Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder...

I've been quiet, and for those of you that check in with me often I am sorry. I've had things on my heart and mind that needed deciding. Hard decisions with lots of things that needed to be weighed -- discussed - waffled -- brought out -- put away and mulled over. And I am back, with an open heart and ready for all the possibilities.

I finally made a tough decision that I have been agonizing over for quite some time. What made it so tough is I love what I do and the people I do it for -- and waffling because I have nothing to fall back on. What if this that or the other thing happens. What if no one likes me. Just ask my friends about the self-doubt and insecurities I've had over this -- it's been hard.

I've never been good at making decisions  -- but this one was especially hard for me. The only decision that is easy for me is the one I make to change my hairstyle, ha ha. Not only am I a very loyal person, I am (for the most part) a rule follower and put my heart into everything I do and creating pretty things makes me happy. I get to create and get paid for it. Not only has it been the perfect situation -- it's made me happy when other things in my life have been tough.

I know, I'm keeping you on the edge of your seat ;-) so here goes. You may --  but mostly people don't -- know that for the last 9 years I have been an exclusive designer for EK Success Brands. My first assignment for them was for Winter CHA 2004 where I created 10 or maybe it was 12 scrapbook pages in a really short time.. Which I did and was totally over the moon about them -- and when I saw pictures of them in their booth I was even more excited. The first time I demo'd at CHA I ended up coming home with a book contract to write a book about Sewing on Paper and had met some really talented and wonderful people at the company and at the show. I've traveled a fair bit for them each year, written articles and blog posts -- and created awesome projects that you can see in AC Moore, JoAnn Fabric, Michael's, Hobby Lobby, on HSN and probably more -- yes it has been exciting.

I've seen many people come and go at the company -- and while you may think I am crazy to give up my day job with nothing to fall back on -- know that I've got lots of faith that good things are happening. I am a great designer, a devoted employee and hard worker. It feels right. Like really really TOTALLY right. Like I'm not gonna loose sleep over moving on -- well, I might.  I am a tad nervous about resigning and going out into the wild blue yonder -- I am excited beyond measure for what is coming next, I don't know what that is yet. But I'm open. To ALL the possibilities.

Being an Exclusive Designer for EK Success has been an awesome ride - and it has primed me for everything else in this industry that is wonderful and possible. I have learned how to write great instructions, take awesome product photos, create projects, make how-to videos and presentations, demo a product I have never seen 10 minutes after seeing it  --  and have created countless projects over the years. I wish I had kept track of all the scrapbook pages, home decor items and other things I have created. Wow, lots. tons. Yeah, no I'm not crazy -- but you might think I am for saying farewell.

So, please join me in a HUGE round of applause as I THANK you EK SUCCESS Brands -- for everything you have done to help me become a better designer. I will miss you all and hope to run into you here and there in my travels!