TERESA COLLINS

HOME....

I'm home from CKU Nashville.

I have NEVER had a more meaningful experience.... I taught a very fast paced class- I SHARED from my heart and it was emotional at times-

some photos- teaching how to use my file folders with the bind it all- I LOVED getting to know my new friends- to make those heart felt connections...
Jamie, Beth, ME, Elizabeth, Debbie, Margie and Trina- okay...these ladies are my friends and I am so HONORED to teach in their midst. We were cheering on the girls as they came into the CKU event opening ceremony.

  As always.... TIM is the KING of CKU- yes, a dorm did a OVER THE TOP- ELVIS inspired TIM poster. I think it is hilarious. Tim is the best MC and gets the women excited!!!!! Thanks to Tim I am stocked up big time with glossy accents and now have his MINI ATTACHER (stapler). I have to say it's MY all time FAVE staper and I LOVE it! LOVE it....

I LOVE this girl...seriously, I can't tell you how much LIFE she brings to CKU. She has a GIFT. One that SHINES and makes people want to be around her. I have had the pleasure to know her for years, but it has only been in this past  year that we became closer and got to spend quality time together. She makes me laugh and she is just one talented girl. She also started her own company... so please check it out: The GIRLS LOFT

I brought a "few" samples of projects from my product lines. The always look better in person than on the blog...wink!
sorry- these photos are all unedited and well- I'm doing good to even blog tonight. ha! I was giving away some COOL prizes at the event commencement. I LOVE this part!!!!

I seriously HAVE no idea what Margie is doing here- but she is a FUNNY girl! I wanted to mention Trina (far left) she is from PIGGY TALES...and well- we jsut connected and I've made a NEW wonderful friend. Her heart is GOLDEN... such a wonderful person!!!!!

lots of scrapbooking going on- we had so many beginner scrapbookers and THIS is key to keeping our industry going and growing and thriving!!!!!

Kit and her darling daughter from Scrap Happy Sisters store in AZ...I am working on going to their darling store to teach.... YES- at the end of the event we were tired...but happy.... will miss ALL my friends from CKU-
If your interested CKU PROVO is around the corner...August 2009 in Provo UTAH. I know this one is going to be over the top!!!!

THANK YOU to all my students at CKU- we shared didn't we????, my wonderful assistants who I could not have done it without, Rosemary- you have got to be the nicest woman ever! Thanks for the ride, to everyone at Scrappacino (Lola, Kathy and my amazing NEW friends) it was a night full of FUN, thank you to Ken and Product Performers who SERIOUSLY are  the best distributors in the world. They shipped and packed so many boxes, class kits and are my corner supporting me 1,000% in this partnership. CKU staff AMAZING...and I appreciate all that Paula does to make CKU happen. I taught at my first CKU five years ago- wow!!!!! I have to end by thanking Jamie Harper my friend and marketing director for TC. I COULD NOT have done it without her. She worked nonstop and took on the role of photo taker, assistant, shipper, sales, etc. YOU name it- she did it. She allowed me to focus on teaching and took care of so many details. I love you and want you to know I appreciate so much all that you do-  I think I just gave a speech....sorry! I just feel a heart full of deep apprecation.

Now off to spend some time with my husband...love and missed him!

CKU FRIDAY-----

Taught my album class- DOCUMENTED...
It was a raw but sharing account of my passion and
desire for others to DOCUMENT and tell their story.
Many tears were shared and expressed by me and my
students.... a connection that I made that can't even
begin to be expressed. You just had to be there!

I taught a FAST 1.5 hour class- we used the pink bind it all's -
I traveled with 24 of them- 9 DREAMKUTS machines and 6 Scor-it boards-
our TC pallet was HUGE....
These are my NEW best friends- yes, they came and took my class at Scrappacino tonight!!!! Thanks Kristi, Sheri, Angela, Ashley for being SCRAP rockstars!!!!!  Okay, THIS GIRL did something tonight that really touched my heart strings. KRISTI flew from CA- yes, you read that right- with her 4 year old....to take my class tonight. I was literally shocked that anyone would go to that great lengthn to want to take my class. Wow...what can I even say???? I noticed she was wearing a beautiful black ring...so cool. I complimented her.  At the end of the class she told me she wanted to give me the ring. I did not want to take it- I couldn't believe it! So I said, well then you have to take my ring. I was wearing a BIG pink funky (not at all real) gem ring. So she left wearing my ring and I had her's. I will never ever ever forget her... I am still in shock...humbled and grateful that she would want to do this to meet me.
My heart is simply overflowing.....
A few minutes ago, I was on my laptop...skypeing my husband....Jamie took this photo..... this was our FRIDAY NIGHT date night....he told me seeing me on SKYPE makes him miss me even more. AH...sweet!!!!

Early morning....another day of teaching and I'm headed to bed.

Wish you were here-----

CKU DAY TWO- Inspiration Station

Wow...what a great day. Students stayed in ONE classroom for the entire day. We (instructors) had thirty minutes classes, and would rotate from class to class. In all we taught 8 classes. I followed Lance (RPickle) and then Tim followed behind me. Tim was always right on my heels read to go- he kept me on schedule!!!!

Photos from the day- I LOVE LOVE LOVE to teach- THIS is such a honor to meet each and every one of the students here.  Yes, that is crazy Katy and friends! We are being a little SASSY-
Who is that stylish girl on he catwalk????? It's Ms. Margie with her Zebra bag...so stylish!!!!!  Jamie was once again AMAZING and helped me so much- she is so appreciated!!!!! These girls know how to perform. LOVE their PINK boas...and so Margie and I were the wanna be's. Love the opening ceremony of CKU. It's a time for girls to have some FUN and CREATE some memories. Scrapbooking brings us together- love our shared PASSION!!!!!
The MC's of the night- Tim and Elizabeth Kartchner. This was the opening Pep Rally. Lots of colorful POM POMS....

I met the coolest girl today- her name is TRINIA and she is with PIGGY tales. LOVE her and she helped Jamie and I do some "gem bags" tonight in the hotel room. I LOVE making new friends!!!!

Time for bed- more tomorrow!!!!

CKU Day ONE-

Made it safe and sound.... to Nashville. So love love love the GAYLORD. I wanted to share some photos from day one. I thought I would post EVERY NIGHT a few photos from the day-

  My crazy friend Margie- I so want her apron!!!!- and Ms. Debby Schuh. We are at the MIX and MINGLE for the student body. 
This is my "new" singing and dancing friends that I met at the sports grill. They wanted to sing their CKU song for me- yes, they included me in their cheer song.
They will be performing it for the CKU student body tomorrow night. I was HONORED that they included me in their skit song. They were darling, cute...and I can't wait to have them in my class!!!!!! I love their PASSION and ZEST!!!!!!
INSIDE The GAYLORD- yes, it's BEAUTIFUL.... look at the room balconies.... love it!
Also, LOVE the waterfall....
So cool to SKYPE my kids at home. This melts my heart to know I can talk to them, and see them on the computer each day... simply the best modern technology.

Jamie and I are up "geming" up the kits. A crazy busy day tomorrow and I will POST more photos of the event in the evening. FUN TIMES!!!!

nashville...

that is where I am headed to tomorrow.
I want to tell so many of you that I am WAY behind in emails. I promise to try to catch up when I return. Year end of school is like Christmas week. So hectic but so fun!

Zach's team won the 11 U Memorial Day Tournament- go Storm.... I was a NERVOUS wreck watching Zach pitch during the big games. He did awesome!!!!

Today, Ty played and had the most amazing game too- he struck out 9 players in a row...hit like a madman and they won!!!! He was beaming...
I have to share a story. When Ty went up to bat, my husband noticed that he did the cross over. (the sign that Catholics use as a prayer, I believe). He did it twice. After, the game we asked him why he did it and if he knew what it meant. He was like "I have no idea, but I see the pros do it all the time before they bat." We explained to him what it was and that we are not Catholic, but he was so CUTE doing it!!! It just goes to show HOW EASILY influenced our children are by others!!!! I apologize for not knowing the correct name of the "prayer." One of the players of Zach's team does it before he bats every time and it is wonderful to see such a young man living his faith.

I have a VERY early flight in the AM to CKU. I'm full of BIG TIME emotions. I feel so thankful to go teach this class.... I want to share the message of my class with you-

"To me this book is so much more than a project or class. It is the very essence of capturing who we are. It is a project kit designed to help you DOCUMENT  and tell your story. AFTER ALL IF YOU DON"T TELL YOUR STORY, WHO WILL?"  teresa collins-

Thank you to my sweet family for supporting me and allowing me to share and teach...and live my creative dream. I love you-

I'm going to post from the hotel...stay tuned......

it's the weekend-

I am going to be enjoying LOTS of  baseball. Zach is in a MEMORIAL day tournament that is two games today, two tomorrow and hopefully if they make it MANY more on Monday. I just found out that I will be on Good Things Utah Channel 4 TV on Monday too. Okay, Utah watch me at 10am. I am doing TC Jewelry... I so LOVE scrap ARTWARE!!!!!!!

I am so happy that I got my projects for an upcoming idea book to FEDEX and ON TIME! I can be a creating machine..and feeling lots of pressure from various deadlines.

I wanted to share my upcoming class in ONE week at

• Scrappuccino
  Friday May 29th 2606 Hwy 41 South Greenbrier, TN 37073 615-643-2622    I am teaching this:    I always feel so bad for those of you who aren't near a store that I am teaching at.
  

I finally have my projects designed for GREEN TANGERINES. I will be there June 26th. This is the big book project- it is a 3.5 hour class.


I wanted to do a big FAMILY book (7x13) and we will stamp lots and use lots of transparency..and have lots of fun!
The other project that  I am teaching is a 3 hour class and is a mini book and 2 6x12 layouts-


This project was designed by Jamie Harper and I love it! I was thrilled that Green Tangerines (Sacramento, CA) asked me to teach this. I was informed that you can SIGN UP *NOW*... I hope to see lots of you there!!!!!

It's a GORGEOUS day and I got my 4 miles done in the early AM so I am HAPPY and feeling
so thankful... I want to thank MISSY JAYCOX for the fun surprise. I am always appreciative for the random acts of kindness that sometimes make it to my home. THANK YOU for taking the time to do something nice for me!!!!!

Now...time for some BASEBALL-----

REMEMBERING...

Well, I am traveling to Nashville, TN next week. I am teaching at CKU. I have to admit, I am THRILLED. I have taught at CKU's before. In fact, so many that I couldn't count. THIS TIME- it's different...I am TEACHING with my very own Teresa Collins designs- I just feel REALLY happy for the last year and 1/2. So CKU is doing a handbook and asked for BABY PHOTOS of the instructors. I had to look hard for a couple photos. I have VERY few...and
well- this is what I found today:

Yes, this is ME!!!! I thought it would be fun to share. I always used to wear my hair in piggy tails.

Okay- I admit, I looked like a boy...and I was very chubby BUT I am so thankful that I found these pictures TODAY. 

Watching American Idol tonight-
Have a great night!

LOVE THIS...

Sometimes IT just hits me... a feeling of WOW and how cool is this-

I got a really wonderful email from a store owner in Taiwan, Laura Liu. I met her during classes in San Francisco at the Joan Mills Rep Co show.  She wrote, "After we learned from you in the workshops, we began

our Teresa Collins’ workshops in Taiwan.  

We conducted our first Crush Album workshop last Saturday.  We’d love to share our happiness with you and tell

you how much we love your product lines.  Even we wrote in Chinese in Crush Album, we still delivered

our best love to our beloved ones through the album.

Her store is CREATED with LOVE in Taipei, Taiwan.

First, I loved seeing the photos and that she shared this with me. I just was THRILLED that scrapbooking is so popular THROUGHOUT the world. It has so much MEANING to me! I feel LUCKY....

CRAZY WEEK I tell you, and I LOVE it! My son Zach is playing nonstop baseball and so is Tyler. It is so hard for me because they are only 14 months apart. However, they are SO DIFFERENT. In size, looks, personalities, but they both play baseball. Zach has hit 21 home runs this season so far- and Ty is determined to hit a home run (over the fence). It breaks my heart because he is a GREAT player but not a home run hitter. He has hit it to the fence about 8 times but it doesn't have the JUICE to go over. I struggle to know how to deal with this with Ty. They both are competitive and I want them both to excel and be happy. YIKES! Tonight, Ty has a game. I keep my fingers crossed that he wacks one over- it would be a big huge deal to him. Anyone else every have kids close in age and in the same sports?

I have always felt that Heavenly Father gave me kids with all different personalities and skills so that I could learn to be a better mom. I have had the most popular child in the class and a child that struggled to have friends.  I have dealt with it all!~ Teaching my kids to accept and love others and be EVERYONE's FRIEND. I know as parents we have our heart broken so many times when our child is hurt or excluded. I think it affects me more than them-ha! I keep telling my kids that they did not come with a lesson manuel and I'm trying to learn as I go. I hope that will make me a GREAT grandmother!!!!!

IT's HOT here in SLC. I mean HOT! I have to go exercise NOW before it gets to 91 degrees again. More later....

A fun PRIZE....

check it out:

Technically- they are 2 weeks away from starting the contest but since I was ONE of the sponsors I wanted to show you the picture of the grand prize. This should be fun!

The prize is worth hundreds of dollars. So much good STUFF! All the contest details are on the sight now...

 
The is the  CONTEST LINK

MONDAY

LOVE MONDAYS!!!
a fresh start to a new week...
I am starting off my day today (kids at school) with a hour power walk. I know if I don't do it first thing- well, it will NEVER get done. I'm trying once again to not drink diet soda and focus on just water, water.... DIET SODA is my big vice!!!! I envy the people who never drink soda or crave it- like my husband. I am the only one in my family who drinks it! I am such a bad example in this department.

I have just not been doing good since I got sick and then went to France in the health department. I traveled WAY to much and my poor body is craving for MORE.  I need MORE exercise, better eating, etc. so I cleaned out the kitchen (detoxed the junk)- and am recommitted to "THE BIG PICTURE." Amazing thing, I can gain weight so fast, but I can lose it fast. HA! I lost 6 lbs. (as of this morning) and am on a roll to get back to my "comfort zone." ha! For me, that means ZERO sweets, starches, etc. I am loaded up on lettuce and salad stuff. It's what my body loves and craves anyway.

I was so blessed that my friend APRIL LAMBERT from North Carolina- is a photographer, scrapbooker, coolest girl around- friend. If I lived in NC- I know we would be always hanging out together. She took some photos of Zach and I at the INSPIRED event. I loved ZACHS...loved...but well, I did not like HOW I looked in the photos. Nope, not April's fault. I could see in my face- how tired I was, and how I was just not feeling "good." Anyway, I can't seem to upload the photos but I wanted to thank April- because she is amazing and I appreicated her doing this.

Okay, my walking shoes are calling me-
Time to get moving!!!!