Some clarification!!!

In light of recent events, I feel the need to clarify a few issues that have arisen. It's unfortunate that events have played out as they have. The people that read my blog and my club members know that I always try to follow the rules. Below is a reaction/clarification on a recent blog post by Krista. 

" ~I did not threaten.  "

I would like to say that in her e-mail, she did threaten to involve her lawyers if I did not remove the background image. Infer from this what you will. 

"However, I did require that the background she was using for the card club (my Shannon stamp) be immediately removed.  She never had my permission to use my artwork that way; so if left up, would be viewed as an illegal use of my artwork for her site promotion without license to do so."

While it is true that I did not ask permission to use this particular background image, this is not the first time I've used a background image by her. The first time I did ask her permission, and she enthusiastically gave permission to use it. In fact, she was proud of what I made. So, while I might have made a mistake in not asking her permission a second time, I did not think she would have a rpoblem with it. I did it with good intentions, and even posted a club message promoting the background image, including a link to Krista's shop. 

"~I have one rule.  Which she blatantly broke while handing out my artwork for free.  I am pretty sure, actually, that I was the one adhering to her rules and wishes while she chose to take advantage of both the popularity of my stamps and the increase in traffic to her site because of them."

I respectfully waited until after the deadline passed for giving away the digi, before posting the links to the site where people can download free digis. The people on my club already know that I try to share free digis etc. when I find them. 

"~Finally, many of these members (including the club leader) are still choosing to use my free digi but withholding the link to my shop and blog."

The members of the club are free to post the link, and in fact, the link IS posted on my blog, as promised. Furthermore, I can not be held accountable for what my club members do or don't do. I have asked them to do post the link but it is up to them if they do.

" I take a huge hit in sales, while she gains members. "

I would like to point out that new members don't get the free digis, and I don't gain any members through this cooperation. Additionally, I always post a link to the shop, thereby directing my own club members to her shop. I believe that this, at the very least, balance each other out.

I hope I have clarified a few things. 

I wish Krista all the best and I still love her work!

I hope everyone will do what we all need to do, enjoy cardmaking, have fun with it and don't force people to go one way or the other. 

That is my goal in life and on my club, to have people and the clubmembers enjoy themselves with all kind of things and let them explore their  creativity. 

Hugs Tiets xx