new catalogue, new year

I know it's been forever since I posted last, and I feel awful for that. Last year I managed to blog on average every 2nd day, and I figured doing the same this year would be a breeze. Sadly that has not been the case. Ever since my Grams was moved (last October) from a home in the same community as me to a full care home literally across the city it takes me about 5 hours to do what used to take 1 1/2 hrs. Between that, volunteering at school way too often, and coaching soccer, life got crazy. I have not had near enough time to create let alone blog about it, but I sincerely hope that even though things are not slowing down that I can squeak out some me and business time.

I just recently got back from an amazing trip. I went to Stampin' Up!'s yearly convention down in Salt Lake City with an amazing friend and had the best time. I didn't sleep much, but after a week of trying to recover I think I'm as caught up as I can get. That and I now have the flu so I actually have some time to blog.
For those of you that don't know about convention it is amazing!! It is 4 days of absolute craziness.

This is about 1/4 of the main stage area.... and about 1/4 of the people. Talk about a fun crowd!

From the time I got there til the time I left I had so much fun. Wed is check in day and after we got our wonderful convention bags we headed to see all the wonderful displays Stampin' Up! does every year. Then we headed to Memento Mall to see how much damage we could do. I have to say I was very good, I didn't spend near as much as I thought I might. I also spent some time that day talking with a few key My Digital Studio people, but sadly I can't tell you about that part. Then it was time for the Kick-Off Party that Stampin' Up! puts on. It was ridiculous!

Thursday was full of classes and general sessions and fun new product announcements and tons of other great things. Awards night was after, and if that doesn't give you a kick in the pants to want to grow your business, nothing will. Then we all went to an amazing after party. Some even stayed til after 2am. Sadly I was back at the hotel by midnight. Tons of demos doing the Electric Slide


Friday we had a Stampin' Up! breakfast at 7am!! Anyone that knows me, knows I'm more likely to still be up than to actually get up that early, so that was hard, but totally worthwhile. Then another full day of classes and more fantastic announcements, followed by an evening class. I didn't get back to out hotel room til after 11 that night!

Saturday was the last day, a couple classes in the am, and then closing session in the pm. I couldn't believe it was over, it seemed like the week flew by, and then I had to say goodbye, not only to the new friends I made, but to my roommate and fantastic friend Lydia. We've been friends for about a decade, but sadly we live on opposite ends of the country now so we hardly get to see each other and it was beyond amazing to get a week away with her. Thankfully my husbands amazing cousin lives not too far away and he came down for a quick visit and I sent a bunch of stuff home with him since I was way over my weight limit, and not everything would fit in the suitcases. This is a shot of all the wonderful stuff we get for going to convention and a bit of the stuff I bought at Memento Mall. Notice the beautiful convention bag? I love it and carry it everywhere now.


I'll be seeing him soon, so I can get the rest of my stuff. I'm really glad I ended up with too much stuff because now we all get to hang out with him for a bit, which makes for an even better end to convention than I thought possible.


This is one of many displays of new and super cute products from Stampin' Up!'s Product Park. They made up displays using all sorts of wonderful products, and this one featuring the product suite domestic goddess almost makes housework look like fun.


I have about 4,500 pictures from a week to sift through, but I promise I will post lots of them. I do have a question for all you. What kinds of pictures would you prefer? Product Park, class displays, main stage presentations, the craziness of it all, or people I met? any or all of the above?

There is so much more to tell, which would take forever. If you want more info and stories I'd be glad to fill you all in, but I also don't want to bore you, so please let me know.