FABULOUS.
That is the word to describe my visits to Scrapbook Territory and Scrapbook ISLAND. First, I LOVE the owners Diane and Laurie. I have known them both for years and they are much more to me than a business associate. I LOVE them. I would do anything for them. If they called and said- Teresa can you...the answer would be YES...true friends. They are the BEST hosts.
Diane picked me up at the airport (7am) and I was so tired. I only slept two hours that night. I had to leave for the airport by 4am for my flight. Diane took me to the store and then we headed to the BEST DINER for breakfast in Berkeley with my new friend Sue. Hi Sue- FABULOUS!!!!! I had the BEST omelet ever. I left my favorite sunglasses at the restaurant...bummer!!! Breakfast was great- but the conversation was wonderful. My stomach was KILLING me- (you know girls like contractions--but for no reason) I told the girls and Sue was my LIFESAVER and headed to a drug store for Pepto Bismol. No lie- it's the ONLY thing I take for stomach problems...and it worked. By the time I was teaching- about 10am- I was good to go. THANK YOU Sue and Diane!!!!
I taught all day long- 3 classes. We had a class where we did my clear dome rings- decorating them. I did two myself. I pulled out the paint, the gems and it was FUN!!!! I LOVE the rings...seriously, I get stopped EVERYDAY asking where I bought my ring. I love that their mine and that they can be so customized. The classes went GREAT. I really connected with the classes and I saw many familiar faces and made new friends.
Of course, I shopped...the TC products were flying, and we stamped with my TC Stampers Anonymous stamps, used the BIA, DREAMKUTS, oh, so much more. Diane and Laurie carry MY ENTIRE - everything...they are well stocked with all the new...and so much more. These are dream stores for scrapbookers!!!!
So cool to see the MANY products that I've come out with in the last 6 months displayed in one area. Can you see the closures? stamps? 9x9 covers???? the entire back side of this display was my products too. I want to pinch myself- so thankful and grateful for YOUR support.
I am thrilled with the direction my company is going. So much in the works in the future. In fact, Jamie Harper is now officially on my team. She is the Teresa Collins Marketing Director. I am so blessed to have her to help me further grow and market my lines. She is flying into UTAH this Thursday for marketing and education meetings with me. She is staying at my home- in the construction zone- and we will be filming some education videos and working nonstop for 3 days. Congrats Jamie- I am so very happy to have you on my team. I am excited and thrilled for the talent she brings to the company. Go Jamie!!!!!
So after teaching all day Friday- we headed to dinner- a group of SIX of us. I made a few new friends- hey SANDY!!!! We ate mexican food at Picantes. LOVED it- always nice after a long day to go to dinner with friends. If you know me, I don't know the word stranger. I am "too chatty" and love being surrounded by other people who bring so much to make my life brighter. THANK YOU DIANE for dinner and for going above and beyond. Diane just makes me smile and happy by being with her. I so admire her and her huge success in such a hard industry (retail). Then I went to my "oasis" to spend the night. THANK you SANDY and JACK for sharing your GORGEOUS home. It was like a bed and breakfast- so comfortable and so beautiful!!!!! Sue and Sandy and I got in some late night girl chatting. Hmmm...bad bad John Edwards. Okay- I won't judge, but wow...feel so bad for his wife. Anyway, we watched the opening ceremony to the Olympics and had the best "non scrapbooking" talk. Hey Sandy- I will definitely check out Craigslist. I went to bed reading -breaking dawn. I love the book and am savoring it. Reading about 200 pages a day...right now- I'm on page 489.
Saturday morning, Diane drove me to San Jose to teach at Scrapbook Island. Again, spent the day teaching the most amazing group of girls. I had two girls who took ALL six classes. What troopers...and what a drive- thanks girls!!!! Laurie had a big room rented so that we could all fit comfortably. I LOVE teaching and so I so enjoyed the day!!! Laurie took me to lunch and we were able to talk about life. She is such a good hearted person and I admire her so much!!!! After teaching, Laurie and Sue and I headed to Outback Steakhouse (about 9:30pm) we ate, talked, and were finally asked to leave the restaurant after 12am...I guess they closed and we didn't even notice it.
Sue had me laughing so hard at one point this weekend- that I was literally CRYING. I needed that. I needed this weekend. THANK YOU girls- so many of you- I can't thank you enough.
Then I flew home yesterday- and I am tired. I have 5 contractors in my house today and so I am stuck at home...hate this part! My kids go back to school in 2 weeks from today. This makes me SAD!!!!! Anyway, off to do some much needed laundry.
Have a great MONDAY!!!!!
