Jan 28, 2012 | Events, TV/Video/Web/Tech
As of February 1st, Stampin' Up! is offering a free 30 day trial of the My Digital Studio Express software! This is a great software program for digital crafting. I love working digitally – for one thing, scrapbooking is much less messy….and let's face it, most of my photos are digital and tend to live on my computer, where noone gets to see them (except me). It's a great way to create a number of cards as well – in the past, I've done my Christmas cards digitally and was able to include a number of photos from the year as a visual collage of my family's year. I'm planning on making a few books up in the near future as well. At left is a tag sample I made quickly using the Springtime DSP, scallop square punch and basic pearls.
If you're interested in trying out this software, please consider joining me at my FREE MDS101 class! The first one will be held on Friday, February 3rd at 7pm here at my place in Burlington. RSVP required. Please bring your laptop if you have one – I will walk you through the download of the software plus the basics of My Digital Studio. You'll leave that evening with your copy of the software plus information to get you started! If you don't have a laptop, you are still welcome to attend and look over my shoulder while we work. I will also be posting an online class in the near future for those of you not close to the Burlington, Ontario area. In the meantime if you want to watch a quick video – check out my video tutorials page. The first video is one that I made using a free template that Stampin' Up! offered for Digital Scrapbooking Day!
Jan 27, 2012 | Big Shot, cards, Events, rubber stamping
They say that one of the best ways to keep sharp is to keep learning new things. At Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference, there were lots of choices in classes to attend to hear about different topics to help demonstrators in their businesses. (Don't worry, there's also a crafty sample at end of this blog post!)
One class I attended was "Why Women Buy" presented by Carrie Cudney who highlighted habits and trends amongst female purchasers vs. male purchasers. A slide she used to show some differences cracked me up: 
The theory is that the female is looking for "the" perfect pair of pants, while often men will settle for "a" pair of pants; the female is often also shopping for other things and other people at the same time, therefore needs to look around at more stores!
Now, for those of you who have attended workshops or classes with me previously, there's no need to fear that I'll become a hard sell, marketing machine now – I'll just be working harder to help you find "the" solution for your crafting needs (vs. "a" solution!!).
I also attended a class on "Coaching For Performance" by Natalie White and Jim Pitt, which concentrated on how to help others come up with goals and plans to meet them. I do try to do this with demonstrators who are signed up with me, but this was a more organized/formal way of approaching it. I will also be doing this for myself to help me focus on my goals and the plans to reach those goals!
"Retaining and Engaging Your Downline" by Donna Griffith and Patsy Waggoner (a US Stampin' Up! demonstrator) provided some practical tips to keep my team of demonstrators active and acknowledged, so that they can continue to reap the benefits of having a source of income plus a creative outlet. I plan on using some of these ideas at my upcoming demonstrator meetings and throughout the year!
Of course, we also receive lots of crafty inspiration and ideas too! Here's more samples using the Fashionable Hearts Embosslit (guess what was on my order that just went in for Sale-a-Bration?! LOL). I love the framed artwork – so simple but so effective and perfect for any time of year – not just Valentine's Day.
My next card class is on Wednesday, February 1st at 7pm here in Burlington and the theme is "Love"-ly cards. We'll be doing a card suitable for Valentine's Day, but all four cards will be designed to be given to someone you care about at any time of year! Cost is $20 and includes all supplies including adhesive and envelopes. Please contact me to register. Space is limited.
Jan 26, 2012 | cards, TV/Video/Web/Tech, Uncategorized
Sometimes it's just a question of being in the right place at the right time…Through another demonstrator, we met a woman who was helping organize the Helping a Hero gala in conjunction with the taping of the final episode of Extreme Makeover – Home Edition. She needed crowd fillers, and we were more than happy to help her out!
Below – Ty Pennington and Meredith Iler (the organizer extraordinaire)
The evening was to raise funds for the organization plus celebrate the building of a home for a local wounded war veteran. All the designers were there, Lee Greenwood was there to sing as were the Four Tenors (originally the Ten Tenors from Australia).
Paige and some of the Tenors (above)
Demo friends and Tenors (below)
Kim, Lydia, Mel, Sue, me, Liz, Dana with a few Aussie guys thrown in for good measure ;)
This was one of those neat life experiences!
Oh – and just in case you forgot this was a paper crafting blog….here's another cute sample shared by Stampin' Up! at Leadership – this one uses the Fashionable Hearts embosslit die for the Big Shot plus the Labels Collection Framelit die in the background.
See, don't you wish you were a Stampin' Up! demonstrator so you could attend Leadership?! Oh wait, you CAN be!! Contact me for more information!
Jan 25, 2012 | Events
I had a blast in San Antonio at Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference. One of the best things was getting together with demonstrator friends from across Canada and the USA. There's always lots of laughter and lots of great inspiration and ideas shared.
Here's a few neat samples from one of the displays featuring the Dresden Designs die – used for quilting plus for paper crafting as well! I did try my hand at quilting while I was living in BC….let's just say that while I enjoyed it, I wasn't that proficient….but I think the die would make quilting this pattern SO much easier and faster to put together! I love the cute tree that they made from Designer Series Paper.
We enjoy crafting as much as our customers do, and the make and takes are always eagerly anticipated. We received two sets when we arrived (well, among other things we received!) and we used these for our projects. Here are my friends Christina, Sue and Liz working hard….
okay, well perhaps not THAT hard…
This is the cute bag that our Leadership items were in – designed by a new friend, Mel – so creative! The bottom portion is reversible!!
I always come back from demonstrator events feeling re-energized (well, after I catch up on my sleep!!! LOL). I just need more time to process everything and follow-through on some new plans and ideas! (don't worry, I'll keep you posted).
I will have more photos to share in the next few days. Oh, did I mention that a few of us got to attend part of the filming for the final episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition???!!!! 😉 stay tuned for more details
Jan 24, 2012 | Announcements, Business Opportunity, Sale-A-Bration
Stampin' Up!'s Sale-a-Bration is one of the best times of the year – and it starts TODAY! With every $60 in merchandise, you can select one free item from the Sale-a-Bration catalogue. The catalogue includes exclusive Sale-a-Bration items, plus some great items from the main Idea Book & Catalogue! Hostesses can earn more with their $200 workshop – a free reusable shopping bag, plus with higher workshop totals, a free bundle of Sale-a-Bration items! Click here for more information and click here to reserve your party date with me!
I just got back from Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas – I'll be sharing more samples and fun pictures from that in the next few days. I really enjoy being a demonstrator – and if you'd like to be able to earn an income doing something you enjoy, this is a GREAT time to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. The starter kit price is reduced to $150 – great value and a great start off for your business – plus all new demonstrators will receive either a free package of Designer Series Paper OR a free digital download every month for the rest of the year! You're not locked in, either – you can start with a Designer Series Paper Pack, and the next month, you can select a digital download to use with My Digital Studio software or other photo editing software.
If you'd like more information on becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, browse the information HERE, CONTACT ME or join me at my free Information Evening – the next one is TOMORROW – Wednesday, January 25, at 7pm here in Burlington. RSVP for directions.
If you can't wait to get shopping, start here. 
If you have any questions, contact me – I want to help you Sale-a-Brate!
As of February 1st, Stampin' Up! is offering a free 30 day trial of the My Digital Studio Express software! This is a great software program for digital crafting. I love working digitally – for one thing, scrapbooking is much less messy….and let's face it, most of my photos are digital and tend to live on my computer, where noone gets to see them (except me). It's a great way to create a number of cards as well – in the past, I've done my Christmas cards digitally and was able to include a number of photos from the year as a visual collage of my family's year. I'm planning on making a few books up in the near future as well. At left is a tag sample I made quickly using the Springtime DSP, scallop square punch and basic pearls.
