Stampin' Up! Convention USA Style!

Yesterday I showed you some of my adventures in Salt Lake City ahead of the 2013 US Convention starting, including some glimpses of the Convention Center.  Today I am going to share a bit more about Convention itself. 

My first impression was how big it was!  The doors opened and about 6000 excited Stampin' Up! Demonstrators poured through to be greeted by the staff - excitement building as we went to find a seat. Once everyone was in we were treated to an inspiring opening session which included a performance from American Voice contestant Ryan Innes and some fantastic presentations. This wonderful start was followed by a great party!

Here are just a few of the presenters we heard from during Convention (you can click on any of the pictures to make them bigger or see them in more detail on my facebook page here)

Lots more inspiring people shared their insights and knowledge too, both demonstrators and staff.  Here are some fellow incentive trip achievers getting ready to present

Here is a little video to give you an idea of the scale of the room and a feel for the excitement before sessions began

There was a special Recognition Room for people who had achieved awards and the Incentive Trip - complete with friendly doormen checking you were allowed in!  It was a great place to relax and spend time with achieving demonstrators and staff members who openly shared business tips - the room was full of chatter, hugs and lots of laughter.  

There was lots to do and see - some of the samples were stunning and they some were displayed to spell the words, Create, Inspire and

While we were there we broke the World Record for the most greeting cards sent from a single location - I was number 3342!  We all had a giggle and the man from the Post Service certainly seemed to be enjoying himself!

Here are just a few of the wonderful friends I spent time with during Convention

And a few fellow bloggers and inspiring crafters and achievers that we spent time with

And of course there were the parties - the top picture shows my Cruise Buddy Selene at the live band Karaoke - and wow can she sing!  I am excited that I am going to be meeting up with her and lots of my other new friends again next May - can't wait!  I am missing all the incredible people I got to spend time with already.

At awards night the very top achievers found out if they were part of Founders Circle and those that were all received a gorgeous handbag - here is a picture of me with the bag.  I would love to say it was mine but it was in fact the lovely Stella's (she is on the left in the picture taken in the Recognition Room).

We also had lots of presentations featuring the wonderful new products from Stampin' Up! and showing us some products that are going to be launched soon - I know you are going to love them all and I am looking forward to being able to share them with you when they come to Europe.

Convention was an incredible experience and I would recommend it to everyone.  The next convention is in Manchester in November and if you are in the UK, France, Germany, Austria or the Netherlands you could join me and my team there!  Email bekka@feeling-crafty.co.uk to find out how

Happy Stampin'

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Adventures in Salt Lake City

I arrived in Salt Lake City a little before Convention started so I had some time to explore.  I loved Salt Lake City from the moment I arrived!  The city is surrounded by mountains and the views from the taxi windows were stunning.

Here is my room and the stunning views from it - which included the convention center - how convenient is that!

I think Salt Lake City were as pleased to see us as we were to be there - banners lined the streets and there were posters welcoming us everywhere! Here is the convention center with one of the banners outside - these continued up both sides of the street.

The day before Convention started I explored Salt Lake City a little

There was time for meals - we went to the Cheesecake Factory and did not get as far as Cheesecake - I had what has to be the worlds largest Salad - it took me half and hour to find the bottom of the plate in one corner!

We explored the shopping centre - which has beautiful water features

and is of course serious business

Then before I knew it it was the first day of convention!  During the day we got our first glimps of the Convention Centre - with relatively few people in it - I never saw it this empty again!  I loved the banner lined corridores, we could see the Momento Mall Items, and collect our badges.  As special international guests we had a special collection point and did not have to que for hours unlike our poor hosts!

I also met some amazing people before and during convention - but I think they deserve a post of their own!

Now I all I had to do was wait for the fun to start - find out more about that tomorrow. 

Happy Stampin'

PS If you want to see these photos in more detail check out my Facebook Page here.

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Getting Ready for Utah

Wow - what an experience!  As I mentioned yesterday I have been in Utah for the European Incentive Trip and the USA convention.  It has been an amazing experience and one I am not going to forget in a hurry - I have met the most incredible people, had the most amazing experiences and seen some wonderful things.  I am going to enjoy reliving them as I tell you all about them.

Part of every trip is the preparation - I don't know about you but for me as you start to get ready for something the excitement builds!  I spent most of the week before I left plowing through an incredibly long to do list and when I got to some of the crafty projects at the end the excitement really started to grow.  A Stampin' Up! Convention is always a lot of fun - full of inspiration, fun, crafting goodies, useful hints and tips and of course lots of give aways.  I have loads of new stamp sets and other goodies I am looking forward to being able to share!  

One of the most eagerly awaited gifts that all attendees get is the bag and this years bag is stunning!  I love my new Stampin' Up! rucksack.

However since all the bags are the same it is important to know which out of the almost 6000 is yours!  So I made mine a tag.  I wanted it to not only have my name on it but also to show where I was from ...

I have used some of the delicious new Designer Series Papers from the Colour Stacks and the stunning new Stamp Set Tape It - stamped Washi Tape and I am in heaven!  I know you will be seeing a lot more of this stamp set!

Today my jet lag and I will mostly be going through all the lovely emails I received while away - apologies if you have been waiting for a response from me and then starting to go through the vast number of photos I took.  Check back tomorrow to find out more about my US Convention experience - It was incredible and if ever you get the chance to go to a Stampin' Up! Convention I would highly recommend it - you could even join me at the European one in November - contact me to find out how.

Happy Stampin'

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Utah Swaps - Simply Pressed Clay Ornaments

By the time you read this I should just about be back from an amazing trip to Utah!  On Friday I told you about the wonderful Incentive Trip I am going on next year but right now I am just back from this year's trip to Utah - home of Stampin' Up!  I can't wait to tell you all about it - so do check back as from tomorrow I will be doing just that!

For today I am going to share some of the swaps I made for my trip - one of the things demonstrators love to do when they get together is share ideas and swap projects.

I made these cute little packages.  They are based on the new crumb cake notecard envelopes and feature the lovely Flower Shop Stamps on the closure.  

Inside each is one of these made from the lovely air dry Simply Pressed Clay.

I hope that they will remind the ladies who recived them of the wonderful times we have had. 

If you would like instructions for this project please email bekka@feeling-crafty.co.uk

Happy Stampin'

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Scrap Book Saturday - Two Photo Page with This and That Epic Day Papers

For this week's Scrapbook Saturday I am going to share a simple page with room for two 6x4 inch photos.  I have taken my camera out quite a lot recently but not yet printed any photos out so this page is there and ready for me when I get that done.

I love this coffee stain effect page, well actually I just love the Epic Day This and That papers - I suspect they are going to feature quite heavily in a lot of my pages!

If you would like to know more about Scrapbooking please do get in touch, I offer introductory sessions as well as a monthly kit based Scrapbook Club.  To get in touch just email bekka@feeling-crafty.co.uk

Happy Stampin'

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Find Out About Friday - Where will I be next May?

Every year Stampin' Up! give Demonstrators the chance to earn a Grand Vacation.  It is something that every Demonstrator can earn through sales and working with their team.  I am very excited to be able to tell you that a little while ago I earned the trip next May and even more excited to tell you that last week one of my team earned the trip too.

In May of next year the lovely Carole and I (along with our guests) will be cruising around the Caribbean on the beautiful Allure of the Seas.  This huge cruise ship is practically a city and there are so many things we will be able to do as cruise between the various islands we are going to visit.  

This is what Stampin' Up! have to say about the trip 'Sail away with Stampin’ Up! in 2014 for a world-class adventure* aboard the Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Allure of the Seas®. Onboard you’ll discover seven unique neighborhoods that include a theatre featuring Broadway hits, the DreamWorks® Experience, and restaurants such as Rita’s Cantina and the Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse. Prepare to be wowed by the FlowRider® surf simulator, aerial acrobats in the AquaTheater, a classic carousel on the Boardwalk, a zip line view over Central Park® . . . or enjoy a leisurely stroll through the ship’s garden lined with fine restaurants and shops.' 

There are going to be Demonstrators from all around the globe there and I am so proud of Carole for earning her first trip!

If you would like to make money sharing your love of stamping and would like to be able to earn fantastic benefits such as this holiday then email bekka@feeling-crafty.co.uk and lets talk!

Happy Stampin'

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Best of Flowers in Pistachio Pudding

Today is the last day of this week's series of cards all featuring the Best of Flowers Stamp Set - which you can see here.

Today's offering is in Pistachio Pudding and some Baked Brown Sugar - makes it sound good enough to eat.  I am loving the new ribbon which you can see on this card - more projects with that to come!

If you would like to purchase the Best of Flower's Stamp Set just email bekka@feeling-crafty.co.uk

Happy Stampin'

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Imagine Best of Flowers Card

For this the third card in our week of the Best of Flowers Card Series I am going to show you a soft subtle card which encourages the recipient to Imagine - a beautiful sentiment from the Loving Thoughts Stamp Set.

If you would like to know more about making cards like this why not join us for a card making class - you can find the details here.

Happy Stampin'

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Dare to Dream in Colour!

This week is all about the Best of Flowers Stamp Set and today I am going to show you a bright and cheerful card which includes a sentiment from Loving Thoughts that I often find myself saying!

You can see the Best of Flowers Stamp Set here.  Be sure to check the other posts this week to see some other things you can do with this stamp set.  

Happy Stampin'

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Beautiful Bouquet of Flowers from the Best of Flowers Stamp Set

This week I am going to show you several cards made with the beautiful Best of Flowers Stamp Set.  You can see the stamp set here.

Today's card features the bouquet image and it has been mounted onto a Strawberry Slush base.

If you would like to order this stamp set just email bekka@feeling-crafty.co.uk

Happy Stampin'

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Sweet Butterfly Treats

I have been making sweet treats again!  

I have used some of the papers from the new  Designer Paper Stacks - they are so lovely!  the colours are Costal Cabana and Baked Brown Sugar.  And when I had done the Cadbury Dairy Milk I moved onto the Kit Kats!

Happy Stampin'

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Tag a Bag Scrapbook Page

Today I am going to share a Scrapbook Page which I made for a recent team training meeting.  It features the pretty tags from the Tag a Bag Set

The stamps I have used are from the Happy Day Stamp Set.  

I have coloured the pegs that come in the kit with my ink pad

I really enjoy our team training days - the people are a wonderful part of being a Demonstrator.  We get together, share ideas and business training and we ensure that everyone leaves with everything they need in their business for the upcoming months.  If you would like to know more about joining our team please email bekka@feeling-crafty.co.uk

Happy Stampin'

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Find Out About Friday - Meet the Candy Dots!

Hidden deep in the new Stampin' Up! Catalogue are the beautiful Candy Dots!  These little coloured jems are fantastic for adorning all sorts of projects.  They are self adhesive and come in all the core Stampin' Up! Colours.

You purchase them in Colour Collections

You can stick them onto your project directly or if you have a project that needs a brad you can add them to a Brad Back and hey presto you have brads in any colour!

The Candy Dots cost £5.50 for 100 dots - 10 each of 10 colours!  To order yours email bekka@feeling-crafty.co.uk

Happy Stampin'

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Best of Flowers Sympathy Card

Unfortunately from time to time we all need a Sympathy Card - something to show people we care.  Today I am going to share one we made as part of the Best Of Flowers Card Making Class.

Soft and Stylish the colours are Smoky Slate (which looks almost silver!), Soft Sky and Blushing Bride.  

If you would like to take this class you can - the next oportunity is on Thursday 1 August.  To find out more and to book a place just email bekka@feeling-crafty.co.uk

Happy Stampin'

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