Well, yesterday was my travel day to St. George, UT for the Founder’s Circle retreat getaway. I was like a 6 yr old headed to Disneyland for the first time! Seriously, I was trying not to bounce off the walls. 
And once I got here, it was even neater than I expected. So, I wanted to share with you some of the fun I’ve experienced all ready so you can live the experience with me.
Are you ready? Here we go!
One unexpected side effect of the retreat being held in St. George, is that most people fly into Salt Lake City and then catch a puddle-jumper flight to St. George itself. That meant that our flight was at least half full of demos all headed to Founder’s Circle at the same time. Can you say party plane?! And check out the scenery from when we landed:
After picking up our luggage, we were bussed to our hotel where I discovered that we get the whole place to ourselves! So, we were greeted by Stampin’ Up! staff and this cute decorated entryway
Once inside I quickly found another first timer – Brandy Cox – and she and I stuck together as we took some pictures and checked everything out. We headed to the Horseshoe Lounge (the themed hospitality suite) to play horseshoes for prizes and to pick up our yearbook and name badges. Can you tell I’m excited to be here?
I’ll admit I had a bit of stamping celebrity jitters when I saw all these people who I’ve followed online or listened to their videos and webinars. We had a few hours to relax before dinner and I had no idea what to do. But then I saw a table where Angie Juda and a couple other folks were working on finishing up their swaps for the Thursday night event. I decided to dive right in and offered to help Angie assemble her swap boxes.
As we kept working and gabbing, more people stopped by to chat and then started helping. Soon we had a table full of folks crafting and chatting. It was like an old fashioned quilting bee! So fun!
(our group – Tamra Davis, Sandi MacIver, Angie Juda, Franci Martin, Karen Trelfa, and Brena Keenan)
Finally it was dinner time and they continued spoiling us here! The tables were so cute! And the lemonade with peach slices and blueberries was delicious!
Those little jars on our plates were local Raspberry Jam from a nearby farm… decorated, of course, with Stampin’ Up! ribbon and a digitally designed label.
Oh, and did I mention my tablemates?? They had us grouped by candy names and so we were the Chick-o-Sticks!
That is right! I was sitting with Jackie Ross, (me), Julie Davison, Sharon Armstrong, Ronda Wade, and Mary Fish!! What an awesome group of ladies!
I also have to share a funny story. Last weekend in San Diego, I was asked if I had presented at convention. I said nope and the person decided she had probably just seen my blog. Well, earlier in the day at Founders, I had twice been either asked if I was Julie or someone thought I had done a webinar for Stampin’ Up! Well, when I saw Julie Davison, I realized that she was the person I was being mistaken for! She has presented at convention and done a webinar, and after being a demo for 11 years has the title of Executive. What a great person to be mistaken for! Oh, and did I say she is the sweetest person to boot!
What do you think? Think we could be twins?
Oh my, this post is getting long! Ok, so I’ll try to finish up quick!
After dinner was a meeting with some Stampin Up execs for all the first time acheivers… aren’t we a fun looking bunch?
There were first timers who had been demos for 2-1/2 years to some who had been demos for 18! So anyone can do this!
Then back up to my room – yup, I get a room to myself! And the cute chalkboard name plate on all of our doors.
And on our bed was a pillow gift for the first night. I wish I could share with you the insides but they are all brand new, not even in a catalog yet, stamping products! But there is some cool stuff and if you are a fan of gold, you will be really happy with what will be coming your way in the future!
And finally, I had to share a close up of the tag – I think this is a motto I need to start living more by:
Do what you love & do it often
What an amazing first day and such inspiration to be around all these ladies who love stamping, love creating, and love sharing it with others. It is a reminder how much this is a way to reach out to other people and touch their lives when you send a card, preserve a memory, or create a handmade gift for someone.
So, I hope you have a wonderful day and I’ll be back tonight with more to share!
Don’t forget! Founder’s Circle Specials this week!
**Receive DOUBLE your reward punches for each purchase!
That is right! For every $40 you order, you will receive two punches on your punch card and be that much closer to receiving a free stamp set of your choice! See how Northwest Stamper Reward Punches work
and as an extra thank you,
**Everyone who places an order by 9/22 will be entered to win a free Christmas Star stamp and package of rhinestones!
