Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Sale-a-Bration Card Set File

Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper and Ribbon & Brad Pack
I'm excited to share that I will be able to give my customers a file with instructions for a set of cards for exclusive Sale-a-Bration merchandise again this year.

Here is a set I designed this weekend. I will try to post additional photos of other file cards soon.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Last Night in San Antonio

We went to Saltgrass Steakhouse for dinner on our last night in San Antonio. Although the service was painfully slow, the meal was incredible. I had the smothered Ribeye with Romano Potatoes and Grilled Asparagus. It was so delicious I finished every bite!

A server walked through the restaurant with a tray of yummy desserts trying to tease people into ordering them. When we asked to see it closer, he told us that every dessert on the tray had zero calories - they were all foam. Nancy couldn't resist the photo op.

After dinner, some of us walked to the Alamo. It was fun to see a piece of history up close at night.

Friday, January 27, 2012

More Leadership Projects and Dinner at Mi Tierra

My friend Missy Shipman did an amazing job as she presented on the main stage. She showed several great projects (I hope to share more of them later), but I fell in love with this beautiful keepsake box. It is made with the Christmas Keepsake Box kit on the Clearance Rack by pulling out the Christmas papers and colors and adding blue to make it patriotic. I wouldn't have ever thought of it, but can't wait to reproduce it!


I love this swap card my friend Nancy got while she was swapping. Unfortunately, I only have a picture and no information to give credit to the designer. It uses Fresh Vintage stamp set, Everyday Enchantment Brads (items you can pick FREE with $50 purchases - only available until the end of March!), and the new blossom punch (from the Occasions Mini). It would be perfect in any color!

We went to Mi Tierra - a 24 hour Mexican bakery and restaurant - for dinner. We were greeted with true sensory overload. There was a huge display case filled with dozens of tasty treats.

There were pinatas and streamers hanging from every inch of the ceiling and

even a Mexican Elvis impersonator.

Linda joined the Mariachi band in serenading us while we ate our dinner.

I picked chicken tacos for dinner. There was so much food I couldn't finish it.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Team Gathering

I enjoyed the Team Gathering so much last night!!! I shared the highlights of Leadership: some big changes and new products, my swaps, and all of the gifts from Stampin' Up! Then we stamped together - always the best part of any gathering. These are the projects we created - a Valentine card and treat pouch.


I plan to hold our Team Gathering on the second Tuesday of each month. However, I need to stick with Wednesday for the next two Gatherings. The upcoming Team Gathering dates are as follows:
Wednesday, 2/15 @ 6:00 (due to Valentine's Day)
Wednesday, 3/14 @ 6:00
Tuesday, 4/10 @ 6:00
Tuesday, 5/8 @ 6:00
Tuesday, 6/12 @ 6:00

Please mark these dates on your calendar if you are part of my team. If not, but you'd like to be, please let me know. I'd love to have you join our team and the fun we have at our Team Gatherings.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Manager's Walk

Melanie, Renee, and I all promoted to Manager this year so we were able to walk on stage for the promotion. It was wonderful being recognized for all the hard work. This was in addition to Manager's Reception (I posted photos for that perk already).
I'm home and trying to catch up with all the stuff at school and home. I will try to post again this week with the rest of the photos from Leadership.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Last Day of Leadership

Yesterday was the last day of Leadership, but we still have one more day with Regionals. I got back to the hotel to post photos for you, but the internet was down. I have to leave for Regionals in 3 minutes, so this is a quick post. I'll try to post more photos from yesterday and today when I get back to the hotel tonight.

Here is my favorite card from the day. I love the simplicity!!!
This is what the tables look like when we walk up - isn't it beautiful?
They started us out with a salad and warm rolls,
Then served a boneless chicken leg quarter with creamy macaroni and cheese with steamed green beans,
then finished it off with a wonderful fudge brownie with caramel sauce, whipped cream, and a strawberry - yum yum!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Stampin' Up! Loves To Give!!!

I'm always amazed at how much I bring home from a Stampin' Up! event. This pile is all of the things I've received so far and we still have all day today and Regionals tomorrow!
One highlight of Convention and/or Leadership is the bag. We always wonder what they will do and they topped themselves this time. This reversible fabric bag was made with a possible upcoming fabric. I'm hoping they make an announcement today.
Shelli even left a couple of gifts (an organizer made from the same fabric and a cute bag of handmade chocolates made by a home office employee) that coordinated perfectly with the bag on the make & take tables Wednesday. I will try to finish up the last two make & takes tonight so I can post a photo of all of the projects they designed for us.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Our Evening on the Riverwalk

We walked down the Riverwalk tonight. We ate outside at the Cafe Ole right by the river. The entire area was lit with Christmas lights and was absolutely beautiful!

Nancy got the prettiest drink - a prickly pear margarita.
Renee and I shared fajitas for two - we couldn't finish it!
As we were finishing, a Mariachi band came up to our tables and entertained us.
When we started walking back to the resort, we found a huge crowd waiting for a riverboat parade. I couldn't believe it when we saw Spencer (a great Stampin' Up! presenter). We also saw Santa (without Mrs. Clause because she was wiped out from Leadership - who know Santa's wife was a Stampin' Up! demonstrator). I had to take a picture of the two of them together to email to Mrs. Clause.
It turns out that the parade and Santa are going to be part of an episode of Extreme Home Makeover.
We got to see Ty filming his message to the family,
the entire design crew,
and even got a close-up of Ty as we walked by. He was close enough I could have reached my hand out and touch him. I opted for a photo instead.

Today's Leadership Photos

There were some amazing announcement about the catalog program, a new product to go with our score tool (check out the happy dance the Stampin' Up! staff did when they announced the new product here), three all attendee give-aways, and more! Can't wait to share when I get home.

By the time the opening session finally finished, we were starving! We had a wonderful southwest chicken salad,
a fun bread basket,
and yummy swirl cheesecake!
Here are my favorite cards from the day (however, I'm not sure who designed each because they were on display):

a beautiful Easter card
and a butterfly card that would make a great technique for club using window sheet, crystal effects, and reinkers.
I loved this button display Stampin' Up! had for us to enjoy. It shows some really creative ways to use buttons.
We were pooped by the end of the day and had to rest on the couches for a while.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

An Amazing Night!!!

Melanie, Renee, and I were so excited to attend Managers' Reception for the first time! This was right before we went entered. We definitely weren't disappointed!!!
My friend Susan brought her husband Lance to San Antonio with her. He came to Managers' Reception with her. I love this picture - it shows how much fun they are having on their vacation!
Lance took a picture of Susan and I together too. I'm so glad I joined this wonderful company - I've made so many great friends since I started with Stampin' Up!

Chinese Acrobatics - WOW!!!







Managers' Reception

Here is the one photo I can get loaded right now of the Chinese Acrobatics we watched at Leadership tonight. I'm hoping for a better connection either later tonight or in the morning to share more of what we saw. The show was incredible!!!
When Shelli walked off the stage after opening remarks, she sat down in the row right in front of us. It was cool seeing Shelli's reactions to the amazing strength and body control we were seeing on stage!
As we walked out of the theater, we were handed a new stamp set (I'm wondering if it will be in the new Summer Mini when it comes out) and a set of keepsake chopsticks. I may have to find a way to frame the chopsticks and invitation fan.
I'm so sorry I can't get the action photos to post right now. I'll try again later. Keep checking back for more of my Leadership experience.

First Day In San Antonio

I arrived in San Antonio late last night. This morning we went for a good breakfast this morning then walked to the Convention Center. Stampin' Up! had couches for us to relax on that were covered with these amazing pillows that feature beautiful fabric (I hope they announce that it will be a new fabric/paper line for us!). The bag they gave us is made from the same fabric - I'll have to take a picture and post it after Managers Reception tonight.


I had to sit in with them. Look at the base of the lamp; it's filled with gumballs. Stampin' Up! really does a great job with the details!
Here is the best card I saw today. I don't know how she made that background, but I'm determined to figure it out. Looks like a great club project to me.
We walked to the Alamo because everyone told us we needed to be sure to see it while in San Antonio. It was interesting to see some American history.