Swaps from Convention 2012

OK, so I am just home, very late last night (after a delay in Chicago which required a plane change), and so excited from being at Convention 2012, I couldn't wait to sit down and tell you all about it. I loved the breakout classes - very informative. Shelli really is so sweet, I didn't meet her in person, but from her appearances on stage, I wish I had have. I loved Memento Mall, I loved the swaps, I loved the atmosphere, I loved that all the Stampin' Up Home Office team cares so much and I loved meeting demonstrators from all over North America. I loved it all and can't wait to get back there next year.

The theme this year was "I am..." and to complete that sentence, I wrote "I am busy", and this year, I hope I will be even busier. I think that statement takes in everything I do - and more. As with everyone, I am a mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend. I am also working outside the home, I am a caterer in my own business and I am now a dedicated Stampin' Up Demonstrator! Busy, right?
At the closing session, Shelli asked us to finish the sentence "I want to be...", well, after convention I realised, "I want to be more like Shelli". She is strong, caring, savvy, gracious, extremely creative, sensitive, uplifting and motivating. There is definitely more to add, but those are the things I took away with me this year.

Right now, "I am tired from convention", and "I want to be in bed" :) But, as per usual, my kids won't leave me alone :)

Back to swaps, I made up 100 swaps, and could easily have made double or triple that. I received a bunch of great ones, some good ones, and then, I received some where I think the demos had just plain run out of time. Here are three of my favourite swaps from convention. I will post more tomorrow!

This first card is from Lidia Brandt and uses Basic Gray, Whisper White and Summer Starfruit. The image is Pleasant Poppies and is heat embossed in white. I wasn't really a Summer Starfruit fan until I saw this card, and now I love this combination. Such a simple card, but so stunning.

This second card is from Colleen Vassos, again a simple, but stunning card. Real Red, Basic Black and Whisper White with a square of silver glimmer paper. Love it - but then I love everything about the holidays.
Santa's beard is made by trimming down the largest Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies. Such a great idea!

And this last card has no name on the back, so I have no idea who made this. But I love, love, love that that the Owl Punch has been turned into Rudolph. His antlers are made from the leaves of the Bird Builder Punch. I love the googly eyes - I never thought I would have a use for them until now. And a little circle of red glimmer paper for the nose. Super cute!


I really am lucky to be in a business which embraces creativity!


Enjoy!