Half Year Progress Check In // July 2017
Morning, friends.
If you've been following along with my blog for awhile you may remember that I periodically check in with my goals and assess my accomplishments thus far. I'll be honest...I've been putting off doing this post for about a month now because I just haven't felt great about where I'm at in my business journey. However, I know that this is all part of the process which I am so grateful to even have the ability to experience.
If you'd like to read about what I've accomplished since the beginning of the year, continue reading below.
January 2nd, 2017 - Collaborated with the ladies over at A Blog Named Hero and their design team for the entire month of January. They shared dozens of card ideas using my stamps that I would release within the next few days...
January 5th, 2017 - Started the year off right with the release of two java-tastic stamps: Cup of Joy and How Have You Bean?. All the caffeine-addicted crafters like myself were way to excited for these.
January 19th, 2017 - Introduced another three items to my collection. This time, Valentine's Day themed. Be Mine, Folded Sweetheart Die Set, and Watercolor Background gave me all the heart eyes and were constantly being used throughout the month.
February 2nd, 2017 - Opened registration for my Valentine's Day Happy Mail Swap. This time around I challenged the participants to only send flat-items that could fit into an envelope. Definitely difficult, but oh so much fun!
February 4th, 2017 - Happy birthday to ME! I announced my special birthday promotion that I was giving a free Let's Get Crafty tote to a qualifying purchase on my shop. So glad that my customers helped me celebrate.
February 6th, 2017 - Received an exciting email from Simon Says Stamp about a sponsorship opportunity. It was the best birthday present ever.
February 17th, 2017 - My Handmade by Me stamp set was featured in Jennifer McGuire's Introduction to Distress Oxide Inks video. #craftersgonnacraft
February 20th - 24th, 2017 - Where you lead, I will follow. This week my DT and I hosted a Gilmore Girls Inspired Post Week where everyday one of us shared a project inspired by the heartwarming show. This series was one of my most favoritest things ever.
March 14th, 2017 - Baby chicks were chirping and daffodils were blooming which meant my spring release was available for purchase. I added two new stamp sets, Bunny Hugs and His Love, to my collection as well as a coordinating die set, Script Greetings Die Set.
March 24th, 2017 - Participated in the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop hosted by Amy T. I love celebrating my love for coffee and crafts each season with this blog hop. Thanks so much Amy for always inviting me!
March 30th, 2017 - Speaking of celebrating our love for crafting, my DT and I hosted a blog hop in honor of National Craft Month! We had over a dozen different designers participate using a stamp set that I released the same day to celebrate the special occasion: Make Something Beautiful. It was awesome to see everyone's interpretation of the set...we all have our own unique style which makes crafting so fun.
April 10th - 14th, 2017 - My DT and I were super busy this spring with tons of post series...this week we held on called Homemade with Love where each day one of us shared a different DIY gift idea. From burlap banners to felt flower frames there is something that is sure to make you smile. P.S. I held this same post series the year before so I now have tons of DIY project posts available to view. Happy crafting!
April 17th, 2017 - Testing, testing! Today my podcast interview with Suzanne Moore went live on her website. This was an incredible opportunity that I am so thankful to have been given. It was so nerve-wracking for me but I'm glad I pushed myself. (Pssst...Can I tell you something? I actually haven't listened to it myself. I just can't. Keep my secret, k?)
April 28th - 29th, 2017 - Attended Simon Says CREATE in Columbus, Ohio. It was an amazing experience that I can not thank Heidi enough for. I got to tour the Simon warehouse and meet all the crafters that I admire on the internet. I also got to spend the weekend crafting away with happy stampers from all over the world. Fingers crossed I get invited next year!
May 22nd, 2017 - My Script Greetings stamp set was featured in a video by Yana Smakula. She used the bold sentiments to finish off her baryered backgrounds. Such a fun and simple technique!
June 3rd - 4th, 2017 - Attended the Heirloom Productions Rubber Stamp & Paper Arts Festival in W. Springfield, MA. I had attended the year before with my stamps (we were a brand new company at that point) and it was exciting to see how much I had grown since then. I was also able to meet some of my crafty friends in person including those from the Stamp Junkies group. It was great to meet you ladies!
June 8th, 2017 - Added the Abstract Florals Die Set to my shop for purchase. I always received questions about when this die would be available so I was thrilled to be able to finally offer it to you!
June 23rd, 2017 - Sponsored the Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop but wasn't able to make a project myself. *Insert sad face* I did share a ton of different coffee themed cards over on my Instagram the day of to celebrate though. Swipe through them here. All use my Cup of Joy and How Have You Bean? stamp sets so I thought they were perfect for the occasion.
July 8th, 2017 - Released two more coordinating die sets. This time for Banner Alphabet and Let Love Grow. I can tell from this post that the past six months have been all about die sets!
And that's it so far. I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do with the rest of 2017.
Have you accomplished any of your goals this year? Share them with me below!
Nicole
