In the Works...: Lessons Learned

Last week was what I'd call snackin' perfection! We got to meet each of the smART Cookies -- Lots and lots of 'tasty' with zero the calories. Mmmm...Mmmm...Mmmm!

Today I'd like to cap off those introductions with a few musings on how God used organizing the smART Cookie Design Team as a teaching tool in my life. Even as a veteran stamper, I learned a lot about stamping... I also learned a lot about life. Lessons learned include:

How important developing one's own unique stamping style is... IMHO, inspirational resources are now so readily available, that it's much easier to "challenge chase," and CASE (to me it means "Copy And Steal, Etc." -- a term I totally dislike) than to spend one's stamping time actually developing a style... A unique stamping style stands out, and like a fingerprint, identifies the stamper!

How important the basics are. Meticulous execution of stamping mechanics is paramount! All the talent in the world won't cover up crooked layers, misstamped images, excess glue, uneven corners, damaged paper, etc. Conversely, meticulous execution can give fairly ordinary work, extraordinary appeal.

How "un-personal" and "un-qualifying" (my own words) rejection is. At least in the stamping world, a rejected submission means very little. If the basic execution of work is well done, all the underlying reasons for hearing "No thank you," simply boil down to "It's just not right for this particular situation... layout... grouping... color scheme, etc." It is in no way synonymous with lack of talent.

How to 'lose' like a winner. For this, I have 'Chipper' Cookie, Trish D'Antonio , to thank... By not allowing human pride to stand in the way, Trish, amid the personal disappointment of initially not being chosen for the team, accepted a resident Guest Designer spot, and in doing so, was in the right place at the right time to fill an unexpected 'hole'.

Like a bullet between the eyes, God used this little scenario to wake me up! How many wonderful opportunities have passed me by because of a pride-filled heart??? Indeed, as the rubber says, "Attitude is everything!" (WD-14 Glory, catalog pg.5).

How, when you trust Him, God really will work all things out for the best... For me, praying about something, and really letting it go into God's hands is very difficult. I tend to pray, then pick the burden back up, and tote it along everywhere I go. This time the 'pack' was just too weighty, and I was too busy not to drop it... I chose to trust Him, and with that, chose to trust the wise counsel of my design team leader, Dina Kowal, whom I know God sent my way... How amazing! How easy! And the bonus? Peace! Can it be, then, that "trust" is a matter of conscious choice?!?

How much I truly LOVE having other people use my smART rubber! Even now, every time I sit and look through the pile of Stage #2 submission cards, I am absolutely thrilled! The same is true when I see a card using smART rubber displayed on a blog or in a gallery... My heart is filled with joy! Dear me, when something using smART rubber finds its way into publication, I don't know what I'll do?!? Probably have to buy lead shoes to keep me on the ground!