The Last Post…

Okay…  with all of the technical difficulties that have been happening here, as well as all of the craziness happening in my life, I thought that it would be best to do my last post as an official lead Fiskateer today.

Wednesday I start in Madison and I am not sure how full my days will be (my guess - VERY!!!!)  I thought that this would be best and that any extra posts will just be a bonus.

I have been thinking long and hard about what to write, what to say, what pictures to use and then I decided to just sit down and type whatever comes into my head.  No pre-writing, no editing - just me.

So here it goes…

Two years ago I was a woman with no experience to do this job.  I was the girl from the back of the crop room who just loves to scrapbook.  I have no true business experience, no marketing experience, but a true passion for creating art to conserve memories.  I am a lover of photos and paper, and this job let me find my way.  I stumbled and tripped multiple times, but we grew together from a very small community to a massively huge force of crafters to be reckoned with.  You all continually amaze and excite me, teach me and guide me, accept me and drive me to be who I am. 

If not for Matt, Owen and Jacob, if not for all of you, if not for Brains on Fire, if not for my friends and family, none of this would have ever been possible.  I would never have been able to make the leap from the cropgirl to the Fiskateer and from Fiskateers to Fiskars.  Thank you for two wonderful, amazing, busy, fun, and truly blessed years.

2006-2008 changed my life.  Fiskateers has changed my life. 

Thank you so much and I can’t wait to see what the changes I am embarking on this week are about to bring.  I know you will all continue to spread the love, share the joy, and create and craft until the wee hours of the morning.  It is what we were born to do and what we love to do.  Happy Crafting everyone and thank you.

Change is a powerful thing - embrace it.

Stephenie Hamen, Fiskateer Legend #003

Live life. Love life. Scrap life.

comments (57) | RSS

57 Responses to “The Last Post…”

  1. Kelly Jo says:

    Stephenie, You title made me sad, but your journey is Amazing! I am so happy for you and look forward to working with you. You are a true inspiration!
    Best of luck in Madison and look forward to seeing you this week!!!

  2. Paula #2796 says:

    You’ll be great Steph!! We’ll miss your frequency here but I know you’ll be around and keep us updated. Good luck with all these changes going on. :)

  3. Debby 2852 says:

    Steph we expect you to continue to be an active Fiskateer. Keep us up on what you are doing at Fiskars and don’t leave out your family. We’ve all come to know and love them as well as you. No sad farewells…just “we’ll see you on the message boards.”

  4. Laura says:

    I love you Steph….Enjoy the ride!

    Huggs forever….Laura

  5. Meghan E says:

    Thank you so much for helping make this place as wonderful as it is today. Good luck with your new job and we will miss you :)

  6. Sudie says:

    Best of luck with your new adventure. You are going to be awesome! So glad you are able to have a job you are so passionate about. Blessings.

  7. Carlee #2225 says:

    We’ll miss you Stephenie…but good luck on your new adventure!!! Hope you will pop in and say hi occasionally! Best Wishes! xox Carlee #2225

  8. Lene says:

    All I can say is; Thanks, Stephenie, and good luck in Madison! You’ll do great!

  9. Deborah says:

    All my best to you and your family as you turn to a new a page in your book of life!

    Please keep in touch.

    Deborah

  10. Lisa #1989 says:

    What a very nice and well written last post! I know you will do very well in your new role at Fiskars and I know we will still see you around here! Good Luck to you Stephanie!

  11. jackie #4124 says:

    GOOD LUCK!!

  12. Sara R. says:

    Best of luck in Madison!

  13. Maur says:

    What a great note! Good luck!

  14. Amy #4257 says:

    Best of luck !!!!!

  15. Peg #3675 says:

    Thanks for the fun, Steph. Good luck on the road to your new journey. May it be filled with the same fun and happiness you have brought all of us Fiskateers! It’s not goodbye. It’s just see you later, our dear friend.

  16. Wendy Jo says:

    Amazing…that’s what your are to all of us Stephenie. Absolutely amazing! YOU are going to ROCK in your new position with Fiskars! Hugs!!!

  17. Lyn Dwyer says:

    Stephanie…….all the best in your new role with FISKARS!

    You are so right when you say to “embrace” change….many people fear….change….and here you are embracing it….which is so good to do…..YOU GO GIRL!
    You really have been such an emotional, kind caring soul who has brought such warmth and passion to the Fisakateers……FISKARS are so lucky to have you on-board….all the very best!

    Lyn Dwyer

    Lead Fiskars Craft Ambassador
    Australia

  18. Betsy #2572 says:

    I know you will stay in touch with us…. Enjoy your journey to and your new position in Fiskardom!…Much Love Betsy!

  19. kim #669 says:

    Stephenie: Thank you so much for all you’ve done for us. Your dedication, your talent and your enthusiasm will be missed.

    All the best on your new endeavor.
    KimS

  20. Kimberlee says:

    Best of luck!

  21. Tammy says:

    Best of luck in your venture. You will be missed but we all hope to see you on the message board. You have inspired me and so many others. THANK YOU!!

  22. Katie #4052 says:

    Stephanie….Best of luck as you journey on the next step of this adventure we call life. I so admire your ability to embrace change and just live. You are such a shining example to the rest of us to stop thinking about whether the things we love are right or wrong and just do them!!! That’s going to be my motto this year…inspired by you…. Life….just do it! :)

    We look forward to hearing about all of the wonderful things you are doing and know that you won’t forget about us Fiskateers!!!

    Blessings!!

  23. Cherie says:

    Steph I think you can kind of put these lyrics to your life right about now.

    Bon Jovi:
    Hey Hey I finally found my way
    Said goodbye to yesterday
    Hit the gas, there ain’t no brakes on this lost highway
    Yeah, I’m busting loose, I’m lettin go
    Out on this open road
    It’s independence day on this lost highway
    Hey hey, hey hey

    Will always remember San Antonio and Bon Jovi fun, fun, fun.
    Please keep in touch - we love you!!!!!

    Cherie =)

  24. Linda A. #179 says:

    Wishing you all the best as you step into your new role! ((hugs))

  25. Peggy #4129 says:

    Stephanie: Embrace your new life with the love that you have for the Fiskateers and you will many great things. What ever God brings you to…he will lead you through. Bless you for taking the leap and your family for believing in you and making the leap with you. Life will be filled with lots of challenges but you will succeed in them. Sometimes we have to run at things a couple of times but never, never give up. Your going to do a GREAT job in Madison. God bless you and your family and good luck to you.
    Blessings
    Peggy #4129

  26. michelle 3624 says:

    Stephanie. . . I am so happy for you going forward into your new changes and challenges will just add to what a great person you already are. . . thanks so much for all that you have done, shared and help us grow here and good luck in what is yet to be!

  27. Renee S #1900 says:

    Stephanie, I hope your next endeavor is as good for you as your time as a lead fiskateer. We’ll miss you……good luck.

  28. JoanE says:

    Stephanie first I want to wish great sucess on your new journey. Then 2nd please check in with us and keep us updated on what is going on with you and your family and what you are doing in your new role.
    Best of Luck to you.

  29. Julie Overby says:

    Well spoken. *sniff sniff!* I’m extremely excited for you. How thrilling to beginning a new chapter in your life, in a new area, with new friends. These friends aren’t goin’ anywhere and you’ll always know where to find us!!

    Thank you Stephanie for making this place such a fanatstic and amazing place. You’re the best SUPER STEPH!!!

    Hugs to ya my friend!
    Julie

  30. Jennifer G #2956 says:

    Best of luck to you Stephenie! You make me believe that you CAN have a job you love. I’m so excited for you and wish you the best on this part of your journey!

  31. Nikki (Fiskars) says:

    Stephenie, we are all looking forward to you coming to Madison. Although it might be a huge change for you in how you “do your career”…being a Lead Fiskateer has completely trained you. You will be GREAT!

    BTW - your desk is cleaned! And the tools from St. Louis Make N Take are waiting for you to get put away - that IS your job you know :) LOL!

    See ya Wed!

    Nikki @ Fiskars

  32. Donna Urban says:

    I am so happy I got to meet you, at a few classes in Calgary, Alberta. I’m sure it one of many, for you, in the last two years. All the best!

  33. Sharon #2472 says:

    I have enjoyed reading your blog and seeing your creations…good luck in your new role!

  34. Tami #804 says:

    In just the few moments I met you I saw your light shining. You put so much out there that I’m so glad you are getting some of it back. I wish you all the very best in your new chapter.

  35. Kate #1332 says:

    Love and all the best for your future plans. Go get ‘em.

  36. Amy G. #1803 says:

    You are so lucky to be able to do a job that you are so passionate about. That, and a loving and supporting family makes you who you are today. You are a wonderful person and I am so blessed to have been able to get to know you. Good luck and don’t forget to stop in once in a while to say hey. :)

  37. Sarah #3020 says:

    you will be truly missed!! and good luck with the new job!!

  38. Amy #3888 says:

    You’ve touched so many people by sharing your ideas and creativity. Best of luck on this new path!!

  39. CarrieBoF says:

    You will be wonderful at Fiskars! I’m very lucky that I have gotten to work with you as a lead and look forward to working with you as a Legend and Fiskars Rockstar!

  40. Patti Smith says:

    I’m so glad I got to meet you and to know you…I don’t think anyone on here can truly say that the fiskateers have not changed their life in a good way!! You will do wonderful in Madison and I wish you all the luck in the world…keep in touch as best you can ( i know you are going to be busy) HUGS to you my friend….
    Patti Smith

  41. melita says:

    Best of luck to you Stephenie as you start this new journey! We will miss you over here, but it will probably be a good chance for our new leads to make their mark =)

  42. RitaS says:

    Can’t wait to have you here and meet you Steph!! Amen to embracing change!! Someday we shall meet - when you get a chance to breath! You have been a super Lead and now LEGEND!

  43. Beth #2906 says:

    Can’t even begin to put into words how much I will miss you and your passion for scrapping and life in general. God’s blessings to you and yours in your new endeavors.

  44. Roseann #2933 says:

    Good luck on your new adventure. Change is definately a good thing, and we all have to grow and become the best we can. I know you will touch more lives the way you have touched ours here. God Bless along the journey.

  45. Janetrivs~ says:

    I hope you can still check in when you can!!!!!

  46. Maxine Hodges says:

    Good luck in your new endeavor!! I’m sure that the new move is the start of a great adventure in your life. Sometimes we find it hard to jump, but the rewards can be so great. God bless you and your family!!!!

  47. Sharon Carroll #1418 says:

    Good luck starting your new job Stephanie. I know that you will have great success! Please don’t be a stranger - hope to “see” you on the MB and in the gallery once you are settled in and as time permits.:)

  48. Trish #2702 says:

    Best of luck to you and your family. I’m sure you’ll do very well. And we’ll all look forward to your visits on Fiskateers.

  49. Get2abeach says:

    Many great days ahead of you Stephanie! I hope your journey takes you everywhere you want to go. Best of luck, Donna

  50. Christine Schwab says:

    Good luck to you! I will miss your posts!

  51. Judy says:

    Stephanie - I never personally reached out to you via email or online and since we live so far apart we’ve never met. That being said, I’ve really enjoyed your postings and your comments and have loved your being a lead Fiskateer! Thanks!

  52. Jennytitus says:

    Good luck with your new adventure! I have learned so much from you!!! Good luck!

  53. Lisa M. Pace says:

    Hugs my friend… I wish you all the best on your new adventure. I know you will do great!

  54. doverdi says:

    Good luck Stephenie as you travel down this new path. I’m sure that you’ll do awesome just as you did on this path. We’ll look forward to continued updates on the blog. Best of luck to you & your family.

  55. Kimberley #2626 says:

    ** Sniffle ** I’m gonna miss you! Remember, any time you want to journey to mecca and see The Basket, Mary-Jo and I would love to see you. :)

  56. Niecia #3006 says:

    You have done a great job, you will definately be missed.

  57. suzanne from fiskars says:

    Steph’s post is beautiful and sad, but she is with us in Madison starting today and moving forward! Hooray. Turn your frowns upside down, folks. Our beloved Stephenie isn’t leaving you. She will be coming up with more innovative ideas to educate and inform you than ever before. Not an ending…a new beginning!

Leave a Reply