“Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don’t unravel.” – author unknown

Happy Thanksgiving!

For the last two months I’ve been working overtime offering my Holiday Helper to demonstrators to send to their customers.  It’s a labor of love as I enjoy working with the demonstrator designers and I like making my customer look good. This year I’ve really put my heart and soul and a lot of hours into the campaign.  Today, I received two emails that truthfully almost had me in tears.

“I can’t even imagine the work that went into creating all that. How that wish list had my name on it in the poem is beyond me. You are a whiz at what you do and I appreciate every single thing you do for me. Thank you, thank you and Happy Thanksgiving. You are my hero!!!!!” ~ Susan Nygaard

Gulp! It’s so special when someone takes the time to acknowledge you.  I’m very grateful for the customers I have worked with.  Have you shown you gratitude to your customers lately?  Have you taken the time to thank them for coming to your classes, referring you to others and especially purchasing from you?  I know I haven’t nearly enough but Susan has really shown me the power of acknowledgement.  Let’s give it a try – shall we?

I am grateful for you.  Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter and giving me an avenue to partner with you in your business endeavors.   Wow, that feels good!

To your successes!
Debbie

P.S. I would love to hear what you are grateful for.

I’m getting ready to for my Fall Mastermind Conference next week in Phoenix AZ.   It’s still hot there from what I understand.  I’ve been working a lot of long nights on the Holiday Helper, knowing that I’ll be gone learning new business-marketing principals and meeting old and new friends along the way. I’ve been planning this retreat for a l-o-n-g time. It’s a pretty intense three days so I made sure to get some R&R in as well. I get one day in particular all to myself.

I just finished booking my spa appointment on the first day I arrive. I can’t wait.  In 5 more days, I’ll be lounging in the Hammam-Inspired Spa. It’s a warming room featuring iridescent heated seats and rose water mist. The brochure says I can “Delight in a brisk scrub using traditional Herbal Black Soap applied with a Kassa cloth. Follow with an herbal steam, whirlpool, sauna, and cold deluge to complete the transformative experience.”    OH MAN!  Does that sound nice.

Then it’s off to the rooftop pool.  The Montelucia Resort & Spa has 3 pools.  But since I booked a spa treatment, I get to lavish in the Joya Terrace Pool. The private rooftop pool of Joya Spa has the most spectacular views on-property allowing spa guests to relax poolside while taking in the Majestic beauty of Camelback Mountain and enjoying fresh, vibrant eating and drinking experiences from the menu of Terrace at Joya. I’m told a visit to Joya Spa is a literal and figurative escape to a faraway, exotic place. A place where well-being, tranquility, magic and romance are possible, and the stresses of everyday vanish. That’s what I’m talking about!

Then off to Hula dance experience called Hula for the Soul – Desert Awakening.  Then dining with my mastermind friends that I haven’t seen in 6 months.  That is the end of a very special, been waiting for this for a long time, day.  The rest is all work!

My Stamping Studio needed a little color pop and nothing says ‘Color Pop‘ like our new Calypso Coral and Island Indigo In Colors.

Here’s what I did:

1. I used (4) Calypso Coral sheets from the 2011-2013 In Color Patterns Designer Series Paper Stacks (#122384).
2. I scored 1″ panels on each of the 4 Calypso Coral sheet, alternating sides so the score would be correct.  On one side: score odd dimensions 1″, 3″, 5″, 7″, 9″, 11″.  Alternate side score even: 2″, 4″, 6″, 8″, 10″.   If you want one side on the front, I recommend scoring that side with even numbers so the paper joins won’t show.
3. Cut each sheet into half with the pleats vertical.  Now you have 8-12″x6″ sheets of pleated paper.
4. Adhere each sheet together with Sticky Strip (#104294) after pleating each sheet.   You will end up with a big circle of pleated paper.
5. Cut (2) 6″ circles of Island Indigo Textured Card Stock using the Circle Scissor Plus (#112530)
6. Add Multipurpose Liquid Glue (#110755) to the very edge of the circle liberally.
7. Place and adhere your Calypso Coral circle on top of the 6″ circle.  It takes only a few minutes to dry.
8. Place and adhere the other side with a 6″ circle.
9. Done!

I attached my beautiful decoration to the wall using 3M Command Temporary Mini Hook under the circle in the back.  That’s how good our glue is.   The circle is 16″ wide. The cost to make this was about 1/2 hour of my time and not quite $3.50 of product.   It’s addicting I can tell you.   I want to make more in different colors now and line the whole wall with them.

Working on my Catalog Helper product today.  It’s coming together finally.  I’m going to be offering a new twist this year with a New Product Bingo option.  What do you think about that idea?  More Details at http://debbiemcneill.com/store/?p=835

I’m still on a high from convention this year. We received so many ‘goodies’ I almost wasn’t able to bring them back in my suitcase – and I went to Salt Lake City 1/3 full. I had two workshops on Saturday. I passed around sample projects I made at convention. The Make & Take Card used the Pennant Parade stamp set in In Colors from our most recent Class in a Flash class planner. The guests found the project really fun and so versatile. Another bit hit was the It’s a Wrap stamp set with the Matchbox XL die. I put four wrapped chocolates in the box using the new Pool Party and Island Indigo. Each guest made one chocolate and I gave the box to the hostess.

What are you doing for your July workshops?  

We’re so disappointed that we weren’t allowed the opportunity to spoil and thank you with our customer appreciation party this year.  The parties the last few years were so much fun! If you are a SUN Newsletter or Class in a Flash member, be sure to look for us at convention, we have special gifts to give the first 100 customers who find us!

These are the classes Amy and I  are registered for.

THURSDAY

7/14/2011 12:30 PM to 1:10 PM Garden Tour: Model Workshop A Ballroom A-D

7/14/2011 1:30 PM to 2:10 PM Filling Your Garden: Taking Advantage of the New Hostess Benefits to Increase Workshops Main Stage

FRIDAY

7/15/2011 8:00 AM to 9:40 AM Garden Showcase Main Stage

7/15/2011 10:00 AM to 11:40 AM M&T Session 3

7/15/2011 11:00 AM to 11:40 AM Garden Tour: Model Workshop C Ballroom A-D

7/15/2011 7:00pm Every Last Detail (AMY), Village of Cuteness (DEBBIE)

SATURDAY

7/16/2011 9:00 AM to 9:40 AM Stocking Your Garden Shed: Using Reports as Tools to Build Your Business Main Stage (DEBBIE), The Virtual Garden: My Digital Studio (AMY)

7/16/2011 10:00 AM to 10:40 AM Planting Seeds: Growing Your Downline Main Stage

Hope to see you there!

My weekly to-do list has still a lot of to-dos. Full day of fun stuff – Amy and I are finishing up on the Technique Club Volume 4.  And we have a great Summer Mini project for May Class in a Flash.  I’m also finishing up on a customer newsletter for a close associate so it’s all good stuff.  Gotta run!

Have you caught spring fever yet? We’ve sure have and we’re not sure if it’s from working on spring themed projects or the weather! Debbie has been playing peek-a-boo with the sun in Portland and Amy’s been teased with warm days followed by snow in Denver. Whatever the cause, we are both ready for spring. Guess we’ll just start celebrating spring now, whether or not the calendar and the weather say it’s time.

What spring projects have you been working on?

This morning was a bit unusual.  I was walking down the dock at 5am to leave and there was a raccoon in my path.  He looked at me; I looked at him – neither of us moved.  Finally, I told him “one of us has to move”.  Nothing.  So being the daring person I am I moved forward a step.  Nothing.  Throwing all caution to the wind, I proceeded to walk towards him in a game of dare until finally he jumped into the water.  YES! I am the master of the docks I exclaimed.

I arrived at my Gym to find that I didn’t actually bring my gym bag.  Ugh.  I had my workout clothes on and my good clothes were in my bag.  My gym is not close to my office or home.  It’s a fabulous gym, women only, has everything you need so I make the 8 min. drive.  I didn’t have time to go back home so I thought through my options.  I have my workout clothes on but I’m wearing my boots for later today.  Although I tell myself wearing boots with workout clothes is ok because some consider it fashionable, it was going to work for the workout.  I will skip aerobic and just do weight training and aromatherapy room with socks.  The front woman knows me so she will let me in.  They have shampoo, soap, dryer, hair stuff and even small towels that will work in a pinch.  I was set.  Until I went to dry my hair and realized I had no comb.  I can honestly say that I’ve had worst hair days so I made it through it with a change of clothes in my office.  Let’s hope there isn’t anything else that comes up because I’m pooped.

Hope your day goes better than mine!

Irish saying  “A wish that every day for you will be happy from the start and may you always have good luck and a song within your heart.”

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

At Class in a Flash, we provide Stampin’ Up! demonstrators with top-quality class planners at affordable prices. We consider our job to help you make your job as a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator easier and more profitable.

January is our planning month. We would love to hear your feedback of what you would like to see for class planners in the coming year. Please take a moment to vote below and help me – help you!

Stamping Successes!

I’ll be honest, I’ve avoided doing workshops. Even though I know Stampin’ Up! has put a focus (and rightful so) on workshops, I just couldn’t bring myself to do them. Then I saw how Heather Summers is doing her workshops at convention.  I was blown away by the caliber of her presentation. In fact, I wanted to go to host a workshop with her so that is saying something isn’t it?  This year I vow to start workshops again but I want to make them fun for me and my audience.  Today I plan to start planning my workshops for 2011, using Heather’s excellent model.  Yes, I will agree that it is a lot of work, but I have to think it is worth it for me and my guests.  This was the top #1 item I took away from convention, so I owe it to myself to give it a try.

Here’s how Heather has organized her workshops (based on the presentation at Convention 2010). Heather concentrates on one stamp set and one color set each month for her workshops.  She always demonstrates a simple card (M&T), more detailed card (demo), scrapbook page, Simply Adorned and a 3D item. She said she normally always includes a punch and demonstrates different ways our customers can use the punches. It was incredible, really.  I wish you would have been there to see it.  Here are some pictures she shared from her class demos so you can get the idea.

As demonstrators we all have a passion for sharing and helping our fellow demonstrators.  Here are a few options my friend, Heather Wright-Porto, posted recently.   Visit Heather’s Blog for more details.

We hope that your holidays are merry and bright!
Thank you for your business and your support.

Click here to get the tree image without our signatures that you can use to send holiday wishes to your customers.

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This is my first time at Shine2010.  Here is a picture with Ali Brown before our VIP party at Tryst in Las Vegas.   Had a really fun time.   Ali is a great mentor and so fun to be around.

No doubt you’ve seen How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The Grinch is the bad guy you grow to love as he realizes that the spirit of the season can never be stolen, no matter what. With that in mind, here are 4 little-known charities or programs that can help you spread some holiday cheer to those who need it most.  http://bit.ly/eGAgMy

Today, I’m off to pick up our Volvo sent to us from Sweden.  YEA!  But first stop DMV.

In Vegas this week for Shine 2010 event. Here is a pic from my room on the 53rd floor of the Wynn. Beautiful hotel.  I feel very relaxed and ready to learn.  Ali is keeping us super busy with lots of great content and wonderful speakers.  Yesterday, we heard from Liz Lange.  Incredible women with an incredible story to tell. 

Today we have to give the dog back to his rightful owners. I’m off for our last walk together.

I’ve been following Laura Hollick at www.soulartstudio.com for a long time now.  She is one of the most creative people I know and I’m so inspired by her body of work.  I’m thrilled to share with you that she has created a FREE video series on creating more wealth, more beauty, more creativity in your life & business.   We all want that don’t we?   Take a moment and make sure to subscribe to the video series and we can share what we’ve learned together.

Join Laura for the FREE video series 8 Soul Art Secrets

http://www.soulartstudio.com/soul-art-secrets-signup.html

You can see the uplifting, emotional episodes on Oxygen (Dish Network – Ch.127 and DirecTV – Ch.251) every week.

We went to Milan almost a year again. Just found this picture I took and wanted to share it. It was incredible…too difficult for me to describer.

Mark Twain, a great fan of the Duomo, said (from Innocents Abroad): What a wonder it is! So grand, so solemn, so vast! And yet so delicate, so airy, so graceful! A very world of solid weight, and yet it seems …a delusion of frostwork that might vanish with a breath!…

Congratulations to Tami White, who just posted her 100th Video. And, it’s a good one too. http://bit.ly/cam2Sr

I’m dog-sitting this month for some friends who are gone on a 4 week adventure.  The dog is the most adorable animal I know.  He’s 11 years old but happy go lucky.  Just such a joy to be around.  It’s funny how an animal can bring out the feeling of joy and remove stress just with their presence. Here is a picture of Gomez.

I’m out of here for a long weekend.  My hubby planned the whole weekend and all he asked is that I don’t bring a computer.

This weekend we did some exploring around Salzburg area.  On Sunday, we visited the open-air Museum of Freilchtmuseum.  It was a nice day and we just wanted to get out and explore a bit.  Most of the information was in German and my German is very simplistic.  From what I understand, the park is setup for exploring what Austria was link in the 1400-1600. It was wonderful. Homes were taken apart from different areas of Austria and painstakingly reassembled in the park in different area.

There was a historical Pub that we had planned to visit.  In route, we heard music and people so we went to investigate.  We found a traditional band playing with locals dancing in traditional costumes (Lederhosen and Dirndls).  It’s not unusual actually to see the locals where traditional dress, it’s quite common at weddings, church and special events.  But I had not seen the dancing before.  So we decided instead to eat some of food they had available, watching and listening to the music in the beautiful setting.  I wish you were here.

The park is an easy drive from Salzburg. For more details visit Salburg Freilchtmuseum == > http://www.freilichtmuseum.com

We stayed at friend’s house recently and they had these two cats.  One did a great job at staring at me all the time, they other one didn’t move from the top of the chair.  They were a riot.

Good times are always had at convention and this year was no exception. I love how Lois Folla captured it in writing.  If you haven’t meet Lois, she is a blast.  See Lois, I told you the cupcakes are to die for!

You can read the skinny on Lois’s blog.

Amy Barnes and Lois Folla

World's Best Cupcakes from Lion House Bakery in SLC