Stampin' with Kristin

Happy Mail Day!

I had three reasons to love my mail today!  First, I received TWO birthday cards today!  Yes, you're not losing your mind, my birthday was last month, but it seems that I'm celebrating for the entire year!  It's not even a big milestone!  I just turned 35!  However, only one of those cards was handmade, so I'm only sharing that one.  Although, I do love the card and gift card from my brother and sister-in-law!

This card was created by my Founder's Circle friend, Mary Ellen.  I blogged about her last month while we were at Founder's.  But, let me summarize how we met...  Stampin' Up! sends its demonstrators a magazine every month filled with ideas, demonstrator stories, and other wonderful, inspiring information.  Right before convention, I received the August issue and read about Mary Ellen.  She has a very inspiring story.  And, while reading it, I felt like I was reading about how I was motivated in my business.  And I thought, oh no, she stole my convention presentation!  She shared that she was motivated to earn the incentive trip after watching the awards show at convention one year - just like me!  That was part of my on-stage presentation!  While I was visiting the Incentive Trip booth at convention, I ran into Mary Ellen.  I told her how much I enjoyed her story and she told me how much she enjoyed my blog.  WHAT?  She's read my blog???  Two nights later at awards night, I watched her walk across stage for being the #5 demonstrator in the US in personal sales last year AND for being in the Top 100 demonstrators in the US - not an easy feat!  So that meant she and I were both headed to Founder's Circle for the first time.

We met up again in Utah last month and became very good friends.  It was fun to enjoy Founder's with someone just like me!  So, today, I received this GORGEOUS birthday card from Mary Ellen.  I'm not sure if this photo does the card justice.  There are tons of tiny details!  I'm sure you don't recognize the "Queen for a Day" sentiment - that was part of one of the stamp sets we received at Founder's Circle - you can see it in January in the Occasions Mini.  I can't even begin to list all of the stamp sets she used.  I know there's a wheel in there, she's heat-embossed the sentiment, watercolored and shaded LOTS of areas, distressed it, sewed on the ribbon, added pearls as an embellishment, she did the shimmer/rubbing alcohol spritzer technique - it's BEAUTIFUL!  Oh wait, there's smooch spritz, too!  And there's the oh-so-subtle music note wheel along the top of the scallop square.  I LOVE THIS CARD!!!  Thank you, Mary Ellen!

I've actually been stalking my mailbox for the third piece of mail.  See, just like Mary Ellen was featured in the August issue of Stampin' Success magazine, I was featured in the November issue which arrived today!  Even though I had seen the article online, it was fun to hold a magazine in my hand and see....well, me!  The article talks about how I built my business up after taking a step back to get married in March 2009.  So, here's a photo of the magazine!

Greetings from Las Vegas?!?!?

Why are you confused?  Don't be.  I'm in Vegas.  No, it wasn't on my Founder's Circle Agenda.  You didn't miss anything.  AND, I certainly didn't expect to be in Las Vegas AFTER the time I was due into Philadelphia, but this girl just can't turn down a good deal!

Let's back up for a few (give me a break, I'm lonely and bored).  The start of this afternoon was awesome!  There were about twenty of us who were on the 3:00ish flight out of St George.  We were just sitting around the hotel having a good ol' time with Bonnie and Pam.  We pulled our chairs into a large circle and chatted about lots of things from ideal workshop attendance to favorite Founder's topics to mini catalog improvements!  What a focus group!  I'm not sure Bonnie and Pam were up to chatting, but we were!  Pam was knitting away and Bonnie had her feet up relaxing.  There was one, sad moment.  I looked over at the front doors of the hotel to see the "Welcome SU" decor being scraped off of the windows.  BOO HOO.

We loaded into vans around 1:00 and headed over to the most comical airport I've ever visited!  We all checked in (single file) for our flight.  We were led to a waiting area to wait for the security checkpoint to open.  Yes, it is only open periodically throughout the day.  So, of course you want to buy a beverage while you wait for your flight, right?  That would be a mistake at St George - at least until you get through security.  Security opened and we were screened.  I had a feeling the flight was overbooked because several people didn't have seat assignments.  The announcement came and they were searching for volunteers.  I didn't jump up at first.  But, no one was biting.  After the second announcement, I wandered over to the agent to research my options.  Before I gave a final answer, the entire luggage compartment was being unloaded to find my luggage!!! 

However, I wasn't enough.  Another gentleman had to get off of the flight because the plane was overweight (not a comforting thought).  So, he and I became friends.  Turns out we had to get a shuttle from St George to take us to Las Vegas.  Delta had no seats so we had to be reticketed on another airline (USAirways).  And, the flight didn't depart until 10:35 (here I sit waiting to depart).  It took a LONG time to get us set.  Besides, only 4 people work at the St George airport!!!  One of the four drove us to a shuttle stop.  We waited about 45 minutes for the St George Shuttle to drive us to Las Vegas.  The shuttle was NICE.  Sky West had booked us on the "Executive Level" shuttle.  Basically a van with leather bucket seats, beverages (water), and free WiFi.  It was a comfortable, quick ride over to Las Vegas.

It wasn't too painful to get checked in - we were about 5 hours early!  But, USAirways mis-spelled my name on my ticket and it was a pain to get it corrected.  YIKES!  I'm glad I noticed.

So, here I sit in Las Vegas, stalking Facebook, watching all of my Founder's Circle friends talk about being home.  And here I am, one time zone FARTHER away from where I was supposed to start.  But, don't feel too bad for me, I had a free dinner and have $800 in travel vouchers in my pocket!  Mike was already researching our next free vacation before I even arrived in Vegas.  Aren't these MY travel vouchers?!?!?  I guess I should be nice to him - he has to pick me up in Philly at 6am!  Not exactly the way I expected to be starting my birthday!  Oh look....it's my birthday in Elmer!!!

Heading Home

Alrighty....it's now Sunday morning and I wanted to get you caught up about last night's (and this morning's) activities!  We headed over to Tuacahn to see Crazy For You.  I had heard that it was a beautiful setting, but I wasn't prepared for how beautiful it REALLY was!  OMG!

The theater is amazing.  It's set into a valley of red rock - and I'm a sucker for red rock!  They tell me that during some shows they actually flood the stage with the man-made waterfall in the background.  I sat in awe during the entire performance.  I was expecting a professional show, but I wasn't expecting a Broadway-quality show!  Most (if not all) of the performers have performed on Broadway!  The stage made it fun - and a western-themed show was appropriate.  At one point a horse came out on stage (as part of the show) and then rode off back stage...but because you could see right through, you could see the horse walking away in the distance.  I loved how they worked the rocks and the natural background into the show. 

I sat, mesmorized, as I looked up at the darkening sky and watched the stars come out.  And, at the end of the show they shot off several fireworks!  I will not be missing Tuacahn next year (assuming Founder's is here).  I've already made up my mind - I will not miss Founder's Circle next year!!!

The bus ride back to the hotel was a bit of an adventure.  One of the demonstrators on our bus wasn't feeling well - turns out she was really dehydrated.  She was pale and shaking.  The road leading out of the theater was only a two-lane road with one lane for each direction of traffic.  The line of cars was LONG and I could tell it was going to take a LONG time to get home.  Well, our bus driver wasn't having any of that!  We had a sick demo on board!  So, he pulled into the lane that would be for traffic traveling the OPPOSITE direction and started flying past the cars waiting to exit!  The theater was the only destination on that road.  And, since the show was over, there shouldn't be any additional cars, right?  Well, because we were in the dessert, you could see headlights about a half mile away.  And they were getting closer.  And we were still moving ahead.  I wondered if these cars would let us back in - I certainly would be pretty upset with us if I were them!  But, just in the nick of time, we got ourselves back in to avoid the head-on collision!  But, that didn't scare our driver, back out we pulled and drove the rest of the way to the highway going the WRONG direction down the street!  I'm not certain what time the other bus got back, but we pulled in around 11:45.  I spent the remainder of the evening trying to decide how to SAFELY get all of my goodies home!

So, it's Sunday morning.  Everyone is leaving.  I woke to the sound of buses in front of the hotel waiting to take all of us home.  I get to see everyone leave!  I'm not actually leaving our hotel until 1:15 this afternoon.  It's 9:30 now and most demonstrators have already left.  Saying goodbye is SO hard.  I've made so many wonderful, new friends on this trip.  It's nice to know that I can see most of them in a few months in Nashville at leadership.  I know some of these women will become life-long friends.  And, it's SO fun to have 134 other women who are JUST LIKE ME!  We were sitting around a table yesterday as Joey was describing her goal-setting notebook!  She tracks her numbers like me - except mine are in a spreadsheet.  And, it was comforting to know that I'm not the only one with a crazy spreadsheet to track everyone's numbers and their goals!  But, most of all, it was fun to have around 40 women who were also First-Timers who were experiencing the same things I was for the first time. 

One demonstrator (and I won't say who on here) made a comment that this particular week was always the worst week of the year - because she was stalking the blogs (like me) of Founder's Circle Achievers and watching the fun they were having.  But, this year it was different - WE were here.  And you can bet we will be here next year!

I'm sitting here crying VERY hard, alone, in my hotel room.  I don't want to finish this post (that's why I'm rambling longer than I normally would) because once this post is done, I'm going to finish packing my bags, finish saying my goodbyes, and starting the very long travel day ahead.

Click here to visit the Founder's Circle 2010 section of my blog.

Founder's Circle 2010 - Day 4 Part 1

Oh gosh!  What a Fabulous Final Event it TRULY was today.  We were ALL convinced that we were headed to a bowling alley to have pizza this afternoon.  But, before we knew it, we were pulling BACK into the convention center!  Regionals round two??!?!  We could see other demonstrators arriving for the afternoon regional, but we headed into a beautiful, festive room with over a dozen Wii bowling games set up and waiting for us!  Many breathed a sigh of relief!

But, before we could play, we had to have a yummy lunch and come up with a cheer for our team - The Dimensionals.  Check out some of the pictures of the decor and all of us in our Fabulous pink bowling shirts! 

After lunch we had to come up with a cheer.  Dawn Olchefske came up with a snazzy jingle.  Here are the lyrics....

I'm a Dimensional, She's a Dimensional, We're a Dimensional All.  And when we stick together, we give a lift to all.  Now, that may sound boring, but there are hand motions that go along with the verse.....

I'm a Dimensional (point to myself)
She's a Dimensional (point to Dawn)
We're a Dimensional All (Vanna White-like motion to indicate all)
And When We Stick Together (lean in towards Josee to resemble sticking to each other)
We Give (bend down)
A Lift (Grab and lift boobs)
To All (Hands in the air)

Here are some of the photos of us performing our cheer!  Unfortunately (or fortunately) none of us demonstrating the "lifting" motions!!!

All of the teams were fabulous (wow, I'm using that word a lot this week).  Several teams' cheers brought tears to my eyes!  For example, one talked about earning the Disney incentive trip.  Another talked about seeing us next year at Founder's.  Quite a few involved gymnastics!  And a couple (including Mary Ellen's team - and Mary Ellen in particular) included LIFTS (and not the kind we did)!!!

It was SO much fun!!!  We were just around the corner from the Regional Event going on and they must have wondered what was going on!  Shelli popped into the Regional with her bowling shirt!  For me, that would have been torture (or motivation to earn it next year) to know that Founder's Circle was just outside the door and I couldn't be included!  I've been told that we'll all receive a copy of the highlights video - I cannot wait to see it!  So, yes, they have us on film grabbing our chests!!!  We sang it twice.

I have felt so pampered, so loved, and so FABULOUS this week.  I'm so sad for it to come to an end!  BUT, it wasn't over yet!!!!!  I walked into my hotel room and check out what was sitting on my bed!!!

The photo of the sweater really doesn't do it justice.  It's Early Espresso.  There's Early Espresso Striped ribbon as trim.  The SU logo is actually RUBBER.  AND, inside where the buttons are, there's some of our lace trim.  It is one beautiful cardigan.  I will wear it proudly!

Oh, you know what?  I didn't tell you about today's free product!!!!  I played Plinko and won Vintage Trinkets but one of the other gals won the file folders.  Believe it or not, I don't own the file folders yet!  And she wanted the trinkets so we traded.  But, that's not all.  Our team didn't win the cheer.  And our team didn't have the highest bowling average.  BUT, our team did get the most gutter balls...winning us a package of In Color Markers!!!  Mary Ellen's team won for the highest bowling average score and won Sweet & Sour Specialty paper (one of my favorites).  She said she'd probably never use the DSP.  And, I had just purchased a second set of markers - so we traded too! 

Thank you Stampin' Up!

Oh....but the day's not over yet!  It's only 5pm!  I hear we're having Mexican for dinner and a group of us are headed over to Tuacahn to watch a show.  I've heard it's beautiful.  So, there will be a bit more blogging later.

Click here to visit the Founder's Circle Section of my website.

2010 Founder's Circle Swap Card!

I'm thrilled that I can finally share this card with EVERYONE!  Here's the swap card I made for this year's Founder's Circle Retreat.  I made 136 cards plus an additional 64 for the Baltimore Regional!  So, if you're a demonstrator and you're attending the Saturday Baltimore regional, maybe you'll swap with me and get one!

When I designed this, I underestimated just how time-consuming this card really was!  I've cut back on one of the time-consuming steps, but it still took a LONG time to make!

It actually took 20 packs of Designer Series paper to make this card.  And, it took 7 rolls of ribbon (and there's not even a bow)!  So, this wasn't exactly inexpensive.  Granted, I could have used different patterns from the DSP pack to make the scallops, but I wanted them to match!  Oh, and the original design included heat embossing the scalloped sentiment.  And, since I'm making a total of 200 cards, that would be 400 heat embossed pieces!  Thank you, Claire, for talking me out of it!

Here's what I used to make this card:

• Perfect Punches Stamp Set
• Old Olive Classic Ink
• Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink
• Old Olive Card Stock
• Very Vanilla Card Stock
• Cherry Cobbler Card Stock
• Jolly Holiday DSP
• Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder
• Tasteful Trim Die
• Big Shot
• 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch
• 1-3/8" Circle Punch
• Victoria Lace Ribbon

Today is another fun-packed day at Founder's Circle!  This afternoon we have a final event - that's about all I know.  But, they're usually spectacular.  Tonight a group of us is heading over to Tuacahn to see a show!  And, sadly, tomorrow we fly home.

Founder's Circle Day 3 Recap - Part 2

Okay....I'm back from the swap.  Oh my gosh!  How much fun!  And the swap cards - every single one of them - were absolutely beautiful!!!

I got downstairs around 7pm but the evening's activities didn't begin until 8.  So, we did more visiting and learned more about how everyone earned a spot here this year.  When we were finally let into the Gathering Place, we were handed a popcorn box and a packet of business ideas that we had all submitted.  It wasn't until I sat down that Mary Ellen pointed out to me that there wasn't really popcorn in the box!!!  It was a gift!  An adorable notebook and a pen - for lots of note-taking!

But there were a couple of people popping fresh popcorn for us - and they even had extra butter!!!   OOOOHH!!!  And they also provided fun retro soda.  That blue cream soda was YUMMY!!!

 

 

For close to two hours various demonstrators stood and shared a variety of business ideas.  It was so motivational!  And, of course, at the end we all were in tears.  Bonnie thanked Shelli for founding Stampin' Up! - and we all stood and cheered!  Each and every one of us have been so blessed with this wonderful opportunity.  Here are a few more photos....

We next gathered together for the official PJ Group Photo - we'll be getting a copy in the mail.  But, watch Shelli's blog, I'm sure you'll be seeing it there soon!  Then it was the moment for which we'd all worked for SO many hours - the swap!  Of course I got emotional again!  We lined up and wound through the hallways of the first floor of the hotel.  And it took us over a half hour to swap with everyone!  The cards are stunning!  And, they aren't all cards!  See that photo above of Shelli and her girls?  They're signing each and every one of the fabric pouches (filled with chocolate) that were their swaps.  I'm posting a photo of their swap - but you'll have to come to an event to see the others!  Many people used fabric - and I loved those ideas!  Some were SERIOUSLY over-the-top AND expensive!

After the swap, I didn't hang around downstairs for too long.  On the ride back up to the room, we were wondering if it would be an outside event or an inside event tomorrow.  One of the gals in the elevator told us that we would know when we got to our rooms.  Do you know what that means???  Another gift!!!  Here's what I found inside my room.  Do you think we'll be bowling tomorrow?!?!?!?

So that pretty much sums up my day!  It's after midnight here in Utah - I need to get to bed!  See ya tomorrow!

Click here to check out the Founder's Circle section of my blog.

Founder's Circle 2010 - Day 3 Recap (part 1)

What another fun-filled day.  I'm actually typing this first section around 3pm in the afternoon out here in Utah.  Tonight could be a late night, so I thought I'd blog mid-day so I wouldn't have as much to blog tonight.

It was SO hard to get out of bed this morning since I was up SO late last night BLOGGING just for YOU!  I had decided that I might not have time for breakfast, but I was pleasantly mistaken.  The breakfast buffet here is incredible!  There's an omelet station, waffles, eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, and fruit....oh and pastries! 

We boarded the buses around 7:30 to head over to the convention center.  You'll never guess who asked if she could sit next to me.  YES!  Shelli sat next to me!  She chatted with some of the other gals in the beginning but it was just her and I for the 15-minute ride over!  I keep wondering if she's spending time with anyone else because I've gotten to have lunch and ride on the bus with her!

Stampin' Up! held an exclusive half-day Regional Seminar just for us.  It was fun and casual!  I had never attended a half-day regional before.  But, they still packed TONS of fun into it.  There was Prize Patrol, at least four demonstrators presented, lots of demos by SU employees, and fun Make and Takes.  They gave us an entire Make and Take packet that they usually give out at the All Day regionals that contained six projects that made me love Day of Gratitude even more.  And then they came around and gave ALL OF US a package of glimmer brads!  More Free Stuff!!!!!  Here's a picture of the three projects I managed to complete today!

After the regional, I was wondering what our lunch options were.  But, I had forgotten - Lunch was provided!  When we returned to the hotel, we found a fabulous pasta bar.  A couple of us started to wonder what might be served for dessert.  There was no dessert section.  I figured that the sweets in the Gathering Place were dessert enough.  I was wrong!  They brought us individual warm brownie sundaes with vanilla ice cream on top!  I quickly finished my lunch so I could get mine!

Next I wandered over to the Gathering Place to play Plinko.  Today I won a free package of Brights Buttons.  I decided that I should take a photo of the free product I've received - in the first 48 hours of Founder's Circle!!!  I seriously think there's well over $100 in free products!  That doesn't even include the products for Make and Takes or the free regional (a $45 value).  Here are all of the products (I think) that they've given us.

After winning today's Plinko prize, I peered over to see what the baked-good-of-the-day was.  HOLY MOLY!  They were some of the largest cinnamon rolls I'd ever seen in every flavor imaginable!  Our chocolate treat of the day were little (or not-so-little) wafers of chocolate with candy crumbles on top.

And, yes, if you're wondering - it really is all about the food and free stuff!  I'm stuffed! 

I haven't done much of anything this afternoon - I cannot believe it's already 3:30!  Mary Ellen and I just sat and visited with a variety of demonstrators this afternoon.  It was fun to chat with everyone and hear what they do in their businesses.  But, while I was sitting there, I realized that the Marriott staff was stocking Diet Coke.  Now, I'm a Marriott girl and I know darn well that they serve Pepsi products.  I had accepted that I'd be drinking LOTS of Pepsi products this week.  The hotel staff explained that they wanted to make us all happy and made sure to stock BOTH varieties!  Oh what a wonderful day!  My little mini fridge now has a precious can of Diet Coke saved for a special occasion!

Well, I think it's about time for a nap.  Tonight is a fun night!  We're going to be swapping cards and business ideas tonight - in our PJs.  How fun!!!

Click here to visit the Founder's Circle section of my blog.

Founder's Circle Day 2 Recap

NOTE:  Click on any of the photos to view a larger image!

Wow!  Today was unbelievable!  I've dreamed of this day for a few years now. 

The day started out early.  We piled into buses around 8am.  The "First Timers" in one bus.  The "Repeat Achievers" in another.  On the ride to Kanab, Shelli rode with us.  She had a list of questions and about 40  demonstrators.  It was a great focus group.  We went off-topic a lot, but Shelli's daughters and Bonnie took LOADS of notes.  The drive flew by and I didn't really appreciate the scenery at all.  Before we knew it, we were pulling into Kanab.

Stampin' Up! built a brand new facility a few years ago.  It is an amazing building!  Clean, full of light, gorgeous decor, and filled with passionate employees.  I cried pretty hard as we pulled up and the employees started piling out of the building holding signs to welcome us.  I was not the only one crying!  We posed for photos and broke up into groups to tour the facility.  Photos of the production facility were not permitted.  It was HARD not to take photos.  I want to share it all with you.  But, we could take photos anywhere else. 

It was awesome to see rolls of rubber ready to be made into your favorite stamp sets, stamp set labels ready for packaging, and the "sticky back" that cushions the rubber.  They showed us how the stamp set images are turned into a blade that die-cuts our stamps!  It was pretty cool.  The blades look like a giant Big Shot Die. 

We then walked over to see how stamps are made.  First, they cut the sheets of rubber into 12" pieces using a gigantic cutter.  We were asked if we wanted to try and I quickly jumped up and volunteered!  Next, we saw where they take the molds and burn the rubber.  They can burn four plates at once - each plate contains several copies of the set.  I was lucky enough to pull the melted rubber and molds out of the oven and flip them out to cool.  I then got to "reload" the machine for the next batch.  We then walked over and several in our group got to die-cut the sets.  Finally, we got to package up some wood-mount stamps.  I inserted the label sheet and filled boxes with the blocks.  The employees have a diagram that shows how the blocks fit into the boxes - I requested that they give us that diagram!!!  We also saw the "Matrix Room" where they store the Mag Plates and turn them into molds.  I asked to see the closet where they store the plates, but they told us that they weren't allowed - images from the SUMMER MINI were in there.  Yes, they start preparing for the production about six months in advance!!!  We also visited the Maintenance Shop where they keep the tools sharp and the machinery up and running!

We then headed up to Shelli's apartment - where photos were allowed!!!!  The apartment is GORGEOUS.  It's used by Shelli and her family.  But, it's also used by some of the corporate team members if they're visiting from Riverton.  It has three bedrooms and three baths.  There's a den, a BEAUTIFUL living room, and fabulous kitchen.  The master suite was gorgeous - and the views were amazing.  I gasped when I saw the living room - which really made Shelli and her daughter laugh!

 

About a half dozen employees sat down with us and allowed us to ask all kinds of questions.  It was absolutely clear how much they love Stampin' Up! and love us.  Here are a few other photos of the outside of the building and the landscape - it's absolutely beautiful - the blue sky and the red rocks.

Then it was time for lunch!  And, as much as you may think I was excited about the food, I was excited about the RUBBER!  For years I've seen demonstrators posing around a park with scrap rubber lining the ground.  I cried again as we pulled up.  Shelli explained that when she was growing up in Kanab, the park was not a place you wanted to visit.  However, she, Sterling, and Stampin' Up! have been improving the park - and it's a fabulous place!  The "First Timers" headed over to the playground to pose on the jungle gym.  I don't have a photo, but one will be sent to us.  And then we heard about the lunch that was waiting for us - or rather, the cute packaging.  Our picnic lunch was packaged up in an adorable, insulated, lunch bag!  It even had utensils!  We all struggled to eat with the utensils - they were attached to each other.  I was siting with some of my new stamping friends when Shelli sat down with us.  The lunch was yummy - but dessert was a real treat.  There was chocolate mouse pie, bread pudding, and creme brule!  Shelli wasn't that impressed with the bread pudding - she even shared some with me.  She was telling us that she LOVED the bread pudding at the Nordstrom's in Salt Lake City and told me that she would take me there if I was ever in town (and it wasn't convention) and if she wasn't busy!  You better believe I wanna make that come true!  Then Shelli and I started planning our day together when I sell $1 million in stamps!  So far only two demonstrators have sold $1 million.  But, when you achieve that milestone, you get to spend the day with Shelli.  So, I told her I wanted to stamp at her house and go to Nordstrom's for bread pudding.  I gotta get selling - I've only sold around $135,000 in stamps so far in my career!

After finishing up lunch, one of my new demonstrator friends and I - Mary Ellen - wandered over for some more rubber photos.  I quickly slipped out of my sneakers and sat down in the rubber to take this photo....

My expression up there pretty much reflects my mood all day long!  Pure delight!  Mary Ellen and I wander some more around the park and took a couple more photos...

That's a photo of Mary Ellen and I.  We're both First Timers.  We met at convention this year.  I had actually read about her in a recent issue of Stampin' Success.  Her story was very similar to mine.  She had gone to convention one year, seen demos earning cruises and prizes, and set the goal herself!  But, I was SO flattered when she instantly recognized me from my blog (hi Mary Ellen).   It's been fun to get to know her (and many other demos) more here at Founder's.

After the park we headed over to Denny's Wigwam.  It's pretty much a fun tourist trap with LOTS to buy!  Here's a photo of me at Denny's....

Then we were headed back to St George.  Shelli switched buses and we played games.  We all got a roll of ribbon and a package of fabric...and I didn't even win any of the games!!!  A fun highlight was when we drove through Colorado City, Arizona.  Do you know why Colorado City is famous?  It's home to many polygamist families - including Warren Jeffs.  We joked about pulling over when we realized that the bus in front of us HAD pulled over!  Unfortunately, it wasn't to take photos or find a husband....the air conditioning had broken in the bus in front of us!!!  Luckily our bus driver got it fixed and we were back on the road!

When we got back to the hotel I ran into the Gathering Place.  I had heard that they would open the room up for a place for us to hang out and enjoy each other's company.  It was amazing!  I played Plinko again and won ANOTHER roll of ribbon!  Yes, that's right.  I have FOUR free rolls of ribbon now!  I snapped a bunch more photos....

I then headed upstairs to dump my stuff and get my Make and Take supplies.  I sat with several gals as they were also making their projects.  I had MANY invitations to join various groups for dinner, but chose to stay in and order from a local restaurant.  We had lots of laughs and shared tons of inspirational stories.  But, I also had a FABULOUS surprise.  I looked down my shirt and found not one, not two, but THREE pieces of rubber from the park!!!  Tiffany got some great photos of me making that fun discovery.  I learned a new term from Bonnie this morning - the bra-cket (like pocket).  I was certainly using mine!!!

I then decided to head upstairs....gosh...that was close to two hours ago (I hope you enjoy these posts)!!!   But, I had also heard that tonight's gift was waiting for us.  So, I peered around the corner as I walked in and saw nothing.  My heart sunk.  I thought they might have forgotten about me.  Then I looked over at my other bed and saw a darling little cupcake sitting by the pillow.  When I peeked inside, I found an adorable Simply Adorned necklace!  But, the cupcake might be my favorite.  And, finally, do you want to see some of the Make and Takes!  The rules about what we could and could not do were pretty clearly explained.  I can show you pictures of the cards.  And, I can tell you that we'll have a fun cupcake punch in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  Think Own punch but in cupcake!  Diana Gibbs and I were brainstorming about the classes we could offer around this punch - so stay tuned!  You will want this punch!

Click here to go to the Founder's Circle Agenda page.

Founder's Circle Day 1 Recap

I just finished blogging about our AWESOME first day here at Founder's Circle.  Here's a picture of me, but click HERE to read ALL about today in the Founder's Circle 2010 section of my blog!!!

I {heart} Stampin' Up!

With each incentive that I earn, I love Stampin' Up! more and more.  I hadn't given it too much thought, but why wouldn't Stampin' Up! send us luggage tags and our travel documents for the Founder's Circle in a matching pouch???  When we earn the cruise, that's what they do!  This trip is harder to earn that the cruise, why wouldn't they!?!?!?

It was a couple of weeks ago when I was sharing some of my favorite blogs about previous Founder's Circle Retreats, that I noticed Patty Bennett had posted pictures of her travel documents from last year.  I immediately burst into tears!  I realized then that I should start stalking my UPS man (or FedEx - that's how the documents have come in the past). 

A Yahoo Group has been created for all 135 of us who have been invited to share our excitement and plan outings.  It's been fun to experience the excitement with veteran achievers and newbies (like me).  I don't join in on many conversations, but I do enjoy watching the discussions.  Well, yesterday someone posted that they heard that Stampin' Up! was shipping out the travel documents!!!  I wasn't really expecting to receive them until tomorrow.  BUT THEN....I saw Diana Gibbs post on Facebook earlier today that hers arrived TODAY.  I was instantly jealous because I had to work today.  AND, Diana lives in Arizona - so much closer to SU.  But then I figured SU is good and usually ships them so we all receive them together.  So, I drove home as FAST as I could.  Unfortunately, I had to stop by the grocery store for dinner first.  When I FINALLY got home, I flew in the front door, screamed at Mike - "Did the UPS man come?", threw the groceries on the kitchen table, and ran to the back porch.  I have a WONDERFUL UPS man who delivers my packages to my screened in back porch since I don't have a covered front porch.  I always know when he's on vacation - my packages are on my front porch.  ANYWAY...I got to the door and noticed something taped to my window.  My heart sunk.  I thought - oh no, SU required a signature and I wasn't home.  But then I remembered Stephanie stopped by and bought a catalog from me.  The envelope was from her.  And there, sitting on top of a box of pre-ordered Holiday Mini goodies, was that fabulous envelope. 

I ran back into my classroom, cleared off the table with one swoop of my arm (like in the movies), and gently placed my precious UPS envelope on the table to start taking pictures so you could all see what I got to experience.  Granted, through posts to the Yahoo Group and Facebook, I had a pretty good idea what to expect when I opened it.  So....here we go...

Isn't it nice that UPS is using a reusable envelope!?!?  Granted, the way mine got ripped open, I don't think it's reusable anymore!!!

I heard rumors that the pouch matched our Founder's bags.  So, I was a little surprised that it was plain outside. 

Then I realized that the printed fabric must be INSIDE!!!

And, here it is, all un-stuffed, our agenda, plane tickets, contact info to leave back home, and a couple of adorable luggage tags!  I no longer have a shortage of luggage tags!!!  SU always provides two per person for every incentive trip!!!  Only two weeks and a day until I leave!!!!  It doesn't quite feel real yet.  Maybe when I'm standing barefoot in the rubber in Kanab it will finally sink in!!!  (Stay tuned to see what I mean!)