Another Fun Day at Convention

It's midnight here (2:00am at home) so this has to be a quick post. I put in a lot of pictures, but the explanations have to be short.

First, here are three of my favorite swap cards (before the organized swap I was in tonight). I will take pictures and post those after I've slept and finished with Convention activities.



I was so excited to meet Renee Wright today! She was my Demonstrator Business Building Coach. When I walked up and said my name, she started talking about how much she enjoyed the Simply Adorned inserts I sent her back in January. I can't believe she remembered me and my small gift!

We went for breakfast at the hotel this morning. I couldn't finish this yummy meal, but I sure gave it a try.

We at dinner at The Blue Lemon at 5:30, but I saved room for dessert at the Marriott with Rebecca Bernzweig, Ruth Bingle, and Susan Auyer at 7:30. It was great to sit down with very successful demonstrators and learn what is working well for them in their businesses. I really enjoyed my time with them.

I picked the strawberry cheesecake. It was so fresh and summery.

However, I had "dessert envy" as soon as I saw Susan's decadent hot chocolate cake.

In the end, I still love Susan even though she didn't offer to share with me.

We rushed from dessert with these girls to second dessert with the group I've enjoyed eating with most of the week. We went back to The Bayleaf Cafe because we enjoyed it so much last night.

We drank out of Mason jars - check out the size of this water.

But, water wasn't the only refreshment enjoyed tonight. Denise was thrilled when she got carded and so was Melanie.

But, when Pat went to hand the waitress her ID, she didn't need it. We got to laughing so hard I almost wet my pants.
My second dessert of the night was Brown Betty. I'd never had it before, but I was sure glad I had ordered it. It was so delicious I almost forgot about the dessert envy earlier in the evening.

Here is a group shot outside of the restaurant. It was a late night, but it was a blast. One of the best things about convention is the time spent with old friends and making lots of new friends. I've definitely done both on this trip.

I would love to have you join me at Convention next year as a member of my team!

First Official Day of Convention

First, I'll share two of my favorite swaps from today.

The first is a very vintage look from my friend Jenny Peterson - it uses one of the new Designer Frames Embossing Folder, Crumb Cake Seam Binding, and Precious Butterflies (hostess set).

The next card was designed by Jacque Craig and uses the new My Friend stamp set, Beautiful Wings Embossing Folder, and Rhinestones.

There were exciting announcements at the general session today about new products coming in the upcoming Holiday Mini. One is a new scoring tool that I can't wait to order. I'm sure it will quickly become one of your favorite tools!

The most innovative product they announced today was a new cookie stamp set that will become available on October 1st. They served us cookies made with this product at lunch today. I can't wait to get my hands on the cookie stamps and use them with the students in my Kindergarten class.
Here is our entire group at lunch today It is fun to get together with my stamping friends for a few days every summer. I'm enjoying my time here so much - it doesn't seem like I had been here less than 48 hours when this photo was taken. I had just eaten my 7th meal since I arrived.

So here is the 8th meal. We went to Bayleaf Cafe for dinner and I enjoyed the Chicken Skewers - it was fabulous!!! I took photos of everyone's dinner and may end up posting them at some point, but it is getting late.

Even though I was stuffed, I had to order the Waffles and Ice Cream so we could all have a taste for dessert. Isn't it beautiful?

Here we are all digging in...

and then I am taking a big bite. Yum, yum, yum.

We went straight from dinner to Awards Night. Look at the backdrop on the stage - stunning.

My friend Missy Shipman earned Founder's Circle by being one of the top 100 Demonstrators of the Year. She actually placed #64. However, that wasn't the best news of the night. She was chosen as a member of the Advisory Board! She was completely surprised and taken off guard, but thoroughly delighted!

Well, off to bed - early morning. I'll try to post again after activities tomorrow.

More Photos From Check-In Day

Here is a picture of me in the dress I made to wear tonight and the sun hat I made to go with it.


Here is one of my favorite swaps of the day (I have other swaps, but am too tired to take pictures because it is really late.) using a brand new set from the new catalog. We have some of the best sets in this new catalog!!!

At the Garden Party (Kick-Off Party) tonight, we were challenged to wear decorated sun hats to the party. I took a few pictures (but there were many more I should have taken - there are so many creative people here!!!).





I ate dinner twice tonight - once before the garden party and then again after - because I wanted to go out with the girls who hadn't eaten yet.

The first meal (my third of the day) was a "Plain Jane Potato - Lite Version" - can you believe this is the small version of their famous potato?

Before:
After:
We went to dinner at Olive Garden after we finished at the Garden Party. I thought a nice frozen drink would be good. Don't worry - no booze.

I had planned on just eating a little salad, but the cheese ravioli looked so good I just had to order!

Well, I better get to bed. Convention officially starts tomorrow. Look for more information and photos when I get back to the hotel (if it's not too late).

Convention Check-In Day

I found the cutest photo op in Momento Mall - they were selling these adorable umbrellas and it looked like the perfect place to get a picture.

One of the best parts of convention is seeing the amazing talent and creativity that other Stampin' Up! demonstrators possess. Here are a couple pictures of cool projects I saw people wearing and had to take a photo.

These are beautiful purses made from our designer fabrics. I can't wait to go home and make one in the new black and white fabrics.

Here is a simple stamped silk scarf that someone made to tie on their bag. I just the the simply elegant look.

I'm heading out for dinner, coming back to the hotel to change dresses, and then going to the Garden Party tonight. If it's not too late when I get back, I'll post more photos.

I Got To Salt Lake City

I had a very smooth trip to Salt Lake City and I went for a light lunch with my friend Susan - a really yummy salad.


After unpacking (look how fun all of my dresses look hanging in the closet - I'm going to have trouble deciding which one to wear each day), I joined a group of friends for dinner at The Melting Pot. We had the most incredible dinner - look at the pictures below.

Here is the waitress starting the cheese fondue for us to start with - we dipped bread, vegetables, and chips.
The second course was salad - everyone shared some wonderful salads.
Next, she started a cooking pot and added vegetables -mushrooms, red potatoes, broccoli.

She brought out plates of meet - steak, chicken, seafood, ravioli, etc. and gave us instructions on how long to cook each.

We finished the night off with dessert. We picked Dark Chocolate and Bananas Foster. She also brought us plates of the most decadent treats to dip in them. There were bananas, pound cake, rice krispy treats, strawberries, marshmallows, and cheesecake. Even though our bellies were full, we couldn't stop eating.

If you ever get a chance to go to The Melting Pot, take it. It was a little pricey, but well worth it!!!

I will post pictures of my favorite swaps from each day during Convention. I haven't swapped any cards yet - Convention activities start tomorrow. However, a very talented stamper named Kirsteen brought some samples to dinner with her (some she had made and some from a shoebox swap she participated in). I took photos of my favorites (unfortunately I don't know who to give credit to).

This beautiful flower pot actually folds flat and fits in an envelope - I can't wait to try making one of these!!!

I love this stand-up card made using the scallop circle die and punches.

Here is a fun fold card made using the new Pennant Parade stamp set and coordinating punch.


Hope you enjoyed my post for today. Keep checking back for lots more photos and fun over the next few days!!!

Dresses, Dresses, Dresses

I haven't been posting lately because I've been busy preparing for Convention. Between swaps, convention gifts, and packing (on top of daily life and my normal Stampin' Up! events), I haven't had much down time to stamp for pleasure.

I decided it would be simplest to pack simple dresses, black & white shoes, and black & white sweaters. However, I didn't have that many dresses so I found a pattern I loved and have been sewing ALOT! Here is a picture of one I made yesterday. Notice the Stampin' Up! fabric at the bottom!!!

I've made 12 of these dresses in the last 2 1/2 weeks. I just kept finding cute fabrics that I couldn't resist! Now I have to decide which ones to pack.

I leave for Convention the day after tomorrow. As in the past, I am taking a laptop with me and plan to post photos and details of my trip each evening. Please check back to see my adventures at Stampin' Up! Convention.

Quick Birthday Card

I posted a card recently that was inspired by a gift bag. I'm amazed at the places I find inspiration. We have a 13th birthday party for our niece Rachel this afternoon. I had purchased this adorable bag from Thirty One for her. Well, when I sat down to make her card this morning, I remembered the long-retired stamp set Seeing Spots. It was perfect for a card to go with this bag.

Here is a closer view of the card. I stamped the circle designs in the colors on the bag, tied on some retired wide Chocolate Chip ribbon, and punched a greeting. I think it looks very nice together!
This just goes to show you, inspiration can come from anywhere. Keep your eyes open watching for colors, designs, patterns, etc. that inspire you!