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Friday 21 May 2010

...today


Today happens to be the exact one year anniversary of Waltzingmouse Stamps!! Exactly one year ago today my husband and I stood in the hallway of our home anxiously watching the computer to see if anyone would be interested in the little gingerbread stamps that started this whole adventure.

I am very, very honoured to say that some of the people who were interested at the very start are still with me! Thank you ladies for hanging in there - someday there will be a reward scheme lol!! I am very hopeful for the future of WMS, and I do hope that we will continue to have the chance to provide stamps that are just that little bit different. Of course I have huge plans and about a million ideas for things I want to do with WMS but nothing is possible without your support and well wishes. For that I am in your debt. Thank you.

Just this week I had the very great privilege of actually meeting a friend from the USA who was traveling through Ireland, I had her stamps ready but I wanted to dress them up a little as I was going to have the opportunity to hand them over personally. So I wrapped them with kraft paper stamped with the Blooms from the latest release.

I was so delighted to meet her and her folks and I very much enjoyed chatting to them. They made a great impression on me and later on, as I was mulling over the opportunities I've had and the people I have met through WMS, I was struck by how very lucky I have been. I have made some wonderful friends, people that I hope I will always be in touch with, no matter what happens with WMS.


So folks, you can expect even more nostalgia from a soppy old stamper throughout the rest of this month as I shamelessly wade through some of the first sets from WMS!! Here's a couple of my favourite projects from the first ever release! lol. You have been warned! lol

ps. the little yum pouch is a FREE downloadable template, get it on my right hand sidebar under the heading Gingerbread Joy Templates

40 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your One Year Anniversary! May it be the first of many. You truly provide fresh ideas to us and we appreciate it! Cheers!!

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  2. Thanks for the templates. Will come in handy for Christmas.

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  3. Happy birthday Waltzingmouse Stamps! Here's to many more years of your wonderful stamps! Pauline xx

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  4. Awh Clare I wish every further success, it is a privilege to know you and be part of your creative life. You are always so welcoming and so understated about your AMAZING talent.

    Thank you for being you :D

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  5. Whooo-hooo! Happy Birthday to Waltzing Mouse Stamps! It's been an interesting year Claire, which has been well worth waiting for.

    Just like last year, it looks as though I'm first to wish you well! I hope that you're making time for yourself, so that you can enjoy your success... Px

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  6. Congratulations to you, Claire! I am so happy for your success, and I wish you much, much more. I think you are wonderful in so many ways, and you deserve every happiness that comes your way.

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  7. Wow, Congratulations,
    I remember them little gingerbread men,
    I feel ashamed as due to unforeseen circumstances and kids, I have not been able to afford to buy any yet,
    Hope you have many happy years selling your wonderful stamps,
    Hugs
    Angie

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  8. That little pounch is so super cute and I can't wait to try it out. I'm also so looking forward to your nostalgia posts, I love looking back! And Happy Birthday again, seeing how this is the 'official' wms day! Enjoy the day!

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  9. HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO YOU! How amazing, your first anniversary. That is wonderful and I so wish you very many more! You are so talented and you so deserve all of the success that you've had over the last year and all the success you will have in the coming years! Well done my friend! Best, Curt

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  10. Congratulations again Claire! I have no doubt that no matter what happens with WMS, your online friends will be here. I know I was first drawn to your incredible talent and then was won over by your sincere/genuine personality. The fab stamps are just icing on the cake and a huge bonus!

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  11. Neat package. Love the colors on the kraft.
    I'm still very new to your stamps but received the first 2 sets this morning.
    Eveline.

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  12. CONGRATULATIONS on your anniversary, Claire, and thank you for sharing your talents so generously with us. It still tickles!!

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  13. your work is done with heart and passion is why it is a success!!! Happy birthday from Italy ! Ciao

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  14. Happy 'Real' Anniversary....just want to say first of all thanks to your husband for believing in your artistic talent and sending off those first designs...you're a great guy - just look at what you started! And Claire - we appreciate all the hard work you have gone through over this year. Hard to believe it is one year. Scary the way time goes by. You've survived the chaos of keeping a household going and keeping family fed and watered as they say around here. Well done you...glad you're taking a 'wee' break in June....a wee one it is I think but however. Love the folder....want to send you best wishes for the next year....there's no stopping now...none of this we'll be friends whatever happens to WMS....no way! You're here to stay, girl.

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  15. What a cute treat pouch! I'm a sucker for templates-can't wait to make one! Looking forward to reading your stories. Let the celebration continue! :)

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  16. Oh, I'm glad you're doing a review of projects! I have been around for a while, but not the whole year, so I'm looking forward to seeing what I missed ! Your work is GORGEOUS, Claire - Happy Birthday, Waltzing Mouse !

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  17. Sandy in Epping21 May 2010 at 17:43

    Big congratulations on a fabulous first year in business, Claire.
    You have a wonderful style that really appeals to me and makes my inkpads say "MORE,MORE"!!
    You have a great thing going here.
    Have a great day, and a even more wonderful future with your company.

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  18. Claire and hubby, congratulations on your bold undertaking one year ago - and the success that has followed. I love how he had so much faith in you and took the plunge into manufacturing for you as a surprise. I came to the dance a little late, but last night, as I loaded all 17 of the WMS stamp sets that I have collected thus far into my storage binder, I realized I truly am a fan! Your product quality, personable service, fresh artwork and sense of community keep me coming back. Here's to many more anniversaries.

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  19. Happy Birthday Waltzing Mouse!
    Claire, I don't remember how I found your blog in the first place, but I'm so glad I did. I was pulled in by your title extension "things I've made while I should have been ironing". You, your art, and your stamps are so great, I'm so happy to have followed you for the last year+.
    Jackie

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  20. That is so lovely of you!!! The package is awesome but the thought for your friend is even more so. Your "vintage" templates (yep, those over 1 year old hehehe) are so brill... very glad you are reminding us all of where they are!!!
    Here's to another decade or so,
    Hugs
    Angela xxx.

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  21. I think it's been said by everyone, but I can still say it again...

    I check your blog every day, and have basically since I found it nearly a year ago, because I am just so inspired by your projects and the quality of your work. And I feel like I know you personally because of the way you post, and the time you take to respond to emails, or on everyone else's blogs, etc.

    Your personal touch is what makes the rest of us want you to succeed as much as you want to succeed. We are all rooting for you, and because you give us such great products and inspiration to work with, it's easy to help you with that success!

    Congratulations on your first of MANY successful years as WMS!!!

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  22. Happy Anniversary! A walk down memory lane sounds lovely! I am thrilled to be one of the people who anxiously awaited your next blog post to see your oh so original creations with PTI and other stamp lines. You had such flair, and we, your readers, could not have been more thrilled than when you took the big step to become a stamp designer. And I think that you being such a great stamper makes you design the kinds of stamps that give us the most versatilty, like the way you break down the sentiments.

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  23. Happy Birthday to your baby Claire! Waltzing Mouse stamps are awesome and all I can say is I'm hooked!
    What beautiful projects you made I lofve the little apron card its fab and the little box reminds me of a french fry holder! It's too cute! I'm snagging your blinkie for my blog! ;0 )

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  24. Congratulations on your one year in business. You are not being sloppy at all. I love seeing the older stamp sets....they are awesome and give lots of inspiration. Blessings and wishing a harty Irish blessing for the many years to come!!!!

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  25. Congratulations, Claire! I cannot believe how quickly a year has gone by. I am so happy for your success and proud to be a part of WMS. You are a terrific lady and good things will continue to come to you...just wait and see!

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  26. Happy Anniversary, Claire! Here is to another amazing year. You are so inspirational.XO

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  27. Congrats on your anniversary! I just recently received my first package from WMS and couldn't be more pleased. Thanks for all you do!

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  28. I know this has been a wonderful and exciting year for you and it sounds like it is only the beginning of many more great ideas in store for us. Happy Anniversary to our best forever friend in Ireland.

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  29. Congratulations Claire!!! Your stamps are coming to Finland almost every month. I love them so much and I think that the secret of your success is that your ideas are so unique and original. Thank you for working so hard on your designs and customer service.

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  30. I'm sending you big hugs and and a kiss on each cheek to celebrate the anniversary of WMS! It's hard to believe all that has happened in one short year but, as we have all said, there is no turning back now, Claire! Your hubby's support, not only with the upstart, but with his obvious help all along the way this past year is stellar. He's a keeper! If you don't mind my asking, what is his name? Gosh, but his ears must be burning-lol!
    I'm thrilled to stroll down memory lane with WMS! You inspire me everytime I visit with you and I'm always in awe of your creations! It may take a good stamper to produce good stamps but it's also your kind heart & soul that making this wee company flourish. Cheers!

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  31. Claire you have wrapped up those stamps beautifully - and how lovely was it for you to both meet in person! Makes me jealous! I know you have your crafting heros and people you admire but do you realise - a year on and you have become someone we all admire? This first year was truly AMAZING !!!

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  32. Congratulations and many wishes for a blessed future! WMS are the most inspiring images. You are amazing Claire!

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  33. Happy Birthday to WMS Claire! I truly wish you all the best for the future, your stamps are so creative and fabulous to work with, here's to another year! Kate x

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  34. Happy Anniversary, Claire!! I'm SO looking forward to what's next!

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  35. Dear Claire
    Happy Anniversary.
    I wish you all the very best things for the future!
    I am so happy you started Waltzing Mouse Stamps.
    You make such beautiful things and I look forward to see all the old and new things you create.
    I hope your company grows but at the same time stays small in a way because of the personal approach.

    Hugs Holly.

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  36. Happy Anniversary Claire!! I wish you continued success beyond your wildest dreams!!!

    {{HUGS}} :)

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  37. Happy Anniversary Claire!! I am grateful, that you gave me so many hours of happyness, stamping with your great stamps - hope your success will continue and continue and conitinue and continue....thanks for sharing with us *hugs*

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  38. Wow - what a lovely thought to special package the stamps for your visitor and how fun that they stopped by on their travels!

    Your gingerbread sets remain one of my most favs too - I can just smell the cookies baking everytime I use them.

    Big congrats on your anniversary Claire - I know it will just keep getting better and better because you are a brilliant artist/craftsperson and obviously have a good business sense on top of all that! Not to mention that you are a genuinely nice caring person and that comes off to your customers when you deal with them!

    I'm so happy to be on this part of the trip with you!

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  39. Hey girl
    I haven't bought yet. Finances being what they are and all! But I hope you know I couldn't be prouder.
    From the moment I saw that tree you so graciously shared with me how to make, I knew you were a star amongst the Stars.
    Congrats you beautiful gal you!
    Em, from TEXAS!

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  40. Hi Claire, I have just found your blog and shop through Katie (My Paper Haven) how have I not seen all your beautiful creations before, I'm now a follower and will be ordering some of your stamp sets soon, I'm also from N Ireland, also thank you for your fabulous Tutorials, Your work is amazing and what a beautiful gift wrap you have made for these stamps just stunning, will be popping by often and will put your blinkie on my sidebar.
    Hugs
    Sarah xx

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Thanks for taking the time to comment, :) I read them all and I appreciate you taking time to visit!