graduation album

This is a big week in our family...my first born is getting ready to graduate from High School! I started my Creative Memories business because of her (before she was even born!) because I believed in the power of photos and journaling to build self esteem in children. I wanted my kids to have a sense of belonging, a sense of purpose, and a sense of how very much they are loved! 

She may not care much about these photos now but someday in her future she may look back and reminisce about High School and realize that it was not too bad a gig. These pages I used the A&Z pocket pages to get more photos in, as well as the White Out page refills. 

A lot of her pages have lots of photo journaling on them. I didn't really want to show those pages here because some of the stories are so personal to her journey. But I wanted you to know so you don't think that all the pages look like these. Most of them have journaling on them.  If you are not a writer - just a simple "I'm proud of you" or "I love you" will do - every child deserves to hear that in their life. They deserve to not just hear that but to see that written in their parent's or guardian's handwriting. 

Ahni & Zoe's first Incentive Trip!

I joined Ahni & Zoe in January of this year (their official launch) and by May was enjoying an all expense paid Incentive Trip to sunny San Antonio, Texas! I could not have done this without my enthusiastic Hostesses, Customers, and new Team Members! This was truly a dream come true! The accommodations (we each got our own room), the food, the sunshine, the friendships, it was first class all the way! 

I almost didn't make it! Terrible service from United Airlines left me stranded in Denver and missing the first night and day of our Incentive Trip! It was like being stuck in a bad dream where you are trying to get somewhere and you can't. My A&Z friends and the Home Office ladies were including me anyway - I was there on a stick! (thank you, Sue!) They even had a prayer circle for me praying that I could get on another flight (didn't happen, United overbooked Every Single Flight, grrrrr.). 

When I finally did arrive, I was able to leave all my frustrations at the airport. It is what it is. I have no idea WHY that had to happen (yes, I did have a "Why Me?" moment)...but I trusted that God is in control and His ways are higher than My ways. I truly thought that with all the problems in the world, if my biggest "problem" is that I'm a day late for an all-expense-paid Incentive Trip, then my life is pretty good!!! I mean, really? What do I have to complain about?

So here I am soaking up the sun, thinking, "I'm HERE!!"  I earned an Incentive Trip with my company!! One of only 30 ladies!! How did I get here?! And, I have to say, I really, really love the ladies who are here. We have been through so much with the restructuring of Creative Memories. We have been through even more with the co-founder leaving in February and taking teams with her to start her own division of a multi-level company (yes, we could have our own soap opera!). And yet, a remnant remains. New leadership, a commitment to

simplicity

fun

profitability

giving

smiles

I love, love, love my Ahni & Zoe business!!

I love the albums, the display boards, the simplicity, my wonderful customers,

hostesses, team, and my fellow leaders! I think direct sales can be such an amazing way to earn money when you find the right "fit" for you and you have a product you believe in and use. 

Floating down the "lazy river" with these gals was relaxing, empowering and fun! These ladies love photos, family and making a difference in others lives. One of the gals I met, Tracy, said she never did much with Creative Memories in all her years (17) of being with the company but when Ahni & Zoe launched she decided it was "her time" - she promoted to Unit Leader within a few months and earned the Incentive Trip! We both felt the same way when we saw the simple business plan, product line and opportunity. Now we are pacing partners because her and I are both "starting over" and excited for our future with this awesome new company! 

"Every day, you are creating your beautiful life.

You are traveling in the right direction.

Believe in your heart, be bold, be strong."

- M.H. Clark

20 Free Prints!

We are now offering high quality photo printing! All Consultants who join my team get 30% off all of their photo printing. It is a great benefit for being a Consultant for sure! It was super fast and my first batch of 144 photos are on their way to me! I can't wait to get them and put them into a Fast2Fabulous album!!  If you would like to get 20 free prints and try this, just use promo code AZ20FREE on my website: www.ahniandzoe.com/donna  click on the photo printing picture and you can use the code there.  If you would like to get the 30% discount, then you will want to click on Join My Team and order your Consultant Kit. That will give you wholesale buying privileges and also access to your very own Consultant website where you can be part of my team and this amazing new company! 

How to Make a Dream Board - Step 3

How have you been doing on your Dreaming?  (How to Make a Dream Board Step 1 and Step 2).  Have you clipped your magazine photos, brainstormed on paper, written or typed on strips of paper things you want to be, do or have? Either long term or short term? Great! 

Step 3 is let's get these goals/dreams in front of you!  A Magnetic Display Board is a perfect choice for a Dream Board. 

NOW when I have these in front of me it really helps me FOCUS on my work and living intentionally. The above Dream Board is for some of my very short term goals related to my work. I have another Dream Board that is focused more on personal goals and dreams. 

I've been leading Dream Workshops for small groups - giving them the time and space to dream and get this project complete.  Some of my clients have also asked me to come to their office to do these. This is a great team building exercise if you are working towards a company goal or incentive. 

You can visit my Facebook page if you would like to post some photos of your Dream Boards, I would LOVE to see what you have created from this series!!! 

Dream Big!

Ahni & Zoe mixing and matching pages!

I love my 2014 Album!  I started with a Fast2Fab Album (includes pre-decorated pages so all you do is tape your photos on the page)...then because I like to have more than 2-4 photos per page, I add some Slide-In Pocket Page Refills. Great way to get my albums done quickly and enjoy the photos!! 

 I used Slide-in Packs to fill any gaps and also used them as journaling boxes when needed.

This method worked great for events where I took a lot of photos (such as a Sweet 16 birthday and an 'epic' snow storm):

When I come to an event where I don't have a lot of photos, I don't add any Slide-In Pocket Pages...I keep the pre-designed pages as is and just tape my photos onto the designated spots, add my journaling right on the page. This is soo easy and looks so awesome!! I remember one of the "fears" people had about these new albums was that "everyone's albums are going to look the same." I just don't see how that is possible because now it is the PHOTOS that are jumping off the page and not the decorations. For me that is more desirable anyway and the whole reason why we enjoy looking at our photo albums.  So for me, it's a perfect fit of fast and fabulous!! 

I can't wait to print my favorite photos from March and start on my next page!!  How about you? Have you tried the Fast2Fab albums yet?  Or the Slide-in albums?  Or have you combined them like I did?  I would love to hear and see what you've done!  You can have a convo with me over on my facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/adashfromdonnalyn 

Happy Scrappin'! (Can I still use that tag line if it's not really scrappin' anymore?  Should I say "Happy Tapin'" or "Happy Slidin'" instead?  haha!)

How to Make a Dream Board Step 2

Last week I shared Step 1: Gather Supplies  
Today is Step 2: Write down your Dreams

You can start by looking through the pile of magazines and see what grabs your attention. Start cutting. Pinterest is the new Dream Board on steriods and I love the ideas there, but there is something very powerful about writing your Dreams down and also the physical process of cutting and taping your Dreams to a place where you will see them every day on something bigger than a 2.5"x3" phone screen. But if you are curious, I'll link my Pinterest Boards here.

So magazines and Pinterest are great places to stimulate your imagination and dreaming. I also provide a worksheet at my Dream Workshops that help in the process:

A supply of Slide-In Packs with inspiring quotes is another fun option

Use a sheet of paper to start brainstorming. Don't worry about time, money, skills or space at this point...just list what is important to you in this moment to be, do and/or have:

How to Make a Dream Board Step 1

Creating a Dream Board is a fun, inspiring project that will make a difference in living an intentional life. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by getting in touch with your unique purpose through the power of a Dream Board.  

Step 1: Gather Supplies

At my Dream Workshops, I have a pile of magazines in the middle of the table.

You are also encouraged to use/bring:

photos

stickers

favorite quotes

travel brochures

catalogs

paint chip samples from the local hardware store

You can also search the internet for things that interest you and print out photos or quotes:

 ministries you want to support or be involved in

art that inspires you

places you want to travel to

people or communities or animals

or anything you want to impact for good

etc, etc, etc.

Creative Memories Mat Packs are perfect for using on a Dream Board

Some have inspiriting quotes and some have blank spaces for you to write your own dreams

For instance, this one could be used for your Dream Budget:

Lots of fun options to get the creative juices flowing....

Other supplies you will need:

a large Sheet of Cardstock

a pair of Scissors

double-sided Adhesive

If you want a less permanent Dream Board, I recommend using a Magnetic Display Board. You don't have to tape anything - just use the Magnets that come with the board (and you probably want to purchase an extra pack or two if you have lots of dreams)....this is the easiest because you can just pop your visuals up on your Dream Board magnetically and change them out quickly as inspiration hits.  

If you are a super planner/Goal Setter, you may prefer to track your goals on a monthly basis for:

Weight Loss

Fitness

Cleaning Schedule

Business Calls

Home Improvement

Meal Planning

Anything!

Excited yet? I love making these!! 
Gather your supplies and we will move on to Step 2 next week:

Ahni & Zoe business opportunity

In the next three months my company is looking for people who want to earn free product, make some extra money, earn an iPad mini and go on a girlfriend getaway to San Antonio. I would love for you to join my team of Consultants from all over the U.S.A. as we help launch this new company, Ahni & Zoe by Creative Memories.  The sky truly is the limit as we are starting fresh with a simple, fun product line and meaningful mission!

You can find out more information here on my website, under Join. No obligation. No pressure. Just see if it might be a fit for you or someone you know. Part-time or Full-time, we all get the same Enrollment Kit and we all decide how much we want to work. The more photo parties you do the more you earn. If you decide it's not for you, you can quit at any time without any obligation to continue.  

Everything in your Kit comes in a carry-all bag so you can show your products while you are out and about. This is a truly meaningful business as we help people get photos off their devices and into their lives!

Once you order your Enrollment Kit, you will have access to our Consultant-only website for training, recognition and support. You can also order your own products at a 30-40% discount! But better than that, you can start holding parties and earn your own products for FREE through our Fast Start rewards.

Our product line will grow as we grow. We are starting out small and going to be bigger and better than ever but we need your help to get the word out!  Referrals are always appreciated!

If you have any questions or would like to get credit for sending a referral my way, you may contact me at cmdonnalyn@frontier.com 

http://www.ahniandzoe.com/pws/donna/tabs/join.aspx

Creative Memories White Page Refills are Back!!

Ahni & Zoe by Creative Memories has heard you loud and clear!

Many Creative Memories customers were not able to stock up on plain Refill Pages during the Last Chance Offering. Many loyal Creative Memories customers have expressed a feeling of abandonment at the loss of plain page refills. Many of you have expressed your feelings and thoughts about this right here on this blog! I appreciate your patience during all of the changes.

Although these won't be in the new Ahni & Zoe Catalog and will not change the focus of Ahni & Zoe's mission (which is awesome by the way!!), the Plain Page Refills will be available to order through your Ahni & Zoe Consultant. (You can see them here on my personal website.) Hip, hip, hooray!!

So..."If nothing inspires you like a clean, blank space, then you found the right pages to add to your story. 12x12 photo safe sheets with Page Protectors included"  16 pages (32 sides) plus 16 Page Protectors, Photo-safe, Made in the U.S.A., $29.50

And if you already have pages, but need Page Protectors, they are also offering Page Protectors sold separately:  16 Page Protectors, Photo-safe, Made in the U.S.A., $10.50

This is such great news for so many of you who have been so sad to see a favorite product be discontinued. Personally, I am loving the new Ahni & Zoe Fast2Fabulous albums with pre-decorated pages and I encourage you to give them a try.

But if you prefer to be super creative and do your own thing, you can purchase a Fast2Fabulous Album Kit and a White Pages Bundle so you can add White Pages interspersed with the pre-decorated ones. 

Hip, Hip, Hooray and Happy Scrappin'!

Snow Day

Snowed in today...church was cancelled. So we watched Joel Osteen on TV. My Hero is outside shoveling and I decided to finish journaling our New York City album. I'm sitting by the fire with a warm cup of coffee, my Creative Memories black pen, and a stack of Page Protectors. 

Every time I finish journaling a page (using my travel journal to jog my memory), I slip on a Page Protector and call it Done! Feels good! 

Sometimes album completion can be as simple as doing one step during an unexpected snow day. You don't have to get everything out and make a big deal project out of it. Just grab a pen and journal those pages you said you would get to "Some Day."

Happy Scrappin'

DL