Cupcakes aplenty, oh my!

Greetings as we return from sunny San Diego! Kristine here, reporting on a wonderful Leadershare experience hosted by the most generous person I know: Bren Yule, leader of the Paper Cupcakes team out of San Diego, California. Monica Wihongi, Brian Holman, Jill Broadbent and I were treated (literally and figuratively) to a scrumptious weekend of creativity and friendship with Bren and about 100 of our closest crafting Close To My Heart friends.

Bren brought bright pink cupcakes for every single attendee (who doesn't love a good cupcake for breakfast?). She also encouraged Consultants to donate their best artwork for an Operation Smile auction, and I have to include just a few of the pieces:

Bren designed this beautiful canvas art piece that fetched over $300! I think you can see the tears welling in Bren's eyes—she donated not one, but TWO canvases, for donations totaling over $600!

 Mandy Leahy's gorgeous Art Philosophy-inspired holiday tree was a real stunner, too, featuring 234 Cricut-cut flowers and more than 15 hours of "love" devoted to its creation. Thanks to everyone who participated in the auctions—particularly auctioneer Karen Morris, check out the photo of her in action!

We raised enough for TEN Operation Smile operations for children in need. Generosity is contagious!

Bren also acknowledged the great recruiting and sales efforts of attendees, including recognizing Kay Pekin with an outstanding achievement award.

Kay and Bren have been friends and fellow Consultants for many, many years and their on-stage hug and sweet words for each other were touching and motivating. I'm reminded that Close To My Heart products are great, but the friendships we share are absolutely priceless.

We also had wonderful creative and business classes with props to Kay, Dawn, Lisa, Mandy, and Denise; you did a wonderful job, and I left with my head full of ideas and my tummy full of cupcake. Too fun! Add in some crazy props and feather boas (check out me and Brian posing with our silly glasses and our team voguing with Bren at her photo op—Moni had to excuse herself to care for baby Maya… but perhaps she was just embarrassed by us?), and I think you can tell it was a silly, sunny, San Diego Saturday!

These intimate events are indescribably rewarding. The cozy format, the fun environment, and the chance to chat and get to know each person one-on-one is something we treasure. Thank you, Paper Cupcakes, Bren, and everyone who attended Leadershare for making the day one to remember!