Disney-bound! (You can be too!)

This year's National Convention will be held in Anaheim, California at the Disneyland Hotel!  I look forward to this event every year as I get to have fun and connect with my team members and other fellow Consultants.

We always have a great time as the Idea Book is unveiled to us "live" - you would be amazed at the excitement such an unveiling generates!  We have the opportunity to learn about the newest products and fabulous techniques in which to incorporate them as well as business trainings that help us make the most of our businesses.

Since returning from Convention last summer (held in Washington, D.C.), my friend Teri, shared an incentive idea she was doing with her team and I jumped onboard.  My team members had an opportunity to join the Mickey Mouse Club, simply by registering for Convention.  We have the luxury of doing so by joining the "Dollars to Disney" program where we can make gradual payments towards our registration fee!  I did this last year and felt like I was able to attend for FREE since I never felt it in my pocket book.  I'm excited to have participated in this program this year - even tucking away a little money towards new products (which we can purchase at a discount at Convention)!  For those who joined the club...I also sent them the above pin, to wear at their Close To My Heart events, and this CUTE card!

I used the retired "Giggles & Grins" paper packet and the retired "Fancy Fuzz Borders" - to create the Mickey silhouette.

There's nothing like the experience of being at a Close To My Heart Convention.  If you would like to know more about becoming a Consultant and a member of my Heartfelt Sentiments team, please email me and I would be happy to provide you more information.  (There is a wonderful recruiting campaign that will take place during the month of February.  Watch my blog, during the early days of the month, for additional details.

Getting Organized in 2011

For those who know me, I'm a pretty organized person.  I can find most things I need when I need them - but I can always use some additional and CUTE organizational methods to help me in this area!

After attending Team Builders and hearing a presentation by Dana S., I came home with motivation to decorate and organize this Business Binder.  It has everything I need, at my fingertips, for my Close To My Heart Business including downline and customer information, creative ideas, and my business calendar.  Of course, I had to decorate the CUTE cover using the Sophia paper pack and coordinating cardstock!  Here's to staying organized this year!

Successful Nation-wide Team Gathering

My accountability partner and dear friend, Teri, and I worked together to conduct team meetings in various locations throughout the United States yesterday and we pulled it off with great success!  Between the two of us we had 51 attendees!  Isn't that awesome?!  With both of us having lived away from close acquaintances involved in CTMH, it has allowed us to greater understand the feelings of those who don't live in close proximity to us, their uplines.  We taught two different workshops and had fun networking and connecting nation-wide over the phone through a conference call.

Each location coordinated their own lunch menus.  I served a salad and potato bar (thanks to the idea from my friend, Cindy) and the attendees brought munchies.  Two of the items which were especially enjoyed was this chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting and strawberries and yummy cupcakes.

 From left to right:  Amanda, Karen, Cherri and Erlynne

 Lynn, Cyndi and Amanda working on their projects

 Here was our croppin' area provided by my dear friend and downline, Xellina.

Here's the entire group!

Front row:  Lynn , Cherri, Amanda, Xellina and Me (Melissa)

Back row:  Erlynne, Karen and Cyndi

I enjoyed spending time with these sweet ladies and it was wonderful to connect with so many of my team members in one day! 

Here is a photo of the group who united in Chandler, TX!

Front row:  Melanie, Pam, Rose Mary

Second Row:  Rebecca & Judy Faye

Third Row:  Joy & Tina

Fourth Row:  Janet & Wanda

WHAT FUN!!!!!  I look forward to our next nation-wide event in April!

Beautiful scenery in Salt Lake City

After our meeting Thursday night, we found snow falling outside as we sought a place to socialize and hang out for a bit.  It was BEAUTIFUL!  On our way out to find some fun, fellow Directors Naomi and Louise, posed with me for this fun picture (in front of a tree with red lights).

 

We were told that the hotel across the street was worth seeing and that we needed to check it out, so we did.  We found the courtyard covered in snow and saw it as an opportunity for some photos.

Me, Briana, Louise, Naomi, Noreen, & Cindy

Making some snowballs (and eating them).

Briana and I hanging out.

It really hasn't been as cold here as it could be (or maybe not much phases me anymore after living in Kansas last year).  I've enjoyed experiencing the winter in Salt Lake - although we have to see what weather we get today and tomorrow.

Having fun...

Safe & sound in Salt Lake City

I arrived last night, with my friend Cindy, in Salt Lake City.  We are having a Team Builder's Conference here, held with Close To My Heart Directors.  Our room is absolutely gorgeous and VERY spacious!  We have a beautiful view of the downtown area which is snow-covered.

 Vanity area outside of bathroom.  (Full-size closet to the right.)

 Sink area in bathroom.

 Glassed in tub.  (I refrained from posting a photo of the toilet.  LOL)

Here are photos from our room this morning.

Beautiful view of the snow-capped mountains.

 

Our conference starts this evening so we have enjoyed being lazy this morning.  Stay tuned for more updates from our weekend!

Business Card Magnet

Last year I was inducted into Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional society for women educator's.  I have known several members and always knew you had to be invited into the society and was excited that two of my co-workers/friends from last year, Monda and Gerrie, nominated me.  It was a great honor and I have transferred and maintained my membership here in Kansas.

This weekend I will attend the State Convention and will present, for an hour, on scrapbooking.  I've spent the last few days preparing some "goodies" and my presentation.  Thanks to my dear friend, Cindy, I followed her suggestion and made these magnets notepads to serve as a treat as well as a souvenir of my presentation (with my contact information attached, of course).

It measures 4" x 6" and is perfect for a business card and sticky note pad.  Thanks for the idea, Cindy!  I appreciate it!