Life has a funny way of surprising us, doesn’t it? It’s been seven and a half years since I last posted on my blog, Paper, This and That. Seven and a half years. I can hardly believe it myself! In that time, life has taken me on a wild, sometimes challenging, but ultimately transformative journey. I’ve experienced highs, lows, and everything in between, and now, I’m ready to share my story and revive this little corner of the internet. This post is just the beginning, a reintroduction of sorts, with more detailed updates to come in future entries.
Rediscovering the Blog
The way I stumbled back onto my blog was completely serendipitous. I was tinkering with my AdSense account, updating my banking information after switching banks, when I noticed a link to my sites. Curiosity got the better of me, and I clicked on it. Lo and behold, there it was—my long-lost blog, sitting quietly, waiting for me to return.
The realization hit me: the information on my blog was ancient. It felt like a time capsule from another era of my life. Still, to my astonishment, I discovered that people were still reading my posts—posts written 7, 8, 9, even 10 years ago! I couldn’t believe it. The blog still had a following of over 200 readers, and it was like a beacon, calling me back to writing, crafting, and sharing my journey.
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The Crazy Crafter Returns
In the years since I last posted, I’ve gone through some rebranding. On YouTube, I’m now known as The Crazy Crafter, and I’ve embraced a world of creative pursuits, from paper crafting to sublimation printing on mugs, t-shirts, and more. However, I’ve decided to keep this blog under its original name and URL. It’s already established, connected to AdSense, and, most importantly, it feels like home.
I spent a little time updating the blog, tweaking URLs, and preparing it for new content. It feels good to be back, and I can’t wait to use this platform again to connect with fellow crafters and share my life updates.
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A Major Shift in the Crafting World
One of the first crafting-related updates I want to share is about Close to My Heart, a company many of you may be familiar with. Recently, I discovered they had closed their doors, and Stampin’ Up! acquired their products. If I wanted to return to being a demonstrator, Stampin’ Up! was my only option, so I took the plunge and joined. My kit is set to arrive tomorrow, and I’m excited to dive back into crafting and rediscover the joy of creating with paper.
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Life’s Curveballs: A Journey Through Loss and Recovery
Life hasn’t been all smooth sailing. In 2018, my world was turned upside down when my 12-year relationship came to a painful end. My partner had an affair with an old high school sweetheart, which not only shattered our relationship but also broke up another marriage. It was a heartbreaking time, but I knew I had to move forward for myself and my two sons.
The aftermath of that upheaval took a toll on my mental health, eventually leading me to lose my job. I found work at a local Walmart bakery, transitioning from a desk job to a fast-paced environment that kept me on my feet for eight hours a day. Then, on July 25, 2019, my life changed yet again—I suffered a stroke.
The stroke was a pivotal moment, a wake-up call that forced me to reevaluate everything. While I’ve worked hard to recover, I still deal with lingering effects. My left side, especially, has residual sensory issues. I struggle with textures and sensations in my left hand, which affects everyday activities like holding a coffee cup. These challenges have impacted my ability to craft, but over time, I’ve discovered creative workarounds and reignited my passion.
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Rediscovering Crafting and Joy
For a long time, I believed I couldn’t craft anymore. My stroke made jewelry-making and intricate paper crafting seem impossible. But slowly, I found ways to adapt. Through trial, error, and determination, I’ve learned to embrace creativity again, and it’s brought a new zest for life that I hadn’t felt in years.
Crafting has always been my happy place, my therapy, and my way of connecting with others. Whether it’s paper projects, sublimation, or other creative endeavors, I’m back to doing what I love—and it feels amazing.
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Looking Ahead
This post is just the tip of the iceberg. I have so much more to share—stories of resilience, updates on my crafting adventures, and a deeper dive into how I’ve navigated these past seven and a half years. I’ll be creating a new blog category for these life updates, and I hope you’ll join me as I continue to share my journey.
To everyone who has stuck around, still reading posts from years ago—thank you. You’ve reminded me that this space has value, that my words and creativity resonate with people. I’m excited to reconnect with this community and explore what’s next.
Stay tuned for Part Two, where I’ll delve deeper into my story. Until then, thank you for reading, and remember—no matter how long it’s been or how far you’ve strayed, it’s never too late to start again.
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Final Thoughts
Coming back to this blog feels like reconnecting with an old friend. Life has thrown its share of challenges my way, but it’s also given me the strength to overcome them and rediscover the things I love. Here’s to new beginnings, new crafts, and new stories. Let’s catch up—it’s been far too long.
Stay creative,
Jenn The Crazy Crafter 🌟
