Posts Tagged ‘Convention’
Could we have any more fun?
The Stampin’ Up! Convention this year was absolutely terrific — take a look at the faces of everyone in our group… don’t they look like they’re having a blast?
Seriously, there isn’t a half-smile in the group. 
That’s me, in the striped shirt kneeling towards the left side.
If you’ve given any thought to joining me next year, here are the dates for Convention 2013.
Since we’ll be celebrating 25 years for Stampin’ Up!, I’m expecting (could it be possible?) even more fun than this year. A big part of that fun comes from being part of a terrific group! Thanks everyone who came with us this year!
Think about joining my Stampin’ Up! family – not only is the Starter Kit a great deal, but beginning August 1st, you can get a “spooktacular” gift along with your kit.
The kit includes not only the materials to make the project, but also stamps, rhinestones and more — that you can use on your Howl-O-Ween project and on anything else you’d like to create.
I’d love to be sitting with YOU next year when we get more FREE STAMPS at the 2013 Stampin’ Up! Convention!!
Let me know if you have any questions about what it means to be a demonstrator (email Meg), or check for more details on the starter kit here. Remember, the Spook-tacular special begins August 1st.
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Subscribe to the comments for this postSo Much Inspiration. Where to begin??
What a fabulous problem to have… I saw so many inspiring projects on stage and on display boards and in the swap cards I received. Now I don’t know where to begin! Should I make a few scrapbook pages first? Or maybe some sweet cards?
Here are a few of the inspiring projects that were shared at Convention 2012. Click on the photos to see bigger images:
Good luck picking out your own upcoming projects — and think about whether you’d like to join me at Convention next year! There’s a fun new Demonstrator Kit Special coming up on August 1st (with a fabulous project INCLUDED!). So no need to stress about picking a project — there will be one ready for you with your kit! Let me know if you’d like some details (email Meg).
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Convention Day 2: The Good News & The Bad News
Which do you want to hear first? The GOOD news or the BAD news? Okay, here it comes… the good news is that we saw so many fabulous/gorgeous/inspiring projects today at Convention Day 2. The bad news… well, the bad news is that the only 4 items from the Holiday Catalog that I didn’t think I needed to get? So much for that. After today, now I know that I’ll need to get all 4 of them, too!! So yup, that makes it pretty much the whole catalog that I’ll be needing. Good thing we get a discount as demonstrators 
Here are some pictures from our day, starting off with gathering for the first general session.
Want to see some of those fabulous stamping ideas? Shannon West came out in her witch costume to get us in the mood for Halloween and fall projects, and here’s a holiday place card that she created using White Staz-On Ink (106960 – see it online) and the upcoming Woodgrain Embossing Folder (127821 – new on August 1st!).
First, the Staz-On Ink goes directly on the embossing folder. Next, press the Window Sheet (3 x 3″ here) onto the folder and emboss with your Big Shot. Finally, embellish with elements from the Wonderfall stamp set (w- 128084 or c-128087; available August 1st).
Want to see how Shannon made some gorgeous leaves?
Here are her 3 simple steps to a perfectly natural leaf (if natural leaves could have letters on them
- Cut out the maple leaf with the Autumn Accents Bigz Die (127812 – available August 1st) and stamp the coordinating Wonderfall image
- Use a Sponge Dauber to color the edges of the leaf
- Crumple the leaf and flatten it out, then press a darker ink pad directly onto the leaf to create the veining
So many fun projects (I might have mentioned that) and then we had a chance to win free stamps! Here’s Karla from our group…doesn’t she look excited?
We also have the chance to see LOTS of display cards and other projects at Convention. Here’s just one of several aisles of projects:
And on one display, we were excited to see a project sent in by our very own Rae Anne Littrell! Rae Anne created this sweet baby project for her son Cole using My Digital Studio.
ALL the displays are gorgeous – check out the banners that are part of the ‘summer picnic’ theme in the Gathering Place this year. Can’t you see them as part of a festive backyard BBQ?
Alright, once again I’m falling asleep while typing… it’s hard on the keyboard (and my nose) so I think I’m done for the evening. But stay tuned for more of my Convention 2012 posts!
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Convention 2012: Day 1 is up and running
Convention is one big whirlwind of excitement, inspiration and ideas. This may be my 9th Convention, but being here is just as much fun and just as motivating as the 1st time I attended. After several rounds of swapping cards with other demonstrators (love taking home new ideas!), we headed in for the first General Session.
We were greeted by members of the Stampin’ Up! staff from the Riverton, UT home office, as well as from the stamp manufacturing facility in Kanab, UT, which is about 5 hours away. It’s hard to say who was more excited to see the other group — the staff members or the demonstrators! The staff even recorded a fun video to introduce Convention, complete with a group that came out on stage to dance and kick everything off.
We saw stamping demonstrations (cute project, Shelli!), followed by several fabulous classes and more demonstrations (loving the Designer Fabric ideas that were shared). We had lunch, and of course had to shop at Momento Mall one more time today. Really! We *had* to shop! You would have been running, too, if you’d seen the cute Stampin’ Up! logo cookie presses and coordinating cookie cutters!
After shopping, more classes, more stamping ideas and more general session. During the afternoon session, several demonstrators from our group won Prize Patrol gifts — wahoo for free stamps!! Actually, the prize wasn’t free stamps, but it was still free stampin supplies, and that is always good!
After sessions, we headed back to get ready for the Awards Night. We like to get a little bit dressed up — it’s fun to get out our pretty clothes and go out for an evening!
But now it’s after midnight, and my coach is turning back into a pumpkin. Time to call it a night. I’ll be sure to take more project pictures tomorrow, and have them ready to share with you.
Be sure to check the rest of my Convention 2012 blog posts!
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Convention Gifts: Floral District Designer Fabric
I didn’t mention in my Registration Day post, but you may have seen my sneak peek last week. I always make something special for everyone from our group who goes to Convention, and extra little treats for my LovenStampfuls demonstrators who attend.
This year I made bag tags (did I mention that the Convention bags are fabulous this year?!) that we can all put on our bags to keep them from getting mixed up.
The tags are about 6 inches across, and created from the Designer Rosette Die (see it online). I’m in love with this die, in case you wanted to see more project ideas. The center of the die was created with My Digital Studio (learn about the free 30 day trial) and the World Traveler Photobook Template (see it online – 130066).
For my LovenStampfuls teammates, I made some extra little treats. I just realized that I never got a photo of the insides! I’ll have to get those for you, too. But until then, here’s the treat pouch that I made with the Scallop Square Die (115950 – see it online) and the Floral District Designer Series Fabric (126893 – see it online).
I’m in love with the whole Floral District Product Suite (see more online)! The tags are created with the Loving Thoughts stamp set (w 125843 or c 125845 – see it online). I love this set for simple gifts! (see more ideas on my blog)
We have such a good time together at Convention — the little treats are just an added bonus!
And with my suitcase nearly empty without this huge box, I think I have room for a few souvenirs
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Convention 2012: Registration Day?
Really? Only Registration Day so far?? Amazing, because there was an amazing amount of FUN and INSPIRATION packed into this single day. If today was the last day, instead of the day before Convention starts, I’d believe it…so much we’ve seen already!
Here’s a shot from last night actually, when we handed out this year’s green hats. If you’ve seen my Convention photos from past years (see last year’s photos), you know that our group always wears hats so that we can find each other among 3500+ stamp-crazed demonstrators. Personally, I think this year’s hats are the best ever!
This morning my first stop of Registration Day fun was shopping at the Momento Mall. Yay! I mean really, what’s better than shopping? Why, shopping for fun Stampin’ Up! goodies, of course!
And there were stamping ideas everywhere, even on the displays in the Momento Mall!
Then after shopping, I attended a class for several hours with other demonstrators at the Senior Executive level and above. We had some great discussions, heard from Rich Jutkins (President of Stampin’ Up!), and visited with friends we only see a few times a year. And as if that wasn’t great enough, we also received a gift bag of ‘favorite things’ personally selected by Shelli Gardner, Stampin’ Up!’s CEO. Watch out, Oprah!
After class I met up with my demonstrator group, and was excited to find out that again this year I earned a place in the Founder’s Circle by ranking as one of the top 100 demonstrators in the US. So a huge shout-out to all you who are a huge part of that achievement — I couldn’t have done it without you! Here is a picture of me with Tammie Rundle, my friend and LovenStampfuls Demonstrator, since Tammie also earned an award for her recruiting this year. Way to go, Tammie!!
Finally, after a yummy dinner (mmm… Buca di Beppo) we headed back for our final official event of the night — a bonus My Digital Studio Class. Don’t we look excited?
You may have heard that My Digital Studio 2 is coming out soon. No release date yet, but we were all cheering when we were told that we’d each get a copy of MDS2 for a free 30-day trial as part of our class, plus a printed Board Book to take home, AND a disk of new digital downloads. EEK!!
Want to know what I think of the new MDS2? It was “love at first click” for me! My favorite new feature is the selection tool for the digital templates. EEK!! (I’m feeling a bit repetitive.) But really, EEK!! When I start a new project, it’s so wonderful to be able to browse all the templates at one time, and pick the one that’s perfect. EEK!!
There are a slew of other great new features, but I have to get to bed so that I’ll be able to post tomorrow, on DAY 1 of Convention! Really? How can it be that we are not even started on the actual Convention yet?? All I can say is that if you were thinking about coming next year as a demonstrator, then you should start making plans now. You definitely don’t want to miss out!
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Convention 2011: So many ideas, need to get stamping!
By the third day of the Stampin’ Up! Convention, it sounds like everyone is starting to get itchy fingers that need to pick up a stamp and start creating based on all the fabulous ideas we’ve seen! Every time we look up at a screen or sit down in a class, there’s another project that we “need” to make for ourselves.
The new It’s A Wrap Occasions stamp set (see it online) made the top of my new Wish List… good thing it was waiting for me already at home, having just been ordered the week before Convention!
We also saw this super-clever Thanksgiving Turkey by Stampin’ Up!’s own Carrie Cudney. The body is created from the Heart Sweet Treat Cups (see them online) and the rest of the turkey feathers and features were done with the Build a Blossom stamp set (see it online) and the Blossom Petals Punch (see it online).
And here’s another of her clever ideas using Sweet Treat Cups for a Christmas favor.
As part of the Main Stage session, there were several more groups honored with a chance to walk across the stage. The awards on Day 3 were the Milestone Awards — the ones that you earn no matter how long it takes you (for sales milestones) or how active you are as a demonstrator (for years milestones). Here’s a picture of 8 of our Green Hat Girls marching across the stage for their 5 Year Milestone. I don’t have a picture, but I also marched for crossing my $300,000 in Career Sales milestone this year!
After that, SANTA visited us demonstrators, and brought with him a new stamp set from the upcoming Holiday Mini Catalog, plus a disk of My Digital Studio downloads — yay for Santa!
And the stamp set Santa brought is the new Hostess Set from the Holiday Mini Catalog… you’re going to love it! I can’t show it to you yet, but check back on September 1st for the unveiling. Or if you want the true Sneak Peek, you can always take advantage of the $99 Demonstrator Starter Kit and join my Stampin’ Up! family. As a demonstrator, you can even SHOP from the Holiday Mini Catalog on August 1st–hardly any waiting at all!
After Santa we all said goodbye–to head back to our hotel for our Annual Post-Convention Pizza and chance to see all the swap cards everyone had received. Have you ever seen a pizza this big? I swear they were 3 feet across! Okay, maybe not quite 3 feet, but not too much smaller!
So many swaps… I’d guess there were close to 10,000 card fronts to look through. We were all joking about how many cards a demonstrator can look at in one evening before her eyes begin to glaze over. But the pizza was great, the swaps were gorgeous and the friendships and time spent together are the best.
Here’s our whole group (minus a couple of ladies who had to leave early) of Green Hat Girls at Convention this year! (that’s me in the checkered dress at the bottom right)
If you’ve enjoyed reading about the Stampin’ Up! Convention this week, you’ll want to start picturing yourself enjoying it with us NEXT year! The dates are July 18-21, 2012, and the chance to attend Convention is only one fabulous perk of being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator. I’d love to have you join our Stampin’ family!
Don’t forget about the special $99 Starter Kit available only til the end of July (valued at $185+), plus you’ll receive the Christmas Keepsake Box Kit: stamps, ink, embellishments and directions–ready to stamp! ($40+ value). You can drop me a note with any questions, or if you’re ready to sign up, you can use this link and click “join now” on the right side of the screen. You can even watch a little video clip about Stampin’ Up!.
Thanks for touring the Stampin’ Up! Convention with me this year!
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Convention 2011: Day 2, stamping, stamping and more stamping ideas!
Want to guess how many pictures I took at Convention this year? 300? 500? 1000? Keep going: I took about 1200. And I know demonstrators who took TWICE as many! There were so many ideas shared, and Day 2 of the Stampin’ Up! Convention started out with classes and ideas.
Here’s a great idea using the Milk Carton Die for the Big Shot to make a 6-sided box. Donna Griffith showed this one, created by cutting two Milk Carton pieces and trimming one panel from each.
Here’s another idea, using the corner of the Decorative Label Punch to create an ornate corner for layering.
There were several more stage walks, to celebrate demonstrators for their achievements in sales, recruiting and helping the demonstrators in your group to promote, and I was excited to be honored in each category. Here’s a shot of me walking across the stage with my stamping friend Lynsay Mahon. Stampin’ Up! has been a great way to make some fabulous friends!
We also spend time visiting display boards and touring the displays set up by Stampin’ Up!, highlighting each of the new Product Suites in the new Stampin’ Up! Catalog (debuted July 1st). The detail and creativity astounded us!
The evening wrapped up with a “+Fun” class. The one I selected was the My Digital Studio Hybrid Class. We made a terrific calendar–watch for my Class & “To Go” Kit later this fall. Drop me an email if you’d like the details when they’re ready!
One last chance to hang out until way past bedtime. We gathered in the room of several fellow demonstrators to talk about the Holiday Mini Catalog (yay!) and all the creative ideas we could come up with for the new products!
Convention 2011: Can this really be Day 1?
For sure, how is it possible that this day was packed with so much, and it was only the first day! Okay, here goes my fast photo tour of the Stampin’ Up! Convention, Day 1… (which was yesterday, if you’re losing track of the days like me!)
Here’s the Main Stage display–Stampin Up does a fabulous job of putting their stamp on everything (ha, bad pun intended), including the stage background.
One of the highlights of the morning was a chance to walk across the stage and be recognized for all the demonstrators who shared Stampin Up with a friend this year. Each of these Green Hat Girls had at least one person sign up to be a demonstrator with them. Way to go!! Just think, you could be one of us next year, if you wanted to take advantage of the $99 special before the end of July!
We also saw several fabulous projects created with the supplies from the Christmas Keepsake Box Kit that comes as a bonus with the July Demo Starter Kit special.
Next surprise? New Holiday Mini Catalog! We saw more of the incredible product suites from the upcoming Mini Catalog (customers begin ordering Sept 1, but demonstrators get to preorder Aug 1!). Then we got our very own copy of the new Mini!! See everyone with their heads in the mini? Those are looks of concentration!!
Then at lunch we had a Sneak Peek of one of the products coming up later this fall… (got a guess?) yum!
After lunch we worked on our own Make N Take projects, this stamping thing sure is fun! Hee hee… We didn’t quite finish the beautiful projects, so you’ll have to hold off for pictures of those. But here is a shot of my mom and Theresa working out the details of one of the projects.
The Annual Awards were held in the evening, announcing and honoring the demonstrators who earned the Incentive Trip to Disneyworld next spring. We also learned the locations for next year’s trips. Drumroll please… Hilton Head Island for the Getaway Trip and FIJI for the Grand Vacation!!
Interested?! Let me know if you have any questions about how Stampin Up can send you and a guest to Hilton Head Island or….FIJI! (can you tell I’m still excited about that one?)
Lastly, the Demonstrator of the Year awards were announced. I was thrilled to be recognized this year as the #35 demonstrator out of roughly 45,000 in the US. Very exciting, plus wonderful to be surrounded by my demo family!
Whee… Can’t wait to see all that is in store for us the rest of the week. I just need to figure out how to stay awake for it!
Happy stamping!
Meg
Convention 2011: Registration and Shopping!
We’re here! It’s here! Convention officially opened today, and if you remember my posts from Conventions past, you might recall that my demonstrator group usually wears some kind of fun green hat, so that we can find each other easily among the 3000+ demonstrators at Convention. Well this year is no different, so here we are, getting our green hats for this year! I think Kim did a great job finding these hats–they’re actually pretty cute!
To head from our hotel over to the Convention center, we have a short walk. But in Salt Lake City they have these fun traffic flags! You pick one up on one side of the street, then carry it with you across to the far side. I haven’t quite decided if the flags are really just a joke to mark us tourists or not, but until we figure it out, we have fun impersonating elementary school crossing guards!
My first stop of the day was Momento Mall, and who doesn’t love to shop for cute things created with Stampin’ Up! exclusive artwork and the Stampin’ Up! logo? Each year the Momento Mall is filled with all the things I “need”. And the displays this year really top all past years. Here is the wave of umbrellas, sculpted on a wall:
Did you seen the rain boots, too? They were filled with paper flowers in Stampin’ Up! colors!
On Registration Day we also get to visit the Awards Booth to pick up the free stamp sets and pins we’ve earned for the year. Most excitingly, I received a Founder’s Circle pin and exclusive purse this year again, which means that I’ll be in the top 100 for the Demonstrator of the Year Award. Wow! Very exciting, and you can probably see how happy we are — my friend Missy and I, posing here with our purses.
Finally, after a busy day and a fabulous Garden Party with Stampin’ Up! to cap off the official events of Convention Registration Day, we ended up at a nice dinner with our group.
I’d like to say that I headed straight home to the hotel and then directly to bed, but of course I had to write up some photos of the day for you all! What a fun way to kick off Convention 2011. But now I really do need to head to sleep so I’ll be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for the *actual* beginning of Convention tomorrow.
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
