Conventional Highlights

What an absolute honor to be invited as a guest speaker to my friends' team training event this past weekend in Chicago.  Connie Sylvester and Susan Gardner, two of my absolute favorite demonstrator friends, invited me to share information on what I do to create a fabulous workshop experience for my hostesses and guests.  They had 80 ladies join us, and did a phenomenal job at putting on this event!

Connie and I:

Susan and I:

My friend Beverly and I arrived in Chicago on Saturday afternoon and were blessed to have dinner with Pam Morgan, VP of Demonstrator Relations at Stampin' Up!  We joined Pam, and 6 other demonstrators for a fabulous dinner.... the BEST either of us had ever had!

Pam and Beverly:

Sunday evening we were treated to a FABULOUS stamp camp where we made an awesome project. (pictures of that coming soon!)

Sunday/Monday shared my presentation, and we were delighted to have Pam share a special message from Shelli Gardner (owner of SU!) as well as demonstrations of items coming out in the next Holiday Mini Catalog.  What a treat to have her there as one of us... just hanging out and chatting for the weekend!

Here are a few pictures of the gifts they made for us.  Susan made me this Simply Adorned Necklace/charm.  It is so beautiful!

And here are a couple of the gifts for Pam. This is an adorable sampler frame.

And a personalized stationery set made from a 3 dimensional acrylic frame.

I'll be posting more pics of our FABULOUS make and takes, as well as the incredible swaps I got.  These ladies are amazing stampers!

Stampin' Up! Aviary and Elegant Lines

I have had several people ask me how these girls earned the Quarter Queen event.
Well, they can come in one of two ways: 1) Submit $400+ in sales for each month of the quarter, or 2) sponsor a new demonstrator. 

Here is another one of the cards they made, using the new Aviary stamp set.... I really think this set is going to be a big hit!  It's nice to have something other than flowers for a change, and this set fits the bill!  Oh, and check out the new Elegant Lines embossing folder for the big shot... a MUST have... trust me!  We also used the new punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack that coordinates with the clear Bitty Buttons... Neat customizeable buttons!

Queen Deanne and Queen Shellie had so much fun.  Aren't they lovely in their crowns????

Thanks for stopping by today.... more projects to come......

Now on to the projects my quarter queens were able to make this week....

First of all, we had a wondeful time.... as you can see by the smile on Queen Beverly... (I'm sure Queen Beth getting her glasses stuck in her hair had something to do with that--never mind... that's just Beth!)

And this is one of the 7 cards they made... all using new goodies from our new catalog!

This stamp set is called Funky Four, and in my honest opinion.... IS A MUST HAVE!  Just simply cute and easy to use.  You will LOVE it, trust me...

The image is stamped in 4 of our new colors... Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight and Peach Parfait.  (and that daffodil ribbon is simply adorable!)

Ok, back tomorrow for more ideas and projects the Queens got to make!

Two-Step Owl Punch and Quarter Queen Event

This is by FAR my FAVORITE event for my downline!

I treat them to dinner and stamping, and this month, 7 ladies earned my Quarter Queen event.  I am so proud of all of them!

When they arrived, I had a couple gifts waiting for them at their seats....

A magnetic dry/erase board-you can get these magnetic photo holders in 2 packs at discount stores.  They have clear fronts that you can write on and wipe off.

And a milkbox with CHOCOLATE inside!!!  I love the big shot... it makes cute things like this easily!

The Two-Step owl punch is SO FABULOUS!  I love using him, and think it will be a new addiction!

Here are my beautiful quarter queens:

Back Row: Loretta Kavanagh, Beverly Brownell, Beth Jansen
Front Row:  Veronica Grimm, Shellie Ashley, Deanne Fell
Missing:  Debbie Bartak (we missed you girl!)

Oh, we had a yummy dinner.... chicken salads and strawberry shortcake.  Here is the recipe for the salad girls :)

Salad:
Lettuce (I used premade bag salad)
Chicken (I used a precooked rotisserie from the deli and cut it up)
Grapes
Bacon (again, precooked in the dressings section)
Sunflower Seeds
Mozarella Cheese

Dressing:
1 cup canola oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
3/4 cup splenda (or sugar)
1 tsp dry mustard
2 tsp poppy seeds

Toss salad ingredients together.  Combine Dressing ingredients in a shaker container.  Pour dressing over salad and enjoy!
Stop back over the next few days to see what they got to make :)

Holland Seminar Fun!

What a fun weekend we had at the Holland seminar here in Michigan!

Seven of my team mates joined me in Holland for a fun girls weekend. 

Friday night, we learned tons of great ways to use the big shot with fabric, including hair clips, pins, quilts, table runners, banners, flags, purses, totes and more. 

Then, on Saturday we focused on workshops.... and I have TONS of great ideas to share with you... You will want to get your party on the calendar so I can share lots of great ideas with you and your friends.

I did a presentation at the seminar... over 100 ladies, and I made it through! :)

Here are a few projects to inspire you....

One of the best thing about any Stampin' Up! event are the friends.... especially ones you don't get to see very often!
Here's Tiffany, Beth and Deanne, taking a little break from stamping.

My dear friend Sherry Weldy..... She is an amazing lady! And SOOOOOO funny!

My dear friend Jackie Bolhuis, who organizes this semiar every year....

My sweet soul sister Cathy Worrell.... I love you girl!

And one of the amazing gals on my team, Debbie Bartak! She is a fabulous demonstrator! We got to know each other so much better at Leadership Conference in Janaury.  It's amazing the friendships you make through this wonderful company!

Thanks ladies for a fabulous weekend, and all your love and support!  You are amazing ladies, and I am truly blessed to have you in my life.  I thank God for all of you, and pray he blesses your life in many ways,,,, as you have blessed mine!

Stampin' Up! Watercolor Trio Quarter Queen Project

As promised, here is the fun project my Quarter Queens got to make last night using the Watercolor Trio set coming on May 1 in the Summer Mini Catalog.  This is not my original idea... I saw it somewhere (so sorry to not keep track of where!) and have done my best to recreate it own my own.

Here is the cute little stationery box you saw them showing off in the pics yesterday.  The colors on all the projects below are Apricot Appeal, Dusty Durango, Certainly Celery and Always Artichoke.

Inside are 2 pockets to hold goodies!

Card 1

Card 2

Card 3

Card 4--also uses the Top Note Die

And a cute notebook

If you have ever thought about doing what I do, or just want to join to get a discount, I'd love to have you join my team.  Whether near or far, it doesn't matter... I am here for you and will help you express your creativity and reward you for your efforts!  Join now and receive 2 technique dvd's filled with aweseom ideas for free ( $42+ value!)  This is a great way to jump right in and have fabulous ideas to show your family and friends!

Hope you have a great day and have enjoyed this idea.

DYEnamINK Stampers Quarter Queens

Too Much Fun!!!! What a great time we had at my house tonight!

It was such a treat and honor to regconize these ladies for their awesome accomplishments with their Stampin' Up! businesses.  Tonight was a special night to honor them with a dinner (cooked by me!) and a project all ready for them to make.  These ladies inspire me so much and I am so glad to have them in my group of demonstrators....

Once again, I forgot to take pictures of us eating so I must say that YES, I really did cook for them.... Honest!

I decorated each person's place with a flower theme... They get to take these goodies home with them :)

These flowers were made using the Sweet Pea designer series paper with the Flower Folds die for the Big Shot... The center clear cups are the sweet treats cups.... I used the Happy Thoughts stamp set to decorate the other flowers.

Here's a close up... yes, those are M&M's in there!

These were such a hit!  They are hanging photo holders.  And what's really cool, is they magnify whatever you put in them.

Here's the inside and the insert I put into each one... Personalized for each person attending.

Now for some pics of these awesome ladies..... Here's Queen Beth.....

Queen Deanne (she just joined in January!)

And Queen Beverly, showing off her creation.....

Queen Veronica and Queen Shellie....

Oh, and Queen Beverly having a little fun with Queen Beth....Silly Girls!!!

And finally, my Royal Court....
Back Row: Queen Veronica Grimm, Me, Queen Beth Jansen, Queen Beverly Brownell....

Front Row: Queen Deanne Fell, Queen Shellie Ashley
Ok, you are going to have to come back tomorrow to see what they made..... Ohhhhh, I know!  I am such a poop! :)

Thanks ladies for a fabulous night.  I thank God for each of you and all that you do to make our team DYEnamINK! :)  You are all a blessing to me!