Today I am sharing my final 10 year anniversary post with you (for this year anyway). I have been a demo for 13 years myself and an honoured to work alongside so many wonderful people in my Stampin’ Up business, not least my amazing team.
To be able to reward and recognise my team members for their longevity with Stampin’ Up! is an absolute pleasure and something I am incredibly proud of. The final team member I am celebrating this week is Lynne Fahey.
I have known this lovely lady for at least 12 years as she did not sign up right away. In fact, she expressed an interest in joining but the time wasn’t right for her (although I knew that none of the reservations she had would be an issue) but I did not push her until the time was right for her. And that was exactly 10 years ago this month!
I first met Lynne in a local craft shop and I remember taking in my offcuts of cardstock to her so she could make tags. She lives super close to me in Buckingham and is known to our team as Lynney. She has been with me and my business every step of the way and attended my classes, team events, trainings as well as enjoying so many Stampin’! Up! hosted trips.
One of those trips stands out in particular for me as back in 2013 myself, Lynne, Nicky and Catherine all ventured over to Salt Lake City in Utah, the home of Stampin’ Up! to enjoy a Stampin’ Up! US Convention.
I don’t think I will ever quite experience another event like this and I will never forgot our time together as it was SO special.
Lynne is a Bronze Elite demonstrator.
Tell us a little about you Lynne
Hi, I’m Lynne Fahey (pronounced Fay) and many call me Lynney because I’m Lynne with an ‘e’. I was born in Aylesbury, Bucks and I now live in a small market town called Buckingham (not THE Palace) in Bucks. I’m a very young 52, live alone in my amazing craft filled home, never married or had children sadly but I am very happy. I have an older sister, two nephews (31 and 30) and one niece and nephew-in-law (both 28) and they have a little boy who is 14 months old and is my great nephew who is adorable. I have missed out on his 1st birthday and seeing, hugging him due to COVID-19 but we’ve facetimed lots so he knows my face and voice! I absolutely love Stampin’ Up! and I reckon if you cut me in half I’d have SU written through me like a stick of holiday rock!!!I have many hobbies and have to keep my hands busy, so I craft, crochet, cook, bake, sew and recently I can add painting and decorating my home to the list. I have always been creative even as a child and My mum encouraged me. When I was little she made home-made Playdoh, coloured and scented it… so I made animals, cakes, shapes etc. She was a great cook so I used to do this with her – but I’m not a natural at it like her. However, my Dad trained as a carpenter so I was always making things with him and still do to this day. So I reckon I was destined to be creative as both my parents are inventive and imaginative.
What do you love most about being a demo?
Oh, there are so many things I love. One is the way Stampin’ Up colour coordinate everything as I am a little OCD and I adore their products. But if I’m honest, it’s the amazing friendships I’ve made over my 10 years as a demo and I treasure them all.
Why did you join?
I knew Michelle way before SU came into her life and I attended her monthly crop session in Padbury and once Michelle had joined SU I was part of her monthly hostess club and realised that I could join and get discount as I was already spending enough quarterly. Plus I fell in love with the SU Apron and wanted one desperately and I could only do this if I joined… I know, I’m weird.
What does your business look like?
I have a full-time job at the Open University, Milton Keynes, so I run my SU business in my spare time which is such a great thing to be able to do. I used to run monthly card classes from home and I miss this so much as we had a great time crafting, laughing and chatting. During lockdown I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and started weekly Facebook live’s on my business page and I will continue doing these because the interactions from on screen comments shows people enjoy them and I must admit I’ve relaxed more and just “go with it” when I’m on screen.
Your best memory of the last 10 years?
Oh there are so many, but the one that stands out the most is attending the 2013 convention for the 25th anniversary of Stampin’ Up! in Salt Lake City, Utah. My room buddy Nicky Whittall and I flew out for a whirlwind 6 day trip. Catherine Carrol attended too and Michelle was there too as she’d earned the incentive trip that year to Salt Lake City, so the four of us “Pinkies” had a blast and I will never forget that trip. Also, the 2018 30th Anniversary OnStage in Florida is also up there for memories as myself, Nicky Whittall, Kate Bolt, Liz Yuille and Mikaela Titheridge. We rented a condo for the week and squeezed in two theme parks, the convention and the compulsory visit to Micheals!I love attending any events SU or other demos run where I can craft and mingle.
One piece of advice to anyone considering buying the starter kit?
Just do it! you won’t regret it…. we get to buy products at a discount, get to see sneak peaks before they are launched and we get to share our passion with other like-minded crafters or teach crafting to those who think they couldn’t possibly make anything resembling crafting! and we get to be part of the wonderful Stampin’ Up family!
Lynne and I have shared so many wonderful memories together. Lynne is also one of Pippi’s (my dachshund) favourite people and Pip quite often does a little excited wee when she sees her. We go for a walk with Pip and Lynney even comes and house and pet sits for us from time to time. Isn’t it lovely that our shared love of crafted has enriched all our lives including the dogs!
Aww this photo makes me yearn for carefree days meeting up with friends without the need to socially distance in any way! Let’s hope its not too long before we can enjoy those days again!
So if you don’t know Lynne, why not go and check out her blog and her social links and I know she would love to see you.
I have loved every minute of sharing my team with you this week and I hope you have enjoyed stopping by and getting to know them all a little better.
I hope it is truly evident that joining Stampin’ Up! and purchasing the starter kit is more than just stamps, ink and paper at a discount. It is about flexibility, friendships, experiences, support and the chance to make it work for you.
I would love to welcome you to my team and who knows, maybe I will be celebrating you in 10 years time? Now wouldn’t that be amazing?
