and I'm watching the little Downey Woodpecker and a few cardinals and about three or four dozen finch.
and... IM'ing with DL and KG. Chatty gals. Makes a gloomy day BRIGHT!
More later.. have to wake up the King.
Friday, January 28, 2005
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
STAR date. 26Jan2005 in the year of TAC
Woohoo!
Had my 2nd "official" demo! And, it was a success... not in sales or orders... but, in creative satisfaction!
THAT'S what's all about, right?
Here's the scoop. At the first demo (at Iron Mtn) where we had approx 28 attendees... I introduced the concept of unmounted stamps to some scrapbookers. They (my cabinmates) were enthralled! They loved the project we did and when we returned to the cabins asked for more! So-- I gave them all catalogs and they combined their orders to make it enough for a party. $100. which... because of StampFest allowed them DOUBLE all the hostess benefits, which they drew for.
Well- I offered to cut out their stamps for 'em.. IF they would come to my house and play with 'em.
Of course, they agreed to that! And, last night- the three eager stampers showed up and man! Did we have a great time!
I started off- by indexing and cutting their free Gift With Purchase (GWP) stamp. They had all ordered the heart swirl- so, we had a common stamp to begin with. As I indexed and cut- I explained that we were going to make four card fronts with one piece of 8.5x11 paper. I supplied that paper and some ink choices. They went to stamping their backgrounds... as we let them dry-- they all began the kind of laborious task of indexing and cutting out their stamps. Since there is a little thought to go along with it- it helped to have it reinforced.. and with your friends- it makes it less tedious! I supplied several pairs of utility scissors that I've collected over the years. There was a reason for that madness. I asked each of them to cut the "border" off their new stamp. Ugh. Using those scissors- even the nice new Ginghers one didn't make it any eaiser.. so, naturally it reinforced the need for using my Kai Gold scissors. Which I then handed over and said "Stop. Here, try THIS and see if it doesn't make a difference!" Natch- it did! And, so then we went along with the procedure of indexing, aligning and cutting.. and just took turns with the scissors.
That's now FIRST on their list of "next purchase to be made"!
Then... I had hoped that they might want to actually use some of their new stamps-- some did- some didn't... but- it gave me the opportunity to explain about conditioning rubber and why it didn't really make a hill of beans about being super fastidious about the stains on 'em. As they looked though the two dozen card fronts that I'd made (prior to their arrival) I further explained about the "hidden" value of stamps and inks. Using only a part of a stamp and repetitiously in order to give continuity to a project and by using a darker ink- and a 2nd generation you could get that "shadowed" touch that not only enhances the design- but, allows "more bang for the buck."
Well- then I brought out three of my stamp sets (in CD holders of course!) and they went to town. Some had bought brads with their orders, and as we were using the scraps from my scrap drawer-- couldn't match exactly to our color pallete-- I showed them how to: a.) change the color of a brad using ink, ep and a heat gun, and by sponging the ink lightly onto the "almost" right colored paper- it altered it enough to make it blend... again- more uses for those inks!! They wre thrilled!
I really enjoyed getting to have some new stampers to join me! I truly enjoyed getting the chance to allow them to use their OWN new stamps and cutting them out before leaving-- I'm thinking that they are much more likely to go home and set up shop in the living room rather than letting 'em sit in a bag until they "have some free time"... and- I know that they all went home with their catalogs and said they were taking 'em to bed- cuz they wanted to sleep with visions of Stamps!!
What did it cost? Inks and drinks. Two pieces of c/s each. 2 hours. Thankfully- my house cleaning lady was through here this week- so, the house was tidy! AND... no orders yet-- but, I'm betting they will be calling by this w/e!!
I'll keep ya posted.
Had my 2nd "official" demo! And, it was a success... not in sales or orders... but, in creative satisfaction!
THAT'S what's all about, right?
Here's the scoop. At the first demo (at Iron Mtn) where we had approx 28 attendees... I introduced the concept of unmounted stamps to some scrapbookers. They (my cabinmates) were enthralled! They loved the project we did and when we returned to the cabins asked for more! So-- I gave them all catalogs and they combined their orders to make it enough for a party. $100. which... because of StampFest allowed them DOUBLE all the hostess benefits, which they drew for.
Well- I offered to cut out their stamps for 'em.. IF they would come to my house and play with 'em.
Of course, they agreed to that! And, last night- the three eager stampers showed up and man! Did we have a great time!
I started off- by indexing and cutting their free Gift With Purchase (GWP) stamp. They had all ordered the heart swirl- so, we had a common stamp to begin with. As I indexed and cut- I explained that we were going to make four card fronts with one piece of 8.5x11 paper. I supplied that paper and some ink choices. They went to stamping their backgrounds... as we let them dry-- they all began the kind of laborious task of indexing and cutting out their stamps. Since there is a little thought to go along with it- it helped to have it reinforced.. and with your friends- it makes it less tedious! I supplied several pairs of utility scissors that I've collected over the years. There was a reason for that madness. I asked each of them to cut the "border" off their new stamp. Ugh. Using those scissors- even the nice new Ginghers one didn't make it any eaiser.. so, naturally it reinforced the need for using my Kai Gold scissors. Which I then handed over and said "Stop. Here, try THIS and see if it doesn't make a difference!" Natch- it did! And, so then we went along with the procedure of indexing, aligning and cutting.. and just took turns with the scissors.
That's now FIRST on their list of "next purchase to be made"!
Then... I had hoped that they might want to actually use some of their new stamps-- some did- some didn't... but- it gave me the opportunity to explain about conditioning rubber and why it didn't really make a hill of beans about being super fastidious about the stains on 'em. As they looked though the two dozen card fronts that I'd made (prior to their arrival) I further explained about the "hidden" value of stamps and inks. Using only a part of a stamp and repetitiously in order to give continuity to a project and by using a darker ink- and a 2nd generation you could get that "shadowed" touch that not only enhances the design- but, allows "more bang for the buck."
Well- then I brought out three of my stamp sets (in CD holders of course!) and they went to town. Some had bought brads with their orders, and as we were using the scraps from my scrap drawer-- couldn't match exactly to our color pallete-- I showed them how to: a.) change the color of a brad using ink, ep and a heat gun, and by sponging the ink lightly onto the "almost" right colored paper- it altered it enough to make it blend... again- more uses for those inks!! They wre thrilled!
I really enjoyed getting to have some new stampers to join me! I truly enjoyed getting the chance to allow them to use their OWN new stamps and cutting them out before leaving-- I'm thinking that they are much more likely to go home and set up shop in the living room rather than letting 'em sit in a bag until they "have some free time"... and- I know that they all went home with their catalogs and said they were taking 'em to bed- cuz they wanted to sleep with visions of Stamps!!
What did it cost? Inks and drinks. Two pieces of c/s each. 2 hours. Thankfully- my house cleaning lady was through here this week- so, the house was tidy! AND... no orders yet-- but, I'm betting they will be calling by this w/e!!
I'll keep ya posted.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
To Scrap or Not to Scrap...
... that is the question.
Guess I'll scrap. So... can't blog. so- I'll be back.
Well. Just to let you know.. I created two dozen card fronts! Woohoo!! Fun, fun!
Guess I'll scrap. So... can't blog. so- I'll be back.
Well. Just to let you know.. I created two dozen card fronts! Woohoo!! Fun, fun!
Sunday, January 23, 2005
It was a bright and shiny day... as opposed to a dark and stormy night...
when my friend, Kel, invited me to blog. Yah. She knows I have wayyyy too much to say. Blame it on my Scotch-Irish German Italian Anglo Saxon French hair-itage. Or... you could blame it on my parents. Or my grandparents. I hear tell that they all are fascinating folks. I'll give a run-down on them another blog.
In the meantime- suffice it to say...
I like to scrap
I like to stamp.
I like to effervesce.
I like music. All kinds.... I'm currently listening to: Itzhak Perlman, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, John Mayer, Carly Simon, the Chieftans, Beethoven, Al Caiola (Italian Street Music), The Corrs, Jackson Browne, Herb Alpert, Tracy Chapman, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Eva Cassidy, the Eagles, Luther Vandross, the Spinnrs, Rod Stewart and some Pipe Organ classics. Think eclectic. Yeah. That's pretty much me. Just don't make me listen to country. I break out in hives. Well- I can handle blue-grass and folk music just fine.. like Allison Kraus and Crystal Gayle... I'm just not into the twangy stuff. Uhh... send me over the edge.
Now-- to the things that really define me.
Wife. Yup. Almost 23 years now. Married to my best friend. Sowed our wild oats together. We grew up together. In God's great plan- I may have made some rash decisions. One of which was to get married and FAST! Well, He made sure and picked out the absolute right-est guy in the world for me. AND... He provided the greatest mother-in-law ever. Yup. Love my mil. Would follow her to the end of the earth... or Colorado if she happened to be going in that direction.
If you are familiar with the father of the Reformation movevment, Martin Luther-- he said a great thing about the institute of marriage. Now- remember! He's a former Catholic priest marrying an ex-nun.. cuz- well, cuz there wasn't anybody else left to marry her (she's a bit of a intellect and not necessarily a beauty is Katherine) ... and it had been decided the right thing to do for all these ex-church officials to be in the state of marriage.
Anyway- his quote: "There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company.. than a good marriage." Martin Luther, 1483-1525 Isn't that AWESOME! And, I'm living it!
One of the benefits of the marriage covenant is: children. Yup. I'm a mommy. Our son-- a bona fide miracle is a college freshman and is.. get this... NICE! He is a classic Renaisance kind of young man.. full of the aspirations of the young and the dreams of glory and honor of a more chivalrous age. If you guess that he's one of my favorite scrap subjects you'd be right!
Chocolate. It's a vegetable! It's a narcotic! It's what's for lunch! Cocoa is a healthy portion of every house wife's psyche. Haven't had any today... get some.
Pets. Marmalade orange & Vanilla and 20 years old- that's Bill Yes. I said 20 years old. He has a fascinating story about his survival from day one of his life. a Black Panther like kitty named "Black"... what else? Samson, blind-since-birth is a marmalade w/ tabby stripes. Mad Max is a pale fawn with perfect stripes and was actually "saved at the revival".... Males. Every last one of them is a former Tom Cat. OH. excpet for Little Kittley a ferral black. But- she only comes inside if we force her- and then it's with several lacerations and only until she can figure a way to escape... must be the male factor she doesn't like? Yeah. That's gotta be it. And, finally-- the dog. Wrigley is a beautiful black and white pure-bred Ditch. Never heard of "Ditch"? Oh... well.. you see.. the vet really doesn't know what kind he is- but, we got him out of a ditch! Named him for the piece of gum that kid threw out and stuck to my brand-new truck... stopped to get the gum off the paint- and there's a puppy in the ditch. Wrigley is named for the gum. Better than "Bubble Tape" or Dentyne dontcha think?
Let's see... oh.. there's reading, garden appreciation , and birding that are all a daily part of my activities.
And... then... there's my 'rents. Pa"rents" and grandmother. I'm very much a mama's, daddy's, and g-mom's kinda girl. I see them every day since they are now my next door neighbor. Ohhh and yes- dh doesn't mind a bit that he has inlaws for neighbors. It could be worse. Used to be we were sandwiched between the 'rents and a couple of Russians. He used to kid that he didn't know which was worse! Just kidding... we liked 'em all! Truly tho-- having one's loved ones living next door to you and not interferring with your relationship or your daily household events is a blessing-- and one of those things that God just takes care of! I always thot I'd like to live on a compound like the Kennedy's.. now, I do and we are all pretty happy with the situation. We do have to share the dog, tho. But, that's another story.
Now, that I've completely bored you to tears and expressed myself far longer than I had time for... I'll get back to making some cards. You know the game: Paper, Rocks, Scissors? Well- that was just the precursor to SCRAMPING! Scrap + Stamping! Woohooo! Now, to the business at hand!
Yahdda yahdda yahdda.... blah, blah, blah. Comments welcome. Thanks again- Kel!
Silly Sally the Scrampin' Tsarina
monikor thanx to frnd, Dr M... the greatest virtual doc I know. Personally- but, not IRL.
In the meantime- suffice it to say...
I like to scrap
I like to stamp.
I like to effervesce.
I like music. All kinds.... I'm currently listening to: Itzhak Perlman, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, John Mayer, Carly Simon, the Chieftans, Beethoven, Al Caiola (Italian Street Music), The Corrs, Jackson Browne, Herb Alpert, Tracy Chapman, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Eva Cassidy, the Eagles, Luther Vandross, the Spinnrs, Rod Stewart and some Pipe Organ classics. Think eclectic. Yeah. That's pretty much me. Just don't make me listen to country. I break out in hives. Well- I can handle blue-grass and folk music just fine.. like Allison Kraus and Crystal Gayle... I'm just not into the twangy stuff. Uhh... send me over the edge.
Now-- to the things that really define me.
Wife. Yup. Almost 23 years now. Married to my best friend. Sowed our wild oats together. We grew up together. In God's great plan- I may have made some rash decisions. One of which was to get married and FAST! Well, He made sure and picked out the absolute right-est guy in the world for me. AND... He provided the greatest mother-in-law ever. Yup. Love my mil. Would follow her to the end of the earth... or Colorado if she happened to be going in that direction.
If you are familiar with the father of the Reformation movevment, Martin Luther-- he said a great thing about the institute of marriage. Now- remember! He's a former Catholic priest marrying an ex-nun.. cuz- well, cuz there wasn't anybody else left to marry her (she's a bit of a intellect and not necessarily a beauty is Katherine) ... and it had been decided the right thing to do for all these ex-church officials to be in the state of marriage.
Anyway- his quote: "There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company.. than a good marriage." Martin Luther, 1483-1525 Isn't that AWESOME! And, I'm living it!
One of the benefits of the marriage covenant is: children. Yup. I'm a mommy. Our son-- a bona fide miracle is a college freshman and is.. get this... NICE! He is a classic Renaisance kind of young man.. full of the aspirations of the young and the dreams of glory and honor of a more chivalrous age. If you guess that he's one of my favorite scrap subjects you'd be right!
Chocolate. It's a vegetable! It's a narcotic! It's what's for lunch! Cocoa is a healthy portion of every house wife's psyche. Haven't had any today... get some.
Pets. Marmalade orange & Vanilla and 20 years old- that's Bill Yes. I said 20 years old. He has a fascinating story about his survival from day one of his life. a Black Panther like kitty named "Black"... what else? Samson, blind-since-birth is a marmalade w/ tabby stripes. Mad Max is a pale fawn with perfect stripes and was actually "saved at the revival".... Males. Every last one of them is a former Tom Cat. OH. excpet for Little Kittley a ferral black. But- she only comes inside if we force her- and then it's with several lacerations and only until she can figure a way to escape... must be the male factor she doesn't like? Yeah. That's gotta be it. And, finally-- the dog. Wrigley is a beautiful black and white pure-bred Ditch. Never heard of "Ditch"? Oh... well.. you see.. the vet really doesn't know what kind he is- but, we got him out of a ditch! Named him for the piece of gum that kid threw out and stuck to my brand-new truck... stopped to get the gum off the paint- and there's a puppy in the ditch. Wrigley is named for the gum. Better than "Bubble Tape" or Dentyne dontcha think?
Let's see... oh.. there's reading, garden appreciation , and birding that are all a daily part of my activities.
And... then... there's my 'rents. Pa"rents" and grandmother. I'm very much a mama's, daddy's, and g-mom's kinda girl. I see them every day since they are now my next door neighbor. Ohhh and yes- dh doesn't mind a bit that he has inlaws for neighbors. It could be worse. Used to be we were sandwiched between the 'rents and a couple of Russians. He used to kid that he didn't know which was worse! Just kidding... we liked 'em all! Truly tho-- having one's loved ones living next door to you and not interferring with your relationship or your daily household events is a blessing-- and one of those things that God just takes care of! I always thot I'd like to live on a compound like the Kennedy's.. now, I do and we are all pretty happy with the situation. We do have to share the dog, tho. But, that's another story.
Now, that I've completely bored you to tears and expressed myself far longer than I had time for... I'll get back to making some cards. You know the game: Paper, Rocks, Scissors? Well- that was just the precursor to SCRAMPING! Scrap + Stamping! Woohooo! Now, to the business at hand!
Yahdda yahdda yahdda.... blah, blah, blah. Comments welcome. Thanks again- Kel!
Silly Sally the Scrampin' Tsarina
monikor thanx to frnd, Dr M... the greatest virtual doc I know. Personally- but, not IRL.
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