Big changes ahead!

Happy new year!  Can you believe it's 2011 already?  Mind-boggling I tell ya...

I thought this would be the perfect chance to share a couple little peeks of the calendars I love to give as gifts.  

I honestly lost count of how many I gave out this year.  

It was a team effort - I just didn't have time to do it all myself so my hubby printed and cut all the paper! What a great sport (well, he did give some away too, so that's fair, right?)  Despite all the work, I think they make a nice gift.  Even nicer is A Muse's recent announcement that the proceeds from the calendar template raised more than $6,000 for their charity of choice.  (If you are on Facebook, you can read more about this huge accomplishment here).

2011 will certainly be a big year for changes!  To start, I'm looking forward to completing my coursework and thesis and FINALLY earning my Masters this summer! Yahoo!  It will be a hard road getting there, but I can smell it! :)  

As I'm sure many of you are starting to ponder, another big change is A Muse dissolving their instructor program.  I expect that great things are ahead for A Muse, but I sadly won't be teaching any more A Muse classes, and without the wonderful support I received from them, I'm afraid it's rather cost prohibitive for me to teach at all.  I started out in the instructor program because of my own personal love of the craft and the products and people behind A Muse.  In the end, I've grown a lot and I've been so lucky to be a part of a dynamic team of amazing muses (I love you all!) in addition to meeting and teaching so many amazing people I'm proud to call friends.  I want you all to know how much I've appreciated that and how much you have enriched my life.  

So, with a new year come new horizons.  I'll likely maintain my blog as long as people still read it (a comment now and again does help with encouraging the blog author, by the way ;) and will keep up links to my fellow "former" A Muse instructors so you can continue to enjoy their work.  I will also forever be a die-hard A Muse fan and will play with them any chance I get :)

I'll leave you with  little homage to just some of the amazing women and little women whom I've had the pleasure of enjoying our craft with:

Here's to a new year full of new possibilities!

Comments

[Nickey]

I read the news a few weeks ago and it blew me away!!! I immediately contacted Gena (Cool Scrapbook Stuff) because I get my A Muse stamps from her and travel two hours to support her. As much as I love A Muse and will continue to do so I am a bit miffed that I will no longer be able to purchase them from her. Best wishes for a wonderful New Year, Jill!

[Terrie]

I so enjoyed your copic classes and looked forward to another class with you in San Diego. Papertales this time. My best to you as you pursue your Masters. I subscribe to your blog and look forward to your posts. Best for the new year. Terrie

[Heather Bilhorn]

What -- Jill I had not heard the news. Oh - Lauren and I are so sad! We loved classes with you - Amuse was just icing on the cake. We will stay in touch and I want to keep seeing your amazing creations. I learned so much from you -- and we will miss seeing you... But if you still come to san Diego come on over and craft at our house...

[Glenda J]

You know me, I will always stop by to say hello.... so happy for you about your Masters! Great photos from your classes! 2011 WILL be a good year. Hugs!

[Elena]

Wow! What a great hubby :) I will keep reading your blog, so I hope you keep posting. Your sense of humor is what keeps me coming back! Good luck in 2011!

[jenn shurkus]

great post jill :) so glad you have come into my life... i'm not letting you go anywhere!!! :))

[A Crakes]

Hi Jill,
I am sorry to hear about the sad news. You are such a great instructor and will truly be missed. Way to go on your graduate degree!

[Lori Barnett]

This is hard. Just like you...I came into this because I love A Muse products...and loved sharing that with other people. I was lucky enough to meet you in person - lucky enough to share are room with you and get to know you better - lucky enough to share so many wonderful ideas with you and all the other muses. I will miss that so very much. Jill...I come to your blog OFTEN. I'll look forward to whatever you post so I can keep up on things with you :)

[Donna Hitz]

Jill - What a special time it was for me to meet you at A Muse last October. You are a wonderful source of inspiration and your designs incredible. I look forward to a time when you and Ray visit Alaska! Hugs :)

[Dawn]

Checking out your blog is one benefit of being less busy. Can't wait to see what the new year brings for you. Hugs!

[Stephanie Jones]

I met you at Paper Tales. You might be the best designer I've ever seen. I've copied photos of so many of your cards. Please never stop.