Dad and Edmonton

We just wrapped up the Edmonton regional, and it was a great day.

After I got back to my hotel room, I made two phone calls before writing this--one to my sweetheart (he's always the first person I call) and one to my dad. I called Dad's wife, Justine, first, but she didn't answer, so then I called my dad's cell phone, thinking she might have that. I was completely surprised when Dad answered the phone!

You have to know that not having a phone in his hands has been so hard for Dad; he lives with a phone to his ear. As a child, I remember he was always on the phone talking to his customers; that's how he ran his business. So the invention of the cell phone was a wonderful thing for him, and he has never been without one--until this past month. You could tell he was pretty happy to have it back in his hands. I'll update you more about him tomorrow, but I did just want to mention that exciting milestone.

As always, I loved visiting Edmonton--because of the people, of course. I'm sure the city is great, but I've never really explored it. And on my previous visits, it's been pretty cold and windy--and you know how much I like being warm! This time was actually a bit warmer, which was nice. I didn't spend much time outside, but I glimpsed daylight a few times out the window.

Our demonstrators more than made up for the fact I couldn't be outside though. They are always warm and welcoming. We had a lot of first-timers, which was fun. They were curious and excited about everything we were doing, and I felt their enthusiasm. And those who were coming back are always so supportive and appreciative as well!

The project I showed was another Halloween treat; I'm making one for each of our grandchildren. I think they'll love waving the banner around, and the fact that there's a little candy attached only makes it even more fun.

You're probably wondering where the photo is, right? Well, I carefully packed my camera because I knew I'd want to share the project with you. However, I wasn't so careful to pack the cords that connect the camera to the computer. So the project will also be posted tomorrow after I get home.

I guess we can call this part one of a two-part posting on Dad and Edmonton. Check back tomorrow for more!

Comments

[Terry Molineux - Lindenhurst, NY]

Shelli so glad to hear the news about Dad. He certainly has come a long way in a month! I also know how you feel about the camera fiasco. Did you ever take your case and only find that the camera isn't in there? These new digitals are so light...I was so embarrassed and it was a friends wedding and now I do not have any pictures except the little thank you's I'll be getting almost a year later...

Looking forward to Part 2!!!

Stamping Hugs,
Terry

[Cindy Kemna, Rolfe, IA]

Love to read your blog Shelli! It's so nice to read about your family and your Stampin' Up! activities. Glad your dad is recovering. I went to the Sioux Falls seminar yesterday and did a workshop wow demo. Thank you for the so Shelli apron :) and stamp set! It was a nice time as are all SU! events.

[Andrea Schoeman]

Hi Shelli! It was such an honour to meet you yesterday! We had so much fun, and I felt so inspired! It was like convention all over again (with less traveling!) Thank you so much for all the trouble you go to and for being such an inspiration. Your hard work and sacrifices do not go unnoticed! I am happy with you about the great progress your dad is making we pray that this upward trend will continue! Andrea

[Renée]

I have to day it was the best Regional I've been to (I've only been to two!)! Love your project, loved everyone else's projects. They really made me say "Wow"!

[Roseanne Knowles]

Great news about your dad...God does answer prayers!! Have a wonderful day Shelli.

[Taylor Madge]

Shelli, I am glad to hear about your dad! Sometimes the best healing is just getting back to the normal parts of our lives.

I really hope you do another regionals in Edmonton in the spring, I was very sad when I couldn't get in. I now live in the Edmonton area after always living in Northern BC, a very remote area, but still have only missed one regional since I started almost 6 years ago! It would be so sad to miss this year!

[Elizabeth]

Lol, great milestone for your Dad - can't wait for 2 of 2!

[chelsey n]

Shelli im so happy to hear you dad is doing better! i was awesome to meet you yesterday and all in all the whole day was great. Thanks for giving this first timer a great experience and have a safe flight home.

blessings, chelsey

P.S. Did Jaron or any of you others decide to go to the mall for "inpiration"? LOL

[Andra Donbrook]

Hi Shelli,
I just want to thank you for a fabulous day yesterday! It was a great honour and pleasure to meet you. I know what picture I'll put in my 20th Anniversary Frame now! :)

Thanks again - to you and all of your wonderful staff and crew!

[Taanasa Bunnell]

Good to hear that your dad is able to use his cell phone right now. Praise the Lord for his recovery and healing! Good to hear that your visit to Edmonton was also successful and fun. Thanks for keeping us updated on all that you do. You are just wonderful, Shelli! A true inspiration to us all.

Taanasa

[Tami Gadd]

Thanks Shelli, for taking the time to tell me how to make your apron, When my sister and I get ours made I will send you a picture, It was a fun regional as always.

Tami Gadd

[Lyssa Zwolanek]

So glad to hear your father is much improved! What a frightening thing to go through, especially with the pneumonia. In this day and age we don't live with death like we used to and we forget life is so fragile. Savor every moment!

[Tami Gadd]

Hi Shelli, I need to ask you another question about the apron, as you sew the basket strips onto one another, did you sew from the waistband down or the hemline up? Where did you sew the layers onto each other at?

Thanks again Tami

[Alise Van de Bruinhorst]

Shelli, I was so happy to finally meet you in person! That has to have been my dream since I signed up almost 3 1/2 years ago! Since I didn't get one with you at convention I was so glad you were there and I could get a picture then! You amaze me with everything that you do, your support to us as demonstrators means more than I can tell you! Like when I was telling you about my wedding colors, and you totally could see it being the thing to do (it just amazes me!). Thanks to all of Stampin' UP! who puts on these awesome events for us!

Once again thanks so much! Alise

[Tamara Skene]

Hi Shelli!
I would like to personally thank you and your WONDERFUL staff for an awesome regional in Edmonton! This was my first regional and second major SU! event (covention was a blast!) Thankfully the weather was seasonally warm! We could have ended up with a snow storm! Yikes!
Thanks again!
Sincerely,
Tamara Skene

[Linda Page]

Shelli: It was great to see you again on Friday in San Antonio especially since I have not been able to make the convention for the last two years. You and I talked about my move "back home" to care for my mother and how you have been caring for your dad. Sharing that common bond just adds another wonderful thread to this wonderful tapestry called Stampin' Up! I loved the San Antonio regional! I was great to see everything "for real" but I do want to mention that I think the videos on the SU website demonstrating new products is genius. This helps so much when we can't see it "for real". But, I must mention that the highlight of regional was when you admired the sheep card made from SU punches that my friend/customer Faith Stoppelmoor made. She was so thrilled that you liked her work. She has been a good friend for several years and has been my sidekick in my stamp camps, retreats and classes. I want to thank you for making her first trip to regional really memorable. I hope your father continues to improve and can go home soon. Thanks for a great regional.

[Sue Arthur]

Hi Shelli,

I am a fairly new demonstrator with Stampin Up! in Australia & want to share my story with others.

I used to quilt - until I became unwell. On one of my "not so good days" I cut a quilt pattern - the wrong way! The result I now have about $150 worth of fabric, still cut, sitting in my cupboard waiting to be redesigned and recut into another design.

I decided that I needed a new hobby - one that was not going to cost me quite so much when I have "not so great" days...So I took up scrapbooking.

Really I can say that I have scrapped & stamped myself well! Stamping and scrapbooking provided me with something that I could focus on, it helped me to manage to block out what was happenning in the wider world around me when life was proving challenging! Giving me time to heal.
It allowed me to feel as though I had achieved something each time I completed a layout - a small thing yes -but when you are unwell and life is challenging all achievements are milestones.

Scrapbooking and stamping utilize many similar concepts to quilting making the skills I already had easily transferrable.
The more I learnt, the more I became facinated with inks - their properies and what you can do with them.
I started taking classes at a wonderful scrapbooking shop in Adelaide - the owner has made it a personal commitment to become trained and train her staff in ALL the products that they sell. This provided a great foundation.

I found Stampin Up! quite by chance at a craft fair about 2 years ago...booked in to a workshop at the fair and that was it - I was hooked.

The concept is fantastic! Great products - that can all mix and match (inks, cardstock, brads, bling etc) and wonderful stamp sets - YES - sets...meaning they are so much more versatile than a single stamp!

Fast forward 18 months...in August I got a medical clearance to return to work part time -and negotiated to work for Stampin Up! From the start it has been a wonderful experience.
I love the products, the other demonstratores, and the support networks that Stampin Up! has in place.

I hope my story inspires others to persevere when life's challenges makes the going rough as there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Thankyou for the opportunity to join the Stampin Up! family.

Sue Arthur - South Australia

[Laurie]

Hi Shelli,
I was wondering if you could tell me a little more about your dad and the cars he races? My dad is an old time drag racer and he now has a restored dragster from the 60's. What is your dad's name? Thank you, Laurie (from Seattle area)

[Lorraine van de Ligt]

Hi Shelli,

I have been all over the Stampin Up website and Splitcoast Stampers trying to find the instructions for the wedding invitation pictured on page 49 of the new 2009-2010 catalogue using the "Wedding Sweet" and "Monogram Sweet" stamp sets. I hope you get this email. Thanks for your help.

[Nancy Dominguez]

Hi Shelli,
I, like, Lorraine, am very interested in getting the directions to make the wedding invitation on page 49 of the new book. Please email me back or post again with instructions! I am getting married and I've already started on the party favors but really need to start on the invites!

Thanks,
Nancy Dominguez