Just want to say thank you.

[cnsteele]

Thank you for being a welcoming, sharing, creative online stamping community. Thank you for holding so many online events and challenges. Thank you for making this freely available, although I happily renew my Fan Club membership each year.

I thank you because all of you have made SCS a place where I feel comfortable. I have many acquaintances through church, my local YMCA, and my girls' school where I coach MS cross country, "situational friends" if you will. I enjoy my interactions with them in the specific situation I normally see them, but I don't pursue close friendships with people. I prefer to be alone or with my family (my parents, grandmother, and other extended family live near by and we are close-knit). I prefer to be at home, being domestic (I'm a SAHM to three teenage girls), and I find it easy to entertain myself with the many hobbies I enjoy. I have even found ways to use my hobbies to serve others (it's very important to me to have a purpose in all I do). The social interaction I get from normal, everyday life such as grocery shopping, working out at the Y, or talking to my mom is enough for me.

Where SCS plays a huge fulfilling role in my life is being the sweet spot of social interaction for me. I feel connected to the SCS community, it is a joyful place, and participating in the events is what I do for fun. Sometimes life limits (or eliminates in the case of cross country season in the fall!) SCS and crafting time and sometimes life gives me scads of time to create, comment, and post. The beauty of SCS is that everyone can come and go as their life allows and still be welcomed.

So thank you. SCS means so much more to me than I can express, which is saying something since I adore writing! (Speaking of which, creating a blog may be next for me as my girls are pretty independent now and I'm itching to try something new!). Thanks for listening.

[berlycece]

It has been fun getting to knows you a bit here on SCS! I love the fact that over the years, some of my "imaginary friends" (that's what my hubby calls everyone here) have become real life friends. I see that continuing into the future!

[dini]

[joniworx]

I love talking with people about what it is we do...and the creativity around it. We really do create our own communities around us this way - I'm grateful to be here and to the people who are here with me. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Blessings, all.

[squirrellyshirley]

Nicole, (cnsteele) ....110%, hands down, absolutely.......AMEN, sister!!

I have been coming here for 12 years and I can't believe its been that long. When the kids were little, this was my go-to place late at night after they were all in bed!! I could play with my stamps, chat with friends and chase the challenge for the next day all right from my computor and not have to leave the house!!

This past year has been particularly trying in my personal life. I could come here and just forget all my worries for a few minutes, leave some happy comments on other peoples art work, and watch a short video on a new technique. There's never mean comments, politics, or arguements!! JUST PURE HAPPY STAMPING!!!

Thank you, SCS. Thank you for always being (as my husband calls you ladies) my "pretend friends".

SO.....CHEERS, Nicole, I raise my ink pad in your honor! And **clink** to another year of happy stamping!! To another 12 years!! To all who share their artwork!!

Shirley