Did you miss my open house last Saturday? I had SO much fun and my house was never empty for the entire 6 hours! People were here from 12:55 straight through to 7:25. I LOVED visiting with so many of my customers - who've become wonderful friends over the years. It warmed my heart to watch them visit with each other - many of whom would have NEVER met each other had it not been for my classes. I always get a little choked up when I see how stamping a little card has impacted so many lives. It was SO wonderful. I believe over 30 people stopped by throughout the course of the day based upon the number of cards that were made and the number of door prize slips completed - but I know not everyone filled out a slip or created a card - so it's hard to tell exactly how many popped in.
As usual, I waited until the last minute to do just about everything. I stayed up until 4:30 creating samples and Make & Takes. I did a little baking, but was afraid it wasn't going to be enough food. I had a brainstorm - it's Girl Scout Cookie time! I just HOPED (for maybe the first time ever) that the girls would be out at our local grocery store selling cookies. I always say that I'll buy at least 1 box of cookies from every girl who asks. I have to support them! How can you say no to a little girl selling CHOCOLATE cookies?!?!? When I pulled up, I could see them - I was so happy (and relieved) that I'd be able to execute my plan. The mother slowly explained each variety (inside I knew I was going to buy quite a few boxes). When she was done, I told her that I'd take one them and one of them and one of them and one of them and one of them. She couldn't believe I wanted 5 boxes (which I really didn't think was a lot). I explained that I was putting together a buffet of Girl Scout Cookies for an Open House - and everyone seemed to like it. I posted a picture on Facebook and got tons of fun comments.
Okay...enough about cookies, I thought I'd share some of the displays that were up around the house. I decided to bring the Sale-a-Bration and Occasions Mini Catalogs to life - and I think it was a GREAT idea! Everyone loved being able to touch, see, and use the new products. Between cards, embellishments, and new dies, it's nice to be able to actually see them in person. Besides, the products made up for the fact that I didn't have as many samples as I would have liked! This first display is on top of the Grand Piano in my living room. It is a selection of Occasions Mini products. If you look closely, you can see a couple of cards on the left hand side - they're made with the Designer Cuts Cards & Envelopes set pictured on Page 9 of the Occasions Mini. It totally AMAZED me how popular these were! I'll be posting them tomorrow - so stay tuned. I sold TONS of those kits. And, I love them a lot so I might have to stock up on a few more myself. LOVE LOVE LOVE them!
My next display was dedicated to Sale-a-Bration. I pulled out just about every item that is available for FREE during Sale-a-Bration. The display board in the background was filled with swaps I'd received earlier this month at Leadership that featured SAB products (mostly the gorgeous DSP that everyone loves)!!! I love the new Sale-a-Bration catalog, but even I JUST discovered some products that I didn't realize were free during Sale-a-Bration because of the way they were pictured. I didn't realize you have TWO choices of embossing folders!
I also had a table (my piano bench) which was filled with the new Big Shot items - Framelits, Edgelits, Embosslits, dies, and folders! I also had a Big Shot out and available to show how they all worked. LOTS of people picked up the new framelits. There was plenty to look at! Over 100 card samples were on display! Almost everyone remembered to bring their camera to snap photos of the cards. I loved the variety of swaps I received at Leadership - but there were a couple that were definitely favorites. THANK YOU for everyone who swapped with me!!!
My third, large display was of Valentine's Day cards and other cards that didn't really fit into specific categories. This was set up on my TV stand.
Finally, I mentioned earlier that there was a drawing for a door prize. I just laughed and laughed when I saw whose name I pulled. It was a particular person who had asked what I was giving away the night before at a workshop. If you know me, you know that I don't plan those sorts of things ahead! In fact, as I type this, I still haven't figured out what to give her! But, CONGRATS to Patty Jo for winning the door prize. Trust me, by the time this posts, I'll have figured it out - so you can't influence me!!! If you didn't make it on Saturday, I hope that you can stop by my next open house which is tentatively scheduled for June 16th - my New Catalog Launch Party!!!
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