Wherever you go…..go with all your heart……
I love the saying on this great new hostess set – it says, “Wherever you go, go with all your heart” – and it really makes me think of “stuff” that went down this week at SU and SCS. Stampin’Up! clarified our IDA – Independent Demo Agreement which is our agreement that we will represent and sell for SU and only SU…..in recent years with blogs and facebook and twitter, the lines had blurred and there were many BLURRY situations that were going on and SU felt it was time to clarify. Of course, as with ANY change, this was met with lots of opposition from all sides. So much stuff got exaggerated and twisted that I started calling the postings, the TWIST AND SHOUT FORUM….cuz literally, demonstrators along with the general public were doing just that. When it comes right down to it, I signed on to sell SU products and all direct sales companies have these rules. Eventually, everyone will decide to either comply and sign, or move on. And I hope we all end up respecting eachother for whatever heart wrenching decisions we come to. For me it’s a no brainer easy thing – I may be friends with a lot of other companies, enough to appreciate their products and use them occasionally – but I am “married” so to speak to SU, for better or worse, they are my company. They have given me financial security along with self confidence, balance and friendships that no price tag can be attached to. I will die with a stamp in my hand, and most likely it will be an SU stamp since 99 times out of 100 that is the namebrand you will find in my hand……and in the end, I think we should all do what the new hostess set stamp says, “Wherever we go, we should go with all our hearts” – 
For me that means representing and selling for my first love, SU. 🙂 Maybe this all sounds corny, but the agreement we enter in to is not so different from a marriage. I just hope that when all is said and done, we can all go back to being stamping friends and accept and love eachother enough that the “us and them” mentality fades into nothingness. This set over here on your left – another great new hostess set – it has some of the most wonderful word stamps in it as well… All these great new hostess sets- maybe you want to have a catalog workshop – or better yet – a REAL workshop- – give me a call…..or maybe you want to become a demonstrator and join my group…….only SAY THE WORD……I can tell you first hand that SU rocks!! Can you believe that this is like my SIXTH attempt too post this blog tonite????? I always get down on myself for waiting so long between blogs, but then after an episode like tonite, (and I still have not been successful yet at actually posting this as I type now…..)I think maybe blogging just is NOT for me….but my plan is to begin posting in shorter increments – like one card at a time……maybe I 
can handle that better…..someone once told me to have success blogging you post one card at a time, get in and get out as fast as you can, I thought that was pretty funny…..but there is probably wisdom to it…….so anyway – I promise not to let this much time go by….I have received several emails asking me when I was going to update my blog and one even said just simply, UPDATE YOUR BLOG!!!! Made my day actually cuz sometimes with a diary you feel like you are talking to yourself and it proves other people are listening. So anyway, I promise pics of the new grand daughters next time, I had to share my thoughts and feelings about the “stuff” going on at SU right now……from now until we meet again, Remember, Wherever you go……go with all your heart…….I think that’s mighty good advice for just about everything in this thing we call LIFE!! Keep on spreading the JOY of STAMPING!!~
Diana Gibbs
September 7, 2009I love you!
Too funny, a friend and I were at MAMMa's class and we used that stamp, and we were like:
Wherever you go…there you are!
P.S. Love it when you update! Wink, Wink, Nudge, Nudge, Say No More!
TXStampin' Sharon
September 7, 2009GREAT POST! You stated it all very nicely! Sharon Armstrong
Annette
September 7, 2009Hi Karen – Your post says it all so well. Thank you.
Jodi Collins
September 7, 2009WOW! These are all GORGEOUS! That first card is simply stunning though!! LOVE that!!
Anonymous
September 7, 2009Yea!! A new post!! I love your cards… love your heart…love your blog! Adore the idea of having your 'company' more often.
Blessings to you.
Lu
Anonymous
September 8, 2009I've missed you. Nice cards today. What is the paper you used on the card with the purple flowers? Sooooo pretty. Jackie
Nancy
September 9, 2009Hi Karen, I love it when you update your blog. Can't wait to see new pictures of your granddaughters. I will be taking Michele's braying class in Yardley, PA later this month and then the following week I am going to the backwards workshop Ruth is having. We miss you in New York — Nancy B.
Anonymous
September 9, 2009That's right Girlfriend. I am with you and Stampin' Up all the way!
Mary Brown
September 11, 2009So beautifully said Karen!
Chris Olsen, Glowbug
September 14, 2009These are all so gorgeous!!! I especially love your first one with that color combo and design!!
I am a SU demo but I respect your decision. We are all here to enjoy our craft and share. I admire your decision! Look forward to the pictures of your grandchildren.
Kathy
September 18, 2009Thoughtful words and gorgeous cards make for a meaningful post. I'm so glad you updated your site. I've noticed your absence and prayed that all was well with you. I'll look for more beautiful creations before too long. Thanks for sharing.
christine m.
September 19, 2009Thanks for your heartfelt post, Karen. I hope more peeps stumble upon it as I did. Love the cards too! You and I are in the running for the AWOL blogger award. The only difference is that peeps actually MISS YOU!!!! LOL!!!
Debbie VG a/k/a passionstamper
October 10, 2009welcome back to the blogosphere! I have to say I agree with everything you said! This stamp fits you perfectly as you do put heart into everything you do Karen! BTW, I came home from FF and couldn't wait to finish your M&T card-and it's gorgeous! So are these…this is my kind of stampin'! So-when are ya coming back East again????