hasn't it been just the most stunning thing to watch the competitions this week on tv?
i have to admit... i got sucked into american idol this season. i have never watched it before... and i am a junkie... seriously, 6 hours of idol this weeK? it's a curse to my life! and i can't really multi-task while it's on... i really have to watch. so in addition to watching, and marveling, at the olympics... i have been enjoying the idol competition...and amazed at the difference and similarities in the competition and judging... i mean, here we are watching people who are the best of the best.. passionate dreamers... they sacrifice and work and train... and show up to compete and in a lot of cases... get ripped apart by the judges... what occured to me as i have been watching this week, is that the thing that separates a champion from everyone else... is that they are driven and fueled by that criticism and it's that which makes them better, fiercer competitiors. you can't really compare the idol contestants to olympic athletes except that it's brutal pressure, they pour their hearts out there...and we are all watching. i am inspired... and, it kills the time before the next 24! makes the week go a little quicker!
well, i have to tell you about how awesome our trip to edmonton was! teaching classes makes me happy! i admit... for some reason, designing classes and preparing to teach STRESSES me out! i think it's a lot of pressure to come up with classes that teach something new, inspires, is simple enough to complete in the allotted time, but still challenging for the students and exciting. in my mind, a good class should inspire, educate, entertain and impress-- and in addition to that... i think it should be meaningful! to me, scrapbooking is about so much more than 'cutting the red cardstock to 4.5"x2" and mounting it on the blue cardstock!' ... you know what i mean? --of course you do! anyway, that is why it stresses me OUT!! anyway, this was such a fun class to prepare and present cause it was for retail store owners! then it was even more fun cause i was showing them new products and how to use it... many (most) of them hadn't seen or used most of what we were showing. i think that out of the 150 or so people there, 90% had never used a mask! and they LOVED it! the masks are so fun to teach... people are so pleased with the results... here is what i learned...
1. people don't know that the plastic alphabets are SELF-ADHESIVE.... they were stoked on that.
2. everyone thought that journaling spots were pieces of chipboard. in reality, there are 10 pieces of paper in each little pad. that was an exciting realization for them!
3. silhouettes are a confusing product for everyone... they are NOT adhesive or a rub-on... we convinced everyone to embrace that!
4. (and this was the HIGHLIGHT!!) i can teach anyone how to use the heidi swapp rub-ons! everyone there had had problems with them in the past, but with a little commentary from me, all in attendance were both successful and enthusiastic about the rub-ons!!! LOL
i tell you what.. the rub-ons are such a frustration to me... because i really enjoy them... but frankly, not everyone does!!! and when so many people have a problem using them, 2 things happen... you start to wonder if you are insane...and then you realize, that you have to change manufacures, cause even if they work for ME... doesn't matter! they need to work for anyone. but after this weekend, i wondered if i need to have eric do a little home i-movie to post on the blog and then i can teach everyone in the comfort of their own home! sigh... in any event, it was exciting to have people enjoying the rub-ons in the class!! LOL (simple pleasures)!
well, em and i are leaving tomorrow morning for "palm beach"... i am just wrapping up the instruction sheet. i am excited about the class.. i think it's a good one! i am looking forward to a great weekend in FL!
Oh, would you please, please, please convince Eric to do the online video?
those rub-ons do have a mind of their own.
I haven't tried all your stuff, but I did buy the Album set on QVC & I'm lovin' it!
Hugs!
Posted by: Tautchia | February 23, 2006 at 07:44 PM
would love to see the video how long do they last after a couple attempts I threw them in a drawer, are they still good?
Posted by: Dee | February 23, 2006 at 07:44 PM
PEG I AM NOT A STALKER! :P
Heidi, Just so you know, I'm driving almost 4 hours to meet you this weekend. I am SO flippin excited!!!!!!
I have a bakeshop here in St. Mary's and I'm bringing you a little baked surprise. :) Have a safe trip! YAY!
Posted by: Suzanne (squillen) | February 23, 2006 at 08:26 PM
Heidi! You're coming to Palm HARBOR, Florida, not Palm Beach (west coast versus east coast). This is going to be the best weekend I've had in quite a long time. I love all your products and have never had a problem with the rub-ons, but a video might be a fantastic idea. See you Friday AND Saturday! Have a safe trip.
Posted by: Lisa | February 23, 2006 at 08:40 PM
Oh please, oh please do the i-video class for the rub-ons!! For all that is good, no matter how hard I try, they don't come out right. Several of the ones I had purchased actually came all cracked, but the Advantus customer service was very quick to replace them! I so want to use them, and I pull them out all the time and think they would be perfect for a layout, but then I get scared, that it's gonna mess up again, and then my layout will be lost and I will be frustrated! Please do the i-video, for my happiness and sanity!! Love your creativity!! Thanks!
Posted by: Laurie | February 23, 2006 at 10:27 PM
Hi Heidi:
I loved your class this weekend in Edmonton. I will open up every little product that you have and let every customer try them so I can spread the word on how to use your products.
I am dying to sit down and do some pages with your stuff (love, love, love, the fuzzy rub-ons). You truely are an amazing designer, you have put products out on the market that no one else has done before and every little thing you have done is awesome!! You are an orignal and I love that!!!
Sorry for spelling mistakes. Blogs don't have spell check. lol
from Sarah (the one who won all the lip shine; and now I will make sure I have glossy lips for every picture!!!)
Posted by: Sarah Pandolfo | February 23, 2006 at 11:39 PM
PLEASE GET THE HUBBY ON THAT!!!
i BAUGHT SEVERAL OF YOUR RUB-ONS AND NEED TO KNOW HOW TO BE ABLE TO USE THEM PROPERLY.
i TAUGHT A CLASS USING SOME OF YOUR RUB-ONS AND IT WAS FRUSTRATING FOR SO MANY OF THE WOMEN.
Love your stuff, tho!!
beverly
Posted by: beverly | February 24, 2006 at 03:56 AM
A rub-on class is needed desperatly! I have to struggle with those things everytime I use them to the point that I refuse to use them anymore.
Posted by: Amanda | February 24, 2006 at 05:13 AM
Looking forward to meeting you tonight at the crop and taking your class tomorrow. You will love the girls at Ruban Rouge, it is a great store.
I am so excited for this weekend, it is a Birthday gift to myself
Kim Bolyard
Posted by: Kim Bolyard | February 24, 2006 at 05:57 AM
I've used some of the rub-ons and they have worked fine for me - but my Lemonade ones and I just don't get along. Would love a tutorial!!!! I love them & want to use them but they just don't come out right.
Good to know about the plastic letters too!
Cheers.
Posted by: Hols | February 24, 2006 at 08:18 AM
I am SO excited to be one of the ones taking your class this weekend!!! I cannot wait!!! :)
Posted by: Christy | February 24, 2006 at 11:25 AM
Ok, did you have to say that the new letters are self adhesive? Now I have NO MORE excuses for not running out to LSS and getting them! Really Heidi, I do like your products, and have some ghost letters on their way to me right now! (I LOVE being able to STAPLE them on a page... its like being a scrapbook rebel because its not all teddy bears and cutesy!!LOL) looking forward to that mini rub on demo... :)
Jude
PS, American Idol is way too addictive isn't it! :)
Posted by: Jude | February 24, 2006 at 11:48 AM
My local store owner was at your class in Edmonton and according to an email is very excited about what she learned. I love your products and am trying to keep myself from running to the store to discover what she learned
Posted by: Tracey | February 24, 2006 at 02:04 PM
Love the letters that are self adhesive ! :) No need for two products.
I've watched every season of American Idol - can you count up all the hours in front of a TV set that's been ? LOL
Posted by: Brooke | February 24, 2006 at 03:43 PM
Heidi!
Love you too much, though not really loving the rubs...have received replacements, and still not lovin them, living in Fl, I guess we are too humid or something, but I would love to see some video from you on how to use them...you have designed some gorgeous rubs, but when they don't work for me I get so frustrated!
Thanks! Can't wait to see that ivideo...
Courtney
Posted by: Courtney | February 24, 2006 at 05:27 PM
Yes! You must do a video. I just got my first HS rub-ons and they are a pain. Adorable, but difficult. Please show us how to apply them!
Posted by: Alish | February 24, 2006 at 05:33 PM
Oh, I'm voting for the rub-on video, too! I'm feeling quite stupid, but I cannot get them to stick cleanly on the paper- and while I love the 'grungy' look that the missing pieces gives, I'd like to get a 'clean' look sometimes, too.
BTW, LOVING your journaling spots!
Posted by: Janalee | February 24, 2006 at 08:25 PM
I am soooo glad I read your blog so I know I'm not the only idiot that is having troubles with the rubons - I too will await the video - lol. I am frustrated with the silhouettes however. I think the packaging should state how to apply them. I almost tour them apart try to find the adhesive yesterday!!! Love your stuff though - just needs instructions!
Posted by: Denise Sanner | February 25, 2006 at 05:59 AM
Wow, I guess I am not alone! Love your products but really don't understand a few of them. Have Eric work on that video for the blog!!! I would also love to see how to use the masks.
Keep on coming up with your fantastic ideas and products - I do love them!
Posted by: Barb DeWitt | February 25, 2006 at 07:48 AM
Heidi, I have truly enjoyed watching the Olympics too, and am LOVING American Idol -- definitely sucks you in!
Glad your class was a success, I bet everyone had such a great time! Have fun in Palm Beach!! =)
Posted by: Rachel Cohara | February 25, 2006 at 02:39 PM
Hey, I have to agree about the rub -ons
In New Zealand a LSS (in my old hometown of Hamilton) is selling them off half price because of all the complaints they have had - Sorry!!! - they are explaining to people that is why they are on sale, because of the difficulty of use especially on papers such as Bazzill.
I love them and love the fonts but definately think a demo video might help - hate for your product to be getting a bad rap when it isn't deserved.
Keep up the good work, it appreciated even on the far side of the earth : P
Cheers
Fiona
Auckland, NZ
Posted by: Fiona | February 25, 2006 at 04:23 PM
Hi Heidi!
First time poster, long time reader here!!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE (!!!) the idea of a little home movie for your rub ons!!! I love all the fonts they come in, but I can only seem to get lemonade stand to work well for me! So I would be most grateful for a little show and tell from you guys!
I'm off to be very excited about a video that doesn't exsist yet! Whoo hoooo!!!!
Willisa Hogarth
Melboune, Australia
Posted by: WiLL | February 25, 2006 at 05:05 PM
I've had no probs with them but would still love an i-movie - then I could say I've been taught by Heidi Swapp!
Posted by: Lara | February 25, 2006 at 10:51 PM
I have been SO frustrated with my rub-ons! I thought it was just me! I just LOVE the fonts but since my first experience was so bad I haven't bought any more. They have a really bad reputation so something needs to be done. It's such a waste having all these yummy fonts that we can't use! I vote for changing manufacturers. LOVE all your other stuff! I have SO much heidi stuff!
Posted by: Yvette Adams | February 25, 2006 at 11:16 PM
loved...just LOVED...you class in FL! came home yesterday and finished my pages and have now been playing with the masks and iron ons. I have never used them before the class. They have become my favorites! today i am going to use them to decorate some tee-shirts and a beach bag for myself. Thanks for the inspiration! come back soon! :)
Posted by: lisa | February 26, 2006 at 05:51 AM