Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Almost a New Year!

Wow, what a great response I had to my last post! I loved reading the thoughtful questions that were posted! It was hard to pick just one to answer, so I'll answer a few. ;) If your question is below, please email me your address so I can send you a few stamps. {grin}


Question #1:
ScrapAloha said...
Merry Christmas! What was the most important thing you have learned so far in your business experience?


ScrapAloha, Hmmm...that would have to be..."Get everything in writing" I mean everything. Anytime something is said, even in passing, get it in writing. I could give you tons of examples, but it might hurt some feelings.

One good example though is when I was told a certain company (starts with a 'd') was going to hire me to run the entire company (ib), so they asked me to fly across the country and meet with them. Of course I went...long story short, they changed their minds and I was out the plane fare, hotel costs and airport parking. {OUCH!}

That's just one example. I think I let my heart lead me more than my brain. ;)

Question #2:
Jingle said...
Merry Christmas! If it makes you feel any better I finally got all the cards made and they are still sitting in a neat stack in my scrapbook room! I know...it figures! Hopefully I'll get some handed out tonight, at least. So, here is my question...with being so amazingly busy, being a working mom and such, how do you make time for yourself to craft and then how do you make the most of that time. I'm not a Mom, but I do work full time, commute 10 hours a week, volunteer a ton, and make time to spend with my husband and it can get tricky! Thanks for considering my question!


Jingle, Ok, I'll be honest, I chose this question for two reasons. One, because I have a friend named Jingle. (Yes, it's her real name!) and two, to pay a tribute to my wonderful husband. How do I find time? Honestly, I don't. My house is a mess. Really. Especially my office and bedroom. The downstairs looks decent, but that's only because my hubby vacuums and cleans. (He also cooks when he is home and does the laundry. I am so blessed!)

I also stay up until at least midnight. I like to create at night. Even most of my blog posts are at night. I'm a night owl. And let me tell you, I am NOT a morning person. Hubby gets up at 4:30 am to work out and read the bible, paper, etc. I try to sleep until at least 8 unless I have carpool. ;)

Question #3:
by Shelly said...
Merry Christmas Stephanie! I absolutely love your videos. Each time I watch them I get totally inspired. My question is, If you knew ahead of time what was going to happen to Inque would you still have done it?


Shelly, Thanks for loving my videos. I love making them! This was my favorite question! The answer, Yes. I would of still signed up. ;) I have learned so much in terms of business, dealing with employees, graphic art, sourcing overseas, photography, videography, the list is endless. I might of lost a little, but what I have gained far out weighs the loss.

I met so many incredible people! I worked with some great and talented individuals! I was so happy. I mean, what type of crazy person works at 10pm on Christmas Eve?!? I can answer that. It's someone that deeply loves her job and the people she works with. ;)

At the same time, though, it was wonderful this Christmas to not have any of the work thoughts creep into my family time. Not once did I feel like I needed to check the computer for emails. It was very freeing. ;)

Ok, the random chosen comment is from:
#54
Margaret said...
Good thing you aren't a guy or for sure somebody would want to know... boxers or briefs! My question is, of the four seasons, which one do you like designing for best (rubber stamps or whatever you are up to now) and why?Being a early spring baby I find myself enjoying the design of spring cards with flowers and eggs and bunnies. What about you?


Margaret....Boxers or briefs....anything BUT a thong (those are crazy!) :)

Answer to your real question....Hands down...Spring! I have two girls. Flowers rule my life. ;)

Ok, so, if I answered your question, send me your address (via email). If I didn't answer it, please forgive me and post it again!!! There were so many great questions, I wanted to answer them all...but this post would be too long! {grin} So, please post your question on this post and I'll pick a few next week.

Big hugs, and Happy New Year!
Stephanie

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Merry Christmas!!!!

Sometimes, you have to just go for it and be politically incorrect. Now is my time....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Ahhhh, I feel better now. As a Christian, Christmas is a very important and special time for our family. Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, I pray that everyone takes a few moments out of their daily lives and reflects on how incredibly blessed we are.

If you are a family member or close friend, please don't expect a Christmas card from me this year. {Gasp!} My BFF (gosh, can you tell I have a teen in the house!?!) told me people would think I was depressed if I didn't send out cards this year, but I want you to know I am doing very well. ;)

I've just been so b-u-s-y! Our new company is off to a quick start (I'll start sharing more soon!) And, I'm enjoying life once again. Window shopping, hanging with friends and life! It's the little things I missed when I worked 24/7. Now, I make my own hours and I fit work into my life, not my life into my work. I love it.

However, there is one thing I miss...and it's YOU!!! I miss the daily emails from customers/scrapbookers/stampers. I loved hearing the stories...that's what I miss.

So, here's the deal. I'm going to start some chatter around here. Once a week, (on Mondays) I'm going to answer questions from you. So, post a question in the comments section, and if I answer it the next week, I'll send you some inque stamps. (gotta do something with the stamps I have!) I'll send at least 2-3 images (not sets, sorry, I'll run out too soon....) to each person that I answer their question. I'll also choose one random person. So, at least 2-3 winners a week....Sound like fun?

No question is off limits. Well, ok, r-rated ones are. (that would be too weird for me....) ;)

But, make them good. No easy ones like, "How many kids do you have?" (two girls...15 and 11).

Ok?

Ready?

Get Set....

Go!

Hugs,
Stephanie
P.S. Once again, Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

It's Time for an Update...

First, I want to say a big "Thank You!" to everyone that posted a comment or sent me an email since my last post. That post was very difficult to write, but I felt you deserved an explanation. (And it was therapy for me to write it.) {grin}

And now, for an update....


I've been doing so much better. I just read over that last post and I could feel the pain I had when I wrote it. I'm in a wonderful place in my life right now. I am stress free. I've been amazed at how once the shock and pain wore off, how the stress literally left my body. That's a good thing.


So, what's been keeping me busy? (Besides life of kids/family/hubby?)




The thing I've had to keep me busy is my photography. I'm sure many of you don't know this, but before I started inque boutique, I was "thisclose" to making my photography business official. I had a portfolio ready and even a few clients that wanted sessions. I even had Simple Scrapbooks request two of my photos for photography articles....it was the direction I was going in before IB/Sugarloaf......but when someone offers to pay you to design stamps and offers you a dream job meeting all your requirements...you jump. :) It was the right choice at the time, and I stand by that decision. But now, it's photography's turn.




I'm updating my portfolio, (doesn't seem right to use photos I took two years ago....), I purchased a website (it's not up yet....), and I even updated my camera with some of my severance pay.....Ahhh....don't you just love getting a new camera?!?


I'll start posting portfolio photos soon. In the meantime, here's a favorite I took last month at the beach of my oldest daughter and her best friend.....



I love the 'grunge' look when it comes to teenagers, so I got to play with this photo in photoshop!

Here's a more 'traditional' photo, of Katie.....


I'll be at CHA demonstrating and walking the show. (More info later....).

Again, thank you so much for your kind thoughts, well wishes and prayers. I always put my trust in God and I know HE knows what's best for me. ;)

Big hugs!

Stephanie

Thursday, October 16, 2008

A Blog Post I Never Thought I Would Write....

It is with a very sad heart that I write this blog post today.....It's something I never thought in a million years I would ever say. A part of me is still in shock, yet I feel like some sort of explanation is overdue. Please forgive me for making this long....

It all started two months ago. I was visiting my parents while they were camping and my boss at Inque Boutique called to tell me the company had been sold. The worst part was that we no longer had jobs. {insert tears here....}

However, there was some talk that the new owners would want me to carry on with my job duties...so there was some hope...I flew to Ohio to meet with the new owners...I thought everything went well. They said they would let me know....

Well, today they did. They have decided that they have "other priorities" and I am not needed. They will continue to sell the Inque Boutique products they purchased, but future new products are not in the plan and sound very unlikely. :(

Needless to say, I'm sad. Inque Boutique was my third child. I gave Inque Boutique my heart and soul...everything and every minute I had was devoted to the company.

It's weird to think the new owners will be selling my stamps, with my name, with my picture, yet, I'll have nothing to do with it.

I'm sad, BUT, I'm not bitter. I loved working for the previous owner and I know this wasn't personal. Business is business and that means you do what you have to do.

I am SO grateful for the things I have learned. I've learned so much about marketing, graphic design, dealing with China, gosh...so much...I could of never learned the stuff I did in a college classroom. I'm taking with me more knowledge about business than I can ever imagine.

And the people I've met! Let me tell you, I have met some of the most loving, caring women! I've loved traveling to teach at stores, I've loved taping the videos and getting emails from customers. This job was a PURE joy. AND a Blessing. I loved every minute. Even when I would get up at 4am to check my emails....I LOVED my job. {more tears} You just have no idea. (feel free to stop reading here...I'm typing for therapy at this point.....)

Many exciting things happened to me at Inque. I got to create a line of paper, ribbons, felt embellishments, and SO many stamps! Someday, I'll have to count how many stamps I designed! :) And, last month, I realized a dream. I went on National Live TV on QVC, and demonstrated my own stamps. That was the ultimate. I assure you, that was the most incredible feeling. It all ended on an incredible high. That's a good thing. I couldn't ask for more than that. Really. It's just hard to think that someone else now has my 'baby'. I ache knowing all the hard work we put into each and every item. It does hurt. I can't lie that it doesn't.

But, I'll survive. In the scheme of life, this is only a minor curve ball. This is nothing compared to what others are going through now. Job losses, foreclosures, bankruptcy....so many things are happening right now to friends of mine...my situation is small potatoes.

Lucky for me, I worked because I wanted to... not because I have to. Before Inque, we were a one income family and we were doing just fine. We are fine now, too.

I'm down for now, but I'm not out. :) Don't feel sorry for me. I'll be ok. I know God has a reason for everything and let me tell you, I have my trust in Him.

As I look to the future, I have a few options. I'm taking it slow and I'll chose the one that's right for me and my family. You certainly haven't seen the last of me! {grin}

But, for right now, right this second, I need to grieve a little. I need to pack up the papers, felts, brads, ribbons, chipboard...and save them for another time. I can't look at it all right now. It's too much.

But, the stamps...ya gotta love the stamps. I won't be able to pack them up. :) For now, I'll leave them out and smile at them. Probably blow them a kiss or two. Soon, I'll pick them back up and create again....

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Home Sweet Home



Ahh, I got to sleep in today. :) Woke up at 9:30!


While I was gone, I was getting up at 4:15am and 5:30am eastern time...so, do you realize, that's 1:15am and 2:30 am for me?!? Yikes! For someone that is a night owl, I got tired real quick!



QVC was once again a great experience. I had four items on in one hour, so there was tons of rushing around but I LOVE the rush!



Mary in South Carolina sent me these great pics...Thanks SO much, Mary!



It was a thrill to share my designs on QVC. I'll admit, I did get misty eyed! Here are the stamp images that you couldn't really see on the air:


Ignore where it says 40%...that's only if you are looking at the paper that comes in the kit. QVC.com still has a few stamp kits if you haven't gotten yours yet. {grin}



So after my trip to QVC in PA, I was on a plane to OH to meet with the new owners of inque boutique. I spent a day there and then flew home on Thursday.



I'll try to post some of the layouts/projects I had for QVC using the kit. I just need to get hubby to photograph them for me...(He is becoming quite the photographer! I'm so proud.) :)






Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Yes, It's been awhile....


Many things have happened in my life since my last blog post.

Some good things.


Some sad things.


Some wonderful things.


Some exciting things!



Let's start with the wonderful....


My {little} brother got married last week. What a joy the wedding was. Kirstin and Katie were in the wedding. They looked so beautiful and grown up!










The wedding went very smoothly and was in an incredible location! If you are planning on getting married and live in Orange County, you have to check it out! (email me for info!)








The last month has been filled with wedding prep. Finalizing the dresses, the hairstyles (straight...nice and easy!) and the schedule for the day. Since the wedding was on a Friday night, we had to coordinate work and school and cheer schedules.

My brother and new sister-in-law are now resting and relaxing on a 14 day cruise. ;)


Here are some more photos:



Isn't she beautiful!?! The dress was amazing, too.







I love how my brother looked at me in this photo! Too cute!
















One of Ken and I inside at the reception.


This location was FAB!



This is a photo of my Dad and my brother. My brother is three years younger than I am, but he looks LOTS older. {grin} He likes his gray hair...he thinks it's the George Clooney look!


And NO I do NOT have that much gray hair. He started getting it in his early twenties. Yikes. (I will admit though, I do have a few gray hairs...just nothing like him!) {grin}


I love to tease that he got the height in the family. (Keep in mind, I'm wearing two inch heels in this photo!)


I have so much other news to share, but it will have to wait a few days. Just a quick hint, though...I'll be going on QVC on September 23rd...more info to come....


Big hugs!

Stephanie

Friday, August 1, 2008

Ahh, Summertime....

The girls aren't home....Kirstin is at Cheer Camp at a local college for four days and Katie is camping with my parents for a week. The house is too quiet! It's funny, I travel all the time for work, and I'm fine being away, but the second the kids are gone, I'm home with an empty house and I h-a-t-e it!


Anyway, I thought it would be fun to post this new video. I posted it on the inque blog as well, but figured I should post it here, too. :)





Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Off to Chicago!

Well, I'm *almost* packed...I leave on a 7:55am flight to Chicago...for the CHA tradeshow.

I'm leaving early to help a bit with the booth and then to take a full day class on Copic Markers (to become certified! Woohoo!). If you aren't sure what Copic Markers are, check out my buddy, Debbie Olsons blog. She ROCKS the markers!

(These markers are not your kid's markers...let me tell you!) ;)

So, off to the Windy City...I can't wait to see everyone! I'll try to twitter while I'm gone. ;)

Hugs!
Stephanie

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Plastic Surgery at inque boutique?!?

Okay, I don't usually tell secrets like this one, but I just had to share the scoop on someone at inque who has had "a little work done."

We all thought she was pretty great before, but now she's so fresh, pretty and feminine, I just want to show her off!

Watch our latest video and see who I'm talking about, PLUS see a great project idea from fellow Inque member Karen S. from Santa Fe, New Mexico. You won't believe how quick and easy it is to make a beautiful background for projects using nothing more than paper and our ink pads!


Hugs!

Stephanie

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Never a Dull Moment!

Yikes, it's been a while since I've posted. Thanks so much for your emails as to why I haven't updated my blog! I'm so sorry....life gets so busy!


On Monday, Ken and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary. I can't believe it's been 18 years! Time really flies!


Here's a wedding photo...

Gosh, we look like babies! By the way, that's sparkling cider....I wasn't 'legal' to drink yet! ;)

Here's a recent photo (taken last year)


My, I've changed, Ken just looks more like a grown up. ;)


On my trip to CKU Houston, (the week before our anniversary), Ken handed me his iPod and told me there was something on it to watch once I got on my plane. He wouldn't tell me what it was, so I was really curious.


I got on the plane and turned that thing on.....


Ken had digitized (is that a word?!?) our Wedding Video! It was now on the iPod, playing right before my eyes. Of course I cried! I haven't seen the video for at least ten years! It was amazing to see my dear Uncle Bill and Ken's Grandma (both have passed away). The feelings that rushed over me at that moment were unexplainable. Now, two weeks later, I get teary eyed just thinking about seeing that video.


What a sweetie Ken is to me. I don't deserve him.
He also put 13 going on 30 on the iPod. So I watched it on the way home....hey, did you know you can fast forward on an iPod? I didn't....my teenager thought it was hilarious that I didn't know that....hey, I don't OWN an iPod...WHY would I know that?!? {The iPod was Ken's not mine....}
Big hugs,
Stephanie
P.S. Don't forget, June 28th is Everything Inque Day! Have you printed your coupon yet?!? Head over to Inque Boutique to get it!

Saturday, June 7, 2008

I'm home, CKU was a blast!

Ah, home sweet home. Yes, it's a mess, but it's our mess. ;)


CKU was once again WONDERFUL! I love meeting scrapbookers and stampers from around the United States and the world...the UK and Brazil were represented...and probably a few more countries! Of course, I had my camera; however, sadly it didn't have a memory card in it! (I'm such a goober....the memory card was at home in my printer....) So, if you went to CKU and have some pictures you would like to share...I'd love you to email me some! :)


One of my rules about traveling for work is that I MUST be home for my girls' birthdays. I missed my 10th anniversary (my hubby is a big boy), but the kids come before work....


Katie's birthday was Friday, and I finished teaching in Houston on Thursday at 4pm. No problem! Well, my first flight was delayed, so I would miss my connecting flight....big problem. Our airport closes at night (before 11pm), so I was in trouble. Luckily, a wonderful man at USAir took pity on me and booked me a non-stop Houston to
Orange County on a different airline! I made it home! (trust me, I was praying like crazy!)


So, I wake up to LOTS of noise in the kitchen....Katie is in her room getting dressed, so I go downstairs and it is my teenager making an egg and cheese and bacon omelette with toast for her sister. Along with three candles! I couldn't believe my teenager was being so thoughtful! {if you have a teen, you know what I'm talking about!} ;)


Here's a picture of our morning...yes, they look sleepy...it's about 7am....


We are off to see Wicked in Los Angeles today. Ken and I saw it last month and it is fantastic! If you ever get the chance, you must see it.
Big Hugs,
Stephanie

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Quick Updates

As I finish the last minute touches on my class for next week, I thought I'd list a few quick updates.

~I've added a new video to my 'channel' at You Tube. You can find most of my current videos here: Current Videos You can also subscribe, which allows you to get updates whenever I upload a new video.

~Our new products are shipping to stores. Woo Hoo! I can't wait to see the creations that will be created with these five collections!

~School is almost out! Yeah! My freshman is getting an itch to go to the beach, so summer can't get here soon enough! ;)

~Can you believe the gas prices?!? I just paid $4.03 a gallon at Costco! For the cheap gas! Yuck!

Well, gotta go....

Hugs,
Stephanie

Friday, May 23, 2008

I'm Going to Texas!

I'll be teaching at CKU, but I'm also teaching a class at Novel Approach. Here's our email about the class...

If you are in the area, call the store to sign up. I think there are still some spots open.

Hugs,
Stephanie

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Life gets so B-U-S-Y!



I just wanted to jump in and say hi! I don't know how it happens, but life just gets so busy. I'm sure you know what I mean...running the kids here and there, school projects (that I end up doing!), work projects, and then the family thinks I have time to make dinner. {grin}




Trust me, I'm not complaining! I love being busy. However, sometimes I wish I could push the 'slow motion' button so I could get other things done...laundry, cleaning, etc. But, hey, family is more important than a clean house. When the kids are grown and gone, THEN I'll clean this house. ;)




Here's a card a created a while back....It uses one of my most used sets, a Thank You set. You can see it here. I still can't believe you can get 17 stamps in that set for around four dollars!




Off to a neighborhood picnic...
Hugs,
Stephanie

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

This video was a blast to make! One of the gallery members on the Inque site did a wonderful job on some Mother's Day projects. I just HAD to share them with you. :)

There are three videos, this is the first one...the others will come soon!

Hugs,

Stephanie

Saturday, May 3, 2008

I'm home!

Yes, I'm home safe and sound after spending 36 hours in PA. I'm surprised I feel ok today...I figured I'd be really tired. Luckily, I got to sleep on the plane, so I'm feelin' A-Ok!

QVC was a blast. I get such a rush being in front of the camera. People often ask if I'm nervous, and the scary thing is...I'm not. The first two times on the air, I was, but now I feel pretty secure in the situation. ..... I'm not sure if that's good or bad.... ;)

I met a great girl from Bazzill. Kelli...you rock! Hope you made it home safe and sound! What on EARTH did you do at the airport this morning?!? Hugs!

Do you know what Twitter is? Ken made me sign up. It's kind of similar to blogging, but you can do short updates via text. So, while I was at QVC, I could send short updates letting people know what was going on. You can sign up to 'follow' people and see their updates. It's pretty fun. You can see mine here: http://twitter.com/StephanieBarn

I'm going to have a new video this week....Ken is editing as I type...lots of fun projects for Mother's Day, or any day. :)

Hugs,
Stephanie

Monday, April 28, 2008

Jumping in...

Hi!

I'm just jumping in really quick to let you know I'll be on QVC this Friday. Two different times...1am-3am (somewhere during that time) and also 5pm-6pm. Those times are Eastern Time, so if you live in my time zone (Pacific) that's 10pm on Thursday to midnight and then 2pm-3pm on Friday. ;)

I fly into PA at around 6pm on Thursday and fly out at 7am on Saturday. I'm planning on not sleeping. {wink}

If you are like me, you just set your Tivo and don't worry about it...although, as I set it, Tivo reminded me that I was already taping two items at that time on Thursday. Hmmm....ER, Without a Trace.....ohhh. Which show to sacrifice?!? Decisions, decisions! ;)

Hugs,
Stephanie

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Time for some more video fun!

This stamping technique is called Masking. {no, it's not Halloween!} Find out how to create this great look for you scrapbooks and cards!


Oh, have you found the 'hidden' contest we are running at Inque Boutique?!?

Check out the current issue of Cards Magazine!!!!

Hugs,

Stephanie

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Lots of Random Thoughts...

While I was at CKU, I finally got to meet someone I had been talking and emailing with for months. Heather from CKMedia is always so sweet to me and nice even when I call and ask a silly question. ;) Since Inque is new to CKU events, I had LOTS of questions (and still do!) Heather is always so calming and reassuring! {Heather, I love you!}

So, when Heather sent me this photo of her and I, my first thought was adding it to my blog. Ya know how some people just touch your heart? That's how Heather is. :)







Tomorrow is Kirstin's birthday. I can't believe my firstborn is going to be 15. Wow! I can't believe I will be a Mom to a 15 year old. Where has the time gone?

She's at cheer tryouts right now... that kid is busy. She had 30 minutes at home after school, and she'll be at school until 8:30 tonight. I'm tired just thinking about her schedule!

Did you see our ad in Cards magazine? It's so exciting to see in print!

Hugs,
Stephanie

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

And the winner is....

Oh, it was so hard to pick a winner from my "Cheerio" post, so I just chose a number. Number 3....so I went and checked, and Carolyn Mcavoy...you were post #3!!!! Please email me your address...I'm going to send you a little prize!! :)


Thanks to everyone that played...check back often for more giveaways. I love to learn about other scrapbookers/stampers/crafters!!! I had such a great time sharing your pets' names with my family. Thanks for sharing a part of your life with me.




My kids are home this week for 'Spring Break'. Sadly we can't call it 'Easter Vacation', since it's no where near Easter! Hmmm. ;( But, the fun thing is, hubby scheduled this week off too, so they are all home. So, he gets to play taxi driver while I work....I'm kinda liking this! ;) Although, he doesn't like to go to 7 Eleven as often as I do....he is such a party pooper! {grin}



Some big news happened at our house. My ten year old has decided this season will be her last season as a competitive cheerleader. {gasp!} She has been a competitive cheerleader since she was five! This was her sixth year on a team. The season is almost 12 months long, so she has been cheering more than half her life!.....It's a sad time, but then it's also an exciting time, since she has decided to take up dance. She will try out for a local dance team next month.



Her goal is to be a Songleader in high school. Big sister is a Cheerleader at the high school and the two together (Song and Cheer) make up the Pep Squad. As long as they are happy, I'm happy too. Although, what to do with a total of EIGHT years of Magic clothes, uniforms, sweats, bows, etc.!?! ;)



So, in the spirit of Magic, here's a video....


Hugs!

Stephanie

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Hi everyone, here's a fun little video for you. Don't forget to sign up for the pet contest down below in the comment sections. Two days left to join. Hugs Stephanie

Monday, March 31, 2008

Short, but Sweet!

Ok, I'll admit, we are having fun with the videos. (Ken (hubby) is having fun with the editing....)


(If you receive this update via email, you'll need to visit the blog at www.stephaniebarnard.blogspot.com to see the video.)

I thought it would be fun to have a contest.... List your favorite pet name in the comments section and I'll choose one randomly for a prize. :)

Hugs,

Stephanie

Friday, March 28, 2008

Just another day....



I also wanted to share a photo of a new friend. Blanca visited with me at CHA and is from Guadalajara, Mexico. :) We had a great time visiting with each other and she even helped her local scrapbook store owner place an order! Hi Blanca! ;)





Tomorrow both girls have cheer competitions. Kirstin is competing at Knott's Berry Farm (can you say FUN!?!) and Katie is competing at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The hardest part for me this season has been not seeing both girls compete. When their competitions overlap in different places, I have to miss one, and I'm just not used to not being there for one of them. :(

Well, I better sign off....we have to get up early!

Big hugs!

Stephanie

(If you are being emailed this blog, please visit the blog directly at www.stephaniebarnard.blogspot.com to see the video).

Monday, March 24, 2008

Easter!

We had a great Easter. ;) We slept in, went to the 11:30am church service, came home, had family over and ATE. Oh, we then ATE some more... ;) Hubby made a turkey with all the trimmings. Normally, Easter means ham at our house, but we all prefer turkey so much more, so hubby agreed to do a turkey. ;)

This Easter was a little different than Easters in the past. Since the girls are getting older, we didn't have the early morning rush to the Easter Baskets. Although, I missed the Easter morning activity, I LOVED being able to get up at 9:30. ;)

A funny thing happened yesterday, and I'm not quite sure what to make of it. The last few days, my hubby has been into taking pictures. I mean really, into it. He's taken possession of one of my older cameras and made us pose! And pose some more! Once, he was even worried about the lamp in the photo! He was playing with lights....oh my. One "wanna-be photographer" in the house is enough...what on earth am I going to do with the two of us taking pictures?!? ;)

Although, if I look at the silver lining, at least maybe I'll get to be in a few pictures now! {wink!}

Here's another video for you....I hope you enjoy this fun technique.

Hugs,

Stephanie

P.S. If you are receiving this as an email update, you will need to visit the blog direct to see the video... www.stephaniebarnard.blogspot.com

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Videos!

I'm thrilled so many of you are enjoying the videos. ;) I appreciate your emails! It's fun to be able to show a project to so many people.

I had the best time at CKU Chicago last week. I was there teaching for Inque on the Inspiration Station day. Every student received an exclusive CKU stamp set from Inque Boutique. We used some of the stamps in our class. It was a busy day, but it was a BLAST!

I'm already looking forward to CKU Houston. I'll be teaching a class at Novel Approach as well as doing a demo at By Design Scrapbook Boutique. I'll post more info as I get it.

So, since the videos are doing so well, I thought I'd post another one. Check back often (or better yet, sign up at the right to get email notices when I post) to see more and more videos. Ken (hubby) is getting pretty good at editing, so that means more videos. ;)


Hugs,
Stephanie

(If you are receiving this via email and you can't see the video, visit the blog direct at www.stephaniebarnard.blogspot.com )

Monday, March 17, 2008

Mini Calendar using Inque Boutique Stamps

I'm having fun posting videos, so I thought I'd post another one! ;)

Here's one I did a few months ago, but never posted on my blog.

Hugs!
Stephanie

Monday, March 3, 2008

Home from San Jose!

My little one, Katie, and I went to San Jose for the weekend. (It's a one hour flight). She competed in a cheer competition and earned First Place! Woo Hoo! We were thrilled.

It was so wonderful to get away, just the two of us for a few days. It's amazing what you can learn from a ten year old. ;) We were really able to re-connect and spend some quality one-on-one time together.

So, we got home really late last night and I told her she would be tired when she woke up, but boy was I surprised. She woke up with a fever. Poor thing. I guess our weekend was a little too big for my little one. :(

On to fun stuff.....

I'm off to CKU Chicago next week! I can't wait to share the Inque Boutique project with the entire student body in one day! Whew! That will be a kick! ;)

In the meantime, here's another fun video I debuted last week on the IB blog....


Big hugs,

Stephanie

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Time for a Video! ;)

Since I do so many videos for Inque, I thought it would be fun to post one on my blog. I've never posted one of my videos to the blog, so I hope it works. {grin!} If it does, more will follow!

Hugs,

Stephanie

Monday, February 18, 2008

CHA Revealed!

Thanks so much to everyone that played, "What's new for CHA?".

The random winner is......




Jan Farnworth! (Jan, email me your address...you win a prize!)



So, to answer my own question, EVERYTHING in the layout is new. (well, the photo isn't and the stamps were actually released at the Summer show, but the rest is!)

We are coming out with so many fun/wonderful/exciting products! They will all be on our website soon, but I just had to spill the beans!

Big hugs!
Stephanie

Friday, February 8, 2008

Inque Boutique Sneak Peek!

Ok, promise not to tell?!? I mean REALLY!?!




I'm about to show you a sneak peek that I created for our booth....keep in mind, NO one knows I'm going to show you this peek.... {I mean it...NO one!} I'm livin' on the edge....



Blame it on lack of sleep!

I really want to show you what I've been up to....so, shhhhh!




Are you ready?




Are you sure?




Don't tell anyone, ok?



Oh, maybe I shouldn't.....




I don't want to get into trouble!




Awww, shucks....




Here you go....



(Sorry the photo isn't that great....I had to take it with the camera on my phone! I can't find my camera! yikes!)

So, my question to you is....what part of the layout do you think is the sneak peek? If you leave a comment with your guess, I'll choose a {random} winner after CHA and send them a goodie!

Big hugs,

Stephanie

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

I'm such a bad blogger!

Wow, I feel so bad I haven't blogged in a LONG time. I've been so busy, it always gets pushed to the bottom of the list. I have to do better. ;)

Anyway, I just got back from doing QVC. I flew out on Sunday (all the way to PA...that's far from CA!), went on the air Monday morning, and then flew home that afternoon. Talk about tired! ;)

The biggest tradeshow of the year is coming up...in just a few days. I think we are ready. Well, almost. I have a few more things to finish up, but all in all, we are about ready. I think.... {wink}.

I have the whole family involved. My hubby and father-in-law built a {blank...sorry can't tell any secrets, just yet....} and it was really involved. I promise to share pictures once I'm allowed to. ;)

You should see my office/studio and my living room and dining room. Filled to the brim of new products! Wowsers! This tradeshow is going to ROCK!

Once you see what we are releasing, I hope you'll forgive me for not updating this blog as often as I should. The products will prove to you I've been busy! ;)

Big hugs,
Stephanie

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Define Life...

If I had to define my life in one word, it would be................ BUSY.

It's a good kind of busy. The kind that makes you eager to jump out of bed in the morning and sad that you have to go to sleep at night. It's THAT kind of busy. :)

The girls are full swing into cheer competitions....This weekend we have three! Ken and I will split up so we can see the girls each compete. Of course the competitions aren't ANYWHERE near the house....oh, well. Happy Kids = Happy Mom and Dad. ;)

Work has been so exciting. I can't wait to share our creations with the scrapbooking industry. The CHA trade show is about three weeks away....I'm surprised I don't have a countdown clock! :) It's good I don't...the anxiety would kill me!

If you are at CHA, make sure you stop by our booth. I'd love to show you our new goodies!

And for those of you who can't make it...no worries! It's so close to home, I'll be home every night and I'll post photos on my blog of our products....shhhh. Don't tell, ok?!? {grin}

Well, I better go hang with the kids. It's almost bedtime.

Hugs,
Stephanie