I managed to only blog one night during my Founders Circle retreat. I am home and back into the swing of things but I wanted to share the rest of the Founders Circle excitement with you!
We left off at the end of night 2 with the PJ party and swap night.
Friday was a full day! It was an early morning to catch the bus and head to Kanab to visit the manufacturing facility!! Totally a nerdy bucket list moment for me! As we pulled up to the facility all of the employees were standing outside to greet us! They kept thanking us for all that we do but we had a surprise for them. The demonstrators organized a gratitude shower. As we got off the bus we gave them hand stamped treats and signs that expressed our gratitude for all of their hard work! It was so fun!
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| Janet Wakeland and Karen Trelfa with Kanab emplyee's |
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| Through these doors walk the very finest stamp manufacturers in the world. |
Once inside we split into two groups. Our first activity was a Christmas Project Life Album make and take. Yes, we stamped in the stamp factory! Following that was the big tour! It started with the fascinating demonstration of how they make Photopolymer.
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| My new friend Tami White and her stamp set! When she achieved 1 Million in sales Stampin' Up! asked her to name this stamp set ... she chose White Christmas! It was coming off of the fabrication line just as we walked by. She was so excited and it was awesome to share that moment with her! |
Next we walked though the making of ink pads and the cutting of card stock. It is more than magical when you realized that people loving make all of these products with their own two hands!
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| This staff member was clicking each ink pad case together to prep for labels. And to think, I always have trouble popping them back together when the slip out of the track! |
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| Card Stock!!! |
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| The Card Stock arrives at the factory in huge sheets and is then cut to size. My heart skipped a beat at the size of these sheets. I wanted to take them home with me! |
Next came the red rubber stamp manufacturing process. We got to watch a stamp set be created that was a sneak peek and will be launched in the spring Occasions catalgoue. At the end of the production line they gave us that stamp set to take home!
Also included in the tour was a visit to Shelli Gardner's apartment above the facility. It was beautiful! My favorite part was that it had children's toys scattered about from her grand kids. It felt so warm and welcoming. Shelli was there to take a photo with, get a hug and have a quick chat with.
After the tour we had a BBQ lunch with the Kanab employees. We then got back on the bus to visit the Stampin' Up! park! Another bucket list!!! Rather than having sand at the park the ground is covered with scrap rubber stamp pieces! Some of the pieces even had images on them that I can remember from years ago!
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| All of the Canadian Founder Circle achievers at the park. |
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| My new friends Genevieve Ko and Rose Marie Coleman! |
After all of that excitement a nap was in order on the bus ride home! We had a big night ahead and the rest was needed. After dinner we headed out to Tuacahn - an outdoor amphitheater in Utah that is nested in a canyon! We got to see The Wizard of Oz!
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| Fridays gifts! |
Saturday was a quiet day at the pool. I made even more friends and had the best time relaxing, laughing and sharing. The joke of the day was my cheap Old Navy bathing suit. The pink die was bleeding everywhere. Needless to say that suit found its way into the trash!
Saturday night was our final event. Stampin' Up! organized us into three teams and got us to decorate Christmas trees for the Festival of Tree's! The tree's will be auctioned off this winter and the funds will be donated to charity.
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My team - the Very Merry's ... we were on the tree decorating committee.
Maggie Patterson, Tami White, Aly Schilling, Krista Frattin,
Mary Fish, Sarah Willis and Debbie Moczek. |
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| The entire team together ... these other amazing ladies hand made the decorations you see! |
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| Our team tree! |
We moved from the tree decorating event to Christmas dinner. Prior to dinner we played the White Elephant Gift Exchange game! Stampin' Up! purchased and wrapped the gifts for us to exchange. Let me tell you - they were very "unique" gifts! It has us laughing until my cheeks hurt!
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| The white elephant gifts on the table. |
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| Mary Fish was so excited to receive this Hot Dog slicer! |
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| I received cozy slippers that not only have a fashionable flair - but they act as floor dusters too! |
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| Saturdays gifts! |
Sadly Sunday it all came to an end. We woke up early to come home. I am so grateful that I had this experience. I made many new friends and learned so many valuable things for my business. I am extremely grateful to my husband for the support so that I could take 5 days away! I am also grateful for each of my customers and my team members. There business and support made dreams that I did not even know that I had come true. Love to you all!
Have a creative day!
