How do you take it? Some people don’t take it well and it takes the wind out of their sails and go stagnant.. and others thrive once they “get it” the light bulb goes on and they hear the angels sing like a choir! Hal~lelu-jah!

I had a scrapper say to me, “Lynette, I want to be published and I want to know why you aren’t picking up some of my favorite layouts.”

I probably am the only publisher that will take the time and give her constructive criticism and one of the few editors that has an advanced art background and not just advertising and/or journaling.

That night she cornered me. (ut oh! lol) I explained to her the pages weren’t quite up to the cutting edge material I was looking for in Scrappy Chick magazine. She said, “Okay, how do I improve?” and we proceeded to pick apart her layouts together.

Man that’s hard. Somebody “picking you apart”. UGH!  

She agreed with everything I showed her and understood the concepts and techniques. Still~ It’s the feeling of what your doing isn’t good enough. But the fact is, if it’s taking you to the next level and advancing your training and techniques isn’t the glass half full and not half empty?

I haven’t seen her on the site since. I don’t know whether that means she stopped scrapping and got discouraged by my words, or whether she’s hurt for hearing my constructive criticism and won’t come back. Hopefully, she is rethinking her strategy and scrapping her heart out! Shame, she had much potential and some one- a role model needed to bring it out of her.   

Criticism is so hard on artwork because most artists make an expression of themselves. Especially with scrapbooking because those are pictures of ourselves, our travels, and the ones we love! They take it personally, instead of professionally.  

If you have a “I don’t care one way or another” attitude do you think a manufacturer or a retailer (online or LSS) will excel with you on their design team? Probably not.

So take a moment today, and think about something somebody pointed out whether it was your boss, or perhaps someone you think is in a role model position. Take what they said, and put it in a perspective and apply it to your own style.

Have it be a positive impact on your scrapbooking, and make it a difference in your attitude and prespective on life. Your glass is half full and you are getting better every day. Continue to strive hard and not become stagnant and give up. The defintion of stagnant is: 1.) to not develop or advance. 2.) not flowing in a current or stream.

In essence, there is no wind beneath your feet.

When you get the flow, (and I don’t mean your Aunt.. haha) you’ll feel empowered. (Just ask Juli Redwine about her singing in my answering machine~ “I did it! I did it!”)

How incredible! If you are singing Hal-lelu-jah! today, instead of lying stagnant.. my toll free number is 866-298-7787. I can’t answer, but I’d love to get your message.