I am SO incredibly blessed. I have so many wonderful friends who showered me with gifts at convention this year. I'm horribly embarassed to say that they weren't showered back. I had all of the best intentions of making gifts but I completely ran out of time. Unfortunately, they didn't. And I felt like dirt when they handed me beautiful gifts. I pledge that that will NEVER EVER happen again! I'm already planning what I'll be making. HA!
I've already shared a couple from Mary Ellen and Kristin. They're both empty and no longer really photo-worthy. But, if you missed them, just click here.
First up is one that I just broke into - I couldn't bear to take it apart at convention - or at least until I got a good photo. It was SO thoughtful. It was from my friend, Jackie Martinez. Jackie is a regular follower of my blog - that's how we met. She lives out in Arizona and I look forward to seeing her at every event. She is also my friend on Facebook where I post about my Weight Watchers Diet. If you're not my friend on Facebook, you might not know that I've lost 55 pounds in 2011 - only 2 of which I gained back at convention! And, if you want to help keep me accountable, I'm hoping to have lost a total of 75 by Founder's Circle! WELL, Jackie tucked inside this adorable package a Weight Watchers snack bar!!! How thoughtful was she?!?!? THANK YOU Jackie! I'll probably be gobbling it down today.
Next up is a gift I received from my very dear friend Maggie Patterson. We met at lunch at convention YEARS ago. I think I'd just earned the Hawaii incentive trip. We got to chatting about my numbers, my spreadsheet, and how I earned the trip. I shared with her my spreadsheet and honestly thought I'd never hear from her or see her again. BOY, was I wrong!!! (And I'm SO VERY GLAD I was wrong.) Maggie tracked me down at Leadership in Phoenix and said she was working my spreadsheet. Then, last year at convention, I ran into her at the Marriott and noticed that she was wearing an Alaska Incentive Trip ribbon on her namebadge - a goal of hers. I was so proud of her. We soon became Facebook Friends and have cheered each other on ever since. She shared with me her goal to be in Founder's Circle this year. A very tough thing to achieve when you live in Canada (it's tough here, too)!!! There are only 15 spots (instead of the 100 spots we get in the US). In fact, if we had only 15 spots, I wouldn't be in Founder's Circle at all!!! When I saw Maggie at Leadership last year, she had already earned the Disney Incentive trip - a HUGE accomplishment. I'm guessing only about 12-20 of us had earned the trip that early - or at least were wearing our ribbons announcing the fact. Maggie shared with me her "stats" - we're both numbers girls. And I immediately knew her chances were good. BUT OH MY GOSH! She did it! She not only landed herself in the top 15 in Canada. She was #2!!!! Way to go girlfriend! She gave me this gorgeous frilly bookmark to say thanks for supporting her. Now I cannot wait to spend 5 days in St George with her in September!
My third gift was one I received from another Canadian demonstrator, Anne Granger. Anne is one of my newer friends. She just LOVED my convention presentation last year and even told her good friend that I was her favorite! Her good friend just happened to be one of my co-presenters!!! We exchanged a few e-mails and I thought that would be it. Again, I'm glad I was wrong! I had the opportunity to meet Anne in person on the Alaska cruise. And we have been bumping into each other ever since. I seriously think she was stalking me at convention because I was seeing her over and over again. I'm so proud of her. She's a great demonstrator and a wonderful friend. She always has a great smile on her face. I can't wait to see her again at the next event! She put together this AWESOME gift. What a fun idea! It's made using one of our Clear Mount cases and My Digital Studio. It's packed full of Christmas Tags. What a wonderful gift idea. I told her that I'm immediately going to copy the idea for hostess gifts!!! (Hint, hint - if you're one of my hostesses this fall you might get one.)
Last, but certainly not least, is one I received from Shelli! Yes, Shelli Gardner, co-founder and CEO of Stampin' Up! Yes, she gave ME a gift. Well, me and the other 180 convention VIPs! There was a cute little treat bag as well. But, I finally lost my willpower and ate the caramels - they're her favorites and I couldn't wait to try them. There was also a roll of Island Indigo ribbon tucked inside the treat bag. But, tied onto the bag was this Oh-So-Shelli bookmark. And, she signed it! I've got a growing collection of autographed Shelli tags and things!
Well, I believe that's all I have - unless I'm forgetting one that I've yet to unpack. I know I have a couple of adorable cards (not just swaps) that I've also received that I'll be sharing. And, I know, I still owe you some more pictures of convention.
If you're still reading this ('cause I know it's lengthy), the thing I absolutely love about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is the relationships. I would not have known any of these wonderful ladies if it hadn't been for Stampin' Up! Good grief - two of them are Canadian! Our paths would not have crossed without Stampin' Up! Stamping, teaching, and even the free trips I earn, are only secondary to the priceless gift of friendship I have with SO many women - and now even some men at the home office! I have a wonderful group of demonstrators who are on my team. If you'd like to become one - there's an AWESOME starter kit deal running through the end of July. Click here to learn more and join now!
OMG...thank you Kristen!! I'm so glad that we met also...and I 'm looking forward to getting to know you more!! Okay...you must share your spreadsheet with me...curious minds want to know!! LOL
Anyway..thanks for the sweet comments...you rock!!!! Keep up the great work my friend...you look great!!!
Posted by: Anne Granger | July 21, 2011 at 11:16 AM
Great post! Anne sure does enjoy your company and enthusiasm (she told me that too:) Can't wait to see you in a few short weeks!!!! Hugs!!!!
Posted by: Heather Summers | July 21, 2011 at 12:02 PM
Kristen YOU'RE the thoughtful one! Always so thoughtful sharing your creativity! I am blessed to call you FRIEND!
Posted by: Jackie | July 21, 2011 at 11:17 PM
Yes, it was a long post, but letting people know how wonderful a life you have and the friends you have made is a nice thing to read. You are blessed.
Posted by: Denise | July 21, 2011 at 11:48 PM