Let's talk shop. It's been forever since I've had the opportunity to write about the fun things I do for my job and in my spare time, which just so happen to be one and the same - the job and the spare time are not the same, but the what I do when I am not being the mother of teenagers... that's the same. I read, I watch television, and I craft. Mostly, I craft. And when I'm not crafting, I think about crafting because crafting is my passion.
Next weekend I will be in Framingham, Massachusetts working at the Susan Gilman Spring 2007 Wholesale Show with Luxe Designs. Susan Gilman and Company is a manufacturer's representative group that work with the rubber stamp and scrapbooking retailers on the east coast area. I'm not very rubber stamp savvy, but I am scrapbook proficient, so my hope is that I will have something to offer the attendees as I learn a little about stamping along the way.
While on the trip, I will also visit Right at Home Scrapbooking located in North Attleboro, MA, where I have been invited to teach two classes. I've heard wonderful things about this store, and I'm very much looking forward to meeting the owners and the customers. During the past couple of weeks, I've been working on the class projects that I will be sharing with the Right at Home group. This will be the first class I've taught using the Classic Black collection from the Luxe line of products and it's been really fun putting page ideas in class format. It's also been rather overwhelming because I have not put together my own kits for several years.
Kitting requires much organization and a whole lot of space. My kids have come to conclude that kitting is as bad as sewing because my sewing table is where I kit, and that just happens to be located right where they want to be - downstairs watching television (John), talking on the phone (Alyssa), playing the guitar (John), and painting fingernails (Alyssa). I offered to pay them if they would work on the kits with me, but neither of them seemed interested in earning a bit of cash by gently placing paper and pretties in nice, organized stacks. So it turns out that I flew solo as I prepared the kits. The pictures below show a bit of the process, as well as a sneak peek at the title page and one of the insert pages we will be making for the mini albums:
There are a lot of behind the scenes things that go into putting a kit together, namely much cutting and measuring, as well as some trial and error when it comes to getting the written instructions right. I always make a trial kit after I think I have the class just right, and then I either have Alyssa make the projects by following the instructions, or I do a test run myself. Once I think I have it all put together correctly, I then add photos to the test pages so that I have a finished project to share with the class. And that's where I'm at today - I am to the trial phase of the class. I still need to do a test run and print out the pictures. My hope is that I've got it right and don't have to tear the kits apart and start over (which has happened before). When I return from Massachusetts, I will share the finished album because it's one that I've fallen in love with. Also, I'd like to invite anyone who reads this blog and lives in the Attleboro area to stop by Right at Home Scrapbooking on Saturday, March 24. I'd love to have you in the class, and I always enjoy making new friends while on my travels.
Regarding a kit of a different nature, I am out of my mind excited with a discovery I made today. When I was in Anaheim last January, my friends from EK Success warned me that I would be thrilled when I got my hands on their new tool kit. I worked with those cute EKS girls for several years, and when they tell me that I will be thrilled, I absolutely believe them. They know me very well, and they know that I like everything girlie and pink and fun. But what they didn't tell me was that the new item they were referring to was something that I've been needing for ages. Today as I was shopping for stamps to use for practice in preparation for the Susan Gilman Show, I stumbled across the very thing they were referring to. I purchased it on the spot:
This is the new EK Success Tool Essentials. It comes with everything shown in the pictures. And the Cutterpede is pink, as is the stapler and the actual bag (very exciting for a girl who loves pink). Some may wonder why a person who has been scrapbooking for years would need new scissors and more adhesive and yet another paper trimmer (considering I own at least five Cutterpedes from my old EKS days). Humph. That's me. I need this kit because I absolutely require duplicates of these items. At least once a month, I get on an airplane and head off to parts unknown where I teach and demonstrate and play with crafts. These are the tools that I randomly stuff in my suitcase every month. Once I arrive at my destination, I then toss everything into my briefcase, because heaven forbid that I would attempt to get on an airplane with scissors in my briefcase (been there, done that, lost my scissors at the security gate). These are also the items that I've replaced more times than I can count because I've left them behind in hotel rooms or at convention centers. With this great Essentials bag, I will have everything in one place and I will be able to grab and go each time I travel. Alyssa thinks that I will not only use the Essentials for travel, but that this bag will become a kitchen table kit as well, since I am constantly running up and down the stairs when I get the urge to create in the kitchen and want to be with the family at the same time. My guess is that she's right - I will use this kit every single day of my life, and the duplicate tools will be used just as often as those that have a home in my scrapbook room. I am so happy with this purchase. I love it. My friends at EK were right. They truly do know me well.
So there's my life in a nutshell. It's all about the kits right now: class kits, test kits, tool kits, and kitting kits. Which makes me realize that it all comes down to organization - and as long as I stay organized, a kit of any kind is a beautiful thing.
Kels- When I lived in Newport, RI I worked at a Stamp Store called 'Newport Stamp Studio'. It's now closed, but I met Susan because she was our area Rep, so I know who she is. Have fun teaching!
BTW...I need to ask you a few q's about IVIG. Porter starts this summer.
hugs-Peg
Posted by: Peg | April 06, 2007 at 09:18 AM
My kids won't help me kit for 24 or 12 for that matter! :D I'd help if I could!
Posted by: robyn bedsaul | March 26, 2007 at 01:14 PM
HI, friend! I can't wait to hear about your trip to RAH! You will LOVE it. :)
Have a safe trip!
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer S. | March 22, 2007 at 09:42 AM
Kel--you just call me and I'll come kit with you. I'm always up for earning an extra buck! ; ) {tee-hee}
Kitting should always be shared with a friend! : ) <<----and you can quote me on that! ; )
xoxo.
Posted by: Becca | March 22, 2007 at 12:52 AM
I have purchased over 30 kits and only used half of one of them...These look really nice and I would be happy to "test" them out for you...That is if you NEED me to0, LOL!
Posted by: Gina | March 21, 2007 at 02:14 PM
Hope you had fun! IHATE kitting...it sucks lol
Posted by: Adrienne | March 19, 2007 at 05:31 PM
Kelly--I just got caught up on your blog...the kits look too fun! I wish I lived close enough to take one of your classes! Gonna email you some more personal stuff now! Hugs!!
Posted by: Laura Fiore | March 18, 2007 at 11:58 PM
So close, yet so far! I feel like if you are in New England it's just a stones throw away from NY - I keep forgeting where in NY I live! A good 6 hour car drive from N. Attleboro! I have my scrapbook retreat next weekend anyway. It'll be good to be back with old friends for a weekend. My store owner is going to the same event in Framingham. Enjoy!
Posted by: Donna | March 18, 2007 at 12:00 PM
Man, I wish I lived closer... I would have LOVED to help you assemble the kits. And I would have gladly done the trial run of your class. I'm hopeless when it comes to following directions, so if I could do it, you know you've done it right! LOL
The pink EK success bag and accessories... they ROCK! Wow! That would be the PERFECT thing for travelling. I would LOVE not to have to pack all my stuff from my scrap room whenever I headed out to crop. :D
Have a great trip, Kelly!
Posted by: Barb | March 18, 2007 at 07:50 AM
I wish I could come to the crop in MA but it is alittle bit out of my way. That tool kit is awesome off to find me one.
Posted by: Chiara | March 17, 2007 at 11:42 PM
LOVE your kit! Too bad I weren't closer, I'd help you out in a heartbeat! I love doing that kind of thing - weird, I know. Have fun with your new pink "toy"!
Posted by: slammie | March 17, 2007 at 05:41 PM
Kitting classes sucks. There's no other way to put it. I remember it was spring break last year and I had just injured my back. I stood there in my kitchen....dying with pain...packing 500 class kits all by myself. I'd do five, then sit down, then five more, then sit down. Misery, I tell ya. You have my deepest sympathies.
Posted by: Barb | March 17, 2007 at 05:18 PM
Next time you need help, just let me know! I'd be glad to come over and "kit" with you. I'm just in Mont.gomery Co. The kit looks cute!
Susan.
Posted by: Susan | March 17, 2007 at 08:26 AM
Hey! Glad to see you're kitting that thing. Hoping the trial run goes well. EKS. . . I must admit, I've gone the way of the MM cutter and I haven't touched my cutterpede again. I couldn't talk myself into the pink kit as much as I tried! I really wanted to be able to justify that thing! Glad you've got it. . . that kitchen table kit is a good idea. As is being able to travel with a kit. . . you know, in case you get stuck in a city somewhere! {grin}
Posted by: heather | March 17, 2007 at 01:25 AM
if i lived close i'd come help you kit and i wouldn't even require payment. i love doing things like that. love to organize. love the pink eks kit. had not seen that before. a must for any pink girl.
have fun teaching.
Posted by: meg | March 17, 2007 at 12:52 AM
Hey, Kelly -- Isn't that kit the best?! I don't have the cute pink version, but its less cute black predecessor is equally handy. I love that it zips up and holds in EVERYTHING. If you want to stop by the NYC area going to and fro in your travels, you know I would love to see you!! ;)
Posted by: Carla | March 16, 2007 at 11:42 PM
Sound like you are in a better mood today..glad for it.. was worried about you. We (Michael, Kelli and I) are off to Las Vegas bright and early tomarrow morning. We will be staying with Michaels brother and his wife. Will be there until next Friday night. It will be Kellis first time there. We were there once when she was in Jr High. Got to go..have packing to do.
Posted by: Randi | March 16, 2007 at 10:23 PM