Tonight I tackled a task I have been putting off for months now… I just haven’t had the energy to unpack, categorize and organize the last few boxes that were just kinda stacked up in the corner down in the basement. Tonight, the basement had been torn apart by all the kids, their friends and cousins- so I had to take action. Mostly it was just putting bits and pieces of Halloween costumes back in the bin; reuniting puzzle pieces with their friends; folding blankets and ultimately finding the missing shoe that started the whole effort anyway! –so while I was at it…I opened the box that I have been avoiding. It’s the box that holds binders, notebooks, folders and envelopes all holding evidence of my journey the last 10 or so years- evidence of my scrapbooking career. I have binders with all the outlines of classes that I taught in my earliest days of teaching at Memory Lane. The original hand lettered ‘simply stated’- our first rubons from Making Memories. The box held several CK magazines that I had written articles for as well as a copy of each one of the books I had contributed to in one way or another. Tons if notebooks full of sketches, samples, pantone swatches. As I flipped through the pages and peeked in the envelopes it was fun to see my ideas in list form… then sketched…then little printouts of the art and then remember the product release and even some of the pages I had used for samples. over and over again I have repeated that process. Whether it was a book or a product or even an event… it’s truly been an amazing journey. It’s been way more than I could have ever even imagined.
Each new opportunity beginning came on the tail of another opportunity ending- with valuable experience gained, and tremendous satisfaction and learning taken forward to enrich that next challenge. This last year has been a time of that transition. Making big changes in direction has been exciting, required learning and stretching… not to mention being a little scary. I keep feeling like each year, the demands of my family grows exponentially…and my ability to manage it all is diminishing! Really, it’s all just changing. It’s just that realizing that change is sometimes harder than others.
As you may or may not know… I am not longer creating new product under the Heidi Swapp brand by Advantus. I am tremendously grateful for the last 5 years and all the places that I have gone, people that I have come in contact with and amazing experiences gained…what an awesome ride!
But… all things, along with their beginnings-must come to an end! For now, Advantus is still selling Heidi Swapp products, and what has been produced is still available for purchase. (now they are collectors items! Wink)
As for the NOW…
I am looking to pour more of my time and attention into House of 3. I am absolutely delighted with the evolution at House of 3, and the response that we have received to what we have created! As partners, we have been discussing our goals and directions for 2010, and how we can be more effective, and reach more people with fun ideas, accessible classes, workshops via live web streaming and MORE!! The possibilities are endless!
In addition to House of 3, I have been invited to join another team…and for the past several weeks, I have been designing a few new products and learning some new techniques to share at the upcoming CHA. The cool thing is that I’ll be able to cross over my House of 3 ideas with this new venture. My role with this company is different than anything I have ever done, but allows me to explore my creativity and fresh ideas and keep my family first- where it belongs. I feel like it’s the best of both worlds!
I have to start doing a better job of taking care of ME! I have been spreading myself WAAY too thin, and consequently-feeling like I am not excelling in ANY area. I am looking forward to simplifying my life. Staying put a little more. Making individualized time w/ my children. Concentrating on daily creative goals and putting more effort into my health and wellness. Working smarter. It’s time.
So… with these last few weeks of 2009…take time to determine what 2010 has in store for YOU! what changes are you making? I always look forward to a fresh start that is a NEW YEAR!! I am working on a little House of 3 workshop that will kick off the new year…and I hope you will join me… join US! because…
It’s time!
