Sunday, July 15, 2012

Convention 2012 In A Nutshell

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Man o Man I had fun! 

But it is so nice to be home.  My head is spinning with thoughts and ideas along with lists of plenty of work to get done in the next 2 weeks.

Why do I only have 2 weeks you ask? 

Well the new 2012 Idea Book is shipping to me as we speak so I need to get those processed and in the mail to you.  Then there is finishing all of of the artwork to show the Crop Ladies during Crop July 28, 2012 @ 6:00pm.

Kaela is having her wisdom teeth removed tomorrow morning so along with her surgery I will have plenty to get done this week.

I am so glad I am still on VACATION!  Smile 

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General Session started off with a bang with tons –0-fun and huge amounts of information.  My most important nugget is that we can get all of the colors of cardstock in bulk packs again!  (40 colors)

We have 24 colors that are retiring this catalog and 6 news ones coming in.  There will be 40 colors total!

  I will make a second blog post with a list of that colors are going.

The only colors that are going that you can buy in bulk in the current catalog are:

Grey Wool (5571)

Vanilla Cream (x 5646)

All of the other colors that you can currently buy in 24 packs of solid colors are staying. 

All of the Cardstock Shade Packs are going to RETIRE!

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As we were leaving General Session we were given these cute and super functional backpack / shoulder bags that contained the NEW IDEA BOOK along with the supplies we needed to make our artwork to come home and show you.  That was one heavy bag!

Did I hear you say that you want one? 

Hmmmm there might be a way?

In August if you sign up to be a consultant not only is the price of the consultant kit dropping to $49.00 but in AUGUST as a new consultant you will get one of these totes for FREE!

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The current price of the Consultant Kit is $99.00 so if you are sitting on the fence the price changes August 1, 2012.  Do not forget that you will also get this great tote if you sign up in August too!

It was time for our first Create and Take session.

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It was elbow to elbow and wall to wall –paper flying fun!  Look real close and you might be able to see new product in this photo. 

Tebble and I were only able to stay for the first layout session because we wanted to dash over to a business class.  We needed more of the business classes that were offered.  Tebble and I both can do the art work at home to get ready to show you but the business classes are only once a year.

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In the business class: Have Your Cake (and Eat It Too!)

We learned to understand how, what and why of all the new products is a piece of cake!  It was a session to learn all of the recipes for success but of course I walked away wanting to buy everything!  Smile

We went off to dinner with Idea books in hand and our convention notebooks ready to make more notes and lists.  One of the best things about convention is that even when you are “not in session” there are consultants in every corner willing to sit and have a meal while discussing ideas and business plans. 

These women are a wealth of knowledge and I could not write fast enough.

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Now if you know me or you have been reading the blog for a while you know that I listen to the Paperclipping Roundtable Podcast and I really listen if Stacy Julian is on the panel. 

Stacy was the Keynote Speaker during the General Session on day 2!

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Her personal stories of scrapbooking and family memories had us laughing or in tears all at the same time.  I did not take notes during her session because I just wanted to listen bug I should have… parts of the talk I really wanted to remember and thought I could – I guess this is a lesson on why we really should journal!

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Monica Wihongi and Stacy Julian

Monica is the Vice President of Training/Events and CS at Close to My Heart and you know when she speaks you are going to have a great time along with great info.  Mike saw her for the first time during the Awards Dinner and thought she was “gorgeous”.  I would have to agree that she is both on the inside and outside. 

My second business class was: Bringing Studio J to the party!

It was taught by:  Brian Homan

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He is just the sweetest guy ever but he is the resident NERD of CTMH. 

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Can you see the MACBOOK PRO on stage just behind him?  I really wanted to hear this class because you know that Studio J is not my strongest point being a consultant.  While I love Digi Scrapping, it does not love me back! 

But given the spreadsheets and screenshots on the big screens along with the tone and speed of his “geek speak”  this poor man just put me to sleep.   BUT I was not the only one asleep… David (Janette’s husband) was in the back of the room asleep too!  Monica caught him and spilled the beans during the next days general session! Smile  I did not feel so bad after hearing David was sleeping too. 

Friday night was the Awards Dinner and I was so happy that after attending 2 convention dinners in the past alone that Mike was able to join me.

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Yes I know that I look tired…. This seems to be “my look” lately.

The entertainment for the evening was the Texas Tenors.  I had no idea who these guys were but I do now!  Man can they SING!

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So in my closing thoughts I will leave you with a photo from the hotel lobby.

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If you really look you can see consultants sitting down enjoying each other and the new IDEA BOOK that will be going LIVE August 1, 2012. 

Now I bet you can not wait!

All photos were pulled from the CTMH Website or Monica’s personal FB page

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