In September I will be celebrating my 17th year as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. For 14 of those 17 years I've planned a "kickoff party" for my Hawaii Ink stamping team who attend Convention. It's a BIG deal. I plan for months, choose a theme, research decor, gift ideas and find a clever way to create an invitation.
This year's Convention Kickoff Party Theme was "A Night in Cape Cod" and there's no better way to send an invitation then by "message in a bottle".
I rented three meeting rooms at the Marriott City Creek in Salt Lake City for our event. The room was gorgeous and the staff amazingly accommodating. This photo was taken before the food was brought out but trust me when I tell you that it was abundant and delicious.
The decor is always my favorite part (next to the stamping, of course). The nautical theme was fun and challenging. Challenging because I shipped two large boxes to the hotel before our arrival and prayed that it would arrive undamaged. Every glass lantern and every sea shell arrived intact. Of course it did – Bob the Builder packed the boxes!
I had a check in table where each demonstrator picked up her monogramed frame and bag tag. Bag tags are a Convention tradition since our bags are given to us by Stampin' Up! and are identical.
And, what would a party be without gifts? I created numerous packages of gifts for each team member. The large burlap bag included Burlap Ribbon, Pacific Point Satin Ribbon, White Perfect Accents, Rhinestones, Silver Metallic Thread and Metal Rimmed Pearls. The cellophane bag included a notepad, chocolate candy and hand sanitizer that read "All Hands On Deck". Their final gift was a burlap bag with a pair of fresh water pearl earrings.
I do love my team and you join in on the fun, too!
Click on the picture below.
Twelve states are enjoying a sales tax holiday. The great news is that LOTS of great Stampin' Up! products will be TAX FREE on your state's tax free sale dates. I've included an Excel spreadsheet which outlines what and when. Click on the text below.
Download Sales Tax Holiday Chart 2015 PDF Sheet1
