My Optimism Makes Me So Mad!!

I was asked by my local Chamber of Commerce to give a 'quick' 15 minute presentation on cardmaking today at our Home Expo. Of course I said yes, I would do it. A table would be set up, chairs placed around the table and I had a cute and easy project to show my viewers. And lots of previous projects, cards and info on a large display board.

Since I was initially asked a week ago, I had quite a few days to get really excited about it. I envisioned standing room only, enthusiastic cheering, and ooohing and ahhhing when I unveiled my goodies, people throwing money at me for orders, and a mad dash by everyone to sign up for my next class.

Really, I'm not arrogant or proud. I just think EVERYONE should be as crazy about papercrafts as I am. I feel confident in front of crowd and had thought out how I would open and close the whole thing. It helps to KNOW your subject if you are going to speak in front of people and if there is one thing I know, it is cards and Stampin Up.

I was very excited. I arrived a little early to see how things were set up and how things were going. When I entered the building, I saw that the only people inside were other vendors, who were practically falling asleep at their booths. Apparently, it had been a slow day.

Still being optimistic about the whole thing, I grabbed my stack of class schedules I had printed out the night before and approached the other vendors. Life and lemons equal lemonade, right?? I woke them up and invited them all to step over to my table and watch a REAL LIVE PRESENTATION using Stampin Up products. Or if they weren't interested, they received their very own copy of my class schedule. Then I walked back to my table to wait till the appointed time.

It came and went. I was starting to get a little nervous and fidgety. I rearranged my supplies. I waited some more. I did more rearranging. Finally, three women and a youngster approached and sat down in the chairs. I have never felt more relieved. I gave those four the best demo I could. I even had them join in and participate. We had FUN! We had a BLAST! No one will ever know what they missed.

And actually, I wasn't too disappointed because it didn't take long for my optimism to kick in again. They didn't cheer or ooh or ahh. They didn't sign up for a class then and there but I know those ladies will be calling me any day now. I just know it. And they'll probably be bringing three friends with them.....or four!....maybe even five!

Here is the project I showed them. I even took some pictures later and added text so you can get more details. We made a pouch similar to this a couple of years ago in class. This is an awesome project to make anytime of year with any kind of Designer Paper. You can add any embellishment and fill it with any kind of candy. Of course, Chocolate is best. You can also cut your square larger to make a bigger pouch. As long as it is a square and can be folded into a triangle, it works.