Creating Holiday Cards Q&A

Q: I want to create Holiday cards this year. What do I need to do?

© CraftyPerson Production 2008. Images © Stampin' Up!

A: Creating your own custom Christmas cards is a great way to share holiday joy with your friends and family. Custom cards are unique and always stand out from the stack of manufactured cards received each year. Those receiving your cards will know how special they are to you. Custom Christmas cards can be traditional or trendy, simple or ornate, include photos or not, and can be handmade or even created using the new My Digital Studio digital paper crafting software. There are so many options for creative and unique cards!

Design

Begin by selecting a design you like. Be inspired by ideas in the beautiful Stampin’ Up! catalogs, online samples, create your own unique design, or contact me for more ideas — I would love to help! When selecting your design, or a couple of designs, keep in mind how many cards you want to create and the time you have to make them. Cards with lots of detailed coloring, for example, can take longer to make than cards stamped with solid image stamps. Digital cards created using My Digital Studio are fast and a great way to include a favorite photo in your card.

Plan & Order

Decide how many cards you want to make, or how many of each design if you are making more than one. I can help you figure out how much card stock, Designer Series Paper, ribbon, envelopes, accessories, and adhesive you will need. Place your order online or directly through me so I can help make sure you have all the needed supplies. Remember, you can take advantage of Hostess Benefits on any order of $150 or more. Consider adding gift items to your order to get a jump start on your Christmas shopping and earn free stamps and goodies, too! Orders usually arrive in about 7 business days.

Assemble

Set aside a block of time or a couple smaller blocks of time and create your own assembly line system. Cut card bases and layers then stamp and assemble in steps to make the project go more quickly. Like to multi-task? Do a step a night while watching your favorite television show. Or get the family involved! Kids, girlfriends, and even husbands can have a great time together while assembling Christmas cards. Put on some merry music, pull out some hot chocolate, and make it an event. Everyone will have a great time and the time together can be a special part of the holidays and making sweet memories!

Summary

Custom cards are great fun for you and for those that receive your special cards. Using these simple steps, you can make your cards now and enjoy the holidays knowing your cards are done and ready to share some heartfelt cheer! Contact me today to get started!

Q&A: Growth Chart

	Q&A Q: I’ve heard about a special Growth Chart — how can I use it? A: From now through September 30th, Stampin’ Up! is offering an exclusive Décor Elements Growth Chart (item# 117519) for only $24.95, plus you receive a free applicator tool. This sweet tree and bird themed chart is perfect for measuring the growth of kids, but it also has some other great uses! No Kids in the House The Growth Chart is perfect for measuring kids, but it has lots of other handy uses. Cut out the ruler portion of the Décor Element and place it on the edge of a craft table and use it for measuring paper, ribbon, and fabric. Then use the remaining tree elements for decoration. Or place the ruler portion on the edge of a garage workbench to help with measuring wood, rope, nails, and other things for those fix-it-up projects on the honey-do list! Teaching Kids to Measure Up Teachers are always looking for new ways to get kids excited about learning. Use the Décor Elements growth chart in a classroom. The teacher can take beginning- and end-of-the- year photos of each child. Or use coordinating die-cut or punched shapes with each child’s name and use it for marking their learning progress. For example, they could move up a number for each chapter they complete in their math book, or when they are learning to add 1, 2, 3, etc. Use it in language arts to encourage outside reading, by having students move up the chart for each chapter book they read at home, each chapter they complete in their workbook, etc. Or cut out the ruler portion as described above and use it for measuring games and practice. This would make a perfect teacher gift, so do your homework now and be ahead of the game when the holidays arrive! What if I move? Décor Elements are great on walls but can be used on most smooth surfaces. If you love the Décor Elements Growth Chart, but are worried about putting it on your wall in case you move, try this idea. Get a piece of Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) or plywood from your local home supply store. Paint it to match or coordinate with your décor and then place the Décor Elements Growth Chart on the board. You can hang or attach it to a wall and even add a frame using baseboard molding to dress it up. You can use it now and take it with you wherever the road may lead you. Use coordinating die-cuts or punches to mark the age, date, and height measurements or write directly on the painted surface. Summary There are so many ways to measure growth. These are just a few ideas for the fantastic Décor Elements Growth Chart! Contact me today to order yours!
© CraftyPerson Production 2008. Images © Stampin’ Up!

Q&A: Season Demonstrators

	Q&A Q: Is it possible to become a demonstrator for a short period of time? A: Yes, you can! Stampin’ Up! offers great value and flexibility in their business model. New Demonstrators purchase the starter kit filled with products at a substantial discount. There are no long-term contracts or minimum sales required to keep the supplies in the starter kit.  Once you join, you have over 3 months, sometimes up to 6 months, to meet the minimum sales requirements. Seasonal DemonstratorExtra income can be useful to many, especially during the holidays. Whether you need extra money for gifts or paying bills, Stampin’ Up! could be the perfect fit for you. Teachers, students, people on fixed incomes, and stay-at-home moms are just a few groups that look for seasonal jobs. The Stampin’ Up! opportunity offers you flexibility in your schedule and you can base your income on what you decide you need and what fits your lifestyle. Now is the perfect time! With the holiday season ahead of us, now is the perfect time to start filling workshop dates to help customers create handmade gifts and cards. This month only, Stampin’ Up! is offering a Mini Starter kit Special Offer. This amazingly, low-cost kit is filled with the latest stamps and ink colors. This is an inexpensive way to start your business, especially if you already have a good base of Stampin’ Up! supplies.  If you are new to Stampin’ Up!, you may want to consider the Standard Starter Kit, which during the month of August includes an extra bonus that you won’t want to miss. Deciding to Stop Being a Demonstrator As an Independent Contractor, you can simply go inactive by not meeting the quarterly sales requirement or you can send a letter to Stampin’ Up! to end your service. Either way, you are not bound to stay a Demonstrator for a certain length of time or a certain sales amount. Seasonal demonstrators often decide go inactive after the holidays. Of course, we think you will love the benefits of being a demonstrator so much you’ll want to stay, but the choice is entirely yours. Isn’t it great to be the one in control? Summary If you would like to earn extra money this holiday season, being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator may be the perfect opportunity for you. I’ll be happy to walk you through the Starter Kit options and discuss a plan that will work for you. Simply contact me at your earliest convenience before the month ends so you can take advantage of the special offers currently available.  I welcome your questions and look forward to speaking with you.
© CraftyPerson Production 2008. Images © Stampin’ Up!