Three years ago, I assigned my class the task of creating Mother's Day cards. One of my students said to me "Ms. Meagan are you going to make one too?" I said "sure, why not." So here I was doing something I hadn't done ever since I was a single digit, make a hand-made greeting card. To my surprise, I loved it. As I began building this card, I didn't know that it was opening the gate to so much more.
I used two sheets of 8.5x11 paper. One sheet for the cover and one for an insert. I used yellow and purple paint on the inside and sprinkled in with gold glitter for a little shimmer. There were hand painted butterflies and flowers and hand writing in gold. Although I hadn't used any punches or cardstock the card came out pretty well. After I was done all of my students seemed to be in awe, as for me I was completely shocked.. LOL..I had no idea where all of these ideas came from that landed into this Mother's Day card. Finally the silence broke and my students gave me the most wonderful compliments about the card which in my opinion was miraculously created. Then, through all of the compliments emerged this question "Ms. Meagan, are you going to give your card to your mother?" Honestly, I hadn't even thought of that, but in between the spirit of the holiday and the looks on there faces (hoping I said yes) -- there could only be one answer, so I opened my mouth and told them exactly what they wanted to hear; YES!!!
Finally Mother's Day arrives. I was completely nervous about giving my mother the card. My mother and I are extremely close, so if anyone would be brutally honest it would be her. I really wanted her to like it, and that feeling completely surprised me. The moment of truth had arrived, giving my mother "the card." Here I was, in my early twenties feeling like I was in grade school all over again. I handed it over and my mother asked "did you make this card?" I shook my head yes and then, something wonderful happened. My mother told me how much she loved it!!!... Talk about elated. I didn't know what to do with myself. I was past cloud 9. From that day forth my mother informed me that I would always make her cards no matter the holiday and that she would no longer take any store bought cards from me.
At first it was a little weird. So many thoughts ran through my mind; first one being, I was entirely too old to be sitting around making greeting cards for anyone. Of course, my mother, overrides being anyone, so every holiday after, I continued to make cards. As I began to make cards for my mother, I noticed how easy it came to me. It was natural. Not saying the work of building a card is easy, but the feel for it was. The creativity never seemed forced, I had a natural ability and skill for it......
The more cards I made for my mother, the better I became. Little by little, I was gaining skill and also being more honest with myself. This used to be tomboy was a paper/design lover. Yes..I got that off of my chest...lol...Now besides making cards for my mother, in my free time I would make samples. Cards of whatever I was thinking or feeling at that particular moment in time....
As I began chipping away at what had become a new but most beloved hobby, I found out that this hold world of stationery existed and I never knew anything about it. At this juncture, I finally began buying things like punches, textured paper, and the ever so used double sided tape...The more I began to learn about this industry the more I realized I had so much more to learn.
I took to my basic ideas, but decided that if I was going to be serious about this, I had to enhance my already given skill. I took to youtube and free cardmaking classes. I began to study techniques, cuts, and folds. As I dug deeper into this industry that held my hobby, I realized that this "hobby" was more than just a hobby to me. It is what I wanted to do with my life.
On many occasions in my life I have received greeting cards. Some of them were printed, some hand-made and some e-cards. One thing that rung true about all of them was that when I would receive any other them, I would smile...Thus, the task of owning my own custom design greeting company was born.
You are meeting me in the part of the story where, I finally have a blog page, and a twitter page and when I'm not as shy as I once was about my work. You are meeting me in the part of the story where I am ready to share my gift. Ready to put smiles on the faces of many...Ready to tell the stories we all live.
Granted, I am still a beginner, which makes this even better. You get to watch me as I grow and you know what, I'm not ashamed that I haven't been doing this forever. I love where I am. I get to learn, be a mentee, make mistakes and learn from them. I am more than willing to take suggestions and constructive criticism..
I am ready to share my work...I am ready to have my beginning!!!!.
Meagan
P.S. I hope you enjoy watching and learn from this journey that I am on.....