Convention Day 2

Slightly later today, not much but I actually slept the night before, like a log infact!  I don't think I woke until the alarm went off, which made me jump up in bed as I am not used to alarm clocks waking me up.  Breakfast at the Hilton was yummy with lots to choose, I am not one for  fry up in the morning, so I had cereal and toast and then the little cinnamon whirls that were so fresh and warm and calling me :)

When we arrived we had the make and take sessions, these were 4 fab projects that were made using the sets that we got in the convention bag.  I was thrilled with these sets, both were very much on my wish list, but I was being patient as I didn't want to buy something I knew I was getting in my bag.

The one on the right is a little treat cover, inside it houses a cello bag with tiny tiny cards inside, this was made using the "Just Believe" set.  very cute.  The second card was made using the same set.  This time we used the   WONDERFUL watercolour paper, this paper (more like card) is beautiful, so thick and feels so gorgeous to use.  We inked the stamp with pens, sprizted with water and then stamped.  We then got our hands on the Colour Spritzer tool, WOW I hadn't used it before, I was dying to and I am glad I got to try it and see how fab it works.  On my wish list for sure.    Next were two projects made using "Party this way" set, again another one I had wanted and was waiting for.  This set is such fun!  and we made a memory page and the small card with the arrow that can rotate around, so many fun idea with this.  Of course I was drawn to the bunting in the set too.... I need to add the "Just Perfect" alphabet to my wish list as well as this will be perfect to add lettering to the bunting.  Unfortunately Harvey knocked a cup of tea over my projects when I got home, but they weren't too badly ruined.

We had more talks in business, lunch and then Momento Mall was opened again, limits were off and sadly by the time I got up there the items I wanted to buy were gone, people were going crazy and buying armfuls :(  all that was left was rulers and pens.  Oh well I got what I wanted really, just wanted to get a couple of gifts.

The closing session was fabulous, we had a great demos and a speech about Carrots, Eggs and Coffee beans, which ended with us all doing the Cupid Shuffle!! it was sooooo funny.  Yes even me, a Carrot managed to do it and enjoy it!



We had a surprise sneak peek at something coming early next year and we got a FREE STAMP SET too relating to the same surprise :)  We promised  Shellie not to let on what it is so I will be a good girl and keep it to myself :)  Sorry!! LOL   AND we got to find out one thing that will be in the Mini Catalogue in April and lets just say there was a LOT of excitement and squeals of delight!

The last announcement was the location of next years convention, now we knew it would be France as we seem to take turns for it, and it is DISNEYLAND PARIS!!! Whooooo Hoooooooo!!!!!!  I cant wait, if you want to come you will have to sign up to become a demonstrator and come along too :)

There were dozens and dozens of inspirational cards on the display boards and I have dozens of fab swaps from fellow demonstrators.  My sample books will be looking great!

Well that's it from Convention.  It was a fab time, I hope to go next year (just try and stop me!)  Thank you to all the fellow demos who swapped with me, to Kirstie my roomie for 2 nights, I had never met her before, its amazing how stamping can bring 2 strangers together and give us a common love and we chatted easily like old mates.  Thanks to Debbi, Helen and Co for letting me go to dinner with them Thursday night and to the numerous demos who chatted with me, gave me headache pills (I had a headache the entire 3 days) and with whom I made some wonderful memories of Convention 2010.

Huge congrats to all the demonstrators that won awards, especially those talented and hardworking demo's in my downline.

Cazx

I am back.... with a long post

And what a fantastic trip it was.  Very tiring, I dont think I have felt a shattered as this for a long time.  Late nights, not much sleep the first night as I was just buzzing with excitement and a banging headache.  early Mornings but it was worth it.

There were 300 demonstrators there.  I took around 100 swaps and joined a few organised swaps and WOW the cards and creations I got back were fantastic.  It was great to meet so many fellow demonstrators, all be it very briefly as I swapped with them, but all these creative ladies in one room was amazing.  Thursday night was a good start as I attended Natalie and Monica's party.  This consisted of a party bag with crisps, a water, a little gift box with one of those rubber watches and 2 make and takes.  There was a separate room for these make and takes.  One was a pirate memory page and the other was a Christmas card.  I haven't taken a photo of those yet but I will try.

Friday we had to be in the hotel reception for 7;30 to get one of the 6 coaches to Addington Palace.  The palace was a fantastically beautiful building with grand paintings and chandeliers hanging from the huge ceilings.  The main events took place in the marque.  The refreshments were plentiful with teas and coffees and the biggest cookies on a tray I have seen. Donuts and Custard tarts too!  I took this picture for my boys as I knew they would be jealous!

We had to check in and collect our Convention Bag.  This bag was a little zany for a lot of people but personally I loved it.  I love orange and it was nice a roomy for all the stuff I ended up carrying around with me.

Here is a picture of the bag and the contents.  The brown bag on the right was not part of the bag contents but something I got from Momento Mall (More to follow)  But we got the bag and 2 stamp sets, our name tag and pen.  We also picked up any award pins that we may have earned at that time.  By the skin of my teeth I managed to get an award, not really for me though, it was for my wonderful team who had promoted.  My team however got lots more awards than I and I was very proud of them.  Natalie will give the top spots a run for their money next year!! She did fantastically well this year, she was up so many times I cant remember what she got.  Joanne was up there with a sales and top 25 reward.  There were many others from my first levels own downlines too.  Well done ladies! x   I hope to do better next time, I feel I can do better with more effort if I want to and I really need to work at it to get on the stage next year.  It is getting harder and harder.

Also at this time we could visit paper, pad and marker where you use a blank template and fill it up with colours from all the collections using the paper, pads and markers from SU.  I didn't do it this year as I had so many swaps to swap out.  Also I wanted to visit Momento Mall as this year they actually had stock we could buy and take with us, as opposed to last year in which they just let us order.  Here is my haul on this stuff....  They limited you on the quantities you could buy.  Sadly for many the totes ran out, but they are able to order them for a later delivery.

Now I was sooooo excited by Momento Mall and in seeing the pictures of the USA ones I had already a wish list, above all the others stuff I wanted the cute little stamp they were selling.  I actually dreamt the night before convention about getting the stamp, the bin and the tote and being on the hunt for the brown flower bag in the other picture and I am thrilled I managed to buy them all :)  I do have other totes its true, but non as jazzy as this and non of which can hold 12 x 12 in the centre, its a big old tote!

The rest of day one was lunch, main session, training, demo's, talks and more the business and motivational side of the SU business.  Very interesting, but also quiet hard going as we were all so tired.

Thursday evening went onto the awards dinner and it was wonderful to congratulate all the hard working demonstrators.  The food was good, but me being miss fussy pants didn't eat it all.  The pudding so I hear wasnt great which was a shame as they said all the rest was lovely.

I will continue with day 2 tomorrow...... I hope I have not bored you.

Cazx