be working with my product:).
Best,
Christine

Unknown said...

HOW VERY VERY VERY exciting!!!! YAY, love seeing dreams come true!!
Enjoy the ride and I'm looking forward to seeing where this adventure takes you!!!!
YAY again :)

milkcan said...

HUGE congratulations! And so well deserved! Your work is so awesome and they are way lucky to have you! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

milkcan said...

HUGE congratulations! And so well deserved! Your work is so awesome and they are way lucky to have you! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

Tobey said...

Congratulations Jen!! 5 gues I can say I knew you when!!! I'm so proud of you!! I haave so loved reading your blog!! You are so inspiring!! I will be looking forward to seeing all that you accomplish!

Tobey

Rosy said...

Huge congrats, Jen! And let me say that CI is as lucky to have you as K&P. You are a wonderful asset to any team you are on, and I'm so glad for you that you've found something that brings you so much joy--I think we as moms really need that. :)

Anonymous said...

Wow, awesome news Jen. Congrats! I love Creative Imaginations, they have so many wonderful product to work with.

Looking forward to checking back to see how you put it all to good use.

I guess it really pays to write things down doesn't it?

Congrats again!!!!!!!!!!

Michelle said...

wow!! Thanks for the sweet words on my blog, they led me here! =) Congrads!! I can't wait to see your design! yay! =) Awesome, inspiring words in your post, too! Love it!

Anonymous said...

AWESOME! Congratulations! And what a beautiful post!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! What good advice too.

Anonymous said...

Jen, I love reading your posts, they are always so heartfelt. Someday Zoey will be reading these posts and she will be learning who her mother was as, a mother of a young child, all the adventures you were able to do with your craft and be so proud of you! It will be wonderful for Zoey to have those memories of her daddy also reading to her as she falls asleep. Hope you remembered to snap a photo, maybe next time.
Congrats on the Creative Imaginations DT they are a great company.
Think how blessed you are to be a SAHM to Zoey but also be a paper crafter on the side. :) Till next time take care.

Essie said...

First of all; Congretz!!!! How awesome is that. Wow!!

Second; I loved reading your story. I even got some tears in my eyes by the time I finished your story. A good thing your daddy was right all the way.

Have a great week.
Love, es

Kim Watson said...

WOW! what an amazing story! I am so happy for you...dreams coming true, is sure to make the soul happy.

It will be great to see some more of your creative work.
Well done!!

Francine said...

This is fantastic! Congratulations!!!

Miffy said...

WTG!!! Congrats! :)

Anonymous said...

Jen i wanted to say how much i am enjoying having you on our team.

You are so right with goals. I write them down and have taught my children to do the same from a young age.
I am looking forward to an incredible year!
:)