Friends Never Fade Orange Blossoms & Convention Day 2

We're on our second day of Convention!  Before I get into today's happenings, let me show you a lovely project by Michelle Hoover. 

I've been saving this one up, because I was hoping to have my own version to show alongside her card.  But, alas, my stamping time has been cut short during the weeks leading up to Convention.  I'm ever-so-grateful that I have wonderful stamping friends that are willing to let me show their creations!  Thank you, Michelle!

It's so pretty!  I'm not usually an orange kinda girl, but this one really works for me! It has to be because I'm in love with the Greenhouse Gala paper, have you noticed?  I can't help it!  It's beautiful!

Card Details: Colors are Pumpkin Pie, Pear Pizzazz and Daffodil Delight.  Background is embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper Impressions Folder.  Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper is highlighted with a Scallop Trim Border punch and tied with Daffodil 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon.  The stamp images are from Friends Never Fade.  Michelle colored one of the other flower images with Pumpkin and Daffodil markers, then cut it out and added Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  

Convention Day 2

This morning, we are busy having what I like to call our Rah-Rah Convention Kick-Off!  It's the big General Session where Shelli Gardner, the CEO of Stampin' Up!, welcomes us and pumps us up into a frenzy! 

During lunch, we are free to wander around the Resource Center, which is filled with hundreds of sample projects that demonstrators have sent in for contests throughout the year.  It's truly an amazing display of creativity—there are so many ideas!  We will likely take lots of pictures of the display boards for future reference. 

New products are also showcased at the Center.  You can see examples of how they are used and try out some of them at the hands-on tables.  They also have mini-presentations going on, showing tips and tricks for using some of the new products. 

Shelly is usually around the lunch room doing meet & greets, signing tote bags and taking pictures with demonstrators.  Darla and I met her last year, and I have to say, she was very friendly and chatted with us for several minutes, even though their were dozens of people waiting in line.  She seemed genuinely interested in our stampin' stories (and she is the most photogenic person, always looks fabulous!).  Here's a couple pictures from last year's meet & greet!

We get an hour and 45 minutes for lunch, but with all the stuff to look at and do, it's difficult finding the time to eat.  SU provides the box lunch as part of our registration fee—it was good food last year, with enough to take with you to snack on later. 

After lunch, it's time for our business classes, which offer helpful strategies for boosting our bookings, sales, and recruits.  We will be attending two sessions today called "Paper, Pad & Markers" and "Sharing Products."  Looking forward to it!  

Later this evening, we have our Awards Night!  Now, Darla and I both agree that 2 hours of watching people walk across the stage to collect their awards is a bit of a snooze-fest.  However, this year, I'm forcing Darla to stay awake long enough to take a picture of me walking across the stage for my two awards!  I will receive one for hitting my $20,000 personal sales mark this year, and one for recruiting at least 5 people this year.  It's my first chance to walk in (through) the spotlight!  Woohoo!

Wake up, Darla!

Check back tomorrow for more Convention updates!

Real-Time 2010 Convention Update

Woohoo—Darla and I are have the best time!  I have too much to share, but I must catch up on sleep because it's 1am here. 

However, I wanted to share an awesome promotion that is beginning next week…Bonus Hostess Rewards!  July 27 through August 31, hostesses will earn $25 in extra rewards when they have a $350 workshop!  Are you kidding me?!  That is frickin' awesome!  That means you would earn AT LEAST a $65 shopping spree of Stampin' Up! products, plus either a level 1 or level 2 Hostess exclusive stamp set! 

Don't miss this fantastic promotion!  I still have several August dates open, so let's get your workshop on the calendar ASAP.  While I'm at Convention, talk to your stamping friends and figure out what dates would work for you.  I can talk to you in more detail when I get home.  Or, get some of your friends together to combine your orders to take advantage of these extra hostess dollars…you don't have to have a workshop to benefit!  Pull out your wishlists and get ready to select your FREE items beginning Monday!

More later…time for ZZZZZZs! 

Angie