Leadership 2014: Vivid Vases Card

Here is one of the make and takes from Leadership Conference. I wish I was better at watercoloring, but it's one of those techniques that looks okay even if you're not an expert! Of course they showed up the awesome new alcohol markers before breaking us loose to do this project with regular watercoloring (Aquapainter & ink pad lids). I can't wait to get the Blendabilities!!

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Vivid Vases stamp, Jet Black Staz-On Ink Pad, Watercolor Paper, Strawberry Slush ink pad, Pumpkin Pie ink pad, Daffodil Delight ink pad & cardstock, Bermuda Bay ink pad & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Kaleidoscope designer paper, Basic Metal Buttons, Whisper White Baker's Twine, AquaPainter

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Leadership 2014: Day 3 Highlights

Saturday was our last day of Leadership Conference. We had a late start, which was nice since we were out so late for Make & Takes the night before. The first thing on the agenda was an "All Attendee Class" and I have to say, I was nervous that it was going to be dry and boring. It was anything but!! They did the "class" game-show style and it was hilarious to watch the antics of host Brian Pilling and the guest panel. Each panel was playing for a different color wrist brand. The fabulous Bonnie Thurber was playing for my color: Elegant Eggplant and even though she did great, she didn't win. But they were generous and gave prizes to all of the wrist band colors! I received the Petite Petals stamp and coordinating punch. Woo hoo!!

They covered information like best selling-stamp sets and accessories, recruiting and sales numbers for last year, and revealed some demonstrator stories about embarrassing workshop moments. One fun announcement: Stampin' University will open soon! It's a re-organized training section on the Demonstrator Website to help demonstrators learn both techniques and also how to place orders and run a business.

The class ended with an all-attendee giveaway -- a new stamp set that will be available in the new catalog this summer. It's so cute! I can't wait to share samples with you!

After lunch, we gathered again for the last General Session. Shelli did a stamping presentation and showed a variety of banner projects that were oh so cute! And we received ANOTHER all-attendee giveaway: the Language of Love stamp set from the Occasions Catalog.

 

The big announcement was about Convention. It will now be called "Inspire. Create. Share." and more exciting -- new demonstrators who signed up since July 1, 2013 will have the opportunity to attend Convention for FREE!! (Registration is usually $295, so this is a HUGE!!) If you have ever thought about being a demonstrator and attending Convention - now is your chance to do it on a budget!

It's always sad when it's time for a conference to be over. Time flies when you're having fun, I guess! I can't wait to get together with all my Stampin' friends again this summer in Salt Lake City. I hope to see you there too!

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Leadership 2014: Day 2 Highlights

Friday was Day 2 of the Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference in Houston. We started with a General Session and a keynote speaker and then had breakout classes in the afternoon. The highlight of course was the STAMPING!

After lunch, I stopped at the My Paper Pumpkin Booth to take part in the Paper Pumpkin Craft Wars. We were challenged to make a card using only stamps from previous My Paper Pumpkin Kits also with designer paper, punches, and accessories from the Occasions Catalog. I love a good challenge!! We only had Whisper White and Crumb Cake cardstock to work with, but I used the Strawberry Slush ink pad direct to paper to create the Strawberry Slush layer for my card. And guess what!? I was one of 20 winners selected from those who participated!! Woot! I get to choose two My Paper Pumpkin Kits for free!

 

That reminds me, I forgot to tell out about one of the announcements yesterday! If you sign up for a new My Paper Pumpkin Subscription, you'll get a FREE set of the 2012-2014 In Color Markers in your Welcome Kit!! I saw a Sneak Peek of the January, February, and March kits and they are fantastic!! I think they are three of the best kits yet!! Click here to learn more about My Paper Pumpkin and sign up today to get your free markers!

I got a chance to do more stamping Friday night after a fun dinner with my friends. We went back to the Convention Center for a Stampin' Night Out. It was a fun combination of stamping presentations and make and takes. Here are some of the projects that were demonstrated on stage.

 

This is a sneak peek of a new stamped called Blended Bloom that will be in the new catalog this summer. First, stamp with White Staz-On on a Window Sheet. Then turn it over and color in with the new (not yet released) Blendabilities Markers. I can't wait to get my hands on those markers!!

We received two stamp sets (Geometrical and Vivid Vases) from the Occasions Catalog and an Aquapainter and were surprised with an all-attendee giveaway -- the Happenings Simply Sent Card Kit. I LOVE, love, love this kit! All of the pieces are precut or die-cut. It's perfect for a new or busy stamper. And it's a great value at just $14.95 for the kit that makes 15 cards & envelopes! Check it out here.

I forgot to make a picture of the Make and Takes (I'll be sure to share them later), but here is a picture of our table at the end of the night.

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Leadership 2014: Day 1 Highlights + Manager's Reception

What a whirlwind couple days it has been in Houston! I have been meaning to sit down and blog each night to let you know what I've been up to, but honestly, I have been so exhausted that I have chosen to sleep instead! You understand, don't you?

So let's back up and start with Day 1: Thursday. I checked in and picked up my gorgeous Leadership Bag, which of course, I forgot to take a picture of. (Mentally adding that to my "to do list now.) I had a rehearsal for my class and prepped some things for that before the first General Session started.

There were some exciting announcements int he first General Session:

• Photopolymer stamps will soon be manufactured in the Stampin' Up! facility in Kanab, Utah. They showed up some fun new sets that will be available soon, including a double alphabet stamp set and a new personalized design that I think will be very versatile.
• Stampin' Blendabilities are alcohol-based markers that blend easily and make watercoloring a snap. They'll come in packs of three (light, medium, and dark shades of one color) for $11.95. Watch for more details when they are officially released sometime during the first quarter (by the end of March).

After lunch, we had mini break-out classes. There were 9 different classes in each of the two parts. Each 20 minute class was repeated three times. I was a little anxious for my class, which was during the second half of the Share Fair. But everything went smoothly and I hope that my fellow demonstrators got a few useful tips from my class!

After class, we ran into Shelli and Sterling in the hallway and stopped for a quick photo.

 

Thursday night was the Manager's Reception at the Downtown Aquarium in Houston. This is like no other Aquarium that I have ever visited!! They had rides and interactive exhibits (you could feed sting rays, though I opted not to!). And of course, there was food everywhere! They truly spoil us! Here are some photos from our evening out.

 

 

(Ooh! You can see a glimpse of the Leadership Bag in this photo!)

 

 

On the train ride to see the shark tank with my friend Cathy Roy and my parents.

Check out the video highlights from Stampin' Up!:

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