FAQ’s part four

Here's another installment of "you asked, Lyssa answers!" Got a burning question? If you were wondering about something, chances are someone else is, too. Sometimes I'll try to remember questions from in-person conversations, too. Email me your query at zwolaneks@att.net and you might see the answer in a future post!

Click here to see previous Frequently Asked Question posts: FAQ's 1   FAQ's 2   FAQ's 3

What's the biggest stamping disaster you ever had?

Oh dear, do you really want to know? I guess I promised to be honest! I've had a couple very messy moments in stamping, usually when I attempt techniques (I'll be the first to say I am not necessarily a technique fan–I think a lot of them are a lot more work than they're worth). The funniest was probably when I dyed my hands a lovely range of colors working with reinkers on one of Dan's science projects last year.I found out you can mix ink refills and white craft paint and get all kinds of lovely shades–but when you go to wash the paint off your hands, you can expect the ink will have absorbed into your skin.

I think the most depressing stamping mistake I've made was to spritz a bunch of fully completed Christmas cards with homemade Shimmer Spray and the red ink ran and ruined them. Oh wait, maybe it was the same year, when I shimmered all my envelopes before sealing them shut–and the moisture sealed them shut, without the cards inside. D'oh!

My biggest My Digital Studio mistake was ordering 25 calendars all of the wrong year. Yup. Sigh.

 Did you have fun at Disney?

Yes! It was a total hoot. The kids had so much fun, and I loved watching them and having time with my precious momma. We came home beyond exhausted every evening from all the amazing and fun things we'd seen and done the entire day. I'll never call a Disney trip a "vacation" again, though!

The best part (for me) was watching the fireworks over Cinderella Castle. I couldn't believe we were actually there. The whole thing just seemed like a dream. My feet hurt so bad I knew it must be true, though : )  Many many MANY thanks to my customer friends for making that dream come true!

Do you stamp with your kids?

People are always asking my kids if they stamp with me. When they find out Stampin' Up is my full time job, they think our lives are just one big craft time. Super Mommy! Actually, Dan's not that into it (now, if we carried Lego or Star Wars stamps, then, by all means!), and Natalie prefers drawing. While she does love to sit at the table with me when I can clear a space, she almost always winds up drawing, chattering non-stop as she dreams up some wild story. Eventually the paper is filled from side to side and top to bottom with scribbles.

She did, however, lay claim to my retired-style ink pads!

One of their favorite things to do is sort my scrap bucket by color and file them back into the clear stamp cases I keep my scraps in. They also love punching out hundreds of shapes and I have taught them to (carefully) use the Big Shot, too.

How's the house hunt?

Oh dear… don't ask. Not well.

How many demos are there in Watertown, WI?

I have no idea. Right now there are 49 demos officially on the Song of My Heart Demonstrator team, but they are spread across ten different states, which makes me really thankful for technology : ) And I know there are other demos in the area because I run across them now and again. However, there's always room for more, because I am constantly meeting women who have never heard of Stampin' Up before or don't have a good demonstrator.

I also know for sure that at least half of those who are officially demonstrators are not actively working the business. Even if their names appear on the demo locator found by entering your ZIP code at www.stampinup.com, you may not be seeing the whole picture. So don't let the number of demos stop you, if you've been thinking about it but wondered if the area was saturated. There is definitely room to join the club!

What happened to the Stampin' Around Wheels? They're not gone, I hope!

Never fear–the wheel stamps are still here! They got put in kind of a funny place in the new catalog this year. There are two pages of accessories (6-7) that are kind of hanging out all by themselves in the front of the catalog, instead of back with the rest of the accessories. You'll find all kinds of important tools there, including the clear blocks and accoutrements, the Stamp A Ma Jigg, and all the wheel cartridges, spacers and handles.

Side note: If you don't have a Standard size wheel handle, BUY ONE NOW because there is a wheel in the Holiday Maxi catalog that everyone is going to want! Seriously. It was so awesome I almost wet my pants.

How come they retired (insert product here?)

You know, they don't ask me before they do stuff. I don't know why. : ) Seriously, though, it all comes down to sales. If things don't sell well, they get pulled to make space on the pick lines and in the catalog for items that will do better. So if you have a FAVORITE product, like CRYSTAL EFFECTS, be sure to spread the word about HOW AWESOME IT IS and that EVERYONE SHOULD OWN AT LEAST TWO BOTTLES, and it won't get bumped from the sales line.

I live vicariously through you. What marvelous trip are you working towards now?

I don't know yet, and it's killing me! I've had my annual "check-in" conversation with Mike, and we've agreed we're all in again for another year. I sure couldn't do it at this level without his blessing and cheerful, uncomplaining help with the kids and house! The SU year runs from July 1st through June 30th, but the announcement won't be made until convention. It's super close now–I'll be in Salt Lake City July 17-22, 2012. WHOO HOO!

There are two trips–a Getaway Weekend and a Grand Vacation–for 30,000 points and 40,000 points respectively. I'm super excited to see some of my gals working for a trip this year. I want the awesome opportunities that Stampin' Up has provided my family to come true for them when they dream BIG, too! It's ok to live vicariously through my travels, but wouldn't it be better to join Stampin' Up and start making those trips yourself?

Ok! That's it from me. I'm still playing catch-up from vacation… and the pre-order from the new Holiday Maxi catalog is singing a siren song from the stamp room…See you later!