Questions and answers for the new year

Back in September, you sent in an awesome landslide of wonderful questions for me to answer. I know I barely scratched the surface and that I promised to answer even more of them. As my treat to start your new year off right, if your question has been answered below, I'd love to send you your choice of stamp set as thanks. To Margie, Judy, Christina, and "scrapbklady44," just e-mail your choice of stamp set and mailing information to Me@jeanettelynton.com, and I'll get your prize zipping along right away.

And if you have another question on your mind, feel free to leave a comment! In the next couple of weeks, I'll be selecting 10 questions to answer, and each submitter will receive their choice of a new Level 2 paper pack or stamp set! So ask away!

QUESTION: What was the first stamping or scrapbooking product you ever used and what is your favorite product of all time? Submitted by Margie W.

ANSWER: When I started scrapbooking as a teenager (yes, back in the '70s!), true scrapbooking products didn't even exist! But I believe in invention, adaption, and innovation, so I used what I had. Standouts for me included my rainbow palette of dime-store markers and foil stars (remember the kind that used to come in clear packages that you'd lick to stick?) Many of my first albums are "blinged" out with those simple stars, along with lots of fabric notions, like scraps of lace.

QUESTION: I get attached to some of my favorite papers and can't get myself to "use them up." Do you save any special papers for that "someday"? Submitted by Judy VanNostrand

ANSWER: Judy, if I tell you about my attachment to our papers, do you promise to keep it our little secret? Of COURSE I get attached to our paper kits and I have an extensive stash I absolutely love. Because I get to be a part of the design and creation process, when a paper pack finally comes off the press, it's like a dream coming into reality. I know each flower or each flourish, and recall how we thickened a stripe, or tweaked a color, so, yes, the result is that I'm often very personally invested in our paper packs. Our inventory team knows to set aside a small amount of every paper pack produced, which I keep in my personal stash.

I use the paper as I work on projects, but truly, I admit that sometimes I just love HAVING it and looking at it, so full of possibilities! Some of my all-time favorites include Elegant Bouquet and Vintage Travel. I have literally used these classic paper kits (both from 2004!) on many different projects, but I still have a few packs I intend to keep. As I've always said: A thing of beauty is a joy forever!

QUESTION: What would be your top three fears of being a female CEO of a successful company? Submitted by scrapbklady44.

ANSWER: This is a tougher question than you might guess, largely because fear has never been my companion. But I have had some very real concerns as I've built my business. If I had to identify some of the major concerns I've sought to conquer in my career, I would say that, above all, I want to ensure that the demands of my family NEVER come second to the business. I know that the business will always want me, but my family needs me. I always wanted to be mindful never to fall into the temptation of working too much, obsessing over details, or being so focused on prosperity that my most abundant life--my family--was marginalized.

I also have had to battle the image that a female CEO might not be as knowledgeable or capable as a male CEO. In my early years, this was an occasional specter as I wondered whether I had the accounting skills or the manufacturing savvy or the shipping know-how of an ivy-league MBA. Sometimes I wondered if I, as a homemaker and mom could really drive a multi-million-dollar enterprise. But at some point in my journey--probably after working with many smart, well-educated business people--I realized I not only had the skills, I had the passion and vision for my company that came from my heart, my gut, and years of sweat. No resume or diploma can substitute for that! I wish more women had that innate confidence that came hard fought for me.

QUESTION: Are you going to bring out some more kits for Studio J from previous Idea Books or have the option to cross My Stickease between paper packets? Submitted by Christina Strom

ANSWER: Christina, your request to "cross" papers and My Stickease between kits is one of the leading requests for Studio J. Although the request seems simple enough, there is some very complex programming behind it. Know that we are working on ways to make Studio J even more fun and diverse. In fact, although I can't be more specific right now (our product design team would scold me), we are working on some incredibly exciting enhancements planned for Studio J to be shared at this year's Convention. I know that some attendees at last year's Convention wondered why there wasn't more of a focus on Studio J. To them, I say: Studio J is a terrific product, among the strongest digital scrapbooking products on the market. What you hear at this year's Convention will make the wait well worth it!

And don't worry, if you love our classic papercrafting lines, we won't disappoint you at Convention, either. We have put an unprecedented investment into the development of all-new products, exciting line extensions, and even revamping some favorites to offer more of what you've been asking for--I can't wait for you to see them all!