Stampin' Up Leadership 2014

I just got back from Stampin' Up Leadership.  I had gone previously and learned so much and had so much fun I knew I wanted to go back. Mercedes, my Stampin' Bestie and Stampin' Goddess, made the little bag tag made from Calypso Coral Celebration Add-On Kit and Silver Glimmer Paper with thick chipboard (that comes with 12x12 DSP ) sandwiched in between.    Is she not amazing?

 This was my first managers' reception and I hope first of many to come.  It was at the Downtown Aquarium and it was a-mazing!

They said light appetizers so many people had dinner before hand but my oh my- the last time I had appetizers this "light" it was Thanksgiving!

 Appetizers were scattered throughout the aquarium, bacon wrapped big plump prawns, tiny beef Wellington,  chicken skewers, sushi of all kinds, chocolate desserts, fruit tarts to name a few. They even had a  dessert buffet , potato bar,  fresh oysters, burger and lobster bar, and blue drinks made of pineapples and other exotic ingredients.

 These salmon rolls with creme fraich and a piece of chive wrapped around a fork was spectacular!

 There was a giant carved ice sculpture of Stampin' Up. 

 They even had a man in a scuba suit flipping the sign with 2 different messages on it swimming with the fishes.

We took the train ride through the outskirts of the aquarium and they had a circular tunnel with glass all around filled with sharks.  This is really my picture that I took from underbelly of the shark swimming over head.  Cool, eh?

 Then we headed on over to the stingray tank where you can pet the slimy creature up close and personal.   Sara Douglas was kind enough to pose for me and Mercedes. 

 And her mom and dad were in the bus with us so I had to ask for a photo op - are they not the most photogenic couple?

 But of course what is a Stampin' Up gathering without stamping?  Check this out.  The Monster Hugs valentine cards (only available until Jan 27th!) were used to make this oh-so-cute gift boxes.  The back of the monsters have a label and the cutest little tushy.  You don't want to cover that up.

 The Sale-a-bration products you can earn for free includes this Banner Blast stamp set that has 7 banners and heart, star and flower that matches Itty bitty shapes punches and you can earn it for free after Jan 28th with any $50 purchase.
but of course you will have to have the punch that goes with it.  I preordered it because I HAD to have it- no regrets, I LOVE it!  Sentiment from Four You

 These were window shaker cards made from the On Film Framelits Dies and Deco Labels Collection Framelits with sentiments from Perfect Pennants.  The confetti were made using the Fringe Scissors.  Just leave it up to Stampin' Up to make such a great quality Fringe Scissors.  I bought one a few years back but it was not as sharp or heavy duty as Stampin' Up's.  They always deliver with the best quality product.


 They also had a booth with MDS products for parties and classes on how to make cards and 

 scrapbook pages and I have resolved to use it more- the program is so Intuitive, I think even I could do it! (and that says a lot)

They are planning to make photopolymer stamps in house and having bought some from other companies in past and having been disappointed, I am SO happy to report that Stampin' Up photopolymer is again Top notch.  Love Love Love them!

 There are so many kits to make stamping easy and fun not only for stampers but also for home dec, parties, gifts, Journaling.... I was really blown away when I saw for the first time clearly Stampin' Up's vision for their future.  They used the Calypso Coral Celebration Add-Onkit to make cards using sentiments from Simply Celebrate foir these easy cards/ gift cards.

 The Simply Created wreath kit is so cute and they demo'd more flowers using the fringe scissors.

 This is a bag of confetti made in bulk with the fringe scissors (ready to make those shaker cards I showed you before).

 The last night in Houston, we walked to find an ice skating rink in front of the convention center- considering that it was about 70 degrees, quite a surprise.

I thought this was a cool looking building so took a picture but I think it may have been the loo.

 The walkway around the rink had these cool Gargantuan Orbs hanging from the trees.  They really were as big, if not bigger than people. 

This was the dinner with my upline Tami Wadell at the Grove which was fantastic and she made these adorable gift packs with all the gold embellishments from the Occasion catalog- Wow!  Thanks, Tami! 

 After dinner the Orbs were lit up which was super cool.

Oh, what a fun time.   And the samples I showed you were just a few of gazillion pictures I took.

You know, I love being a doctor and the work that I do and my wonderful patients that makes my work meaningful but gosh I love being a demonstrator for Stampin' Up.  If only I can clone myself......
I can't wait for Convention now.......

Lynda

Items shown:
Calypso Coral Celebration Add-On Kit (133431)
Silver Glimmer Paper 124005
Typeset Alphabets Bigz 127553
The Monster Hugs valentine cards 132163 Girls (only available until Jan 27th!)
Tag a Bag Gift Boxes 130927
Four You stampset 130535 Wood/   130538 Clear
On Film Framelits Dies132969
Deco Labels Collection Framelits 130102
Perfect Pennants 133227 Wood/   133230 Clear
Fringe Scissors133325
Simply Celebrate 133221 Wood/    133224 Clear
The Simply Created wreath kit 133333
Sale-a-Bration: Free with any $50 purchase
     Banner Blast stampset- 133551 Wood/    133554 Clear
     Banner punch 133519

 You may purchase these 24/7 from http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/lyndalee