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Saturday 9 August 2014

Stampin' Up Artisan Design Team Blog Hop (ish!)

Hello again stamping chums! Did you miss me? I missed you but oh, what a fantastic holiday we've had! Wall to wall sunshine, mountains of ice cream and so much laughter my sides ache! The best bit though was that instead of the usual wistful feeling at the end of the holiday, I felt really excited because I knew there was a very special something waiting for me at home:


A beautiful gift to welcome me to the Stampin' Up Artisan Design Team 2014-2015! Would you like a peek inside?


I gasped when I lifted the lid - I didn't know what to look at first!


Aw, thanks SU - you really have made me feel very welcome! Inside this card I learned about a nice boost to my bank account AND a huge Stampin' Up shopping spree AND a boxful of products to be delivered to me each month! In fact, you know that feeling of wanting EVERYTHING in the catalogues? Well that isn't just a dream anymore!


Just look at these gorgeous flowers! So beautifully put together - I love them!


And what's this elegant-looking package?


From Tiffany's? Oh stop it now!


I will treasure this for ever! But wait - there's something else!


What's in this intriguing little sack?


It's a personalised stamp celebrating my place on the team!

DREAMS REALLY CAN COME TRUE
Are you wondering how all this happened? Well, it was like this:

When I first saw that Stampin' Up was inviting applications for its Artisan Design Team, I allowed myself a brief, fabulous vision of being awarded a place on the team before putting it firmly aside. Honestly, who did I think I was?!

But later, when discussing it with a Stampin' Up friend, I blurted out that I wanted a place on the team "so badly it hurts". I realised then that I had to at least try for it, so I sent in an application.

Fast forward three months... An email pings into my inbox from the lovely Paula Gorry, Stampin' Up's UK Business Development Manager asking if I'd be available for a phone call later that day as she has "something exciting to share." I'd forgotten all about the Artisan Design Team and spent the day coming up with increasingly unlikely reasons for her call.

I'm afraid Paula must have thought I was being very stupid on the phone! I didn't do any whooping or anything because I was too busy being utterly stunned! It was only when I'd put the phone down that it actually hit me: I had been chosen by Stampin' Up to showcase its products as part of an elite design team!

And that, I have to tell you, means the world to me!

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU
Hang on a minute! You didn't think I'd go off without showing you a little stamping did you?


This simple one layer card was made from the heart - both to Stampin' Up for honouring me with the place on the team and to all the people who have left me messages of congratulations. I'm very touched.


I used Flower Patch, one of Stampin' Up's new photopolymer sets, which is the most brilliant two step stamping set ever - and no stamp positioner required! Of course you don't have to layer the stamps  - you can go totally simple as this card demonstrates.

HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE THIS CARD

COME AND HOP WITH US EVERY WEEK!
The Artisan Design Team will be posting fabulous new projects for you in a blog hop each Thursday. I was away on holiday when the first blog hop happened but you can catch up with all my new friends in the team here:

Becky Cowley
Krista Frattin
Inge Groot
Lisa Harlow
Kerstin Kreis
Helene Legrand
Barbara Meyer
Allison Okamitsu
Keith Rueda
Sarah Sagert
Cindy Schuster
Mercedes Weber
Teneale Williams
Susan Wong
Kaitlyn Zumbach

What a marathon post this has been! You definitely deserve a nice cup of tea if you've made it this far (and I'm feeling a tad parched myself!) Enjoy your weekend and I'll be back on Monday with more inspiration.


21 comments:

  1. WOWZERS! What a lovely little pressie! So well-deserved!

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  2. This was such a lovely post to read Vicky - and thank you for giving us all a peek into your treasure box/es. I'm so excited for you and can't wait to see all your fabulous Artisan creations. x

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  3. A HUGE congratulations, Vicky!!! This is fabulous news AND it's super well deserved! HUGS! :) Mynn xx

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  4. I have been waiting all week to see your post and your story. As a faithful follower of your blog I was thrilled when I saw your name listed at convention. Congratulations for this incredible journey for the next year

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  5. Congratulations Vicky, how exciting. Love your card. X

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  6. YAY . . . she's BA-ACK! So glad you had a fab holiday and WOW - what a wonderful prize to come home to. I just bet you felt like a million dollars.

    Gorgeous heartfelt card you've made here Vicky. Can't wait to see what else you make that you can add your new personalised stamp to!

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  7. Wow what a beautiful collection of goodies and more to come your dreams really have come true. I love your card too lovely colours and a great C&S design.
    I'm glad you had a great holiday we did too and now I'm able to get back to my crafting. I've made my first card with the stamps I won so will get it on my blog sometime in the coming week
    Jackie x

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  8. I really enjoyed reading about your DT journey I smiled all the way through!
    You deserve it all... enjoy!!
    Suzi B xx

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  9. This is so well deserved Vicky, you have a flair that is quite rare. So very glad you had a good holiday and returned to receive a beautiful gift and a view of the next year, FABULOUS. So happy for you and hearing your excitement.

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  10. Well done! You deserve it. I'm glad you are back. I follow you faithfully because your work is so top notch lovely, and I love your personal stories. I'm looking forward to more...Nancy B

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  11. Congrats again Vicky! So glad you had such a great vacation too!

    Hugs,
    Em x
    Creative Em

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  12. This is a wonderful gift box to start you off on your new journey. I'm so very happy for you and can't wait to see what comes next. It sounds like you had a wonderful time away with the family and you are ready to jump into your new venture. Great thank you card and beautiful flowers.

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  13. Congrats again Vicky, I'm so thrilled for you. Glad to hear that you had a great break with the family, but I have to say that I'm really glad to see you back. YOU WERE MISSED!!

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  14. Sounds like you had a fabulous holiday and wow oh wow! What a fabulous haul and another huge congrats Vicky - your cards are always so beautiful and I look forward to getting my emails when you have posted! I am looking forward to seeing everything you will be creating in the future and SU need to be thankful that they have such a talented Art Stamper on their DT Karen x

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  15. So happy for you Vicky :) How wonderful for you to be chosen..it is certainly well deserved. Looking forward to you continuing to share your wonderfully creative ideas. Helen (Melbourne)

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  16. Hi Vicky
    I am nearly in tears... So pleased for you ... You really do deserve this place... Love your Tiffany Bracelet etc.... Can wait to see more of your fabulous creations....
    Hugs Sylvie xx

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  17. Oh my goodness, what a fabulous box of delights! You so deserve it Vicky, well done. Looking forward to seeing more of your fabulous creations x x

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  18. Hi Vicky! I am sooooo pleased for you!! When I saw your name as one of the team I was so excited for you! You really deserve it! I love your box of goodies! Huge congratulations to you!! :D
    Lizy xx

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  19. Just read the post about being on the artisan team ....Well done Vicky well deserved! x

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  20. New to this stamp world and stumbled on your post what a wonderful accolade for obviously a deserving lady. Will keep following to see more in the future. Keep going strong!

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I'd love to know what you think. Do leave me a comment - it always makes my day! Vicky x


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