Hi I’m Chrissy, The Creative Eclectic.

Thanks for popping by... this is the story of my personal artistic journey...

In 2006, I first explored the world of scrapbooking when I decided to have a go at making an album about our honeymoon. (I still haven’t finished that album!) Around that time, my sister, Deb dragged me along to a scrapbooking party. I almost didn't go! Although I thought it was all very nice but it just wasn’t for me. I was neither a stamper nor a scrapbooker at that time.

Then my ten year old daughter, Paris got hooked on scrapbooking through her best friend, Blaze. I saw this something fun that we could share. While she played around with making pages, I began to dabble in making mini albums as gifts for loved ones. To me what better gift than to use my time to make something beautiful from the heart for someone I love.

My first exposure to Stampin’ Up! (SU!) was when my sister had a party in 2007. (It seems Deb is a "bad" influence) I had never even heard of SU! I literally had no idea what we would be doing at the first "stamping party". To be honest I only went because I had to! I purchased a few things, but not much as I still wasn’t sure how much I could use the Stampin’ Up! products.

Creative inspiration came in the form of my esteemed but geographically distant colleague Sandra. Over the past few years, Sandra slowly exposed me to her love of card making. She sent me the most beautiful cards for every special occasion. I have kept every single card! Her 2007 Christmas card started something big. I spent hours working out how she was able to create something so lovely just using paper products and then tried it myself. (I should have just asked her for the instructions!) Sandra along with another work colleague, Julie have shared many creative ideas and helped me explore the endless possibilities. I am in awe of both of them. Sandra’s cards are truly lovely and Julie’s off the page creations are wonderful. Both are amazing company at Craft Fairs.

In 2008, another friend Carol mentioned she wanted to make some Christmas cards but didn’t know where to start. This was an excuse to get the girls together. So why not? This is when I met my mentor, Kym Bryne.

Kym’s workshop intrigued me. I never realized all of the creative possibilities that stamping offered. I had mistakenly believed that stamping was just for cards. I bought a few products but I was totally overwhelmed by the catalogue and the huge number of products that it contained. I was interested in learning how I could incorporate stamping into my gifts and more importantly scrap book pages.

Over the next 6 months, I went to Kym’s workshops whenever I could to learn techniques and get ideas. Kym encouraged me to become a demonstrator because my Stampin’ Up! spending was out of control. I needed to get a discount on products. So July 2009, I signed on the dotted line. A decision that changed my life.

Everyday I look forward to coming home from my great yet demanding public sector job and creating with my Stampin' Up! Products. Whether it is a card, a scrapbook page or an “off-the-page” project. Even when I am really tired, sick, sore or stressed, I try to spend at least 15 minutes every day on something creative. Stampin' Up! gives me the opportunity to do something I love and bring balance to my life.

Thankfully, my lovely husband Steve is understanding. Although he gets a bit concerned each time the mailman arrives with yet more SU products! He made me an amazing craft trolley to store my supplies (that I quickly outgrew - The stash keeps growing). Occasionally we talk about creating a craft room so I have my own space. For now we are content to have my craft supplies permanently spread over the dining table. Steve moved the dining table to a bigger room, bought a bigger table and installed book shelves. This means that while I am creating I can still be with the ones I love. As much as it would be nice to have my own craft room, I don’t want to be locked away. I love it when my family wander past and stop to have a look what I am doing. They share their creative thoughts and ideas to inspire me further.

I am very lucky we love to travel and Steve documents our journeys by taking thousands of photos. We share a love of photo editing. This makes finding the perfect photo for a layout a little easier. I was really excited when Stampin' Up! announced their partnership with Becky Higgins & Project Life in 2014.  I loved to exploring that style of scrapbooking. I was even more excited when Stampin' Up! released the Memories and More range in 2017. Maybe I'll finally get all my favourite photos off the computer and onto beautiful scrap pages.

When I share creative ideas, I lose my fear of public speaking. I become more self-confident. The relationships that I have developed over something as simple as rubber stamps, paper, and ink add depth and richness to my life. This is why I established The Creative Eclectic in 2017 so that I can share my eclectic stamping style with others.

Being able to create something beautiful which makes someone I care about feel loved and appreciated, is truly rewarding. I hope that I am able to pass the things that I have learnt on to others so they too can reaps these rewards.

Being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator is also rewarding. Not only do I get to be creative every day, I also get to be a creative coach, offering different ideas and encouragement to my customers, many of whom are great friends. I'm touched that they keep coming to my classes and they all care so much for each other.  

For me, helping someone create that perfect project for a special occasion is the best feeling in the entire world. After all, creating cards, scrapbook pages, and gift items is about more than just stamps, paper and ink—it’s sharing a part of yourself with the people you love.

I really believe in Stampin' Up!'s Statement of the Heart:

"To love what we do, and share what we love, as we help others enjoy creativity and worthwhile accomplishments...in this we make a difference!"

In other words, the many little seemingly insignificant things that we do for others make a difference not only in their lives but our own too.