July Stamp of the Month

There are some stamp sets that can challenge my creativity when I first look at them.  Usually all it is takes is inspiration in one card - either from the bulletin board or the corporate artwork photo.  This stamp set was the one that I really struggled with what to do.  In the end I had so much fun creating with these little guys and gals.

This card I used Blue Ribbon My Reflections paper packet - I had seen other combinations used but to celebrate the 4th of July and being it is the stamp of the month for July - I went with the colors and paper packet.  It was perfect!

I fell in love with coloring - AGAIN!  I know it happens every time I get away from the solid stamps and have to color!  (Funny...I remember the convention that solid stamps were introduced and thought what on earth are we going to do with those! :-)....)  So with this stamp set - I decided to watercolor.  Decided right away that I wanted to teach this in class - AFTER I updated my inventory.  Apparently, I have the OLD watercolors - so while the technique is the same - the color choices may vary if you have a new set!

Used in this card were the following products:
3505 Watercolor pencils
1771 Waterbrush
Z1209 Ribbon Rounds - Cranberry
Z1219 Brads - Essential
Z2205 Pigment Black ink

Here are two others using my favorite product of the Summer Idea book - Clear Cards:

Here are some more samples from your team members:

Jaime Clemens

Maranda Dickerson 

June Stamp of the Month

Have you created artwork using the Clear Cards yet?  If not, here are a few artwork samples to inspire you!  Each month I am using the Clear Cards with the Creative Basics paper packet to show the versatility of this paper packet.  I LOVE this paper!

What was really fun was learning how to layer inside the clear card!  The artwork on the inside of the card is the back of the front artwork - it is a layering effect that is way fun to do!

The June Stamp of the Month became a REALLY fun stamp set to work with - I fell in love with the diamond border - using it in a two tone color combination added so much to the card!  Simply stamp the image in one color - then clean and stamp in the second color - I used second generation of Crystal Blue on this card - when you stamp move the stamp to stamp in between the diamond pattern of the first color!  SO CUTE!

Here are some more artwork samples to inspire you!

 

Artwork by: Jaime Clemens

 

Artwork by: Tera Boring

Mini Steps to Success Team Challenge - Day

Mojo Monday


 Create artwork using My Stickease from any Summer Idea Book My Reflections kit - 5 pts ea

Use any My Reflections Stickease from the Summer idea book to create layouts, cards or any other papercrafting project!

Respond: E-mail artwork photos.

 Create artwork using Tulip Mini-Medleys.

Create artwork with the new Tulip Mini-Medleys accents.  These Cranberry accents work perfectly with many kits and are just the right accent!

Respond: E-mail artwork photo.
 Create card pattern from any Summer WOTG patterns using any current My Reflections Kit paper packet  - 20 pts ea

Take any Summer WOTG card pattern and create the card using any active My Reflections Paper packet!

Respond: E-mail artwork photo.
 
"See" you tomorrow - the last day of the challenge!

Mini Steps to Success Team Challenge - Day 23

Super Saturday


 Update customer comments on Excel spreadsheet - 10 pts ea

Time to spend more time updating the customer list.  You may or may not have time to finish today - if not make this a priority project in your business after the challenge is finished.  As a reminder, here is how I enter information on mineare some suggestions for you:

Year Month Details. Example 2010 May Hostess. By placing the year first when you sort the list you will automatically have the customer information sort by year. Then everything in May stays together and the details will tell you the contact. Update information as you see fit to do so. Here are a couple more examples of what I do:


Club member: 2010 Creative Club _______ (place host month in place of the underline area)
Outside order: 2010 ________ (month) ________ (hostess name) Outside Order
Craft fair/expo/etc: 2010 _______ (month) _______ (event name)

The key is to keep everything the same - same spelling, spacing, dashes if you include them. When you sort by that column in excel you will be able to see all your contacts for the year organized for you by year and then by month.

Respond: Forgot this on Thursday - e-mail me the number of contacts for each day and your system for tracking.
 Update customer information in Customer Management - 20 pts ea
Once you have the information on the spreadsheet, update the customer information through the Customer Management in Online Ordering. If you would like to skip the excel entry you can but I have found when I started doing this it is easier to work from the Excel spreadsheet to do the entry than sit at the computer and pull up each contact one by one as you can "lose" where you are very easily.


Respond: E-mail number of updated customers.

 Organize monthly business receipts 30 pts ea month
This is honestly my very least favorite tasks in my business - organizing my expenses and income.  Each year I get a little bit better at organizing.  Personally, I take my take information to a professional so it is a little easier for me as I don't have to do an entry and tracking.  My first step was to create a hanging file with a tab labeled for each month.  When I do my orders I put the printed order copy into the month.  All receipts are placed in this hanging file.  I also use this for home too - I use the right side for my business and the left side for home. So if you can make it work for both.  Another option is to have a hanging file and at the end of the month put it all in an envelope and label with the month.

So for each month:
1.  Print/file your order receipts.
2.  Add details to your receipts - circle/underline the expense and at the top of the receipt write the type of expense (office, utilities, supplies, etc)

Respond: E-mail me the months you organized and details of how your organized them!

Enjoy your day off tomorrow - "see" you Monday!

Mini Steps to Success Team Challenge - Day 22

Follow-up Friday


 Connect with classmate, long lost friend or family member - 5 pts ea

Follow up with a phone call to a classmate, long lost friend or family member who you gave a Guest on the Go packet.  Be sure to promote the June Constant Campaign.  If you don't have a website - promote your upline's or side line's website.  Be sure to let your upline or sideline know of the referral.  While it is against corporate policy to reimburse you for the commission you have lost in the sale, you can let them know the referral is your customer so follow up can come from you as their consultant!

Response: E-mail me with details of each contact.
 Connect with customer to encourage June Jackpot - 10 pts ea
Follow up with a customer who attended a gathering in the last 3 months to promote the June Constant Campaign. 

Response: E-mail me with details of each customer followup.
 Connect with 1 team member to invite to Connected Hearts team meeting in July - 20 pts
Attending team meetings are an important way to keep connected to your team and learn new creative and business ideas to make your business more successful.  Contact with a team member - this can be a downline or a side line and encourage them to attend the Connected Hearts team meeting in July.

Response: E-mail me the details!

"See" you tomorrow!

Mini Steps to Success Team Challenge - Day 21

Things to Do Thursday


 Inventory supply items and create supply order - 5 pts

It's time to stock up your supplies for gatherings, clubs and workshops.  Go to the corporate website and print the supply list and then inventory your supply items and create a supply order.  Place the order with a gathering being shipped to you or as a seperate supply item.  Don't forget to order the new supply items for your hostesses and recruits!

 Update customer comments on Excel spreadsheet - 10 pts ea

Remember the customer list you downloaded last week?  Today we are going to begin working on this list to make it easier for you to sort the list for customer care calls.  How?  Simple - develop a system that works for you to enter information in the comments.  Here is how I do mine: Year Month Details.  Example 2010 May Hostess.  By placing the year first when you sort the list you will automatically have the customer information sort by year.  Then everything in May stays together and the details will tell you the contact.  Update information as you see fit to do so.  Here are a couple more examples of what I do:

Club member: 2010 Creative Club _______ (place host month in place of the underline area)
Outside order: 2010 ________ (month) ________ (hostess name) Outside Order
Craft fair/expo/etc: 2010 _______ (month) _______ (event name)

The key is to keep everything the same - same spelling, spacing, dashes if you include them.  When you sort by that column in excel you will be able to see all your contacts for the year organized for you by year and then by month.

 Update customer information in Customer Management - 20 pts ea
Once you have the information on the spreadsheet, update the customer information through the Customer Management in Online Ordering.  If you would like to skip the excel entry you can but I have found when I started doing this it is easier to work from the Excel spreadsheet to do the entry than sit at the computer and pull up each contact one by one as you can "lose" where you are very easily.

You will have today and Saturday to work on this so you may choose to do one part one day and one part on Saturday.

"See" you tomorrow!

Mini Steps to Success Team Challenge - Day 20

Web Wednesday


 Create & send June customer newsletter - 5 pts

Create a newsletter to send to your customers - include the details of the June campaign.  Be sure to send reminder e-mails each week.  On days with the goodie boxes - send an e-mail about the awesome deals!

Response: Send newsletter to me when you e-mail to your customers!

 Find a new game to play at gatherings - 10 pts

Go to the Training Academy and find a new Gathering Game.  Decide how you will play the game and how you will work it into your gathering (beginning, middle, end).  E-mail me for a fun Left-Right-Across game that I created as a presentation in a game!  Super fun and gets all the information in and they pay attention!  For the prize on my games, I took a previous SOTM that I got for the price of shipping and wrapped it up.  They passed the stamp set - the winner got the stamp set!  Perfect for getting their attention!

Response:  E-mail me game choice and how you will use the game in your gatherings. 
BONUS points - E-mail me for the Left-Right-Across game (10 pts)

 Update blog or MyCTMH with June SOTM artwork - 20 pts
Promote the June Stamp of the Month by showcasing artwork on your MyCTMH site or your blog.  Be sure to include artwork recipes and a link to your MyCTMH site for ordering (if you have a site) or details on how to order if you don't!

Response: E-mail me link to artwork!