Convention Day 2

What an amazing day!!  It all started with the first General Session.  I'll let the pictures do the talking...check it out:  (apologies for the over-sized, unedited photos...I can't seem to edit them in the app I am using...I'll fix 'em when I get home)

I won the very first Prize Patrol of the day!!  The new Christmas Collectibles stamp set and coordinating punch...woohoo!

We were treated to demonstrations by our very own Shelli Gardiner.  Shelli showed, believe it or not, 25 projects!!  Many of them used brand new, not-yet-released products called Thinlets.  These dies are TO DIE FOR, and my friend and Downline, Laura Bart, won a set...she was just a little excited!

 I can't show you the actual product but here are a few photos of projects Shelli demonstrated:

The next new product was the Envelope board punch. This thing is amazing!  It makes 72 different sizes of envelops in seconds!  Here is a shot of the display board:

The final new product announcement of the day is the one I am most excited about.  It is called Undefined and it is a kit to design and carve your very own rubber stamps!!  Talk about cool!!  The ultimate in creativity...design the perfect stamp for your project, make the stamp and then use it on the project!  So can't wait to get my hands on this one!

Then it was time to recognize those who had earned the Incentive trip this year. My upline, Jamilla Ivits, centre, was one of them!  On the right is Natasha Byrne and on the left is Denise Donald.  Congratulations, ladies!!

The afternoon was spent at the Expo, a Selection of classes, training, make-n-takes and more.  I spent a bit of time in the Recognition Room, which was a space reserved for those of use who earned annual awards to get a break from the crowds and have a quiet drink, put our feet up and chat.  

While there Sherril Graff, centre, one of Stampin' Up's longest serving demonstrators came by to say hi and have a photo op.

Jamilla and I celebrating our successes...both of us had our best years ever!

Then I headed off to lunch.  Along the way I passed the Make-n-Take area.  Imagine setting all of this up for your next class...

Unbelievable!!

Recently I had a huge compliment paid to me by Karen Burniston, designer of the Pop-n-Cuts die system and the Dress Up and Deco Labels framelits (two of my fav's)!  She emailed to tell me she had seen my work on Pinterest and loved it!  I was blown away and told her as much and she was very gracious in emailing me back and forth several times.  She invited me to stop by and say hello to her while I was at Convention, so I did...

Karen in action during her demonstration.

Karen greeted me with a big hug and paused for a photo...what a kind thing to do!


The rest of the afternoon was spent in various classes and chatting with demonstrators from around the world.  Then it was time for Awards Night...

Jamilla and I all dressed up...don't see this very often!

Awards night was well done and (blessedly) short...just an hour and a half and we were off to the 25th anniversary party!  There was a fabulous 80's cover band, yummy desserts, more free stuff (new washi tape from the upcoming Holiday Catty), circus performers, party games and more.  So very much fun!!

It was an exhausting but very fun day!!  Can't wait to see what tomorrow holds!