The First One--Come and Gone

Wow! What a great day! What Sara and I have been working for and thinking about for the past several days (and really much longer) has come and gone, and it was a wonderful experience!

Sara and I got on a flight to Spokane this morning, lugging some very heavy luggage. (We decided we WILL be sending supplies ahead of time rather than try to take them ourselves!) We arrived in Spokane, checked into a hotel, made some final preparations, then headed off for the first-ever Workshop of a Lifetime with Marti Kast.

As we drove closer to her house, we wondered what it would be like. We were a little anxious, a little apprehensive. . . we should have known better! These are Stampin’ Up! demonstrators and customers we’re talking about!

Marti was gracious from the first moment, a perfect hostess. Her son was darling (he brought out the warm cookies that her husband had just baked), and her stamp studio (dubbed the “farmhouse”) was adorable! And the women who came to her open house event and the guests at her workshops were equally kind. It was just a fabulous evening!

We did the opportunity event/open house first, just chatting and answering questions. Several visitors seemed sincerely interested. I’ve had a cold for the past couple of days, and my voice was giving out on me; I could tell people were straining to hear me, but nobody complained.

When the workshop started, the honey lemon water kicked in (or else my prayers were answered—maybe a little of both?), and my voice was the best it’s been all day.

The guests seemed to like the projects; our Make & Take was a glitter birthday card, the demonstration project was a paper-pieced With All My Heart card.

Marti isn’t closing it for a few days, but she got three bookings and I think it will be a good workshop--I know I sure enjoyed it! Marti is a fairly new demonstrator (joined in August) and has only held a couple of workshops, so she said she learned a lot. Of course, what else was she going to say, right? (smile) I do know she’s excited about the new customers, hostesses, and potential recruits she met.

And I’m excited about the next few weeks! It’s nice to have the first workshop under our belts, and I can’t wait to meet the other demonstrators and customers who are out there—waiting for us to come visit! 

Comments

[Marlene]

What a lucky lady, wished you could come to my place (Melbourne, Aust). Oh well I will get to see you at convention at least, well I hope I do. Have fun and enjoy your future workshops :-)

[Kay Kalthoff]

Congratulations to Marti and to YOU! They say the first one is always the hardest . . . but it looks like Marti's place was a good place to start. I LOVE the make and takes!! Now I wish I didn't already have my March workshops already planned out! Have a great day!
Kay

[Staci Miserlian]

Oh, that's awesome! Thanks for taking us with you in photos. Love your workshop projects.

[Jamilla Ivits]

Thanks for sharing this adventure! I was hoping we would get to see some pictures of the workshops. Enjoy!

[Kim Smith]

Congratulations Marti on your accomplishments to win the chance of a life time for Shelli to demonstrate for you. You are a very lucky lady indeed! Congratulations to you Shelli for achieving the first workshop under your belt. And thank you for sharing your adventure on your blog. It's so fun to read your posts and feel your enthusiasm and see your infectious smile in the pictures. Safe Travels!

[Elizabeth Knehans]

You are absolutely amazing and a huge inspiration to all of us. My prayer is that every Workshop of a Lifetime is a life changing experience for someone. I know being a part of the Stampin' Up! family has most definitely been that for me. So many things have been possible because of my association with this company. God's blessings to you (and Sara) as you continue on this journey.

[Sandy Hill]

I was one of the fortunate ones who got to go to the open house. Shelli, it was such a pleasure meeting you. This was definitely a moment of a lifetime for me.

[Lauren Y.]

Thanks for sharing the projects & the pictures.
I can tell that everyone enjoyed!
Just look at the smiles!
Looking forward to see more of the coming workshops!

[Joyce]

Hi Shelly, I thought you might like to view a post and video I have up on my blog of my daughter with Down syndrome working so hard to make her friend at PCMC in Utah, who received a bone marrow transplant yesterday, a card. Stampin' Up has become her new occupational therapy, although she doesn't look at it as therapy:) It has been the best thing for her and she loves it.

[Marion Dornan]

I think it's great Sarah came with you. I've always tried to bring my daughter with me when I hold workshops, it is so great to have her help.

[Betsy Z]

Shelli, I had a great time, too, and I'm so glad the workshop went great for Marti (not that I had any doubt!). Also glad about the tea helping...nothing more frustrating than laryngitis. I couldn't begin to list the highlights of last night...it was all so wonderful and I was delighted to meet you and Sarah. I told my friend when we were leaving that it was so awesome that your family is so involved with you in this Stampin' Up odyssey...

[Sue Scheets]

How exciting for everyone involved. I am still amazed when I think of what you have offered to all demonstrators, to come and do a workshop in this is such a wonderful company to be a part of.

[Bev Dahl]

Oh Shelli.. I would have signed up right there! What an awesome experience for everyone there! and the New Demonstrator! What a great experience.

[Ann Nelson]

If I would have known you were just 72 miles away last night, Marti would have had an extra guest! Congratulations to Marti for winning such an opportunity. And a special thanks to you, Shelli and Sara, for making the time to do these special workshops! Thanks for sharing the projects, too!

[LaMuir]

WoW!, Amazing, Conrats to Marti, a demonstrator for only 5 months, you go girl!!!
Can not wait to see future pics, I will be praying for your health as well as stamina in the next few months!

[Laurie Zoellmer]

You are one in a million Shelli ;) Hope you don't mind if I CASE the birthday card, it's adorable!
-Laurie
www.stampingnut.blogspot.com

[Kim Williams]

First of all, congrats to Marti for earning a Workshop of a Lifetime! What a wonderful achievement for you. I am sure that everyone had a fabulous time and I cannot wait to see more of these great events.

How many women can say that they work for a company like Stampin' Up, where you can have the founder come to your home and present a fun-filled evening for you and your friends? Makes me proud to be a part of this!

[Lisa Davis]

Hi Shelli, thanks so much for sharing this with us. I think it is so cool that you are doing this. Enjoy your day!
Lisa

[Liam P]

Wow what great make and takes so simple but stunning. Love the bundle of presents with ds paper. Thanks for sharing a great workshop.

Liam

[Pam Wheeler]

Hello Shelli. I am so glad you had a good time here in Spokane. And congrats to Marti, as well as welcome to the Stampin' Up! family. I pray that you get over you're cold soon and may you have a TON of fun on the rest of your Workshop of a Lifetime tour.

[Deb Thoms]

I love that you showed very simple ways to use SU products. Would Marti have any photos of her studio to share with us?

[Wendie Waldman]

What very fortunate women to have been able to attend this special workshop. Congrats, Marti.

[Dawn]

That heart card is absolutely adorable! I'm glad to have bumped into your blog, Shelli.. Hugs from a stampin up fan!

[Christie Daugherty]

Wow! What a blast!
Christie Daugherty
www.stampshacklady.blogspot.com

[Clark Chamberlain]

Shelli, I was just meeting with Lex Chamberlain, my cousin, and was telling him about a product that would fit perfectely into your busines model. He asked me to contact you directely to see if my group could meet with you to illustrate the benefits of what we have to offer to Stampin Up. If you would call me so I can give you move insight as to what hase been developed, I would really appreciate it. Again, my name is Clark Chamberlain and my phone number is 801-898-3380. THANKS