Welcome to my new adventure
A little nervous, a little excited… that’s how I’m feeling today.
Welcome to August 1st.
Welcome to my new adventure. Sometimes God speaks in our hearts and tells us new directions that he’d like us to go in. I’ve chosen to pursue a new direction that God has placed in front of me. This new direction was not a hasty, quick decision. It was made with much thought and prayer. But I feel that the opportunity is the path God has chosen for me, which I must pursue. This means many changes for me and for Laycock Designs.
I was asked earlier this year by Kelley Holland, my friend and partner in Christ, if I might be interested in increasing my involvement with Our Daily Bread Designs. As you probably know, I’ve done graphics work for Our Daily Bread Designs since around 2008-ish… specifically web graphics work, packaging, expo booth graphics, etc. Increasing my involvement with Our Daily Bread Designs would include increased responsibilities in areas that in the past, I had little or no involvement in, such as product design. Such an increase of involvement would, I realized, mean I would be required to end my Stampin’ Up! Demonstratorship and also reorganize my client list.
I searched my heart. I spent hours exploring my feelings about blog designing vs. product designing and also about Stampin’ Up!. I also discussed my feelings with my husband. As a Christian wife, my husband is the head of my household and he is also my best friend. As a result of my deep thinking and discussions with my husband I decided that if God intended me to move in another direction, that I would not get in His way.
So I made my decision to follow God’s plan for me.
With much joy, I’ve decided to accept the offer made to me by Our Daily Bread Designs. I feel that the possibilities for personal career development and challenges that will come with product designing will be a meaningful pursuit. I feel that it is the right time for me to make this change. Furthermore, the new opportunities with Our Daily Bread Designs will also allow me to create with God’s word in the forefront of my mind every day.
How will this change of focus affect my blog design customers?
As you are reading this post, I’m sure you are asking this question. Really, the change is quite simple. Here is the rundown:
1. All existing blog design clients will receive service. All my blog design clients up to July 31, 2012 cut-off date will continue to receive service for life. This means that no existing customers will be at a loss for service. Existing customers: I have the responsibility to serve you.
2. My New Customer Queue is now CLOSED. Anyone who emails me inquiring about getting a blog design from today forward will be told my design line is closed. The customers that are currently in my design line will be finished up. I have the responsibility to finish your designs. I’m very sorry to potential clients who would like to receive my blog services. I encourage you to check my Pre-Made Designs store and sign up for my Pre-Made Designs Sale email notification in the upper left column of my blog. I will not, however, be offering custom blog designing to new customers.
3. I will continue to have Pre-Made designs available every 6 months. That will not change. In the course of designing, I accumulate designs that for whatever reason do not turn out suitable for their intended purpose or are created for experimental or training purposes. Those designs will be made available on a first come first serve basis as they become available.
4. Free Promotional sidebar buttons for Stampin’ Up! will (at least for now) still be posted here. At this time, I’ll still be making promotional sidebar buttons that are free for demonstrators to use on their blogs.
Lookie what I did!
Well, I suppose I better end this post with some creativity, right? After all the reading you just did, I’m sure you are like… well, don’t you have anything to show ‘n tell?
Well, here it is…
I thought it would be fitting to post this. The August New Releases at Our Daily Bread Designs include this new set of Exclusive Spellbinders dies that coordinate with a multitude of beautiful stamp sets. Yes, I made these dies as requested by Kelley Holland, the company owner.
I didn’t have time to make anything with them yet! At least anything decorative… other than for “testing” purposes, to see if the images “fit” lol… so I will share with you a stunning creation made by ODBD Design Team Member Sabrina Jackson:
In closing, I welcome any and all existing customers and those in line that I need to finish,
to contact me with any questions they may have about their blog service.
I am more than happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
I am referring customers who need new blog designs to Heather-Wright-Porto. Please contact Heather if you’d like a custom blog design. Click the graphic below to view Heather’s blog:
I continue to recommend WebsbyAmy WordPress hosting services for stamping demonstrators. Amy offers special services and tutorials for those in the stamping business that other hosting services do not offer. When you need WordPress hosting, please contact Amy Celona.
This post will stay at the top for a bit…
20 People have left comments on this post
Aug 1, 2012 - 09:08:39Michelle, congratulations! So that’s who made those awesome dies!! :)
We started out as colleagues and now I’m glad to call you a good friend. You’ve been a huge blessing in my life and I know that you will continue to bless others through Our Daily Bread Designs.
Hugs my dear friend.
Hi Michelle,
Congratulations on the latest change in your life. Our Daily Bread is LUCKY to have you and I’m sure you’ll enjoy your new opportunity. My customers and I have enjoyed both blog designs you have created for me and I have been blessed by your talents!
Thanks again & much success in your new posistion,
Kendra Richardson
God’s blessings and guidance to you on your new venture Michelle. I so appreciate your sharing of this difficult decision. I too am currently feeling that God may have a different plan for me. I honor my husband as the head of our house and I need to be intentional about talking to him about this in addition to praying for God’s supreme guidance. Thank you for using God’s gifts he has given you to bless others.
Aloha, Michelle! You have such an awesome talent, and I am so looking forward to hearing about all your successes! Good for you, but we’ll miss you in the Stampin’ Up! community.
I wish you the best of luck in your new pursuit with Our Daily Bread. What exciting times for you! Thank you also for continuing to provide the free promo buttons for SU demos. Those of us who are slightly (OK very!) computer challenged really appreciate it!
I wish you the best in your new venture Michelle – everything you do is first class, and I’m sure it will be wonderful! Thank you for sharing your beautiful art with the stamping community!
Hi Michelle!
First…I love the look of your site – you’ve change it and I really love the rounded font! and the overall design of course :D
But more so CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! Good for you! You are very talented! You will be missed in Stampin’ Up! but I’m sure you’ll still be stamping :D
Thank you for mentioning me as well! I have so much enjoyed being partners with you!!!! Thanks so much and best wishes to you always!
Heather :D
Best of luck to you Michelle.
Congratulations Michelle! Your testimony about your decision making process is a beautiful example of how we as Christians are to go about living our lives. May God bless you on this new venture! Our Daily Bread has some beautiful items, and I know that with you on board in this capacity they will only do better! I can’t wait to see what you contribute! Congratulations again!
in Him,
Tricia
I have already said it once but I am thrilled for your new opportunity. May God bless you as you move forward in this new path. Thanks for your generosity and time in support of Stampin’ Up demos and our sidebars! Hugs!
Congratulations Michelle on following God’s lead. I have always known that your talent was a gift from above. When I read this earlier today, I said a quick prayer of thanks that I am already a customer even though I know that anyone will do just fine in Heather’s hands.
God bless you and I’ll be watching for your new products.
Congratulations Michelle and good luck on this new endeavour. By the look of your latest project it looks like you’re well on your way. Thanks for everything you’ve done in the past providing the SU badges and updates. I’ve always appreciated your talents and your ability to share this important information with us. Best wishes as this new door opens…..
Congratulations Michelle. I’m so happy for you, but super sad that my poor little blog which I have put off asking you to re-furbish will go lacking. Totally my fault. It’s what I deserve for my procrastination. I will check out Heather. I’m sure if you recommend her, then she is worthy.
I’m so tickled to find out you designed the Spellbinders dies. This is the first time I’ve been so tempted to do the “bundle purchase.” I just finished the blog hop and it was pure delight. ODBD is blessed to have you and I’m certain they feel the same.
Michelle, you certainly have been blessed with creativity and design. Congratulations to you in your new journey with ODBD. I love your new dies and look forward to geting them. :) Wishing you all of the best.
Mary
WOW! Michelle…I know sometimes God’s knocks get really LOUD! Good for you in following your heart. We will miss you! Thank you for all your ideas and creativity…Our Daily Bread will be blessed with you on their team! kt
Michelle, Congratulations!!! What a wonderful opportunity for you. I love the dies! I wish you all the very best.
Congratulations and good luck on your new endeavor, Michelle! You will certainly be an asset to the Our Daily Bread team! And thank you so much for all of your help with my blog…you are a class act!
I wish you all the best luck in your new venture. I truely believe you’ll do great.
What a fabulous opportunity! We will miss you in the SU community, but our life’s path is full of twists and turns. Best of luck to you!
I know how hard it is to let go and let God…
We get so settled in our daily routine that it becomes our stability our safety. I always return to Jeremiah 29:12 “For I know the plans I have for you…”
I am so proud of you. Your sister in Christ and cousin by marriage (lol),
Tabatha