It might be a misnomer to call this the highlight post because for me, ALL of Convention was a highlight!!  Seriously…every minute was full of something amazing.  I got to hang out with my friends, see all the great new stuff that Stampin’ has coming our way and see my name in lights.  Pretty crazy!!  So I will start with the boards.  Here are my projects.  I’m not going into any detail because we are planning a blog hop with all of the Artisan Finalists.  I can’t wait!!!

 

And I have a picture of us up on stage.  I look forward to getting a copy that the camera man took since some of us were blocked a bit.

It was so fun hanging out with friends!  I have used pictures taken by some of them so I hope they don’t mind!

Oh, and then there is the stuff we got!  Seriously…a lot of stuff!!  Great stuff!!!  Especially now that it is home because that bag was heavy!!!

And this doesn’t include the swaps (WOW!!!) and amazing upline gifts!  I know I mentioned that I need to study so you can imagine how hard it is to focus when all of this is calling my name!  *smile*

I’ll actually have a card for you tomorrow.  We have a fantastic sketch from the remarkable Amy O’Neill.  You are going to love it!  Until then, have a great day!

 

Ok, I know the picture is a little dark but this is me when the 20 Artisan Finalists were announced at the Awards Night.  I do have some more pictures and will post as soon as I get them edited.

I am finally home and recovering from all the excitement of Convention!  Wow, what an amazing few days!  I cannot believe that it went by so quickly.  On the bright side, I actually slept in a little this morning…the first time in a couple of weeks!  I will say that the song lyrics “back to life, back to reality” have been playing in my head all day but I’m still enjoying just thinking about all the fun!

So for the thank yous.  I’m pretty sure that I have a list about a mile long but I really do want to make sure I get as many as possible.  First, my family!  I owe my husband, my boys, my mom and all of my family a huge thank you.  Without you, none of this would be.  They have allowed me to stretch this new and different set of wings and encouraged me to do so (albeit with funny and mocking Stampin’ Up songs in the house!).  I came home to find this last and most special Artisan prize.  I love my boys!!

Then I have to thank my friends who started stamping with me.  Anyone who has been a demonstrator has probably had a customer just like me.  I went to my first Stampin’ Up event basically kicking and screaming as a favor to a friend.  You see, I told them that I was not crafty and I don’t do crafty.  Yep….never let anyone get away with that one!!  Lisa, Christine and Candice, thanks for getting me into that first club!

My local customers…well, they are really simply my friends who stamp with me.  All of you inspire me and yes, put up with me making you tie lots and lots of bows.  I appreciate your humor and your never-ending support of my business!!

Now, the community of stampers.  My upline Brandi, my second level Lisa, my stamping friends over at Stampin’ Addicts, the FMS team, my former SUO Challenges team and all of you who follow this blog.  Stampers are the most kind and generous group of people that anyone could ever hope to meet.  There is just something that is deep in the DNA that makes them want to share!  The support I have had from so many of you has overwhelmed me and I am grateful beyond words.

I would be remiss if I didn’t add a shout out to United Airlines.  You see, when I signed up to go to Convention I didn’t have a schedule.  So, when the July flying schedules started coming out, the first thing that happened was that I was schedule for a check ride (flying test) the same weekend as Convention.  Another pilot switched with me to make it work. Three cheers for Brian!  Then the regular schedule came and I was supposed to work for 3 of the days.  I called my flight office and they managed to move days around to allow for the days off.  I know that airlines can seem impersonal but United really stepped up on this and I just want to thank them!

So the box.  Yes, we got a cool box as we walked off the stage!  Want to see what is in it??

The yellow box holds a specially designed bracelet that all the Artisan winners get.  The little box on the right has a back of card stamp with my name and the Artisan logo (yippee!!).  The card in the middle congratulated us and gave us all the info we need to know to get started.

Ok…this is really long so thanks for staying with me.  That check ride I mentioned, well it is this coming Friday so I will try to post more if I can.  I have a lot of studying to do (yep,  that song is still playing in my head).  Thank you so much for stopping in today.  I look forward to sharing all the projects I made for the contest with you.  I’ll post the pictures of my board tomorrow!  Until then, have a great day!

 

I am so excited to share some news from Stampin’ Up Convention.  Last night was Awards Night and the announced the Artisan Design Team.  I am humbled and awed to tell you that I am one of the ten members.  It has been such an incredible few days and I have lots to share when I get back.  Until then, I want to show you a card I made for a swap created for the 20 Artisan Finalists.  The cards I got in return are stunning!!

I really wanted to make a Christmas card for this swap and decided that this beautiful leaf from Simply Sketched (hostess set) would be the way to go.  While this card has a lot of “white” space, it is in no way simple to make.  Especially not simple times 27!  I’ll give you the basics though.  I stamped the leaf with Early Espresso and then using a mask, stamped it again to get the leaves to layer properly.  I colored them with a blender pen using Always Artichoke and Cherry Cobbler ink.  Then the waterspots were added with Crumb Cake ink (stamped off) and the stamp from the intro My Paper Pumpkin kit (the spots from the new Gorgeous Grunge would be great here but I won’t get it until Convention).  The sentiment from More Merry Messages seemed perfect.  That set is a carry over and is still available!!  Then I pulled out my distressing tool and distressed all the edges.  After that, I went back and sponged all the distressed edges with more Crumb Cake ink.  I created shabby bows with Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding and tied them up with Linen Thread and Vintage Faceted Buttons.  Of course it would not be complete without the inside so:

I stamped the leaf again and watercolored some more.  The sentiment is another one from More Merry Messages.  It is a must have set, in my opinion!  For this swap, we created full cards and I did say 27.  While there are only 20 finalists, some of the Concept Artists from Stampin’ Up joined in the swap.  How exciting!!!

I loved this card so much that I am planning on using it as a class card in August.  Local stampers, watch for the invitation!  *smile*

Thank you so much for stopping in today.  I look forward to sharing more of my Convention pictures next week!  Until then, I hope your weekend is wonderful!  See you soon!

Stamps:  Simply Sketched (Hostess), More Merry Messages; Paper:  Naturals Ivory, Cherry Cobbler; Ink:  Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake; Accessories:  Blender Pen, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Stampin’ Distress Tool, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Linen Thread, Vintage Faceted Buttons, Dimensionals, Sticky Strip

 

Today is the day!!  Stampin’ Up’s annual Convention begins at 5p and I am so excited!!  One of the best parts of this event is seeing my amazing stamping friends.  Traditionally, roommate gifts are given and it is fun to conjure up what to make.  Since we all are given the same bag (can’t wait to see it), bag tags are always a big hit.  I thought it would be fun to create monograms for them.  Hint:  I used a variation of this idea for one of my Artisan projects!!

 

I took some basic wooden letters that come from the craft store and painted them white.  Then I layered on the Gingham Garden Washi Tape.  Just leave the edges hanging at first. Once the letter is covered, use an exacto knife to trim around the edges.  This is a remarkably quick project once you get the hang of it!  To add to the durability of this, I put on a couple of layers of Modge Podge.  Once dry all I had to do was add the Rose Red Seam Binding.  I think they are really cute and I hope they like them!  The “B” is for my immediate upline Brandi and the “L” is for my second level upline Lisa Curcio.  They have both been such amazing supporters of my work so it was fun to make a little something for them (Lisa isn’t a roommate but she “needs” one!)!!

I kept the rest simple.  These fun retro mason jars were too cute to pass up!  I stuffed them full of Convention supplies and just tied on some Island Indigo Chevron Ribbon.  Hopefully they will be able to use these jars in their craft rooms.  I love them for holding all kinds of things!

Ok, that is it for today.  If you have any extra questions about the tags, just let me know.  I’ll be back on Saturday with the card I made for the Artisan Finalist Swap.  Think Christmas and watercoloring!!  Thanks so much for stopping in today.  See you again soon!