Out With the Old, In With the New

For the past year I've been feeling like it's time to let go of some things that I've been holding onto, mainly because it's been a huge part of my life for over 17 years, it's familiar, and for the longest time has brought me joy.. For the past year though, it really hasn't. Your probably wondering what I'm talking about? Well, it's card making. The first year of my marriage I decided to start making homemade cards for family and friends. First starting out with Christmas cards, then adding birthday, thank you's, thinking of you's and then branched off from there.

When my youngest son was born three days before Christmas, I even changed the time period for making my Christmas cards to July or August of each year and have been doing that for 13 years now. I've devoted a lot of time, money, resources and energy to this hobby, and not wanting to leave out space as well.. (it takes up about 60% of my office)

I've been unhappy with this hobby for sometime and didn't really put much thought to it until my birthday. I had a few people tell me they couldn't possibly send me a birthday card because it couldn't compare to the ones I make. Yes, that was a complement but it hurt. I don't judge people and have never done so when people have sent me store bought cards. My son gave me a birthday card this year on a post it note. Was it less important than the one's I make? Absolutely not! He made that card out of love. I received store bought cards each year from my extended family and love each and every one of them. 

I know I should of brushed off the comment but unfortunately it's been said to me on more than one occasion over the years. I've also heard lots of praises about how they love 'receiving' my cards but it seems nobody out there pays much attention to the fact that I may want to 'receive' cards, notes, letters in the mail from them.

So for 17 years, I've devoted our extra finances, my time and energy to put together cards with notes, etc and sending them out to I can't even begin to remember how many people and get back a handful over the years. In the beginning it was the feeling of brightening people's day by sending them a little note in the mail or wishing them a Happy Birthday but as I'm getting older, I'm realizing the one way street of relationships has worn me down. 

So with that being said, I'm ready to move onto other things. Hobbies that will impact me more personally. Card making impacts those I give too. Yes, I enjoy the process of making the cards but need a recipient to make the full circle, if that makes sense. I need hobbies that only involve me.

I've decided to embark on my photography skills. Getting more involved in learning more about digital photography and working on building on what I already know to become a better photographer. I also have other hobbies that over the past decade have been stronger on my mind than card making and feel holding onto this is dragging me down and not allowing me to use that time and energy to work on these other things I have a passion for.. including:

• Canning (have a ton of recipes to share soon)
• Cooking, baking
• Cake making and decorating ( I want to take courses at the local craft store to better my skills)
• D.I.Y projects
• Running, Fitness, Health
• Hunting

As you can see I'm not lacking in the hobbies department. I have plenty of things to keep me occupied and look forward to spending more of my free time indulging in them.. 

I plan on liquidating my stamping supplies this week. I'll be selling most all of it on Ebay and you can check out what I have to offer at this link @ http://www.ebay.com/usr/creative_cardmaker.  If anyone here is interested in expanding your card making, paper crafting, scrapbooking supplies, this will be the place to look. I have over 17 yrs of supplies, all in excellent condition and a lot brand new.. Stampin Up products and more..Check back daily... As I liquidate and add items as fast as I can, homeschooling, being a mother etc tends to take up some time each day so be patient.. I have a lot to offer so keep checking..