BFF and Leadership Finale

Our final moments at Leadership were SO exciting! Shelli presented an award to Jill Olsen for her efforts in blazing the trail with the Big Shot and our die-cuts into the textile industry. She showed off all the incredible quilts and fabric things she has made and the amazing work she has done blending our products into the world of fabric. As an aside, did you know you can cut 8 layers of fabric with the Big Shot?? Not being a seamstress, I had no idea!

After her presentation to Jill and her fabulous award of a Tiffany bracelet...Shelli announced to the crowd that the employees of Stampin Up! made everyone attending Leadership a quilt block using the 5-Point Star die-cut and the Big Shot.

Keeping in mind that Stampin' Up! is not a textile factory, she went on to explain that employees brought in their own sewing machines at the manufacturing facilities and made 1000 quilt blocks for us to take to our shows and share with customers that may possibly not be interested in stamping but are interested in fabric crafts. Isn't that amazing!!??

It's just beautiful! Shelli showed us samples of how we could turn this into a pot holder, or attach it to an apron or make into a pillow to show potential customers. If I could sew, I would be right on that! Ü

The whole thing fit right into with what I had made for BFF! See, I was on trend and didn't even know it! I bought this wool felt bag at JoAnn's and tore off the hideous yellow flower. I used fleece zebra print to run through the Big shot to make a new flower. This one is the circles die-cut and I piled all 4 circles on here and attached them with a hot glue gun and a button. The Stampin' Up! charm is something I had handmade for her from a jewelery making friend of mine. It had a little somethin' somethin' from Brighton in it Ü I gave her other things too, I'll show you later.

Here BFF and I are enjoying the last few minutes of Leadership. This for me, is the all time high at Stampin' Up! events...getting to spend time with Kim. We live about 14 + hours away from each other and although we chat on one electronic device or another multiple times a day, I only get to see her at Stampin' Up! events. I love this lady, I wish you could all meet her and share in her joy and creativity!

Here are the projects we stamped during Make N Takes session. They gave us the stamp set, With All My Heart, from the Occasions Mini Catalog. The card on the right, everyone stamped 2 of and one was donated to the Ronald McDonald House.

BFF made me several gifts...this is the magnetic box from the Holiday Mini Catalog filled with darling Love Notes size cards and envelopes.

Beautiful Day & Night Specialty paper...photographed while the candy was still in it!

She found these darling coffee chocolates and made a slider box for them.

This was SO cute! I haven't even eaten the candy yet, they are so cute!

So there you have it! Leadership was AWESOME!!! I had the best time!!! It was fun, focused, jam-packed and full of surprises.

Leadership Managers Reception

If I were asked to name one thing about Stampin' Up! I loved, one of the first things out of my mouth would be the way they treat their demonstrators. They are the most thoughtful company ever! Managers Reception is just one example of how well they do things.

This year being in Arizona, we had a Mexican themed adventure with 'Threading YOU together with the history of Mexico'. I ate enough fresh salsa to be considered Mexican, I'm sure. YUM-O!!!

Suzie Barnes (my upline) and myself waiting in line to get on the bus. There were lots of buses waiting to take us to our location. As we boarded the bus, a Stampin' Up! employee (ours was Dale) handed each of us a rolled fabric thing which turned out to be a Re-bo-zo. A long rectangular shawl of hand-woven fabric with fringed ends worn over the head and shoulders chiefly by Mexican women. There were all colors of beautiful bright shawls, I got a blue one. That was the first nice surprise.

And wouldn't you know it, I stepped one foot on our bus and there was Shelli and her daughter Sara! That was the second nice surprise! They graciously let me get a quick picture as I totally held up the line! Hey it was MY party, right?? Thank you for your patience, people behind me. Ü
As it turns out we were bussed to a beautiful place called Corona Ranch for our authentic Mexican fiesta experience. Greeting us as we got off the bus was a thrilling 6-piece Mariachi Band. As most of you know, I am deaf without my hearing aids. Let me tell you that band was loud!! I was feeling that music!

We were led into the yard where they had little circle tables with heat lamps (yep, it was kind of chilly) and were serving hors d'oeuvres (is that how you spell that?) of handmade salsa, chips, warm fresh tortillas, churros (I saw them but Suzie and I never could find one!) and drinks. After lots of eating, mixing and mingling we were led into the rodeo arena for a Mexican Charreada & Western Show. We enjoyed the Women's Formation Drill Team, Western Bull Riding, Escaramuzas, Trick Roping (Texas Skip), Pass of Death (Cowboy Jumping On Bareback Horse)...ya, this one didn't turn out so well for him but we won't discuss that here. A not so pleasant surprise. But in true Stampin' Up! fashion, there was a huge vase being passed around at dinner with donations being taken for the man and his family. The next day at general session, Stampin' Up! had an address on the screen where we can all send get well cards to him. That man is going to know what Sharing The Love is all about real soon!!!! Stampin' Up! people made sure everyone had new maracas and a fresh drink. This time bottles of Root Beer were passed through the stands of the arena! So fun!

Sterling, Shelli's husband rode a horse with the flag team, proudly displaying the Stampin' Up! flag. That was a nice surprise!

Dinner was in a beautiful room with tiled floors and a ceiling of draped lights.
All the tables were decorated in brightly colored clothes with place settings in contrasting colors. It was gorgeous!

This was my place setting. Inside this napkin is the Love Bandits stamp set...oh ya, that was a great surprise!!!

During dinner we were entertained by a Mexican Dance Troop and of all the things I've told you, I can't recall their name!

Managers Reception was the most wonderful evening! I just can't believe how much Stampin' Up! puts into their events and how much they care. Wouldn't you just love to experience this for yourself?

There is no time like the present! If you've ever thought of becoming a demonstrator and sharing the stampin' love with your friends and family, now is the time!!! What are you waiting for? This is the BEST company to do business with. I truly ♥ what I do and would love for you to share that with me.

During Sale-A-Bration it's a great time to get started with the

SALE-A-BRATION STARTER KIT PROMOTION + BONUS STAMP SET

(Jan. 5 - March 31)!

Starter Kit Sale-A-Bration Price (15% off)
Standard Starter Kit Regular price, $199. Now only $169!
Digital+ Starter Kit Regular price, $185. Now only $157!

Through Stampin' Up! is how I met BFF...you'll see all about that tomorrow!

Leadership Was Awesome!!

Nothing like a little get together with 1000 other women lovin' the same thing I love to get a little energized after the holidays! That is one of the many thousands of things I ♥ about Stampin' Up! The friendships, the energy, the excitement...no where can you gather that much enthusiasm than at a Stampin' Up! event.

This company truly cares about their demonstrators and customers whether you are a leader or not, and are seriously listening to what we say and want. Leadership 2010 was evident that they ARE strongly committed to us and are pulling out all stops to help us and reward us as we succeed in our goals!

This years Leadership theme was 'Love What You Do'...designed especially for ME because I LOVE WHAT I DO!!! How did they know?? Ü

Royalty herself, Shelli Gardner greeting everyone on the first day. What a gracious, beautiful heart that woman has! She truly cares about this business and all that are involved. The set was absolutely beautiful! So rich in color and meaning. We are in this business to share what we love and gather with friends and family and that was the whole feel of the conference. The hand painted set was breath taking and I wish you all could have seen it! Each frame hand painted and inserted with photos from the catalog of people showing others what they love! Getting that 'Love' theme yet???

The center piece was HUGE. It was hand painted and absolutely looked like a real antiqued gold frame. BEAUTIFUL!!!

We had two jam-packed days of classes and information pertaining to leadership . All the classes I took were superior! Our keynote speaker was Sue Rusch. She delivered valuable information but was also very entertaining! Then there are all the surprises...the little bits of excitement you don't expect ! I'm sure you've seen them all on other blogs by now. The stamp sets, the quilt blocks, great announcements, the prize patrol deliveries, (I didn't win but somehow I'm still happy!), and meeting up with old friends, making new friends and sharing . It's the best kind of exhausting you can have!

For me, one of the things I love is seeing old and making new friends. Today I am going to share with you a few pictures of friends.

One of my virtual friends I took to convention on a Popsicle stick in August, Lorri Heiling (see here if you missed it!). It was so nice to meet up with her in person again. I'm telling ya, if you know that girl you can see her halo...what an angel! My other Popsicle mate, Nancy Riley didn't attend Leadership but did attend Regionals on Saturday. I flew home Friday night, so I missed out on meeting her in person, a huge bummer for me! Also pictured is my new friend Corinne Somerville from Canada who I've followed her blog for years and finally got to meet. She is delightful!!!!

Met up with my little buddy Dawn Rapsas. I kind of feel like a giant here! You would never know how small that woman is if you spent 5 seconds around her energy. She is a powerhouse and so kind and generous! Love her!!

A highlight for me...meeting Patti Lee!!!!!!!!! I saw Patti Lee, I touched Patti Lee, I sat with Patti Lee, Patti Lee gave me one of her swaps...OK, two of them! I have a piece of Patti Lee...don't you wish you were me? Have I mentioned how much I love this lady??

I kind of stalked this lady (don't tell her!) till I had her cornered..then I came up behind her (insert shaking knees) and I said, 'are you Patti'? I KNEW it was her, dressed head to toe in red and with darling red glasses. She said really quietly like, 'yes'. I introduced myself (still shaking) and she screamed so loud (happy screams, folks!) I almost ran the other way!!! I was so excited!! Now I know how that feels when people do that to me. We all love the same things, why are we so scared to introduce ourselves to each other?? It's a crazy thing! It always turns out great tho, huh??

All right, enough for today. I have a couple more days of sharing. I'll tell you about Managers Reception, some cool things I learned and, oh ya...hold on...BFF!!!!! That will take up a whole posting by itself!! Ü

Leadership Give-Aways

I made a few giveaways to have while at Leadership. That is the best part... sharing and getting ideas from other demonstrators!

Matchbook notebooks with 2010 calendars. I ordered these from www.vippies.com. I'll give you the link here, because if you leave out a letter in the address you get some twisted porn site...that was a SHOCK!!!
I used Totally Tess showing off her little card making skills and the new Designer Series Paper Stack with Apricot Appeal Grosgrain Ribbon.

I still have bags left over...when you order 500, you will have bags FOREVER!!!! I'm getting kind of sick of these just like I did the peppermint patties, so I decided to change them up by making little ones. The bags are 8" long so I cut them down to about 5" and stuffed them with the rest of my personalized M&M's.

Stampin' Up! Calendars

Today I am flying to Phoenix, Arizona to attend Stampin' Up! Leadership. I'm so excited to see what they have in store for us and to see all my Stampin' Up! friends. I just had to make a few gifts to take to some special peeps I'll be meeting up with while there. Ü

I ordered the blank calenders from Andrea Walford with a completely different idea in mind, so you may see them again in another project soon.

The Stampin' Up! logo is from the Logo Place on the demonstrator website, then printed on Whisper White cardstock. The whole project measures 5-1/4" x 8". There is a hole in the top for hanging or you could put a magnet on the back also.

-Stamp set is the brand NEW Totally Tess from the Occasions Mini Catalog. She is so cute with all her little stampin' accessories...especially the scissors!!

-DSP is the NEW Designer Series Paper Stack which is a tablet style pack of 48 pages, 2 each of 24 double-sided designs. This darling DSP matches Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand, Old Olive, Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Pretty in Pink & Rose Red. It also coordinates perfectly with the NEW Sweet Pea Stitched Felt pieces.

-Ribbons are Old Olive and Pretty in Pink from the all NEW 5/8" Satin Ribbons. These are so smooth and yummy and stay tied perfectly!!

I'm loving all the new things Stampin' Up! has in the Occasions Mini Catalog. You can view the catalog HERE on my demonstrator website!

Open House guests, don't forget to redeem your coupon for January. It is for January 6-8 only.

So Kind

My little cake decorating Ace In Training, Benjamin, got a HUGE surprise in the mail before Christmas from a secret admirer. We knew we couldn't use just any ordinary thank you card, so it took a little time to come up with the perfect idea. The 3 Tiered Cake pop up die cut, of course!!

This was the first time using this die-cut and it is far from perfect in construction, but 'icing' flowers help to disguise all the imperfections :) I suggest you make a practice one first!

Cardstock: Pretty In Pink, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip DSP

Stamp Set: Priceless, Thank You Kindly

Accessories: Trio Flower, 1/4", 1-1/4", 1-3/8" Scallop Circle Punches, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon cut for leaves, Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker

Here is the HUGE surprise that he received....


His very own Ace In Training, personalized chef coat from Charm City Cakes!!!!!

Christmas Cards From Stampin' Friends

Here are just a few of the awesome Christmas cards I received from stamping friends. Definitely one of the best things about stamping is receiving handmade cards!!

Top Note Swivel card from BFF
Dasher from Karen Ward

Holiday Lineup from Ellie Augustine

Snow Buddies from Diana Osland

Ornaments from my upline Suzie Barnes

Seasons of Joy from Hallie Gainer

Embossed Circle from one of my downline, Danee Hoang

Berry Christmas from Twila Mooneyham

Every year Twila makes the most amazing Christmas cards always centered around photos of her family. I have a Twila folder that I keep each her cards in from each year. Someday I'll do a Twila posting to show you how clever she is with her amazing photography and thoughtful cards.

The first page of the book

This page is for her oldest daughter. Then there is a page of her son, youngest daughter and Twila and her husband.

Those are just a few of the Christmas cards I received. I am so blessed to have such great stamping friends.

Happy New Year my blogging friends! I hope this year bring each of you many, many wonderful blessings.