Wednesday, April 12, 2017

9,957,909 Things to be Grateful For

Today is the day I can share some very exciting news with all of you.  I never expected to be able to say this in my life, until the day I ran to Lowe’s to try to build an idea that was in my head.  

I have a U.S. patent for the Most Incredible Stamp Tool Invented (MISTI)!  It issued three weeks ago. I am overwhelmed and humbled and a 9,957,909  other things I can't even describe.

It has been a long, educational process to get here, and has taken a lot of people many, many hours of work to protect my design, and I took unfathomable financial risks with my family's future to get here, so to say I feel joy and relief would be an understatement. 

Patents like copyrights, exist to protect artists and inventors like me.

Getting a patent is complicated and takes quite a bit of time.  You have to prove the uniqueness of every conceivable part of your product, and it's excruciatingly detailed, and the language used is mind-numbing.  Listening to the patent jargon was like listening to Charlie Brown’s teacher.  My eyes have glazed over numerous times over the past two years.

During a lot of the patent pending process, companies gamble that the patent won't be issued, and they make hay while the sun shines by copying your concept. This almost instantly puts a rain cloud over the joy you feel when you introduce a product that everyone loves, and you want to celebrate.  I've been under that cloud for a long time, but I had faith that God had a plan for me.

However, the patent issued, and when it did, I was thankful that two companies accepted my design as unique and graciously withdrew copies from the market.  

We found out during this time that many crafters and consumers don't know the process of how a patent comes together and the meaning behind it. Before all of this, I didn’t either.

We have seen comments like "just change one thing and you can get around a patent." Aside from the fact that things like this are not correct, it's heartbreaking. 

We live in a country that has a process for protecting intellectual property, and I would think that in the creative community, that value would be at its highest, as artists are the most frequent target of copyright violations. Some are even driven out of the art world they love by it - Claudine Hellmuth's story is a sad one.  And this is another sad story of innovative people with a dream not even getting a shot. 

As cardmakers, we've all seen people be upset when someone copies a card design, so imagine how upsetting it is when it's a product you've invested money, blood, sweat and tears in to bring to life.  How would you feel?

I am grateful for the patent.  I'm thrilled, and also a little drained. I will work to educate people on what these things actually mean, and I will help other inventors in this industry protect their rights where I can, as so many wonderful people in the industry helped me over the past two years. I'm so grateful for their support, as well as the support of my retailers. 

I hope, as a community, we can have a shared respect for the incredibly creative people that surround us - and for the investment people make in the products they produce. I hope we can seek and reward the little guys. And I hope we can show each other love and kindness in the process. 

We appreciate the support of all of you and of our retailers since we opened the doors, and to celebrate the patent on the MISTI, we are having a sale.



147 comments:

  1. Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you.

    Marty

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  2. Congratulations on getting the Misti patented. I know I sure love mine and use it almost every time I stamp now.

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  3. As someone who anxiously waited for a post that you had completed another batch of 50 and they would be on sale on such a date at such a time and no matter how hard I tried to get one I never could, I am sooooooo happy to hear this news. You took the stamping industry by storm with your wonderful product!!! As a stamper of many years, until the MISTI I really thought this art form was dying a slow death. But with MISTI a new life has been breathed into it. There is only one, the original MISTI. I can't wait to see all of the copy cats disappear!!! Illiana, you deserve all the credit that a patent has to offer. All of your hard work and determination has paid off. Sit back and enjoy now!!!

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  4. You know how incredibly proud I am of you and your incredible team. No words can ever express the joy in my heart. This journey has shaped my life in ways no one can understand and I'm looking from the outside in. Congratulations to you, your family, your legal team, your supporters and for all those who believe in doing what's right and what's fair. I will keep looking for more great things from My Sweet Petunia. All my love, forever.

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  5. Hallelujah!!!!! Congratulations Iliana!! So glad to hear that this pressure is off of you and your family. God Bless you and your family.

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  6. I have seen several companies come out with similar designs, and have thought of you every single time I have seen their products at stores, shows, facebook, etc. I appreciate and respect everything you have done to bring your MiSTI to market and hope that other companies will pull their copies. I would never, ever buy one of the copies. You deserve the profits because you invented and produced the first!

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  7. Congratulations Iliana!!! I'm glad your hard work is paying off. The MISTI "IS" the most incredible stamping tool invented... and I, for one, could not live without it now. Thank you again, and enjoy your most deserved rewards!!

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  8. Congrats on finally getting your Patent!! I am glad you were able to hang in there until it was complete.

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  9. CONGRATULATIONS!!! I'm thrilled that your fantastic MISTI design is now protected. You have made cardmaking 100% easier. I almost never stamp a verse or a greeting without using one of my two MISTIs. It is an amazing invention!

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  10. Congratulations!
    I felt so bad for you each time another company came out with a copy of your MISTI.

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  11. A big congrats and I'm so happy to hear this! I hate when wonderful inventions are copied, glad to know yours is protected now! Hugs, Brenda

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  12. Here, here Iliana .... "congratulations" to you and your family. I hope 9,957,909 people read this.

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  13. Way to go, woman!!!!!! I cannot tell you how thrilled I am for you!!! You are the BEST! Congratulations!

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  14. Huge congrats - you deserve it!!

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  15. Congratulations on your patent!!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Misti! I'll be shopping your sale on the 14th. I need acrylic cleaner/polish, and the new corners. I also hope 9,957,909 people read this.

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  16. Hi Iliana. I have recently read that your patent had been issued and I could NOT have been any happier for you! I cannot imagine what you had to endure throughout this time while waiting! I have been stamping since 1999 and have NEVER seen (or used) anything like this and I can honestly say the MISTI has been a game changer in the crafting world! I was a little disappointed to see that it has been "mimicked" by others while you waited for YOUR patent! However, you have invested much more and you were the brain child of this phenomenon and 'I' for one of this 9,957,909 KNOW IT! THANK YOU and CONGRATULATIONS, ILIANA!

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  17. Heartiest congratulations, Illiana. So very happy that you persevered and got your much-deserved patent. MISTI is a wonderful product, as are all the doo-dads you have designed to go with it!!! I wish you continued success. ♥

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  18. Congratulations and I'm so excited for you. The Misti is such an awesome product and I'm glad to see that your brilliant idea is protected especially from big companies. Way to go!

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  19. Congratulations to you for obtaining the patent and not giving in to the formidable challenges you and your family faced! Chalk one up for the little guy!

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  20. Such great news! Congratulations!! I own all 3 size MISTI's and LOVE them all.

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  21. So happy for you and your family. God is so good! Congratulations!

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  22. Congratulations. YOU DESERVE it. The MISTI really is the best tool ever and I am so happy and proud of you. It is so expensive to get a patent and then defend if necessary. I wondered what the status was. Good for you

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  23. So happy for you! Now you can enjoy the sunshine. Congratulations! :-)

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  24. I am delighted to read this, I love my MISTI and could not believe my eyes when I saw your design being so blantently copied. Well done. It's so sad when such unique ideas are copied and exploited. You must be so relieved as you risked so much doing this. Congratulations!

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  25. Congratulations, Iliana! I always support small businesses and innovators and will remain a steadfast MISTI fan because it's a quality product and because it was invented by a fellow crafter, not to mention a woman and mother, both voices that are often disregarded or drowned out.

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  26. How wonderful for you!
    I love my Mini MISTI and
    wondered about all the
    others coming out.
    Carla from Utah

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  27. Wow, I knew it wasn't easy to get a patent, but had no idea it took that long and so much effort. Congratulations to y'all! I really like my Mini Misti and have sure enjoyed using it--it has been a game-changer and saved me from a lot of frustration when I make cards and tags :)

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  28. I had seen the copycats and was worried about you. Thank goodness there are still some ethical peeps around. Congratuations. You are indeed unique. On top of that they were way undercutting your prices. Have a bless Easter!

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  29. Congrats. It is a long process and I'm glad you won in the end.

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  30. Congratulations!!! I absolutely love my MISTI and recommend it to all my card maker friends. You truly deserve this patent for all your hard work. Thanks for inventing this incredible tool!

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  31. Congratulations.
    I love the misti - have two sizes
    and they are a blessing every
    time I use them.
    take care.

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  32. God is faithful but we have to do our part by hanging on to His Word. You did it! I'm so happy for you. Congratulations!

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  33. Congratulations Iliana. In a world where it seems that everything has been taken over by big conglomerates, it is heartwarming to hear that the "little gal" won!! Continued blessings to you and your family!

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  34. Congratulations. And thank you so much for your original idea and all the hard work you have put in to make it a success. One for the little guy, and a wonderful tool for so many of us.

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  35. Iliana, reading your exciting news, I am full of happiness for you! I've been following your journey from the start and couldn't be more pleased you received your patent for MISTI. Each time I saw a "knock-off" come on the market, I felt such disappointment that people would do that to you knowing you had a patent pending. I can't imagine how hard it was for you to cope through the last few years, but through it all you maintained your class, integrity, strength, and faith. Congratulations and best wishes for continued success.

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  36. Congratulations! I cringed everytime I saw a copy cat. I'm so happy for you. I wish you continued success.

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  37. Congratulations!!! I'm proud to own an original and have been rooting for you through this entire process.

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  38. congratulations. Your MISTI is awesome, an used everyday. don't have the min. on the wish list. thank you, thank you.The road was tuff, but praise God for the blessing to you and to us.

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  39. congrats! You have taken us cardmakers and crafters to the highest level! We can't THANK YOU enough!

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  40. Congratulations. It's a great achievement.

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  41. This is very exciting news! So happy for you.

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  42. Congratulations, Iliana!!! I can tell you, the MISTI has certainly been a lifesaver for me! Much less wasted time & paper, at the very least, and it feeds my perfectionist, obsessive soul. LOL I wish you all the best & continued success--congrats again! :) ~ Andrea

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  43. Congrats! Well deserved. You have changed so many people's lives. And I thank you.

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  44. 9,957,909 congratulations to you!
    And 9,957,909 thank yous for a brilliant product that has changed my life.
    I am truly grateful for the many wonderful people and things that MISTI has brought into my life.

    Oh! And I like it for stamping too. 😉
    ❤️ You!

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  45. Congratulation!
    I LOVE my Memory MISTI and Original MISTI.
    Also Creative Corners.

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  46. I am so very happy for you! I love both MISTI sizes I have and will be buying another one for my daughter. Congratulations!

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  47. So happy for you! I bought my first Misti when you were still making them in your own home and mailing them out yourself! I have loved it since then.....I have several now and recommend them to everyone.
    Congratulations! 🎉🎉🎉

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    Replies
    1. I also have mine from that time period and am so pleased that you persisted and now have your patent...congratulations... Martha

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  48. YOU SO DESERVE THIS! SO happy for you and am a proud of owner of two! Good to support a "local" gal :) My friends in Japan love theirs as well (helped with a sale at CHA last year). Looking forward to ordering those corners...going through my LSS to support her too! Congratulations!!

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  49. I'm so glad you got your patent. I believe everybody knows you are the ORIGINAL. Can't wait to see what comes next!

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  50. Congratulations on getting the patent. I love my Misti.

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  51. Good for you! I got mine when you first launched it and I love it. So happy that you got the patent!

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  52. How humbling. I am sure a huge weight has been taken off your shoulders. Now sit back and relax and watch all the orders come in for your UNIQUE product!

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  53. I, too, was an early owner of one of your home-made Misi's...I even kept the little card that came with it that says you made it! And, because it's really the pride and joy of my crafting room, I cannot express how wonderful it is to hear of your patent being issued. Over the last few months, I've cringed every time I've seen one of the blatant copies being offered for sale. I couldn't believe that folks could be so disrespectful of the effort and inguinity required to make such a successful product. It's reassuring to see that they have disappeared from the sales rooms across the web.

    I have also been reassured to see that the big name designers have been totally loyal to your company by always naming the Misti specifically. Those with integrity know that inventors should be the recipient of any reward for their hard work. Congrats

    Penelope Tucker

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  54. so glad that you received your patent and protected your wonderful invention.
    Barb Housner

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  55. a product that should never have been patented as the only change from the WRMK Letterpress is the magnets

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  56. A product that should never have been patented, only a couple magnets between it and the WRMK Letterpress.

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  57. When I saw this news a couple of weeks ago I was so so happy for you. Best news this year xxxxx

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  58. Congratulations! I'm so happy for you. I was proud to say I was one of the first to own one - especially when the full page add came out in the CHA magazine earlier this year! High Five!!

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  59. Congratulations! I wish there was something else I needed to purchase from your sale, but I have a Misti along with Creative Corners that I love!

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  60. Congratulations! I remember the struggles my partner and I had to go through just getting a copyright on a design. Can't even imagine what it was like for your patent. You should be very proud of yourself.

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  61. Congratulations. I love my TWO Mistis and agree that it was a game changer. You made an amazing hobby even more fun and more creative. What an amazing accomplishment.

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  62. I'm so excited for you, and had no doubts your patent would be issued. I know your path to sucess was not easy for you and your family. Personally I don't know how you slept at night with all of the stress and sleepless nights while holding down your regular job! You deserve to enjoy your well earned sucess! I love my Mini, Original, and my newest Memory MISTI addition! Thanks for risking it all to turn your dream to reality ❤️

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  63. I am sooo very happy for you! You have many loyal supporters. I was at the Carson, CA last month and TH was very defensive when questioned about his version which he was demonstrating. The two women on either side of me (we were strangers to each other) raised our eyebrows and started talking to each other. We all had at least one MISTI and agreed we'd stick with MSP

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  64. Hear, hear! A toast to you! I will always be careful to support the inventors!

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  65. I'm so very pleased for you! I didn't like seeing all the other copies being sold, when you had put your heart and soul into designing and making your very clever MISTI. I love mine and it's revolutionised the stamping world - you should be very proud indeed!

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  66. Congrats to you! Your persistence prevailed and you won over the copycats. I hated knowing they were blatant copies and found it hard to fathom how a couple of the companies were what I thought were respected in the industry. Kind of a bad call. But nevertheless, you prevailed and you did all the design and the trial and error to bring us a stamping tool that has advanced stamping so much! I thank you so much!!!!

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  67. Congratulations! So happy to hear your good news. You deserve all the accolades, too, because the MISTI has changed the stamping world for good. Huzzah!

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  68. CONGRATS 2 U! You truly have invented something that has changed the world of stampers in such a TERRIFIC way! Incredible accomplishment indeed ^_^ Thank you!

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  69. Congrats! It is good to know the individual won out over the large companies. I own 2 Misti tools and am completely loyal to them.

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  70. You my dear, are The Most Incredible Stamping Tool Inventor Ever! Thank you for making my stamping straight, my daughter no longer gives me that "Look" lol. Hugs mama

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  71. Congratulations!!!! So proud of you and for hanging in there, as we all believed in you, and for standing up for what you believe and beating the big companies. I'm glad they were gracious enough to bow out and take their knock offs off the market. Good for you!!! Way to go inventing the BEST tool on the market...EVER! Celebrate!!!

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  72. Congratulations! I am the proud owner of the first Misti and the Big Mama ( 12x12) as I call
    her. Now I just need the mini! What an extremely creative product you created! You DID IT!💜🤗👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

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  73. Congratulations Iliana!! I am so happy for you. I own all of the Misti sizes as well as the Creative Corners, and couldn't imagine being without them. I've even given some as gifts to nieces.

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  74. Well done to you and many congratulations too, You did it!!! very happy for you. Al of my class ladies who have brought the MISTI on my recommendation love the Misti as much as I and a Million others.

    Peg from the UK

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  75. Congratulations to you, so happy for you!!! You have changed the stamping world and I am so grateful for your invention. I have your original and the mini and I love them both! Enjoy your success!!!

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  76. Congratulation for your big acchivment! Misti is a great tool. I use it here in Switzerland very often. Thank you for inventing such a helpful tool.

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  77. CONGRATS!!! Much Deserved...Well Earned!!!!!...I love My Mini Misti & My Memory Misti so much!!
    You truly came up with one Spectacular invemtion that did change the world of stamping!!
    I can't even imagine stamping without it!! YOU SO ROCK!!

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  78. Congratulations Iliana, it's been a loooong time coming. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing the joy of stamping back and jumpstarting the industry.Damn the torpedoes sistah!! Rock on!!

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  79. Congratulations! I'm so happy for you! I absolutely LOVE my MISTI and can't imagine stamping without it!

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  80. Congratulations! What a long road you have traveled! I am so thankful you did, because one of my BFF's gifted me with your Misti and I LOVE it! I even use it just to line up panels making sure everything is perfectly centered and straight! If I am in my craft room my Misti is out! Congratulations, again!

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  81. Congratulations! I was so excited when the time came I could buy my Misti here in the UK and I absolutely love it! It's given me so many new options with my stamping and makes everything so much better! Especially I love it for silhouette stamping, I can always get perfect results with multi stamping. It's my birthday in August and I am getting the Misti corner set - roll on August! I am a Misti fan and everyone knows it! You are a true innovator, thank you! xxx

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  82. Hallelujah!!! :) Off to Misti some cats tonight now!! :) Thanks!

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  83. I am so happy for you, Iliana! I know that MISTI is an incredible tool and it has changed stamping for me. Congratulations! It is wonderful to know that you have accomplished such a feat! I am SO proud of you and your creativity and your invention! Kudos, my friend!

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  84. Congratulations! You have created a wonderful tool which has helped so many others. I love my Misti!!

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  85. Congrats! I will always be a supporter of all products, MISTI! I am so happy for you.

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  86. I am so very happy for you. The Misti is unique and awesome, just like you. Forever a fan of you and Misti.

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  87. Congratulations on getting your patent. As the Misti was your revolutionary idea you certainly should be the one getting the rewards from it. I definitely see why companies would want to copy it, because it is such a marvelous tool, but it is wrong to steel the benefits from the original inventor.

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  88. Congratulations !! I have been heart sick seeing one knock off & hearing there was another coming. As I said to my sister "Congratulations on your FIRST patent--I know there will be another!" I love my MISTI! Thank you for your hard work & perseverance. God bless you! Peggy from MN

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  89. I am so happy for you, I can't count the number of times that I have referred to you as "that poor gal you didn't patent her product", I didn't know that you had been working to achieve just that!! I am just so happy for you and I hope that all of the copy cats will now go away. Cheers!

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  90. Congratulations Iliana! When I saw other products coming on the market my first thought was ... Don't "they" have enough money? Score one for the little gal!! Continued success.

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  91. CONGRATULATIONS!!! I can only understand a bit of the heartbreak you've had with the companies that have copied your design. I see the different versions out there all the time, & even the little comments made caught on tape by those that have come out with their knock-off's. BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL!!!!! I personally LOOOOOVE my Misti!!!! ;) THANK YOU for making our the Stamping process more enjoyable! YOU are the one who sacrificed to make this little invention a HIT! They haven't sacrificed ANYTHING! SO, CONGRATULATIONS on the Patent & on following your dreams!!! GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!!!!!!! ;)

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  92. Bless you for creating the Misti and congrats on the patent. You are an amazing woman!

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  93. There are 3 MISTI in my house, and one set of creative corners. Staying with you. Because it's the right thing to do!

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  94. Congratulations! Your hard work and persistence have paid off.

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  95. I'm so excited for you! Congratulations!

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  96. I am so excited for you!! The MISTI has been a game changer for someone who has been stamping since 1998!! My husband has patents in his name for software and though I don't know the process, I know it is a painful process. I think it is INCREDIBLE that you succeeded!! I have been reading about how intellectual property, as well as creative property has taken a backseat in this world of the internet. I am glad that you came out on top!!

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  97. Congratulations Iliana!!! I'm so happy that you have been recognized as the true and original innovator you are!

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  98. I am so very happy for you! And I am happy for me. Because buying my Misti started my crafting and card making again, after having grown so tired and frustrated with all the ink mishaps. Yes God gave you these good things, and that plan is still evolving for you. You go girl!

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  99. I am so happy for you! When I first started seeing knock offs of the MISTI start showing up it left a sour feeling in my gut! Then I heard people badmouthing it and I got angry!
    I had wanted a MISTI since they first came out but couldn't afford one for a friend AND myself so I bought one for my friend. When the fakes came out I just couldn't support their thievery even though they cost less! I wouldn't have been able to sleep at night knowing that I had "settled" for a fake just for the sake of a few dollars!
    During the Impression Obsession hop I was the winner of a Mini MISTI and I was SO excited to finally be able to use this magical tool! It has changed my life! In 2013 my arm/hand went through a window when I tried to open it and severed 4 tendons and 3 nerves. After a few surgeries I still don't have full use of my right (dominant) thumb, pointer and middle finger which makes Stamping difficult. Now, with the mini MISTI I am able to stamp a straight and clear image! THANK YOU SO MUCH for this amazing product that has made it possible!
    One day I hope to have the Original MISTI so I can do larger designs with it but that will happen when my budget allows!
    Congratulations again on getting your patent and I know that you will keep bringing us amazing tools to make our crafting lives more enjoyable! Thank ou for being you!

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  100. Congratulations!! You really are in inventor with this helpful tool!! All the best for you and your company's future!!

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  101. I'm SO proud for you. Congratulations! I LOVE my Misti. Can't stamp without it.

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  102. Congratulations,Iliana, your patients paid off & you now have a wonderful product that makes life easier for so many of us.Thank you so much.

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  103. Congratulations! Tha KS so much for inventing this awesome tool!

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  104. Iliana, When I first saw the MISTI I was in Love. I have tried many stamp position tools over the years (more than 20) and until the Misti came out, I was never completely pleased with the results. To me your fabulous invention is the best thing since sliced bread! I had no idea that you were still fighting for your patent sweetheart. I was sick to my stomach every time I saw one of these knock offs and you would get a kick out of me talking to my computer telling them that they had no right to copy the Misti! That this was your idea and they should be giving credit where credit was due! I am so happy for you and wish you a giant CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Happy Stamping, Crafting, etc. Hugs Lori

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  105. Congratulations many times over!!!!!! My two stamping daughters bought me my Misti a couple of years ago and let me tell you it is wonnnnnnnnnnderful and useful and a greaaaat time saver (and that's coming from a 77 year old). :)
    Thank you sooooooooooo much for inventing the Misti and for your perserverance in getting your patent.
    Jean McGee

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  106. This is wonderful news! Congratulations and best wishes for continued success with this amazing tool! I can't imagine being without mine!

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  107. Congratulations! I am so happy for you, because your Misti has made me happy! Thank you for inventing it. I has made my crafting much more fun!

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  108. I am so glad for all of your success you totally deserve it! This is an amazing product and my favorite crafting tool Not only does it help everyone, but it especially help people like me that have carpal tunnel and other repetitive strain injuries, or arthritis. You make it possible for me to do a lot more crafting then I would have been able to do before your product was invented! Thank you!

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  109. Very pretty card. I have a Mini Misti and honestly don't know how I ever got along without it!

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  110. Congratulations, Ilina! Your hard work and sacrifice have paid off. We need to protect inventors or there will be no incentive for others to innovate. I read both articles you linked to and it is very disheartening to see what inventors are up against. I am glad you persevered and hope you enjoy the fruits of your labor.

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  111. Congratulations! I am so happy for you! I love my MISTI and don't think I could live without one now. Thank you for your wonderful creation!

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  112. Congratulations!!! I can't think of anyone more deserving. The MISTI is a tool I cannot live without. Your idea to prototype to patent is an incredible feat so I know you are on cloud 9. I'm happy a couple of companies have withdrawn their copies from the market and I hope they all follow their lead. Again congratulations!!!!

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  113. Congrats! I'm so glad you got the patent! I love my MISTI and would never consider a knock off! Glad you stuck with it

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  114. Congratulations on your patent! I own two Mistis which I use every day. When others were buying knockoffs, I never even wanted to try them - because I had the original and the best stamping tool ever! Misti has saved me time and money in my cardmaking business and I am so happy that your genius has been acknowledged!

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  115. Hi Iliana ~ Like I've said before, the MISTI and now the mini too, have changed my crafting life for the better. Like others before me, I sustained life-changing injuries 5 1/2 years ago and stamping became an issue. Through the use of the MISTI I'm not only able to stamp, but stamp often. I'm thrilled that sometimes the "little guy" can get what they deserve, even when going up against the "big guys." You've earned this and have put your heart and soul into it. Your hard work has truly paid off and I couldn't be happier for you. ~HUGS~
    #kindnessmatters

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  116. So happy for you! This is a monumental occasion. Hard-won and well-deserved. I work for a company that is also fighting to protect their invention. I get it!!

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  117. That's fantastic!!!! I was so upset for you when I saw the unmistakable copies come out for sale. I purchased the Misti and I love it. It works beautifully and enables so many techniques I couldn't do well before. You developed a great idea and should get all the rewards for it. Good for you!!!!

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  118. Congrats! My Misti is out on my desk at all times and with all the multiple step stamping I do I cannot imagine how I could do it successfully without my MISTI! It has been a game changer for me and I highly recommend it for any stamper who wants great results.

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  119. I am so excited and happy for you!! It is so good to hear this news. I, personally, have stopped purchasing from those companies that produced knock-offs of the MISTI. It will be good to see what companies have removed them from their sales so that I can start shopping with them again. Congratulations!!

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  120. I'm so happy about your patient, Iliana! I have often wondered about other tools that are available that are too similar to the MISTI. I'm so grateful for you that the other companies have agreed to withdraw their products! Blessings to you for all your hard work. I hope you can rest easy knowing there are so many people who support you and the MISTI!

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  121. Great video and beautiful card and colors. Thanks for sharing.

    Linda D.

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  122. Congratulations!! I was talking about your case with a local stamp store manager, and how I thought it wasn't right that people were blatantly copying your design. Praise God for seeing you through this!! Keep up the great work!!!

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  123. Congratulations, Iliana! I'm so happy for you that your patience and perseverance paid off! Your Misti deserves a patent and I'm proud to say that I own one!

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  124. A BIG Congratulations it is the best because it is the original, I've invested in one with no regrets but Thankfulness that you shared this for it has Changed my card making world for the best. So thankful, grateful, may you know God's hand of blessings in the future in regard to your awesome invention! Janet😁 in Australia

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  125. Oh my gosh, Iliana, I am SO happy and proud for you! I absolutely love the MISTI and have recommended it to my stamping buddies who then bought it, too. MISTI is *absolutely* the most incredible stamping tool invented!!!! Congratulations, Iliana, you deserve the patent and I personally have been rooting for you all along your journey! It made me so sad to see others copying your idea. I'm so happy for you and your family :)

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  126. Yours has been a God-given invention and you have been blessed with a patent since you didn't bow to the comments to "get around" the legalities of getting a patent.
    I. too, have seen copies of your invention and determined not to support them. Be blessed, as you deserve to be!

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  127. Congratulations on your patent and your MISTI success! I wouldn't even be stamping except for the MISTI. Thank you for inventing and developing it into such a great tool!

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  128. Can't tell you how much the MISTI has changed my stamping...I absolutely love it! Congratulations on the patent...you've earned a place in creative history with your invention!

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  129. As a patent holder myself, I know firsthand what you've gone through. I own two MISTIs and love them. I was incredulous when I saw the copycat versions being released. I'm happy for you and want you to know that your little labor of love totally changed our hobby.

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  130. So thrilled for you! I was so peeved off seeing all the knock offs and hearing people badmouth yours for costing more. I have two MISTIs - original and memory - and absolutely adore them! Pure genius! They have made me fall back in love with stamping.

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  131. Delighted for you Ileana! I love my Misti and was so angry when others blatantly copied it. Justice in the end!

    xx

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  132. Congratulations! I'm sure it was a hard fought battle. I was so upset when TH introduced his blatant copy of your wonderful product. He had so many groupies that I was afraid he would put you out of business. It made my stomach roll to think he/his company would stoop so low. I got my MISTI not long after you started selling them and it changed my whole outlook on stamping. No more throwing out the last piece of paper you had that was perfect for paper piecing because I messed up the stamping. I can't wait to get my creative corners and do some perfect diagonal stamping. It's been a looking journey but you prevailed! Again, congratulations!!

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  133. Wow!!! Congratulations Iliana!!! I am so happy for you!!! <3

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  134. Congratulations! I am very proud to own a MISTI and would never buy from someone who would steal your design. I am very thankful for your MISTI as I don't seem to be able to stamp well without it! Many blessings to you!
    Marianne Chapman

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  135. I don't know how you handle all the people who rip off your design. I am a hobby demo with SU and I saw on their demonstrators planning site that someone designed s "Mist-i" out of their stampin scrub. Other demos are so excited about it and don't care about integrity. What is wrong with this world? I support you 100% and I am so glad that you got your patent. Thank you for your design, hard work and generosity.

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  136. I have been following your plight fir a long time. I left a comment on your YouTube site one day. It makes me so sad that this has happened to you. I will always be a loyal customer

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