Good Morning! Well…I was like a pig in a big puddle of mud but I admit, I did not think that I would be so consumed with having so much sheer FUN with my friend Michelle! I truly thought that after each day of having fun at class we would come back to the hotel and just sit, relax, do our blogs…….NOT IN THE CARDS! (ha-ha….CARDS…get it) 😀Â
Before we get what I have been up to……we need to have a WINNER (well….actually no one got it 100% correct) but I have to say that I was as shocked as I think you are going to be with the answers! MANY people got #1 & #3 correct but it was the middle one that STUMPED YOU…..here you go! The answers are…..
- What is the name of Stamp Set that has been in the Catalog the longest? Â Â Â LOVELY AS A TREE
- What is the most popular bundle from the Occasions Catalog? Â Â Â NAILED IT BUNDLE
- How many pages was the first Stampin’ Up Catalog?   64 Pages
As I was driving on Thursday I was thinking that I was going to be short on time that night to post so I called Demonstrator Support and had fun with asking different trivia questions. The gal was so sweet to email me a list of fun facts and these were just 3 that I picked so I might to this in the future.
Are YOU AS SHOCKED AS I AM about #2 question? I admit, I think that it is a super unique set and I do have it but I was surprised….I for sure was thinking many of your guesses would have been the correct one.
We all owe our dear “CHRIS R from Iowa” for helping me with this as I texted her and asked if she would be so kind to scroll through the comments and give me the scoop. What I decided to do (with Chris’s help) was to take the ones that had the #1 & #3 answer correct and then pick the random winner…and that was……
So the moral of the story is…Andrea H, YOU WON so please email me with your address and when I am able to order you the “new goods” I will do so!
I really thought that Dragonfly Dreams or Tasty Treats was going to be the winner….and it goes to show you how wrong I was! Thanks for playing along with the fun and I will do trivia again as I just love games…..NOW TO WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING……
We were in Columbus Ohio at a Simon Says Create event and there are no words to say other that WOW. We went from one thing to another and having a ball and I will say that I have learned a bunch but more importantly I had FUN and meeting lots of great people.
I thought that we were making a long trek to go…..from Maryland and Florida but WOW – there were people from the UK….Texas, California, Washington State, Tennessee, Montana, Maine….it was just unreal that there was so many from all over and in total there were only 120 people…and WOW – it was great and were we spoiled!
After I picked her up from the airport…..FIRST STOP.…The Container Store…we both we in heaven, sheer heaven…..that is like a TOY STORE to me as I love to look for goodies that make my life easier!
Next door there was a great home decor store (sorry, I can’t remember the name) but it was beautiful and fun. Naturally the horse decor made me pitter pat….but I hope that you get a kick out of the hand towel! 🙂
This event was sold out as fast as you can say SOLD OUT….and we were thrilled that we secured a spot! Not only did we have a blast being together but we had a blast creating, learning and doing what we all love…..crafting!
I adore Jennifer McQuire and I just could not wait to take a class from her and Kristina and wow ~ it was fabulous. As they were going over the way the class was going to go….they said – “This would have gone much faster if we all had a MISTI” but we are going to do the best job we can….and then…..they both said as they were smiling and laughing…..YOU ALL ARE GETTING A MISTI!!!!Â
Naturally that was FUN and oh so generous but then we received 2 more amazing stamp sets…..I could go on and on but these past days were a “pinch me” time for me and even though I felt  terrible that I have not had time to pop on the computer.
You can see from the above line up of teachers…it was amazing. I cannot begin to tell you how incredibly engaging Tim Holtz was. He is one talented crafter but equally a talented instructor. I was truly blown away from his presentation.
Even though many of his work is not my style….I walked away having FUN and feeling so rewarding and proud of the creations I created ~ a great example of it is good to go away from your comfort zone. He is just a dynamic person and sooooo talented. He ability to be able to control and have 60 people do 4 projects was just amazing as there was so much detail and technique that he puts into his work.
Walking away from the time together, I truly learned to appreciate the fun it is to really try something that is out of the box for you. Tim’s wealth of knowledge of the crafting world and his obvious passion he has in exploring so many different mediums was a true eye opener to me, just one fabulous instructor.
This was the HUGE TOTE that I brought (as I drove) and Michelle and I had these GRAND DREAMS of playing with many of the new Stampin’ Up! goodies that we already have our hands on….and also to practice techniques and FUN that we learned….this was re-zipped up and brought right back to Randall Lane!.
Our days were jammed backed from early and then after we had dinner….we came back to the hotel and crashed! It was sheer FUN and by the ends of our 3 days together we felt that we had sooooooo much jammed into the 3 days we looked at each other and said – I AM EXHAUSTED (but in a GOOD way)
One night…..one of my team members drove over (a long way!) and we had dinner together and it was soooooo fun to grab a hug and share some time with Pam….(as we have never met in person) ~ another great example of this whole thing that we do…..IS SIMPLY THE BEST! The buzz that was surrounding me while away was so apparent that many people have met and developed relationships from simply connecting from blogs, the internet etc…..
Simon Says also had a POP UP SHOP (oh so smart of them as they had a captive audience of 120 crazed crafters) so that was another highlight if fun. If they did not have it at their shop…you could order it and the warehouse was very close and every couple of hours they would fulfill orders that were not at the Pop Up Shop.
By the end of our time there – they knew that my number was 004 and Michelle’s was 003 and it was fun to just add to the bag and check out at the end! Here was another brilliant move that they did….during the classes if you saw a product that they were demonstrating that you wanted, PRESTO….raise your paddle with your number and POOF…..someone walked wrote it down and into your bag it went!
Michelle and I were in our stamping glory and by the end of our time….our joy and smile tanks were filled to the brim! Back to reality….until tomorrow!
Oh wow!! You guys were only 1 1/2 hrs. from me! So glad you had a great time – wow! All of those rock stars were in my fair capital and I didn’t even know it?
Oh no….it would have been great to meet you. LOVED the area and I am surprised that you did not hear the laughter and excitement from this fun event …even to YOUR HOUSE far away!
Congrats to Andrea H. for getting selected as the trivia winner! Yea! {{insert Chicken Dance}}
Your inspiring trip sounds amazing–Kristina Werner, Jennifer McGuire, AND Tim Holtz? WOW! I know you will be applying things that you learned to SU and sharing projects with us–I can tell this really got your mojo going! So happy Michelle could share the fun with you–looking forward to seeing what you come up with to mirror the genius marketing of SSS. (You already are my number one enabler!!) Yes, SO happy your trip was so spectacular but so glad you’re back~we all selfishly wait for our daily Susan dose of fun and wisdom. Happy Monday!
Oh Linda….I am glad that you put int here the CHICKEN DANCE….I say….when you are down, just do the chicken dance and there will be an instant smile!
It truly was so fun but I was amazed with the fact that so much fun made me so tired (but in a GREAT way)
WOW, WOW, WOW!!! How super exciting. I follow another blog, (hedgehoghollow.co.uk) and she too was there. She did not get a ticket though, but her picture with Jennifer and Karen were just as exciting as yours!
It must have been amazing. So many smart marketing ideas, with the pop-up shop and the paddles and I think it was super that only 120 tickets were available to control total chaos. I can’t wait to hear more about your time.
Have a wonderful Monday!
🙂
I take it that she was from the UK? There were several people from the UK….as the minute you hear them talk, you instantly turn your head and love that accent.
You are soooo right about the marketing ideas – it was fabulous and Heidi from SSS is just a doll!
So much to say!!! Congrats to Andrea H! I am also amazed at the Nailed It Bundle, it never crossed my desk. And I still have never been to a container store, looks like I would be totally overwhelmed! Check out the wall design behind the horse picture! As for the Misti, I JUST got mine! Loved hearing about your adventure!
Were your ears burning all weekend….I told Michelle so much about you and how the 2 of you are going to be like Peanut Butter and Jelly….
Guess what – not only did I go to the Container Store in Columbus on Thursday…yesterday I needed to go with my son to the Doctors near Tyson…and yep – ROAD TRIP to the Container Store!
It was a fabulous girl weekend!
So glad you had fun!!!!
Thanks Angie….being with amazing people that share the same passion was the best!
So THAT’s where Tim Holtz was! My friend Karla, who is a SU demonstrator, and I attended Adventures in Stamping in Akron on Saturday, and wondered where Tim was. However, Wendy Vecchi was in the Stampers Anonymous booth and since I have a “crafting crush” on her, I was in heaven! We also got to see some of the new SU items since a demonstrator had a booth, lots of samples and the new Eastern Palace selections, plus Lucky Limeade ink, which I love! Glad you had a good time over here in Ohio!
I was sooooooo impressed and amazed with Tim Holtz….such an amazing presenter. BY FAR…I am kickin my heels together with joy with the Lucky Limeade….just adore it!
Hi, I went to Akron on Saturday also! After my adventure in Columbus and driving back Friday evening, I went to Akron. My first time at that convention. The fall version of it is closer and hoping to remember when it comes up 🙂
You are one lucky girl to attend that awesome crafting event ! I got my Misti and used it for Christmas cards – all SU – old and new stamps all stuck on the Misti at once ! Saved me a lot of time making the cards – can’t wait for you to share what you learned from the event !
I totally agree…the MISTI is a fabulous tool and timesaver. Anything to make us save time is a precious tool to have. I too am excited to use some of the ideas that I learned and share!
You were in my area. I was not lucky enough to get a ticket for the classes but I did do a lot of damage in the store. Great make and takes. It’s amazing that this event sells out so fast at $700 a ticket. Simon Says Stamp is a great company. The name of the home decorating store at Easton is Z Gallerie. It’s a very cool store.
Oh no….you were there and we did not meet….boo-hoo!!! It was just wonderful and I agree….the make-n-takes in itself were icing on the cake! It sold out like ZOOM!
Wow! What an exciting day for Michelle and you. I’m jealous. The two of you look like crafting TWINS!
It was 3 days of heaven being together and it is because of YOU and the wonderful community of the PALS that brought our friendship together! It was just wonderful!
Wow, so green with envy of being there with such talented instructors! Can’t wait for you to share some of the new things you learned. I love that, even though you are Stampin Up!, you went to SSS event. It’s all about the learning and sharing! (Will you be retiring your stamp-a-ma-jig now?)
You’ve got that right….it is all about the love of learning and sharing. It truly makes no difference about who teaches you….it is up to you to utilize what you learn with what you have!
I will NEVER give up my stamp-a-ma-jig as I do love it and I will say that there are times that I simply do not want to use the MISTI as the stamp-a-ma-jig gets the job done in a jif!
I have had a MISTI for several years but now I have a family! (ha-ha)
Nailed it!?!? Really!?! ?
REALLY! That is what I was told. I was as surprised as you are. It is a very unique bundle but really????? You NAILED the comment perfectly!
Congrats to Andrea H. It was fun helping Susan weed out the correct vs. incorrect answers. I was glad I opened my E-mail to get her message. Nailed it was pretty darn popular since I ordered the bundle a while back (before the retirement list came out) and was told the framelits were out of stock then. I didn’t order the paper trying to decide what I wanted to do since Father’s Day was still so far away. Well, the paper was gone when I went to order it last week. I really liked the framelits for that cute ruler. I have a different brand set of tools stamps that I have used a lot which is quite different but I guess it will just have to do now. If you asked me that should have been one to carry over for birthday’s etc. I really didn’t need a Father’s Day card so that was why I didn’t pounce on it right away as well as not dreaming it would sell out so fast.
Now Susan, that had to be fun! I have some Tim Holtz inks and love watching an occasional video on him making a project. He is amazing and so creative. Of course all the other instructors were equally exciting. I can’t wait to hear more about it and see what all you made and bought! The side shopping was just the icing on the cake!
Thank you again for helping me! I knew that you would love! I do have the Nailed IT bundle and I will keep the bundle on Randall Lane as it is very unique. It is funny….I really have not played with it much that is why I will hold onto it – the ruler is super fun!
Tim Holtz – it was toooo darn funny how ladies just kept nodding their heads with every tip he would say and then the paddles would go up!
Susan, What a wonderful time you and Michelle had. I would love to do something like that some time. You were among so many talented people. I agree I never thought anything about the stamp set Nailed It ,was number one set. . WOW. Never would have guessed. I can not wait to see some of what you have learned to share with all of us. Have a wonderful day. Take time to get a few zzzzzzzz’s welcome back. Hugs, Ellen Hinds
Hi Ellen…..I have sooo loved your cards peeks that you have sent my way! It was super fun and I am trying to get back in the swing!
Reading about your trip sure put a smile on my face! What excitement & creativity!! Will be anxiously waiting to see some of your new creations.
I am STILL smiling when I think of it!
I’m surprised about nailed it. It’s a cool set and all, but most popular? I guess people are buying it to hoard because I haven’t seen it used as much. Your trip looked like so much fun! All that happiness from SSS. I love how they enabled you to a tee! Also… container store. We have one in town but I’m not allowed to go in it–self imposed exile.
You are toooooo funny – The Container Store is just like going to Sam’s Club…..you can never get out of there under $100! I adore that store and would work there in a second and if they gave employees commissions – I would BE SET!
Congrats to Andrea! It was a fun candy blog. Your trip sounded awesome and loads of fun. All the exciting things you must have learned! Love your pic with Michelle!
Michelle is just the sweetest – we always say that we are sisters that just found each other!
So glad you and Michelle had a wonderful trip!! Glad you are back!
Were YOUR EARS BURNING all weekend… I bet I told Michelle 100 times…..if Jeanie was hear – she would say one phrase over and over…..”OH MY GOSH”
What a week end !! So much fun and I was looking at the Presenters Board and each one of them is amazing instructors and so creative ! Thank you for the details because I felt like I was there !!
You got a MIST for free ! WOW ! I have just gotten the newly produced Creative Corners for mine (I bought the Mini Misti so I could have a TOTER !! But I love my regular size one !
Surprise on Nailed It …loved that set and like Chris I wanted that RULER !! But just had to be practical and bypass because that set was SO CUTE ,but I would not get much use from it !
Congrats to Andrea ! Let us know how you like the mini Ds !!
You and me both….I now have 2 big ones and a mini…..I LOVED your outfit last night on the Voice…..really strutin’ your stuff!!!! I think if you each Monday and Tuesday and often say to John…it’s time for Sonny and I to watch the Voice!
Susan, the tea towel is so funny. We had a Sale-A-Bbration celebration last week in New Zealand – to get there your order had to be big enough for 3 free products. It would have been a great accessory for the evening!!
I just could not resist taking a picture….too darn funny!
WOW! I very rarely win anything & must say I was so surprised! I will email you Susan-thanks so much!!!! Sounds like a wonderful time away! So glad you were able to do that!
YIPPEE….I did get your email – so glad you won because I know that you will enjoy the goodies!
Dear sweet friend what a whirlwind of a weekend. The name of the store was Elm & Iron.
I had such a tough time at work yesterday, all I could do was think of stamping and playing with my new stuff.
Me too and I am still smiling from the fun!
I love Simon Says Stamp, Jennifer McGuire and Tim Holtz!! What a great weekend you two had! Thanks for sharing this fun post. Got to do “virtual” crafting weekend! 😉
What a fabulous time you had; I could feel the adrenaline across the miles as I read your blog. To have those fabulous, famous crafters/presenters amidst your group, and to show their vast talent–well, I can see why you felt like a pig in a mud puddle! ?
Looking forward to your “shares”.