I’ve got a special treat for you today. And it’s all about Wisconsin. As you know (because you are beautifully dedicated to reading every word I write), I was in Wisconsin this past weekend. A handful of Stampin’ Up! demonstrators (all members of Mary Fish’s Pretty Pals group) met in a cabin in Cambridge, Wisconsin to focus on our business stratgies. The retreat was not about crafting – it was about soul searching and helping us to find balance in our business. It was amazing! That said, I spent more time in the airport than I did in the cabin. 🙂
After an entire weekend of intense activities, delicious (and I do mean delicious) foods and great friends, I only walked away with one picture. You’ve asked for it, and I deliver. Here’s a picture of me, preparing to eat some deep fried cheese curds in the Madison, Wisconsin airport:
From the looks of the above picture, someone just punched me in my nose, broke it and then quickly snapped a picture.
While I was in Wisconsin, I also had the pleasure to meet Kris Kilcoyne, who does an amazing job organizing the Pals and keeping us on track. I feel like I have known her by our online friendship, but I didn’t meet her until Friday. Kris, a native of Wisconsin, has a son named Devlin who is turning 9 this week. I was running short on time but wanted to get a quick-and-easy card out to Devlin. Here it is:
Stamp Sets: Perfectly Penned, Create a Cupcake Inks: Island Indigo, Pumpkin Pie, Crumb Cake Paper: Island Indigo, Very Vanilla, Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper Accessories: Apothecary Accents Framelits, Cupcake Builder Punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals
Thanks for stopping by my blog today! Let’s have three cheers for Wisconsin!
Brian
Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! (how’s that for diligently reading every word!) Now! What does it take to hear the dish on Strategies you learned in Wisconsin! Oh yeah, probably sign up under you. Drats! Glad you had a great time and Happy Birthday Devlin!
(once again, nothing gets by me!… you handsome thing!)
Tee hee! The small group setting allowed us to each be inward thinking to really develop our business the way WE each want it to grow. No real big secrets that would be meaningful to folks who weren’t there. Truly focused on the individual needs and wants. It was wonderful!
Oh I see, similar in that SU wants you to work your business Your Way so that your strengths are what is building your business. Ok, off to study my strengths & weaknesses, needs & wants!
Your week end sounds like a winner. All that was missing was Tony Robbins ! I like the build it your way concept …. I like cheese curds even more …I think that`s a Wisconsin thing like sweet tea is a southern thing. Aren`t they goooood! Gotta love that Wisconsin cheese. Now before I get back to making my cards for the swap I must say HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEVLIN!!!! ( oh btw Brian duck next time if you plan to steal somebody`s food for a photo op!!! )
Those deep fried cheese curds are torture! I am a Wisconsin native currently living in Germany & I miss those yummy little things 🙁 Hope you enjoyed them as well as your time in Wisconsin 🙂 Just curious, where those cheese curds needed to help you focus on your business your way? 😉
Oh yummy cheese curds, they are delicious specially if they are deep fried!! Sounds like you had a great time, thinking about your needs and wants. Sometimes, my wants outdo my needs, sheeesh!! but I love it. Speaking of wants…..how about that stamp I mentioned yesterday?
Love the birthday card, the cupcake punch is on my want list!!
You and those curds are too cute! Really nice card, too!
I had to leave a comment as someone born and raised in Wisconsin so a life long cheesehead:) Go Packers! I am a subscriber and do so enjoy your cards, your tips and your sense of humor. Thanks for sharing all.
I learned from a Wisconsin friend about cheeseheads and Packers as the team to cheer for…but I don’t know about deep fried cheese curds!
Brian, first of all, I have lived “next door” to Wisconsin and their cheese curds for a total of 40 years, and I have never eaten a cheese curd fried or not. There is just something about the word “curd” … makes me think of “curdle”! Eew!
How great that you were able to spend the weekend working on building your businesses tailored to your own strengths, etc. And how sweet of you to make a birthday card for Devlin. The closer little boys get to double digits, designing cards for them can be as hard as making them for grown men in my opinion.
@Maria: Those “wants” vs. “needs” really do get in the way, don’t they? 😉
Sheeesh!! indeed they do. But when it comes to stamps and punches, paper and ink, heck!!!!! it’s never to much, (wink) My list of “wants” is way longer than the “needs” but I can live with that.
So happy you got to go to the WI event and be with some of the Pals! And the card for Devlin looks aweseome too!
love those curds! and I really like the card — great for any guy at any age. thanks.
Glad to see you enjoyed your “retreat”, Brian!! Or, according to your pic, your re-“treat”! ;D That is a really “sweet” birthday card you made for Devlin! You are on a roll! I need some masculine card ideas…hmm, must…delve…inside…head!
Have a wonderful day!
This is a great card and one that I would like to case to make for my nephew!
I grew up in Minnesota and moved to South Dakota. However, like our neighbors in Wisconsin, I really like those cheese curds. They taste yummy with Ranch dressing!