tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post1895612778030468215..comments2023-07-01T06:21:34.201-04:00Comments on it's life....: Stamper's NeurosisUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-15783959994064357342007-05-20T17:26:00.000-04:002007-05-20T17:26:00.000-04:00Thanks for your comments Joan. As a new SU demons...Thanks for your comments Joan. As a new SU demonstrator (only in it for the hobby ;) ), my first downline meeting was very intimidating. I was embarrassed to present my project for the evening because the others were WAY better than mine. I was stressed during the drive home when I realized 'who cares'. I reminded myself I started stamping because I enjoy it! Thanks for making me feel I don't have to achieve super-uber stamper skills to be happy with my cards.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-75363747047010401572007-05-20T12:06:00.000-04:002007-05-20T12:06:00.000-04:00Oh yes! With me it brings out major obsessive qua...Oh yes! With me it brings out major obsessive qualities, so in the end I took the 'Stamping Top 50' counter off my blog altogether because I kept checking it, looking at the stats - my blog is a creative place for me to share whatever I like and to have fun. I think there's a LOT of competitive stamping going on these days, but there's also a large number of stampers just having a good time with their favourite hobby and sharing with friends, online and IRL, just keep walking towards the light :)Sue McGettiganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18006807015011119262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-11553687081801588842007-05-20T11:28:00.000-04:002007-05-20T11:28:00.000-04:00Thank you so much for putting it into words! I hav...Thank you so much for putting it into words! I have been feeling this also and I needed to read your blog. I feel I am getting swept up into this craziness and I don't like it. I am taking stock of my life today and going to change my thinking about all of this. Thank you again!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-42873186872823351972007-05-19T20:57:00.000-04:002007-05-19T20:57:00.000-04:00Thank you, Joan. From all the comments, I see that...Thank you, Joan. From all the comments, I see that you and I are not the only ones who stress over something that's supposed to be fun!<BR/>I find that being an SU demo makes it hard for me to be anything less than perfect. I feel I "owe" it somehow to my customers- I have to not only provide them with knowledge (which is great, I love to teach), but provide them with perfect samples too- of *everything*!!!<BR/>I became a demo when I started stamping so that I could get more toys- and have decided that it's time to use those toys for ME!<BR/>Here's to having fun again!<BR/>Karen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-76846683008156925842007-05-19T19:55:00.000-04:002007-05-19T19:55:00.000-04:00Hi joanI feel exactly like you do (have a clever s...Hi joan<BR/>I feel exactly like you do (have a clever scrapbooking DD and very Arty sisters) but when you make someone a card and go to send it, it feels like you are sending your first born out into the world all unprepared and so you worry about who will like it and if it is really appreciated. I love making cards its the above worry that stops me posting them and sending them to people. Funny thing is cards I don't feel happy with people seem to like, and try as I might I cant put torn paper on a card, so Us older and supposedly wiser folk just have to BELIEVE in ourselves and do what we do best<BR/>BE OURSELVESAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-35950613584994819112007-03-08T22:03:00.000-05:002007-03-08T22:03:00.000-05:00Wow...did your comment hit home!!! I started stamp...Wow...did your comment hit home!!! I started stamping about a year ago and was so incredibly excited about it. Lately, I've just felt blah...and have spent waay more time doing exactly those things you stated...checking my blog counter (just about had a aneurysm when they lost my login and my counter reset on StampingTop50), etc...<BR/><BR/>Thanks for so eloquently stating the obvious...and it is back to basics for me.Bella Rose Creationshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15459896241115305583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-6910894555037352142007-03-01T16:17:00.000-05:002007-03-01T16:17:00.000-05:00Refreshing viewpoint- I am new to the stamping hob...Refreshing viewpoint- I am new to the stamping hobby, and now i will know what to watch out for!<BR/>It looks to me like you had enough response form this blog that you could almost have a whole blog site devoted to variations on the topic of women competing with each other and feeling diminished by it. You surely struck a chord with hundreds!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-29914933287107770992007-03-01T11:25:00.000-05:002007-03-01T11:25:00.000-05:00Joan, Joan, Joan,What a wonderful blog thread. Am...Joan, Joan, Joan,<BR/><BR/>What a wonderful blog thread. Amazing how so many of us share the same insecurities about our talent. I get so caught up on checking galleries and reading papercrafting magazines for ideas and tend to forget that I have a talent different from everyone else and that is a good thing.<BR/><BR/>Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this subject.Alycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18255860052595562833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-37498951530591376772007-02-28T23:42:00.000-05:002007-02-28T23:42:00.000-05:00Hey my friend - a wise woman once told me to just ...Hey my friend - a wise woman once told me to just take a step back, and do what was right for me. :) I am now saying it back to you! I had many of the same feelings you are when I stepped away from my blog a few months ago, and I feel so much more liberated not having to worry about it all the time. No more "gotta get a card stamped" no more "what number am I on the list today?" no more "did "x" pass me on the list?" I recently started thought about starting another blog with a different provider - and have decided I like life without it much better!Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06648518456038548507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-61002867171906372702007-02-28T20:18:00.000-05:002007-02-28T20:18:00.000-05:00I do feel the blog sites and SCS Galleries are a b...I do feel the blog sites and SCS Galleries are a bit "cliqish" (sp). But looking at those "cliqish" sites and galleries, with their lots of comments and such, I thought how funny that their creations seem to look alike, in style, in ideas, in materials, etc. The drawback is that those who follow the perceived "gurus of the stamping world" seem to lose their creative originality. I can't tell the difference from one stamper's card to another or one blog site from another. It's the same stamp, the same tool, the same everything. <BR/><BR/>I think if you stick to your own creativity and present your work based on your own ideas and such, other readers will appreciate your originality.<BR/><BR/>It gets rather old to see 100s of cards on SCS and countless blog sites with the same card design.<BR/><BR/>I have my own blog site but rarely visit any other blogs or look at cards on SCS. I usually browse when I have nothing else to do. I barely have the time to rubber stamp, let alone browse the work of others.<BR/><BR/>Anyhow, I just don't want to imitate creations made by others and confuse it as my own work. By not looking at what others do. . .it makes me feel that I've come up with my own ideas and creations - unfortunately, most of the time, when I do browse to look at other people's work, it appears someone else had already thought of it. Ha!Mariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01653907599403959378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-50689514293894498552007-02-27T16:01:00.000-05:002007-02-27T16:01:00.000-05:00PERFECTLY said! In reading your post I realize I ...PERFECTLY said! In reading your post I realize I have gotten into the same trap. I have learned so much on SCS and have come to love and appreciate the talents of so many people on there. But I haven't started a gallery on there for fear of not being "good enough". Compared to who? Well, it doesn't matter because the keyphrase is "compared to". I shouldn't be comparing myself to anyone, just like you said. I have spent so much money trying to keep up. I get many compliments from people, but I'm afraid of people in cyberland not approving? How sick and twisted is that? <BR/><BR/>Thank you so much for the wake up call Joan. Once again, you have inspired me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-59859553851437887132007-02-27T15:41:00.000-05:002007-02-27T15:41:00.000-05:00Hello, Joan.For a lack of a better word, your "mem...Hello, Joan.<BR/><BR/>For a lack of a better word, your "memo" (felt like Renee Zellweger in Jerry Maguire, KWIM)couldn't have come at a better time for me personally. I've been a crafter for a while and have tried several types of crafts. I jumped from one craft to another because I would reach a point would come in my life where it became stressful, so I got out of it before I ended up despising the craft I once referred to as a de-stresser. Unfortunately, I'm starting to feel that way about stamping. It has been so bad to where I haven't even sent a handmade card to anyone for a while because it didn't get good feedback from when I posted it at SCS, unlike my previous cards or other cards. How neurotic is that I ask? So I am taking a step back, re-thinking why I even fell in love with stamping in the first place (the recipients truly admired them) and getting back into it when I feel like it.<BR/><BR/>Again, thank you so much for your insightful post. Very very well said. Best wishes to you!<BR/><BR/>MariaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-3872622358730432882007-02-27T11:01:00.000-05:002007-02-27T11:01:00.000-05:00I hear you! I gave up a design team spot of the ma...I hear you! I gave up a design team spot of the major rubberstamping magazine. As a mom of several children, you can imagine that I don't have a lot of free time. I wanted my stamping time to fun and not work. It took me a while to be brave enough to make that decision, but once I did, I was relieved! I also removed the counter from my blog.<BR/><BR/>You make beautiful cards!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-51099900135396905322007-02-27T10:26:00.000-05:002007-02-27T10:26:00.000-05:00Thank you! Great post! Great reminder! I really ap...Thank you! Great post! Great reminder! I really appreciate a friend pointing me in this direction this morning. Hugs, Joan!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-84407079842264614062007-02-27T07:03:00.000-05:002007-02-27T07:03:00.000-05:00I totally agree .. I was there but in a different...I totally agree .. I was there but in a different type of eay .. ya know been there done that saying .. It was me .. Funny thing is when I 1st started blogging I was sooo hurt by so many bloggers out ther that seem to only link to the "CLICK" group of stampers out there and to be honest it seemed like no one else could "fit in" so I have given up on those " I just want to fit in feelings ".. I love blogging and I figure if I dont fit in with the "Click " then so be it . I am not lossing any sleep over it .. I really enjoyed reading your post today How wonderful it is to be able to share your feelings and lay it all on the line .. I think you said what so many of us have been thinking and feeling for so long , and for you to put words to your feelings and ours is soooo refreshing girlie ..I appaude you for being so frank and putting it all on your post .. Thank you so Much I agree totally .. and I for one will not want to get caught up in that rat race .. or keeping up with the Jones So to speak,, BRAVO to you girlie .. I am sure that was not easy to post but my hats off to you for doing it .. I for one am glad your my blogger friend .. Just be true to yourself , everything else will fall into place see you tomorrow in bloggerland girlie <BR/>xoox<BR/>DawnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-10310307821942210282007-02-27T01:42:00.000-05:002007-02-27T01:42:00.000-05:00I have said for a while there needs to be a stamp ...I have said for a while there needs to be a stamp library around here...hehe.dawnmercedeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02144496853296433809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-30391047550061886142007-02-26T23:59:00.000-05:002007-02-26T23:59:00.000-05:00Anonymous said....Thank you for speaking for many ...Anonymous said....<BR/><BR/>Thank you for speaking for many of us. I have been a part of this craft for many years, and when I found some of these little communities on the internet, I remembered high school all over again. What I mean by that is this... when you visit most of the top blog sites, ever notice that they only refer to the same people????? ever notice that they mention each others cards etc.????? It really remindes me of high school with the popular people, and then the rest of us. I have seen some beautiful cards both on SCS and different blogs that are NEVER MENTIONED on the top sites.<BR/><BR/>I do have a blog, it's not that popular and that is O.K. However, I do have some of the top blogs under my favs, but I do look for those sites that don't get mentioned in other places to try and give them some exposure. Let's face it, we all want to be rewarded for what we have created. For me that reward is to share what I have done, and what I love.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-49066318819167110722007-02-26T20:11:00.000-05:002007-02-26T20:11:00.000-05:00I think you speak for more of us than not. I do ha...I think you speak for more of us than not. I do have to say this is my 1st time on your blog & I have been missing out. You do wonderful work.gingerbreadaholichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13564330106189125323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-4268641701851042442007-02-26T19:20:00.000-05:002007-02-26T19:20:00.000-05:00joan...I want to say.. I LOVE YOU!You said what I ...joan...<BR/><BR/>I want to say.. I LOVE YOU!<BR/><BR/>You said what I felt for awhile. I couldnt figure out how to express it. Ijust figured that I over extended myself, and it will all get better. <BR/><BR/>I, too wanted to shut down my whole stamping sweat shop, I was too consumed on wondering if people will like my creations, how many will like it, what they like aboutit.<BR/><BR/>I also worry that no one will come to my blog, so I have to update everyday, making sure its interesting enough for people to come back.<BR/><BR/>But then I realized (and your entry confirms it) I AM DOING ALL THIS FOR MYSELF, BECAUSE IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD, BECAUSE I ENJOY DOING IT.. if it's not that, then its nothing but a task, chore, work.. <BR/><BR/>so what would be the difference between this hobby and a job? <BR/><BR/>thank you for speaking out, and making all of us sane again :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-30326162788853589122007-02-26T18:43:00.000-05:002007-02-26T18:43:00.000-05:00Joan - I am sure that you feel very validated by n...Joan - <BR/>I am sure that you feel very validated by now, but I wanted to put my two cents of support in for you!! You are so right on this topic - this is a hobby, a stress reliever, fun, but ultimately it shouldn't take over our lives!! I am so glad that you were able to put into words what I have been feeling. I have actually been feeling guilty about not having a blog or a gallery - "I'm not a real stamper because I don't post". But I am, and I like what I do, and I thank you for helping me see that!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-52659511111398089992007-02-26T16:55:00.000-05:002007-02-26T16:55:00.000-05:00I found your blog from AmyR mentioning this post.I...I found your blog from AmyR mentioning this post.<BR/>I feel the same, but hang in there. I don't know how many times, I've thought (esp lately), what is the point and realize how silly that is. For me it's because I lost my friend to cancer on Christmas day and we swapped so many cards and gift ideas as well as stamped together and I just feel lost without her.<BR/>I did start a blog and I think the most posts have been two on a post I've made. I just decided it's ok. I'm not popular (wasn't in school either) and this is about my love of stamping, not the popularity thing.<BR/>So hang in there. I am loving your blog!<BR/>DebbieDebbie Fisher (debbiedee)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01504216412594013717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-41741272538038321742007-02-26T12:21:00.000-05:002007-02-26T12:21:00.000-05:00I just came across this post through someone else'...I just came across this post through someone else's blog, & just had to comment. You are not alone!! (as you could already tell from all the posts). I am not in the "clique" either, just like in HS!! A few weeks ago I posted a card that had been favorited over 100 times in the first two days. I thought "THIS is the week I'll be mentioned on the favorites thread". Sunday came & went, & not one person mentioned my card. It really bothered me, until my son said "Mom, why are you so crabby today??" OMG!!!! My kids could tell I was crabby, & all because of a stupid card!!! I decided right then & there that although I will still post my cards, I will NOT let comments & validation & favorites run my life. It's a card, for goodness sake --so much more important stuff out there!!!<BR/><BR/>Now, I'm off to look at your gallery & read up on your blog!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-44060661983335950502007-02-26T12:10:00.000-05:002007-02-26T12:10:00.000-05:00Joan,You are definitely not alone and I'm glad you...Joan,<BR/><BR/>You are definitely not alone and I'm glad you put a voice to this topic. I read your post all the while thinking "How did this lady get into my head!?" I feel exactly the same way! My husband keeps getting on my case to stop comparing myself to others... there will always be someone better, someone with more time, more ability, more stuff. Thank you for the lesson in contentment and for bringing me back to the reason I started stamping in the first place... because it's FUN!Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03373137531928815033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-31537238376351980872007-02-26T10:46:00.000-05:002007-02-26T10:46:00.000-05:00Joan:I think the competitiveness you have is one t...Joan:<BR/><BR/>I think the competitiveness you have is one that was drummed into us in law school. It's what has made us successful attorneys, but has an unwanted side effect of spilling over into other unwanted areas. I can certainly appreciate where you're coming from.<BR/><BR/>It sounds like you have come upon a healthy balance in all areas of life. Good luck and keep up the good work- I enjoy reading your blog, however often you have the time to update.<BR/><BR/>Colleen<BR/>(a lawyer & a stamper!)<BR/>www.stampingoddess.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25216224.post-74071763418297110652007-02-26T09:38:00.000-05:002007-02-26T09:38:00.000-05:00Hello Joan, Kudos to you. I think is great to step...Hello Joan, Kudos to you. I think is great to stepback and take a deep breath. I know full well what you are talking about. I posted a few cards on SCS and waited for the comments to come in. When I received only a few I thought, I will try it again, same thing happended...I made the decision to stop posting cards because I was losing sight of why I started stamping to begin with...to please the ones I love with a handmade card. I still pop in on SCS and great blog sites like yours for inspiration. I came to realize my audience should be closer to home. Blessings to you. Thanks for being so honest I truly respect you for it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com