Convention 2010

The last few months I'm sure you've realised have been very busy for me, but at last I seem to be getting to grips with all that has happened and there is light at the end of the tunnel. I have so much news to tell you I don't really know where to start, so I shall start with the present because I'm so excited about the weekend I have just had! Every year in November Stampin' Up! hold their annual European Convention. Last year you may remember I went over to Germany and this year it was here in the UK. Well, what can I say......I had a fantastic time!!! We eat, swap, laugh, share ideas, inspire each other, learn new techniques...oh gosh, it's a full on couple of days spent in the company of other demonstrators from all over the UK, France and Germany. I met so many wonderful, amazing, creative, friendly people, some I've met before, some I've known only through email and many I've never met before but each and every person I spoke to was so friendly and inspiring. Wait till you see the swaps I received!!! I haven't had chance to look at them all properly but believe me they're amazing! I went with 5 other ladies in my downline:- Julie, Carol, Sue, Ali & Cath which was really lovely to have them there enjoying the experience for the first time. Our team name is the 'Stampin' Angels' so I organised for us to all have t-shirts printed to wear on the Friday. I blinged them up with a diamonte heart to finish them off. The day went so quickly by the time we got back to the hotel, the light wasn't good enough to get a group photo of us all wearing them and this is the best I got. :( We'll be wearing them again I'm sure...) I don't have as many photos as I would of liked because it was all so hectic from the moment we got up (6am - that's the middle of the night for me!), plus I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to taking photos and have to have them just right...hence my lack of decent ones.

Thursday night we had a little get together with another group of Demo's - the Tartan Stampers for a buffet, lots of chatting and a make 'n' take - kick off to the main event didn't start till Friday morning. Of course we had a little crafting involved and there was lots of laughter as there always is with the Tartan Stampers ;)

Friday seemed to last forever with registration at Addington Palace for 8.30am, tons and tons of swapping going on, Momento Mall where we could purchase exclusive Stampin' Up! items, (will show you those goodies in another post), display boards. There were presentations and demonstrations in the afternoon - always a highlight to see how differently other Demomstrators use the products and of course Shelli Gardner, CoFounder and CEO of Stampin' Up! Such a warm, elegant and amazing lady. I didn't get chance to have my photo taken with Shelli but I did get this shot of her whilst presenting on day 2.

On Friday evening we had the Awards Dinner again at Addington Palace. Now last year I went to Convention with my good friend Jenny Moors and cheered and clapped as Jen walked that stage to receive recognition for her achievements. At that point I set myself a goal that I too was going to walk the stage at this years Convention and do you know what? I did!!!! 3 TIMES!!!

At this point I really have to thank ALL my customers and Downline for helping me in achieving...

The Incentive Trip to Prague

For my Sales achievements which I received a certificate and Stamp Set

And recognition for being the 8th Top Demo in the UK!

Thank you so, so much!

I've worked hard this year and exceeded my goal that I set myself in Germany, so thank you to everyone for your support! Things are changing with home life for the better - I mean that in the sense that I shall soon have more time to develop and grow and be able to offer more classes, more tutorials and more time for my customers who have also gone as bonkers over Stampin' Up! as I have...lol

Next year Convention is going to be at

EURODISNEY, PARIS!

If you would like to join my team and come to Eurodisney next year, or you'd like to discuss what it entails and the benefits of becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, please feel free to email me at jodumbleton@aol.co.uk

I have one last photo though of myself with Kelly and Eileen who are part of the team from Stampin' Up! here in the UK (although Eileen is from Demo Support based in Germany). I'm usually the one behind the camera so this is a rare photo of me grinning like a cheshire cat..lol

Right, I must be off to work now. See you real soon with more photos!