Convention 2008

August 3, 2008

I know I said this would go live on Monday, but I just had to get on today and post my first entry.

After months of anticipation and hard work and excitement, convention is over!

I love convention! I love feeling the energy and looking at all the great project ideas and popping in on the classes. But what I love most about convention is meeting people from across the United States and Canada, talking to them and sharing our enthusiasm for what we do!

I have to be honest though—it’s hard work, and I’m exhausted. But I had to get on and share what I was feeling. I wanted my first blog to be about how much I love and appreciate our wonderful Stampin’ Up! demonstrators and staff members! And how much I loved spending the last three days with so many of you.

Check out this sample that I saw! We have thousands of projects displayed on our display boards at convention, and I enjoy seeing as many of them as I can. This is only one of hundreds I took pictures of, and I wanted to share it with you. I liked it because it made me happy! I love the Always set, loved the color palette (they are colors I’ve used in my own stamp studio), and loved the layers. I just loved everything about it.

I’ll share more project ideas—and thoughts about convention—in the days to come. But for now I’m going to rest and recover, go cuddle on the couch with my sweetheart and get ready for the coming week. We’ll chat more later. . . .

Comments

[Sally Saenz]

Welcome to the world of blogging!
I look forward to reading more of your posts, and I was so glad I could be at convention and meet you as well! It was a truly awesome experience, and I'm soooo excited to attend more in the future!
{{{HUGS}}}

[Kathy Anthony]

I'm so excited to be able to check out your blog, it's already in my favorites! Just want to let you know this was the BEST convention!!So much news, fun ideas, great make and takes, fun snacks at lunch, and I could go on and on. We all felt the love. I'm rarin' to go. Kathy

[Stacey]

Shelli

I am so glad you started a blog! You are such an inspiration to me and I can't wait to get to know you better. I have been part of SU for seven years and this was my first convention and it was everything I hoped it would be and more!

Stacey

[Cindy Lawrence]

Yeah Shelli! So excited to see that you've started a blog! What fun it will be to read with my morning coffee. :)

I have to tell you, Convention was wonderful! It was just what the doctor ordered for me. I've been feeling somewhat apathetic lately (so not me), and left SLC feeling ready to rock and roll again! It really has been 10 fabulous years for me...and I'm looking forward to 10 more! I am so blessed to be a part of such an amazing company! Thank you SO MUCH for all you do!

[Irene Poe]

I was so sad that each time I tried to visit with you at convention the line was closed. I wanted to tell you that I took the advise you gave me when we spoke at last year's convention. I retired from my job of 38 years and I have never been happier in my life. I now have more time to "play" with SU!!! Your grace inspires me.

My SU! business is not work...it's play and convention re-energized me. I can't wait to read your blog each day to keep that energy level going. Thanks!!!
Irene

[Joyce Hinse]

Hi,Shelli,I love your blog.Convention was wonderful.My dauther,Colleen was supposed to be there and only an extreme emergency could keep her away.On the first day when you talked about hobby demonstrators and said "only a mother." I cried because Colleen wasn't there. The next day whenever something wonderful was presented that I loved, I felt sad because Colleen wasn't there.Then I talked to her and after she reminded that she would not have been able to stay through Friday and would have missed that anyway,I had no more sad moments and came away with a ton of ideas to share with Colleen and my other two downline. It was a wonderful conference. My new friend and roommate Cathy and I are making plans for next year. I appreciate all the hard work of the outstanding Stampin' Up! staff.

[Jacque Craig]

Hi Shelli!
This was my fifth convention, and just when I think they can't get any better, they do! Thanks to you and your staff for all of the hard work that went into making this such a fun, informative, and inspirational event! Thanks too, for giving us all the opportunity to have our own business, with the great ability to make money, meet new friends, and express our creativity! I look forward to getting to know you and your family better! Jacque

[Karen Culler]

Dear Shelli,

First, I want to say just how much I enjoyed Convention this year. My second time and it exceeded my expectations. Thank you and your staff for making it so wonderful.

Second, I want to thank all of the demonstrators that I met that are in the top 100 of SU Demos. I was so blessed by them with their willingness to share their success stories with me and their awesome words of advice.

I am so blessed to be a part of a wonderful company called Stampin' Up!

With gratitude for you and all of the SU staff,

Karen

[Trudi]

Hi Shelli.
Thank you so much for starting up your blog. I help to run a blog in NZ for NZ demo's and through it I've met many wonderful ladies from all over the world.
I've posted your layout with a link so the NZ girls, I'm sure will soon be blog hopping over to yours.

Thank you for such a wonderful company to work with, I love your products and I love what I've achieved with what I've created and the friends I've made.

Trudi

[Carla, MN]

I loved the new format of Convention this year! Everything was wonderful from the general sessions, classes, awards, entertainment, make & takes, game show, and especially the free stamps. Thanks for everything you do for us.

Carla

[Laurie]

Hi Shelli! This convention was my first and I LOVED it! Thank you so much for your hard work to make Convention the success it was.

[Nancy Carr--NC]

Hi Shelli,

I'm so happy you chose to blog and allow all of
us to get to know you. I couldn't make it to convention, but I am so excited with all the news I've heard. I understand catalogs are in the area and am waiting for my UPS man to ring
my doorbell anytime now. Thank you and everyone
at SU! for all you do. You are much appreciated!

Love ya,
Nancy

[Lorraine]

Shelli, i am so glad to be able to correspond with you personally. I believe this will make a difference in all demos.

The page was great and the colors were magnificent.

[Val Lodder]

Welcome to blogging Shelli! I love your blog, the design and I am looking forward to your samples :)
htt://inkinwithval.blogspot.com

[Taylor]

I love being able to read about what is going on in your life, and I am so excited about the challenges! I had a blast at convention this year, and after 5 years as a demo here in Canada, I am feeling like a new one!! Thanks for all your hard work and inspiration!

Taylor Fort St John, BC Canada

[Patty]

Shelli,

Words can not describe how excited, enthused, and ambitious I feel after attending convention! I am so proud to be part of your company.

I worked 17 years for a "family owned" international manufacturing company as the Director of Human Resources and hoped/begged/wished that they would treat their employees with half of the kindness that you have shown to us (Demonstrators). You certainly could teach them a few things!

I am in awe of you; all that you do and how well you do it! You are an inspiration for all ofus!

Thank you for running such a FABULOUS company!

Stampingly,

Patty from Moosup, CT

[Sue Bally]

Shelli,
Good luck with your Blog!I have been a demo for 5 years and still lovin' it.I have always been impressed with how nice everyone is if calling for something.Thank you.

Sue in Cincinnati

[Jill Hilliard]

Shelli

Thanks so much for a wonderful convention and all of the inspiration that comes with it. I have added you to my blog roll- WooHooo I love Stampin Up! and all the great things it has to offer.

[Kathryn]

The page is awesome!! I hope it brings you all that you hope it will. I look forward to the many posts you will share with us and I somehow know there will be many. :)
Oh....Convention 2008 was a blast!! Thank you for your constant and consistent support for us, your demonstrators.
Enjoy your evening.
:)

[Julie Shannon]

Shelli,
Thanks so much for starting this blog. I call DS support a LOT because I have so many ideas -- I understand some of my comments made it all the way to YOU a couple of weeks ago! Now, even as a hobby demo, I feel like I have a way to reach you more directly. This means the world to me.

I have elected to put my family first -- I have two young kids and started late in life as a Mom -- and I want to ENJOY all that I do, so for now it is a hobby demo thing for me -- but that doesn't make it any less important! So -- from all the other hobby demos who might have wanted to go to convention, but didn't have the time or money, we really do appreciate this way of being able to be in touch, and to feel a level playing field. Bravo for doing it!

Julie

[Sandi H]

I signed up as a new demo in May. Didn't have time to save for convention. My upline encouraged me to go to Convention, but I had to choose between product and convention. I choose product. I just want to say that it's not fair that you announced Sizzix with a discount to only convention goers! Is there any word on the street about extending the promotion to those that couldn't make it?

[diane]

I can't wait to visit your blog everyday! Looking forward to all your projects and ideas!

[Christine Giuda]

Shelli
Convention was so much fun. Even though I travelled by myself this year I wasn't alone. I met and talked so many great demos and though I didn't get contact info from them all it was great to share ideas and opinions. You and your staff did a 10 star job on this "production". I look so forward to more events and to reading your blogs. Might even get up the courage to enter your challenge. Thanks for such a great time.
Christine

[Kimber Crow]

Thanks for the blog and all your stampin love to us Shelli. I'm not a demo and was caught up w/ the Convention buzz this year. It was amazing to hear all about it! Can't wait to see the new catty and hear more about your new line coming this fall.

[Phyllis Strickland]

I wasn't there, but caught the convention spirit from SUDSOL and blogs! All the new developments from Stampin' Up are so exciting.

The scrapbook page is lovely,but would love to know who created it. Was it a demo or an employee or someone else.