FINALLY!

My gosh. I have actually written 2 blog posts prior to this one, a few weeks between each and ago, but they would not post! Thankfully having a computer tech for a hubby allows me (when I can convince him to do so! lol) the ability to fix any gliches. SO fingers crossed- I already posted on a different blog- this will work.
So for about the past 2 months I have been a Stampin' Up demonstrator. It is amazing. The support I have from various demonstrators and the site itself is overwhelming. The kindness and generosity from the demos is great. There is so much I want to do with this business. I want to start a Stampers group and I want to do workshops and classes. I want it all NOW (including replacing all my older tools and embellishments with Stampin' Up products- I already replaced all my cardstock and retired inks!) but it may be too much too soon. I've only been doing this for two months, made my quarterly so that's good, but I want to really succeed. But I guess that is the key :) Don't give up, keep determined, do the work and the rest will fall into place. I haven't had success at the one trade show I did- but I passed out alot of flyers. I also got some helpful hints for the next one I am doing. I also got some hints from other Direct Sellers, other Demos AND my upline. Some info contradicts others as some things work for some people and not others. Some other information confirms others and those are things I will definately implement. I guess I just need to keep working hard and not give up just because it's not all going as well as I want to right away and just remember to take things slow.
I've already done my first workshop, plus a few others. I've converted a friend into a stamper, met a couple of new people while networking, and some of those people will network for me. Schools' end is coming soon as is father's day so I hope that doing workshops/classes for those will bring in new clients as well as give me the opportunity to advertise the new catalogue coming out July 1st. So wish me luck!
First thing I did when I got my Demo kit was samples. My gosh I have NOT crafted this much in years! I've always loved it, but Stampin' Up really has made it more exciting, especially the pay off of having samples to show other people and using them to entice them to buying ;)
So here's some of what I made using my kit (I customized it to my wishlist AND added on the Scrapbook add on kit! So here we go!)


Each of my samples were used using the Color Coach. I love that little thing! I was seriously stuck in a color rut- and this beauty helped a LOT! The first sample, the tri-shutter card- used Marina Mist, Certainly Celery and Whisper White. I also used the Fox and Friends stamp set and the Nursery Suite scrapbook stickers. I used the same color combo for my scrapbook page featuring my beautiful baby boy. I got the On Your Birthday stamp set and used that for the tent card- Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi and Pretty In Pink- I dyed my Paper Daisies with Pretty in Pink and topped it off with Whisper White satin ribbon. I also made my first easle card EVER (SO much fun!) and used a combo that I would have NEVER thought of. It's not my style- but I love how it worked out! I used some In Color color with that (and didn't use the color coach!) Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait and Pear Pizzazz and the For all you Do stamp set. The last one is yet another Free Standing Pop Up card (I love those darned things!) using Blushing Bride, Peach Parfait and some paper from my Subtles paper pack.
I found doing all these very fun and inspiring and I hope to inspire you all too! And now that my blog is working (WOO HOO!) you can bet I have even more samples to share!

~Brandie~