Do you remember when? - First post in a series honoring 4 years of stamp art blogging!

It was a cool spring day in Wisconsin - on April 30, 2003. I was updating a Library Science research blog that I authored for about 2 years - it was a blog where I posted links to great resources for the news reporters where I work. Well one night, I went home from work to prepare for an upcoming stamp class in my home and I needed to call all the ladies to make sure they bring certain supplies with them. I was thinking that there must be a more efficient way to inform them of supplies to bring as well as sharing with them lots of fun stamping links on the web.

It suddenly occurred to me that I have the tool that will serve my needs right under my nose and I'm already using it -- in the form of the Library Science research blog!

I practically bopped my head with my hand and a lightbulb went off in my brain... why not create a blog for my stamping customers? I could put projects up there, cool stamping links, stuff I've made, details about the last month's stamp class for those who couldn't attend... and since it would be a diary format, they knew to check the blog for latest updates... and blogs are free... and I can update it remotely...

As soon as the idea hit me, I did massive internet searches to find out if anyone else had ever used a blog to supplement their SU website... I'm a Librarian (with Master's Degree in Information Science) so it was not hard for me to conduct the appropriate searches and find out that THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE DOING WHAT I WANTED TO DO! I was floored. It seemed too obvious to me that no one had thought of it yet. But there I was... braving uncharted territory... It was just too good an idea not to do!

Also at this time, although I didn't realize it, another rubber stamping website called Splitcoaststampers was in its infancy... you could say that me and Splitcoaststampers grew up together. We both began at just about the same time and both developed side by side.

In fact, over the years, when I attended Stampin' Up! events, I have had countless demonstrators come up to me and say that they were introduced to Splitcoaststampers in the first place because of my blog.

Back to April 30, 2003 - almost 4 years ago... my first post consisted of 3 links:
My first stamping blog post

My first post was to the website of Cheryl Aldrich - a fan of rubber stamping who started a website to organize swaps. For awhile, I assisted Cheryl by sizing swap photos and writing html for her website. I remember Beate Johns participating in Cheryl's early swaps as well.

My second post was to Teddyland's Webshots site. At one time there was an album on her site with display boards from Stampin' Up! events. Going there now, I don't see any Stampin' Up! photos... she must no longer be a demonstrator.

My third post was the website called Christian Crafting. Since I'm a Christian and I love crafting, this site was a favorite.

Stay tuned for more Ink Artist memories of the last 4 years...