Convention 2011

I am back from Convention today. Two of my downline and I had a fabulous time! Like Shelli says they try to improve it each year and they certainly do succeed!

This is the main stage this year and the colors changed often. The theme was 'Grow'. Everything was in a garden theme!

First off I want to say HI again to the many people who I talked to while there. It was wonderful to see so many of my Stampin' Up! friends again and to meet new ones. That is one of my favorite things about Convention. Everyone is so happy to be there so we always have a fabulous time.

And thank you to all of you who came up to me to offer a kind word for me and my family regarding our flood situation. It meant a lot to me that so many of you care. I had mostly happy days while there but did have one tough one where I cried often with any kindness shown to me. I really do NOT like those times because they can last awhile, but it is the way it is. We know there is a long road ahead but we are among many and will work together to get a home back for ourselves. The frequent encouragement and kindness we've been shown really has been amazing.

So many of you asked for an update on our home:

My husband did get in to see it the other day. Surprisingly the water is out of the main floor but still full in the basement. He could walk right into one of our broken windows to get in the house. Most of the doors are swollen shut, windows broken, mold hanging from the ceilings and walls, floors and cupboards are buckled and mud is everywhere inside. I am not sure I want to see it yet. All of the plants, flowers and bushes in the yard are dead and brown. I had a huge and beautiful garden. Maybe some will survive in the end ....

Okay, now on for some happy thoughts and wonderful Convention highlights!

I made it into Founder's Circle again! This means that I am in the top 100 demo's in Stampin' Up! US. I was number 45 this year (I think! It was such a blur - it's around that number somewhere!). Once you've gone on this fabulous yearly trip for Founder's Circle earners with Shelli you do not want to miss it. I am just thrilled and looking forward to that trip this September.

I also did my presentation on the first evening at the 'Garden Party' opening celebration. My theme was 'Punches'! Of course it was perfect and I demonstrated quite a few tips and tricks using punches. After the first few seconds of nervousness I relaxed and actually enjoyed myself. Thank you so much to those who said they liked what I shared! I have tons to show you in the next few weeks. Here's one for you now:

This is so much prettier in person! To make this Black frame you need to start with a 4 3/8" square piece of Black card stock. Push your Decorative Label punch all the way in and punch once. Turn the card stock one quarter turn and punch again matching up the small curve from the previous punch with the curve on the metal punch itself. Continue until you have punched all 4 sides. This gives you that fabulous punched frame.

I trimmed it smaller to create the 4 1/4" square card. The stamped images on the White layers are from the Delicate Doilies stamp set. LOVE this set! The smallest doily fits onto the Doily Triple layer punch perfectly. I just colored a few areas in with a Red marker.

In fact this is one of the cards for July's Class to Go using the Delicate Doilies stamp set. See details on this in the next day or so.

Here are a few other images from Memento Mall - a shopping area just for us Demo's!

This is how they displayed the ribbon samplers we could purchase. It's a bunch of ribbons on a keychain.

Umbrellas! Fabulous Stampin' Up! Lucky Limeade Umbrellas!

Two color choices of Convention bags this year - Lucky Limeade and Calypso Coral.

And here are the Convention shirts and sweater. Many of us purchased the floral one. It's t-shirt weight, v-neck with half sleeves. Gorgeous!

I've got tons to do to catch up so I'll share more later!

Comments

I loved the frame and tried it and it didn't work What am I doing wrong?

Posted by: Maryane Cluff | July 30, 2011 at 10:35 PM

Good morning LeeAnn..I just ran across this card with the punch idea and I tried it but it doesn't look like yours, what am I doing wrong? When I go to punch the 2nd one it doesn't line up to match the punch before. This is such a beautiful card. Hope you can help me. So happy for you with your acheivements with Stampin Up. You do a great job!

Posted by: Sheila | July 30, 2011 at 06:32 AM

You know LeeAnn, I love this card and I figured out why...so reminds me of my childhood "Spirograph!" yet more modern. Love it. So Proud of you.

Posted by: Clarisse | July 19, 2011 at 06:00 PM

LeeAnn, congratulations on your achievements!
I know that it is hard to see the home that you worked so hard for and have put so much love into be ruined by the flood waters. But God is good,and I am confident that something good will come out of this. May His peace fill your heart.

Posted by: Trish Hernandez | July 19, 2011 at 11:32 AM

Lee Ann, congratulations on your accomplishments with SU. I was there to see you at convention (my first one) and I am happy for you. So sorry about your losses at home. Thinking of you.....
Patricia Gessner

Posted by: Patricia Gessner | July 19, 2011 at 09:17 AM

LeeAnn, I meet you for my 1st time through Jane Wike, it was such an honor, and we did ask you about your home, I'm sorry maybe we shouldn't have... I think of you and your situation all the time, please let me know if I can do anything for you from Wisconsin! Hang in there and Congradulations on your achievments.

Posted by: Terri Isferding | July 19, 2011 at 08:33 AM