Stamping On The Bayou

Help Wanted.... Are you the +One?

I've just returned from Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference! "WOW!" is all I can say. Stampin' Up! offered all attendees of their "+One" themed conference a FREE Starter Kit to give to the person of their choice. Who's going to be the +One for our team????

To help you think about it, here are a few questions you can ask yourself.

1. Is crafting a big part of your life?

2. Would you like to earn some money while doing something you enjoy? 

3. Do you have at least 3 days/evenings per month that you can commit to "work" your new business? (I use that term loosely... this "work" is FUN!)

4. Are you willing to host your own stampin' party within the next 30 days? (BONUS: I do all the preparations for this one!)

5. Do you like to set goals and accomplish them?

6. Would you like to belong to a team of AMAZING ladies that love to share, comfort, inspire, empower, and celebrate each other?

 

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, YOU may be the +One for our team! At our Leadership Conference, Stampin' Up! focused on +One. Any progress or growth we make (whether that be personal or professional) always starts with one change. And, that change can be very simple. The idea of making one change, taking one step, or doing one thing differently is very doable and is how GREAT things happen. Where can you apply that +One philosophy to your life?

 

If you believe your +One is joining the Stampin' Up! family, I'd LOVE to talk with you about it. This is YOUR choice and you are NOT obligated to sign up to become a demonstrator just because you discuss the details with me. You can't believe the support and compassion demonstrators get from Stampin' Up! I LOVE what I do and I want to share my passion for creating through Stampin' Up! with everyone. So, that being said, I would like you to email me and state your interest in learning more about joining Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator by Thursday, January 20th.

The FREE kit (valued at over $300) is only being offered for a short time. The paperwork MUST be postmarked by Friday, January 21st. Our team, Southern Ink, will be meeting on Thursday, January 20th at 6pm at my home. I would like to invite anyone interested in learning more as my guest for this gathering. You'll meet the team, learn more about Stampin' Up!, and complete a few Make & Takes. It will be a FUN evening and should you decide to take that one step and join our family, I will help you complete your paperwork and send it in for you.

I did offer this chance to customers on my email list first. I will post the offer on my other venues as well (blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc.). This is not a first come, first serve offer. But, I do only have ONE free kit to offer. Should I have more than one interested person, we will discuss options.

Have a blessed day and Happy Stamping!

Nickole Chiasson

Stampin' Up! Home Office Video

Stampin' Up! shows their appreciation for demonstrators all the time! I truly LOVE this company!

Camera Anatomy

Just what do all those settings on your camera really do? This week, I'll be posting useful information on a digital camera's general settings and some tips & tricks on how to use these settings to make your photos better. This is an image of my camera, a Nikon D40 and I love it. But, I never actually took the time to figure out what all those knobs and settings were. Stampin' Up! provided a wonderful article in our Stampin' Success monthly publication that highlighted a camera's anatomy, so I thought I would share what I learned.

Cameras create pictures by letting light in through a lens and burning that image onto film or turning the light waves into an electronic record that your camera interprets as a picture. The amount and quality of the light determines what shows up in the image. For today's post, I'll feature the Shutter Speed.

Shutter speed is one way of controlling how much light enters your camera. This function determines how long the shutter stays open. This is measured in seconds or fractions of seconds. To make sure the right amount of light is getting in, make sure your shutter speed is 1/60 or faster. Reference your camera's manual to find out where to locate the shutter speed on your camera.

 
Stampin' Success is filled with articles on all things stamping... beautiful color samples, ideas, and other useful information to get your creative and business juices flowing! This is just one of the many benefits of becoming a demonstrator! Contact me to learn more about the opportunity to love what you do and share what you love.

Meeting of the Minds

Tonight my team's business builders are getting together for our first quarterly Southern Ink Summit! This is the notebook I've created for each one of them to take notes. Isn't it lovely?

I covered a junior legal pad (5 x 7) with card stock and dressed it up in beautiful spring colors. I'm on a vintage kick now, so I used the Vintage Vogue (117690) stamp set and the Very Vintage (117693) jumbo wheel from the Occasions Mini catalog.

 
So true!!! I love this business and the best part about it is that my customers are also my friends!

I'm so excited to share the business side of things with these awesome ladies. The first topic will be the awesome career plan that Stampin' Up! offers. Stampin' Up! is an amazing company that really wants its demonstrators to succeed!

Demonstrators enjoy many benefits, including

• Product discount. Demonstrators get a 20% discount on all Stampin' Up! products, including stamp sets, paper, and accessories. It's a great way to support your love of stamping and paper crafting. 
• Extra income. You'll earn extra income based on your sales and recruiting--how much extra income is up to you. Maybe you just want enough income to pay the electric bill every month, or maybe your goal is bigger--the monthly payment for your new car--it's up to you! See the Compensation Table for more information.
• Flexible schedule. This is your business, so you can put as much (or as little) time into it as you'd like! 
• Support from Stampin' Up! We love our demonstrators and it shows through our demonstrator support materials, including a monthly magazine, workshop ideas, and audio and video trainings on all kinds of topics on our Demonstrator Web Site.

To learn more about Stampin' Up! as a company, click here or contact me. SaleABration is the best time to sign up as a demonstrator - you get a discount on the Starter Kit AND a FREE stamp set of your choice! I LOVE what I do and I'd LOVE to share it with YOU!

Become a Demonstrator

It is a great day to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator!! "Why?" you may ask. Here are my top 5 reasons!

5. Stampin' Up! is a stable, 20 year old company that stands by it's mission statement, called the Statement of the Heart - "To love what we do and share what we love, as we help others enjoy creativity and worthwhile accomplishments... in this we make a difference!" It is very tough in this day and age for a company to care so much about the people that make them what they are.

4. Stamping is my therapy and I would go crazy without something I can call my own. I love to create cards, scrapbook pages, decor and MORE! I receive an awesome discount on my products AND I am compensated based on my performance each month.

3. The business side of Stampin' Up! allows me to use my business degree. I control my own business with lots of support from the company and other demonstrators! I can determine what my schedule is and how much I want to work based on my goals. Do I want to earn $$$ to pay a bill or for a special treat for myself? Do I want to earn the incentive trip that Stampin' Up! offers demonstrators each year? Do I want to be a TOP 100 demonstrator? Or, do I just want to be able to support my own stamping hobby? Your level of commitment is based on what your goals are.

2. Access to Stampin' Up!'s events, trainings, demonstrator website, publications, and MORE! I love to create things on my own, but I am also one of the best creative copiers there is! The creative talent that I have access to as a demonstrator is truly awesome and second to none!

1. Most importantly, I have met and become friends with some awesome ladies. Many of which I never would have met if it weren't for Stampin' Up! I really feel like I belong to a community that shares and cares. Not only am I talking about fellow demonstrators, but also my customers. They inspire me every day. My customers are my friends and I love sharing this hobby with them and seeing the lights in their eyes shine when they have created something from the heart!

So, if you need any of these things in your life, I urge you to contact me to discuss how becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator may be the best thing you ever decide to do! Or, I welcome you to attend my team meeting this Tuesday, November 10th at 6:30 to see what it's all about.

Starter Kit - What a Deal!!!

When Stampin' Up! launched My Digital Studio, I was so excited! I've had the opportunity to play with it for over a month and I am just beside myself as to all it can do! Stampin' Up! has sweetened the pot by offering a new Starter Kit that includes My Digital Studio!!!

Valued at over $295, this kit contains everything you need to start your own business! It contains:

• My Digital Studio software
• Party Hearty and Petal Pizzazz stamp sets
• Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
• Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
• Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, and Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin' Pads
• Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, and Real Red Stampin' Write markers
• Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
• Real Red 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon
• Button Latte Designer buttons
• Stampin' Dimensionals
• Mini Glue Dots
• SNAIL Adhesive
• Business supplies (product catalogs, order forms, training DVD, and other supplies)

For a limited time, you can purchase this kit for $185. I would love for you to join my team! Contact me at chiasson@myviscom.com for more details about becoming an independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator.
 

Hawaii, here I come!!!

I am leaving for Hawaii in less than 12 hours!!!! I earned this trip for 2 for FREE from Stampin' Up! It is one of the awesome opportunities SU! offers. Check my blog at the beginning of April for news from my trip. I am not bringing my laptop on this trip - it is strictly for PLEASURE!!!

Best of Both Worlds!

My daughter loves Hannah Montana and her song is really true, you can have the best of both worlds. Joining a direct marketing company like Stampin' Up! can give you an opportunity to increase your income and do it on your own time. Stampin' Up!'s Statement of the Heart is:

To love what we do and share what we love, as we help others enjoy creativity and worthwhile accomplishments... in this we make a difference!

Now even more than before, people are turning to crafting to create handmade gifts, cards, scrapbook pages, and more! Stampin' Up! is celebrating their 20th year and is completely debt free - how many companies can say that??? SU! has been an industry leader and won many awards for their products and designs. Not only is Stampin' Up! very stable financially, but they also are a company that focuses on relationships. I know Stampin' Up! truly cares about me and my business. They put everything in place for you to succeed and grow. You will be the CEO of your own business when you become an independent demonstrator for Stampin' Up! Grow your flexible home-based business at your own pace in a business where you can have FUN!

New demonstrators who sign up under me between today and January 31, 2009 are eligible for a SuperBowl Special. If you are on my email list, you saw the article about this promotion. The first person to sign up with me, will receive the Best Wishes & More stamp set and a cute project kit (see below). The kit includes all the consumable products, plus complete instructions to create this beautiful gift card folder.

 

All new recruits that sign up under me by January 31, 2009 will be entered into a drawing to win this awesome Stampin' Up! tote (shown below)!!! It is a great accessory to have and keep all your supplies in order.

Signing up now will put you in the best position to take advantage of all the upcoming promotions as a demonstrator. So... whether you are looking for a terrific business opportunity or you just want to get a discount to fund your own hobby, contact me for more information on how you can become a Stampin' Up! independent demonstrator.

Check In Day Madness

Thought I would share some of the madness from Stampin' Up!'s annual convention. This was check in day. The line to get our catalogs wasn't too bad, but the line to get special Stampin' Up! logo items was! I stood in line for almost 2 1/2 hours. But, I had great fun meeting new friends and swappin'! The time flew by like that. And, there was only one item that sold out before I got there and it wasn't something I wanted anyway. Lucky me. I did manage to pick up a few extra items. These I give to team members periodically throughout the year as incentives to challenges I create. Want to be a member of the team? I'd love to talk to you about it. Contact me to learn more about becoming a demonstrator. You can also learn more here.

Southern Style Stampin'

I have a quarterly event that I do for my team of demonstrators who meet certain criteria. My team is called Southern Ink, so in keeping with the southern style, I named this event, GRITS Days. Now GRITS normally stands for Girls Raised In The South. If you haven't seen GRITS books or merchandise, you can click here. They are a hoot, especially if you are from the south! Anyway, back to my story, I use the acronym this way... Girls Really Inspired To Stamp! We have a great time stamping for ourselves! Sometimes, that is hard to do when this is your job! Can you believe we get paid to have FUN? If you would like to learn more about becoming a demonstrator and joining my team contact me.

This card was cased from another demonstrator, Julie Davison. The ric rack element was made with the new Scallop Edge punch.

Stampin' Supplies: Heard From the Heart* stamp set; Pink Pirouette*, Riding Hood Red*, Whisper White cardstock; Bella Rose dsp*; Scallop Edge punch*; Button Bouquet button*; Natural Hemp twine

*New to Fall Winter Idea Book & Catalog 2008.

We made this beautiful Chopstick Memory Book. This was a project shown at Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference in January. It looks complicated, but is really easy once you know what you are doing. I'll be posting a tutorial soon.

Stampin' Supplies: Embrace Life stamp set; Kraft, Old Olive, Cameo Coral cardstock; Watercolor Paper; Ginger Blossom dsp; StazOn; Old Olive, Cameo Coral Classic Ink; Aqua Painter; White Taffeta Ribbon; disposable bamboo chopsticks.

This was my sample for the Decor Elements project. The others used their initials, you know we all monogram things in the south! This is one of the Baroque Medallions on a piece of tile. I use mine as a large coaster for my cold beverage pitchers, iced tea... it's a southern thing!

This project was so fun! Thanks to Jackie Topa for the inspiration. You can make this Stationery Box at a stamp camp on August 24th, more details to come.

I used the Tie the Knot Simply Scrappin' and the Pretties kit for the majority of my sample. I will wait to see what Stampin' Up! shows us at convention before I decide the stamp camp supplies will be.