12 Weeks of Christmas starts Wednesday!

You'll be an ANGRY BIRD if you don't sign up for my 12 WEEKS OF CHRISTMAS this year!  What is the 12 Weeks of Christmas?  It's my gift to you this time of year and all you have to do is be on my MAILING LIST!  So, if you are on my list ~ not to worry, you will receive a super idea for the upcoming holidays once a week in your inbox ~ for the next 12 weeks!  If you are not on my mailing list ~ SIGN UP TODAY!  (It's easy ~ see the box at the top of the blog on the left.....)  Don't miss this ~ you must sign up by Wednesday, October 3, at 1 PM to be included!

Halloween Party ~ October 5 @ 6 PM

Halloween Stampin' Party ~ Friday evening, October 5, at 6 in the Cat/Art Studio.  Join me for some fun!  Email me NOW!

Stampin' Up! Halloween Favors ~ 

Stamp set:  Googly Ghouls, #128063, set of 6 $12.95 clear ~ Bundle including googly eyes, tags, glassine bags & Baker's Twine, #129853, $16.95 ~ Holiday Catalog

Big Shot:  Petite Pocket Bigz XL die, #123131, page 194 Annual Catalog

Credit:  Stampin' Up! Denver Regional

Gorgeous birthday card for Catie

I thought you would like to see this gorgeous card created by my sister-in-law, Rosie Morton, for her daughter's birthday.  Rosie's inspiration was from a store on etsy.com ~ Tall Moose Designs ~ and, from the gift from the family to Catie ~ tickets fo a concert in December to hear Bowfire at the Sandler Center.  Catie is a Senior at Maury and plays the violin and I am sure she was thrilled with this card and the gift!  (I am the bad Aunt as I missed the birthday and Alan and I still haven't stopped by with our best wishes and birthday surprise ~ sorry, Catie!)  Rosie is a new Stampin' Up! Demonstrator who held her first party last weekend and, guess what?  Her Big Shot broke during the party at her home!!!!  Can you believe it?  Poor Rosie!  But, her daughters came and borrowed one of mine so it all turned out fine.  And, when Rosie called Stampin' Up! they are replacing her Big Shot wo charge and it will arrive soon.  So, if you ever have this type of problem be sure and call so that I can get you a replacement ~ Big Shots may not last forever!

4 more days....

Just four more days on this special offer of FREE 3/8" STITCHED SATIN RIBBON with every $40 purchase.  Choose from any of Stampin' Up!'s 2012-2014 In colors ~ Gumball Green, Midnight Muse, Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit!

Email Me if you have questions or to place an order.

Or, order online ~ the link is on the blog ~ top right!

Susan Elise

Shelli's Swap

This is the Gathering Place at the hotel ~ a large comfortable room for stamping, sharing, treats, lounging and playing Plenko (a prize a day is a super extra!).  This is Jennifer ~ I caught her refilling the candy jars.

Wonderful Stampin' Up! Events Team members ~ they plan every last fabulous detail of our trip to St. George, including our Business Share and Swap.  Shelli and her daughter, Sara, were working on their swap card in the Gathering Place (the day of the swap ~ it is so hard to find time to make 120 cards!!).

Shelli tying little bows with Natural Linen Thread (#104199).

Sara spraying GOLD GLOW SMOOCH SPRITZ (#118770) on their project ~ in the box to prevent the smooch spray from floating around the room!  You can find the Smooch Spritz on page 158 in Stampin' Up!'s annual catalog.  And, the gorgeous swap card ~

Rock Art

This is something I have always wanted to see and never really thought I would but on our trip down the river we pulled over and took a short walk, up, to this site.  The rock art, or Petroglyphs, were amazing.  Images carved in the rock by native Americans years and years ago provided a feeling of continuity along this beautiful trail.  It is amazing what my Stampin' Up! opportunity has provided for me ~ what a celebration!

Colorado River

The day was gorgeous ~ not too hot and how too cold, the scenery was magnificant!  The water was cold, approximately 45 degrees year round, with the average depth 32 feet.  It took Congress 42 years to finally decide when and where to build the dam after exploration by John Wesley Powell in 1869.  This is a primier location for eagles, osprey and trout fishing.  It was so peaceful with just a little motor on the pontoon boat and lots of floating.

Brad grew up on the river and made money catching Navaho ponies so that they could be branded when he was in high school.  He was an excellent guide ~ in this picture the boat is floating and he is playing the guitar ~ a little James Taylor.  It took three hours to go 16 miles down the river.  Tomorrow petroglyphs!

Q and A session at Kenab ~ part of our tour was to spend time with staff for an opportunity to ask questions.  The picture includes Josh, HR (in the center), Darren, Production Floor Supervisor (right), and Richard, Facility Manager.  Some of the things you might want to know ~

• The best selling product in the Holiday Catalog ~ Ornament Keepsakes
• Stamp sets produced in a day ~ 16 to 17,000!
• % of wood to clear ~ 60 to 70% clear
• It used to take 3 1/2 days to produce and send stamps ~ now, 3 1/2 hours!  The staff is always looking for how to do something better.  I have seen many changes in the five years I have been visiting Kenab.  I saw lots more changes this time ~ no pictures ~ top secret!

Julie Daley, Kenab Tour Guide

Back on the bus and our next stop was the Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River.  The dam created Lake Powell.  Here is our tour guide, Brad.

Come back tomorrow for more fabulous pictures of this part of my trip to Founder's Circle!  Thanks for stopping by!  Susan Elise

Shelli's apartment ~ a day late...

Shelli's apartment, home away from home, is lovely and cozy at the same time.  This is where she, and her family, stay when they visit Stampin' Up!'s manufacturing plant in Kenab.  It is also available for other staff when visiting.

    

Let's start in the middle of my trip...

My trip to St. George, UT for Founder's Circle was fabulous!  And, who wouldn't feel terrific about the welcome we received when our bus pulled up to Stampin' Up!'s manufacturing plant in Kenab (north of St. George)!  The pictures show the employees who all came out to greet us!  These same employees are responsible for producing 4,152,638 stamps in 2011 ~ all made in America!

This rock is out front of the facility so we all had our picture taken by it.

We toured the manufacturing part of the plant and then had lunch with the employees.  We were treated to a picnic ~ they cooked hot dogs, hamburgers and yummy chicken over the grill and then we ate in this gorgeous great room.  Tomorrow ~ Shelli's apartment in Kenab.  Thanks for stopping by!  Susan Elise