You Asked . . .

I love getting on my blog to read the comments you leave. I’m not able to do it nearly as much as I’d like, but every time I do, my heart is warmed as I feel of your concern, support, and love.

I enjoy reading your questions as well. While I don’t have the time to answer them all, I will try to answer as many as I can. I thought I’d start by answering a handful today.

Will Phoebe attend convention next year?

I smiled when I read this one. I don’t even have to ask Shalae about this—I know the answer already. While my girls will bring babies who are still breastfeeding to convention, once a baby is weaned, convention becomes sacred ground—for adults only!

The girls love the chance to spend time with grown-up family members—which includes you, by the way! Sterling and I, along with our girls and their husbands, love to spend what time we can during convention together, eating, chatting, just enjoying a few brief days without our youngsters. Don’t get me wrong—we love those children, but it’s nice to have a little time set aside for just the grown-ups, and that is what convention is for us.

So, I feel fairly confident in saying that Phoebe will not be winning your hearts at convention. But you can bet you’ll see plenty of her right here at SoShelli.com!

How did Megan get her name?

I’m assuming you ask this question because our other four girls all have names that begin with “S,” right? Megan is our oldest daughter, and Sterling actually brought her with him into the marriage. Yep, I’m a stepmother, although Megan assures me that I’m not a wicked stepmother!

We didn’t plan from the beginning to use “S” names for the rest of the girls. We loved the name Sara, and so we named our first baby that. And when we were expecting our second baby, there were several “S” names on the potential name list, and since our names started with “S,” at that point we decided to go with it. So that’s the story.

How did we choose the name Stampin’ Up!?

Vonna, Sean (Vonna’s husband), Sterling, and I were literally sitting around one day brainstorming names for the company. We wanted something catchy, upbeat, and positive. At that time, our primary (and practically only) focus was stamps; we had a few papers and ink, but nothing worth mentioning. And at the time, we weren’t really planning on doing much more than stamps (how times have changed!).

It was Sean who came up with the name, and it sounded perfect the minute he said it. We added the exclamation point because we thought that emphasized the energy and passion we felt that we wanted to share with others. An artist friend came up with the logo, which also had a light, happy feel to it. And the rest is history!

Do I have my clothes made for me?

Heavens, no! That would take away all the fun of shopping! And I do enjoy shopping, hunting for a bargain and finding that perfect outfit that I love.

My tastes and styles have changed over the years; I’m sure much like yours do. For several years I loved Ann Taylor, but my new favorite clothes stores are Anthropology and Dear Lizzie (you’ve probably heard me mention Dear Lizzie several times!).

Will I ever design fabric?

While I’d love to design fabric, there are no current plans in the works for that. I manage to find plenty to do without adding that on my plate! However, you’ve also probably heard me say, on more than one occasion, never say never. So don’t hold your breath, but don’t close the door.

Does the jacket I’m wearing in the photo at the top of this page feature Stampin’ Up! artwork?

Isn’t that funny that so many of you asked that? Frankly, I can’t remember which I saw first—the jacket or our artwork that features similar images. I loved both, but the similarities are only that—similarities. The two are not connected at all.

Comments

[Jacki Montgomery]

Thanks so much for sharing personal information about you and your family. It's fun to get to know you this way. Here's another question to add to your next list...will you share a photo of your home stamp room and how it is organized?

Thanks,
Jacki

[Amy Ward]

Shelli-
In all my years with the company it's so nice to know how SU got it's name and fun things about you and your family. Thanks for treating us like family and sharing with us.
Amy

[Tam]

Thanks so much for answering questions. Your blog is awesome! Maybe you could do that monthly, or so. I don't know if you have time to read all the comments, but you could certainly have someone do it for you. :) An assistant could keep a running log of questions that our inquiring minds want to know.
Here are a few to add to that list:
How did you and Sterling meet?
What do each of your daughters and SIL's do at SU!
What is Vonna doing now? Is she still involved w/ SU? How about any of her family? If it's not too personal, when & why did Vonna leave SU?
What was this celebration that was held for Phoebe?
Tell us some of the "normal" things that you like to do w/ Sterling and also your girlfriends.
Any other family members work for SU?
And the big-one... Knowing what you know now, if you had it all to do over again, would you start SU?

Okay. I'll stop now. TIA for trying to answer any of these that you feel is our business. :)

[SHHH!]

BTW, Phoebe could still be a nursing babe by next convention. I understand the fun of coming w/o children but many moms do nurse for up to a full year.

[Alexandra Hobson]

Coming to your blog is like getting a breath of fresh air!! This week has been an incredibly bad one for me, and reading all your upbeat answers really has made me able to smile! Thanks for that Shelli!

*STAMPIN HUGS* Alex

[Sue Farrant]

Hmmm.. just had a thought...are we going to have a lovely blog template like this anytime soon? :-)

[Patty]

Shelli thank you so much for sharing this with us!

[Amy G.]

I have another question for you, is there going to be another creative challenge? I had so much fun with the last one, and I would love to see another.

[Claire Daly]

Feel like I know you a little more each time I stop by here Shelli. I'm enjoying your blog :)

[Jacki McHale]

Hi Shelli!

Thank you so much for ansewering questions. Those were some good ones. I agree with the other Jacki who commented first here, I would love to see where you create, and what works for you! Thanks again!

Jacki McHale

[Shelly Fanning]

double rats on the fabric - i was so hoping for a 'so shelli' line of quilting squares or something or fabric paper - YUM! :) i noticed several 'stamp inspired' clothing items at convention from many of the presenters - it must be only a happy accident.

triple love that you read the comments (and would 'triple love' a sentiment stamp that says just that..."triple love". :)

You seem to always be on the go - how much sleep do you get a night and how much do you require?

Also, how often do you stamp 'something'? is it a daily obsession, a couple times a week, only on weekends, etc.?

[Amanda Leciago]

Thank you so much for answering all those questions. I just love your blog!!! Everyday I check to see what other inspiring words you have added! I just new as a demo and want to share what I love with others like you have done. So reading your blog gives me a 'pick me up', when times in the demo world are slow.

Thanks again!

[Monika Davis]

Thanks for answering the questions. I've heard many of them from other demonstrators and/or my little downline. I'm glad to know the real answers instead of those that are just speculation. I think I had heard the story about Megan's name before - not sure where or when but that was what I thought.
I love hearing from you on your blog!
Thanks for sharing with all of us.
Monika

[Sharon Bridwell]

Wow,I love hearing the story of the Stampin' Up! name, that is so cool. Shelli, thank you for being so open and honest about your life with your blog readers, demos, and everyone else. I know you (and the family) probably think it's strange that we areinterested in your life but I do hope you realize that so many people (myself included) have so such respect and admiration for you that we are just naturally curious. The more I read the more respect I have for you and what you and your family have accomplished. You are a role model for women (well people in general) everywhere.
Sharon

[Andrea Bolton]

Shelli, thanks to you for sharing all your stories and photos. I feel the same as all of the other bloggers, we have gotten to know you better, and where all the ideas and imspirations come from. It just all confirms for me, that this is a wonderful, family and faith based company, that I am proud to belong to. Thanks, Andrea Bolton

[Jennifer Scull]

well, even though Phoebe MAY not be at Convention next year, I have a feeling her PHOTOS will probably be seen in a few spots here and there! ;)

thank you for answering so many of the questions posted. I am loving your blog! almost as much as I LOVE SU!! :D
Jennifer

[Erica Jones]

Hi, Shelley... thanks for all you do. I know too well that leaders sometimes get blasted for decisions that no one else is willing to make.
I think you are doing a great job, and are inspirational and full of a joy that makes others want to know you.

I had a thought, and didn't know where else to put it... have you thought of making a new "color family" with previous years "in colors"? My thought is, the people around me this year (including myself) were overwhelmingly sad to say goodbye to the in colors of the last 2 years (although we LOVE the new ones, too!) and I wondered if it would be a good investment for Stampin' Up to create a whole new family, with pens and all. I'd be the first one to order everything in this new family, and would urge others to, too!
Thanks again for all you do!
Erica Jones
Vancouver BC, Canada

[Terry Molineux - Lindenhurst, NY]

Well I am not going to bore you.....just another thank you for bringing us into your personal life. I envy you dearly!!! It is so refreshing to see such a close knit family.
You have a great life and with all your successes it just another feather in your cap!
Wish I could be you....Look forward to all your posts and the comments are too bad either!

Inky Hugs,
Terry~~

[Angela]

Shelli,

I have to admit.... the muffins were awesome.I reduced the sugar by 3/4 cup (not a fan of ultra sweet - dietary restricitions) since the cream chesse icing has plenty (reduced sugar here also)...my family and friends raved the "healthy" treat. Keep sharing.

Fondly -
Somewhere in Southern, NJ

[Joan Jeffery]

I had to smile when I read the answer about your clothes. I was in Salt Lake for the first time this summer (second convention), from Edmonton - I absolutely loved Anthropolgie and I wondered to the girls I was with whether you shopped there because it matched your style. I love it!! I hear we MAY be getting one in West Edmonton Mall so I'm thrilled!

[Kathy]

As a mom of 3 "M's" (Matthew, Monica and Michael) I can so relate to your S name story. You don't plan these things--they just happen! Thanks for sharing.

[Michele Pelky]

I so enjoy all of the stories about your kids and grandchildren. I wanted to share that at convention I so loved the diaper cake and the whole baby deco for Phoebe that my friend and fellow stamper, Cheryl Krueger recreated the whole deco for her new gradson's welcome Wyatt party. WE LOVED IT and so did everyone elso.

Thanks so much for sharing your life with all of us

From sunny California...

Michele Pelky

[Leslie Williams]

Shelli,

Thanks so much for sharing so much of yourself through this blog. I feel honored to be a demonstrator for SU because of you and what you stand for. Reading about your life, how you juggle everything and still remain smiling is an inspiration to me.

[Jamie]

Whenever I read your entries, I think that your life is what most of us want ours to be. You are a very strong women and I admire you for all that you have been for your children. I think you are sensational and I am inspired by you the more I read.
I "hear" your voice everytime I read your blog and it comforts me to know that you are just one of us!
Hugs,
Jamie

[Sharon Kay Leasure]

Shelli,

I made your Carrot Cupcakes today and my Family just love them.

Thank you for sharing your recipe with us.

Sharon Kay Leasure
Gladstone, Oregon