Stellar Stamps

Day 4 in Salt Lake City for the 2012 Stampin' Up! convention

I'll start with the "good stuff" and link to  Day 4 of Stella's photos. Caution: 622 photos taken just today!

Today my post will be about honoring the simply amazing folks who work so hard for us at Stampin' Up! They are a huge reason for the love I have for the company.

The day began with a General Session and corporate VP Amy Swartz welcoming us and sharing her beautiful family with us. I have endless respect for Amy. She is the classiest woman and brilliant.

Then witchy Shannon West presented holiday projects while wearing her version of "business casual". She had a little help from her kitten Brian Pilling.

Here's the wonderful (x 1 million) & beautiful Bonnie Thurber who always wins the hearts of everyone in the crowd with her humor and deep sincerity. I love this woman. I wish she lived next door to me.

Later, in Memento Mall, I had the pleasure of a hug and a quick hello with corporate president Rich Jutkins. Super real and funny guy. You can't not laugh or smile around him. He reminds me of the cheese semi-trucks that say "you can't say Swiss without a smile" ... I don't think you can say Rich Jutkins without a smile.

And here's our corporate hunk Scott Nielsen; he's our CFO. We tease Scott about how handsome he is but he is just a hoot and the nicest guy. I had the pleasure of being Scott's partner for the day when we had an Advisory Board activity in 2010. Just adore the guy and his wife Pam. I asked him to make a date for Pam and I to share some fruity beverages in exotic Fiji. I hope he doesn't forget!

Though Holly Linford wasn't part of today's activities for me (below, right), well that is unless you count my finding her cell phone that she lost that I heard about in the restroom, she deserves a shout-out for her superior grasp on My Digital Studio, her UltraBrite smile (young people won't get that reference), her bubbly demeanor and her wow singing voice. Who knew? In the photo below Holly sang a duet with Bonnie.

The next few photos symbolize the entire Stampin' Up! staff as these were taken a couple days ago at the corporate headquarters in Riverton. These folks work tirelessly. The whole place, including the manufacturing staff several hours south, all came to welcome us on the opening day of convention. Can you imagine another company sending its entire staff to honor its sales force like this? Here's our distribution warehouse which, to me, represents the guts of the place and all those who work for us behind the scenes.

The idea room is made up of wall to wall dry erase boards. Demonstrators touring the home office could leave a message and, boy, did we! Members of my team, Christine Bellow (gray pants) and Cathy Williams (black capris) get ready to write their message on the wall.

And here's the ultimate person to honor and thank... our CEO and co-founder, Shelli Gardner. I have never met a kinder or more genuine professional woman. There's so much positive to say about Shelli that I'll just say that I thank this woman every day for providing the back-drop for some of the most wonderful opportunities I've ever experienced. She is the most pure-of-heart leader and it all trickles down. Thank God for leaders like Shelli.

I am a happy and humbled Stampin' Up! demonstrator today.

Day 3 at Convention

Today was a full day. A general session with all of us present (twice), a few classes, lunch on the run, more classes, shopping (again) at Memento Mall, taking photos of a zillion more cards then, whoops, accidentally deleting ALL of the photos I'd just taken today... yup, every single one. I do have a lot of photos from today but mostly of Awards Night. Tomorrow... I redo some of the photos I lost.

Oh, and about Awards Night. I am soooo blown away and honored to have placed in the Top-10 in 2 of the 3 categories where they tell us a ranking. Ten out of 35,000 or so? Yup and I miraculously pulled that off twice. Shaking my head. And I also was recognized for being in the Top-100 overall in the USA. Three huge awards. Am so humbled and happy! It was too late to take photos of my awards (some designer treasures) but I'll do that tomorrow.

Here are the photos I have of today:

https://picasaweb.google.com/StellarStamps/2012StampinUpConventionDay3?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJ_d0J_Z9I7UHA&feat=directlink

 

 

Our 2nd day in Salt Lake City at the amazing Stampin' Up! convention

Cathy and I (above at Memento Mall) had this very similar goal this year (our 5th attending together) and that was to not follow a rigid plan and schedule. We have saved countless seats, left one activity early to get seats for the next, same with tables for lunch, getting up hours early (think 5 AM) to get in line for the 9 AM opening of the logo store that is set up for us.... you get the idea. We decided to just "go with the flow" so as to savor more and stress less.  I could not believe it when we woke up this morning to no alarm... oh, wait... we did get up to an alarm... the one that was set for 6:30 AM by the previous guest that was in our hotel room! Best laid plans........

 

So, we had a non-rushed breakfast, meandered over to the displays (where I took phase 1 of the display photos), went to the Awards Booth where I was absolutely thrilled to have qualified for the annual Founder's Circle achievers event again (more about that Thursday night after the awards night event) then we shopped at Memento Mall (no line at lunchtime), had lunch with Christine Bellow and her roommate Alana, went to Riverton (corporate office) to see how they've updated the "Legacy Room" which is a showcase of what SU is all about and to say thank you to all the staff there, then back for dinner, a class at 7 PM then I went to a private gathering with my beloved 2010 Advisory Board group at 10 PM (I feel like I have 7 sisters via this group). And now I sit here typing.

 

I took 400 photos today.  It's 1:15 AM. Rather than plucking out a few cute photos, I consolidated yesterday and today's photos into a Picasa album. No captions or descriptions. Note that of the countless cards on display, many were created or shared with Stampin' Up! using product that recently retired. The images may be unavailable but the idea lives on. Here they are... enjoy!

https://picasaweb.google.com/StellarStamps/2012StampinUpConventionDay12?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPTZ4KCzmZ2Y8gE&feat=directlink

 

More swap cards from last night that I really liked

Everyone has different styles and tastes. These cards really stood out to me within the 100 or so that I received in last night's swap.

I'll share all the Christmas ones that jumped out at me. This one below is from Lisa Bowell.  

Mitten card by Sue Armstrong.

A different mitten card from Dianne Gill.

This little assortment of Christmas images from Debra LaFountaine.

This elegant card from Melanie Chartier.

I love this little reindeer by Rosa Reyes.

Simple and pretty from Diane Belcher.

And, finally, this ornament from Rory Sears. Love it!

Cats and tight places

What is it about cats and odd, tight places? I was working on my swaps at a big portable table, had my big paper cutter on the floor by my feet, rolled the desk chair over and thank goodness I noticed big, old Punkin before I rolled back in the chair. What a dork!

The Stampin' Up! Convention has begun for me

Though the Stampin' Up! convention officially begins Wednesday, July 18 when we check-in through the 21st, I always come in early so I can soak it all in and get settled. Cathy and I flew in about 9 AM and spent a bit of time exploring Temple Square, the seat of the Mormon church. Sincerely gorgeous grounds. I joked that it rivaled the cleanliness and freshness of Disneyland and that's a high compliment if you've ever seen how Disney cares for their properties!

Cathy wanted to see their famous geneology center so we went there and en route I asked Cathy to pose in front of the Mormon Temple.

There was a historical Assembly Hall on the grounds and its reflection in this contemporary building's windows was a very cool contrast so I snapped a photo.

After Temple Square, Cathy and I met up with Georgia Giguere and Robin Merriman for a very fun and delicious lunch at the brand new Cheesecake Factory.

After lunch, Cathy and I attended a swap event with about 100 other demonstrators. The attention to detail was amazing. There's Cathy in the white blouse chatting with another member of our team, Christine Bellow (in striped shirt).

The event organizer, Lisa Rodriguez, who flew in from Japan for this event, made a bunch of really amazing treats and gifts for us all to have. The attention to detail was very impressive.

Upon returning to our hotel room, I went through the 100+ swaps I received. I'll post some of my favorites over the next few days. Here's a sampling. I don't know what it was about this card as it was ridiculously simple but I loved it. The theme of the swap was holiday but not regular ones... offbeat ones. I was boring and did Christmas but there were plenty of random and unknown little "holidays".

This one is to honor "Mitten Tree Day" on December 6. Demonstrator Janice DeWitt created it. Isn't it just adorable? Not every day you see a Mitten Tree card ;-)

To honor "National Friendship Day" on the 1st Sunday of August, Sue Schemp created this teabag holder.

It's just made of one die cut from our "Top Note" die.

Another celebration of International Friendship Day is manifested via this card by Tracy Bradley. I think the floral focal point (say that three times fast) is stunning.

I'll end the day with this sweet gift card holder by Denise Pedersen.

My holiday swap card for the Stampin' Up! convention this week

Today, I arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah with 120 cards to swap at a "holiday swap" event today. I'm here for the annual Stampin' Up! convention which officially begins tomorrow through Saturday. I was inspired by  a card I saw that my friend Denise Sullivan created. She graciously gave me her OK to copy her card but I did some tweaking of my own to give it my own flavor. 

This is what 120 of the same card looks like... a big mound!

Most of them used the red with white snowflake paper from "Be of Good Cheer" Designer Series Paper.

A few of them used a different paper design from the same grouping.

Stamps: Embellished Events

Colors: Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green, Very Vanilla

Textured Impressions Embossing Folders: Delicate Designs, Perfect Polka Dots

Punches:  2-3/8" Scallop Circle, 1-¾" Circle, Word Window, Boho Blossoms

Designer Series Paper: Be of Good Cheer

Embellishment: Rhinestone or Pearl Basic Jewels, or Glimmer Brad

Cherry Cobbler card = 4 1/4" x 11"

Vanilla card base = 3 3/4" x 5"

Gumball Green and DSP squares are all 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" (cut Gumball Green to size then run through Big Shot - an easy job for a 14 yr old boy which is convenient since my son helped me with this part!)

Tip: I inked the hat and sentiments all with Stampin' Write markers, not ink pads. So much easier when selectively inking parts of an image.

 

How often do you see a hummingbird sitting still for minutes and minutes...??

In the past few days this hummingbird has repeatedly come to our feeder. He was on there for several minutes (up to 10) just sitting and staring. I suspect he's sick. He hasn't been here in a couple days or has he? Now there are healthy, normal, quick "in and out" visitors and maybe he is well now and I can't tell that it's him?

In any event, I could not believe he was there long enough for me to snap several photos. Even that he was still there in the time it took me to get my camera out is amazing! I hope he's OK...

Need a Reason to Smile?? Yup, for $5 who wouldn't be smiling?!

Promotion dates: July 1-31, 2012

Promotion Details: During July, you have the opportunity to purchase an exclusive stamp set, available only through this special offer!

Get the Reason to Smile Set-up to a $20.95 value-for just $5 when you spend $50 on any Stampin' Up! products.

Description	$5 Item	Price
Reason to Smile Wood-Mount Set	131274*	$5.00
Reason to Smile Clear-Mount Set	131275*	$5.00

*Enter this $5 item number after reaching $50 on your order.

 

Order right now by clicking on the white ordering button to the right.