Misc.

Quote from Lyssa

Lyssa from www.songofmyheartstampers.typepad.com posted an amazing quote on her blog that I thought I'd share with all of you. I couldn't have said it better myself if I tried….enjoy!

"The point of handmade is not just that you did it cheaper or better or faster or cuter, or even that YOU had fun doing it. It's that you took a moment–an irretrievable moment that will never come again–out of your life, to make something heartfelt, for someone you care enough about to make sure they have a tangible reminder that you want them, personally, to have a great Christmas"

She also has some amazing tutorials using Simply Scored recently, make sure you go check them out!

Do you ever have one of those days?

You know…when you actually get up on the "RIGHT" side of the bed?! That’s the day I’m having! Life is good!

I’m busy planning my team Awards Night for tomorrow and am so looking forward to celebrating their accomplishments! We’ll have awesome presentations from Maggie Patterson and Kim Assaly…who both attended the Stampin’ Up! convention and came back with a wealth of knowledge to share with us. I’ll have my yummy chocolate fountain going for the girls (shhhh…don’t tell!) AND we have 3 fabulous make and takes for them. I’ll show you next week!

I’m also happy to have started a new stampers club and we had such a great time stamping together and getting to know each other! I’m actually looking for 1-2 more members…so, if you’re interested in joining us next month, let me know!

Yesterday I found time to put my "EAT" in my kitchen and my All in the Family Decor Elements on my van! They both look so awesome! Even my kids and hubby loved them! Check out pages 19 and 27 of the Definitely Decorative Brochure to see them! I’ll take photo’s soon to share with you! PLUS I ordered the "Tree, Thoughts & Prayers" AND "Direction of your Dreams" (pg. 14) to put in my bedroom…I can’t wait! I’m on a roll…with Decor Elements, they are so easy to put up, are economical and look so beautiful!

I got all my left-over RETIRED STAMPS organized and listed HERE ready to shop from!

AND I even got a whole bunch of stamping done in the last week and was feeling the fun in my stamp room! Here’s one of the cards I made for someone…I think it adorable and perfect for a child’s birthday! (Idea inspired by LeeAnn Greff)

CLICK HERE TO ORDER STAMPIN’ UP! PRODUCTS ONLINE
Stamps: Animal Stories (116716), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370), Circle Circus (115778)
Ink: Dusty Durango Classic ink (115654), Basic Black (101179)
Paper: Dusty Durango (115321), Basic Black (102851), Whisper White (100730
Accessories: Bone Folder (102300), Big Shot Oval Scallop Frame (114521), Big Shot (113439), Signo White gel pen (105021), Black Gingham Ribbon (104832), Vintage Brads (109109).

p.s. It’s not too late….Join my team in August, get free IN COLOR MARKERS! click here

A Silver Lining In A Tough Economy

An interesting article by Laura Tiffany, Entrepreneur.com

In economic times like these, the urge to hunker down in your house, limit spending and jump off the merry-go-round of shopping, credit and consumerism can be strong. And one way for people to step outside the system, if just for a few hours a week, is crafting. Rather than being a consumer, a crafter becomes a manufacturer; the end result of a night on the couch isn’t three hours of empty Tivo space, but a scarf, toy or handmade holiday ornament that one can give away, keep or sell.

While data are still being compiled for 2008, the Craft and Hobby Association reported that in 2007, craft sales in 39 categories reached nearly $32 billion, and nearly 57 percent of U.S. households engage in crafting. Online handmade goods site Etsy.com reported $88 million in sales in 2008, a significant increase over 2007 sales of $26 million. With 1.9 million members and more than 200,000 sellers, Etsy enjoyed $9.9 million in sales in January alone.

Like most retail sectors, it’s likely that craft sales may decrease in the coming months. But all signs point to more and more people diving into this market, both as consumers of supplies and handmade gifts, and as entrepreneurs selling their own items and supplies.

At the January CHA show, spirits were high as manufacturers and retailers recognized that the economic climate creates more folks ready to put needle to fabric and stamp to paper to join a crafting revolution that’s been in the works for more than a decade.

Some of the big crafting trends present at the show, which featured more than 900 exhibitors, include:

Scrapbooking. This is the most robust craft category that CHA tracks, and scrapbooking companies had by far the strongest presence at the show. While paper still rules scrapbookers’ supply cabinets, many crafters are taking skills such as stamping, painting and decoupage into other media for jewelry making–like sandwiching tiny art between glass slides for a pendant or stamping blank wooden bangles.

Crafts for kids. Kid-specific kits and products are hotter than ever, even in this tough economy. "Unfortunately, the schools cut a lot of creative areas, so it’s up to the parents to do it at home. And I really think [crafts have] become an important part of the American family," says Jenny Lowe, design director of Moorestown, N.J.-based Sbar’s Inc., a 50-year-old supplier of family-friendly crafts that has lived through its share of recessions. "Kids are just so eager to accomplish something. And let’s face it–crafting gets them away from the computer."
Some companies foresee growth in this area because of parents wanting to craft with their kids. Parents can purchase a $15 kit and have a fun evening at home, rather than pay $50 to take the family to the movies. There are also ancillary customers, such as church camps and Scout troops. And of course, there’s always the need for kids’ birthday gifts, too.

Tough times tend to spur creativity. As an entrepreneur, there are few better ways to channel your creativity than in a crafts business. Whether you start to find your artistic voice or you do it to sell personalized gifts, crafting makes the most out of your creativity–as an artist and as an entrepreneur.

Don’t forget that Stampin’ Up! is currently offering a 3 month payment plan, get more information here! You can start right away and be able to pay off your starter kit slowly!

Have questions? Just ask me!

Non-stamping related! Want to cry? This is amazing!

I know this isn’t stamping related…but, I really needed to share this.

If you haven’t seen this video of Susan Boyle singing…you have to go check it out!

Click here to see it and get ready to be amazed!

Josee

Win a free ONLINE INSPIRATION CLUB project tutorial

Not receiving my newsletter yet? Sign up before Thursday to start receiving them and you’ll be entered in a draw to win a free ONLINE INSPIRATION CLUB project tutorial…it’s that easy!!!

The winner will be announced on Friday!

Like to stamp at home? Join my ONLINE INSPIRATION CLUB

You’ll love my new Online Inspiration Club…check it out HERE!

Each month you will receive via email:

a PROJECT TUTORIAL consiting of over 20 pages of detailed instructions with step by step photo’s for a special stamping project.
the chance to created new projects at the convenience of your schedule!
Bonus discounts for Stampin’ Up! products

Your Inspiration Club Online will be emailed to you around the 12th of the month beginning the month you join.

SPECIAL BONUS: Join by March 12th and you’ll receive a packet of 6 Hand-Stamped Cards with envelopes ready to use!

Join NOW