My BIG news!

I have some BIG news to share, if you will permit me to blow my own trumpet for a short while.

When I arrived at the Stampin' Up!® Convention I was given the usual kit... a special Convention bag like this one containing our two free stamp sets, a special Stampin' Up! pen, current Idea Book & Catalogue, event programme, meal vouchers for the event, a "Share What You Love" badge to reflect the theme of the Convention, a "My First Convention" badge, as it was my first time and another badge which I really couldn't understand.

This mysterious badge read "Demonstrator of the Year 2010"... but I KNEW I couldn't possibly be Demo of the Year, as I am not even in the same league as some of the ladies. Then someone told me that this meant I was in the TOP 25 demonstrators in the UK!!!! Unbelievable! This award is based on a combination of sales and recruiting, rewarding demonstrators for having a rounded and balanced business. Other than that, I have no idea how they work it out!

Then it dawned on me... this meant I would have to... WALK THE STAGE!!!!! Which, as anyone who knows me will tell you, is my worst nightmare.

There was an agonising wait until almost the end of the evening ceremony, when the list of top 25 was read out. Was it read out? Actually I can't even remember. But the list appeared on the screen, in reverse order, and I was staggered that my name wasn't on the first page ... I'd actually made it to number 12!!!!!!

On stage I received a single red rose from Stampin Up!'s lovely co-founder and CEO, Shelli Gardner - there she is, pictured on one of the big screens which were positioned around the marquee so that all of the 300 demonstrators there could see properly.

I can't say I enjoyed the experience of walking the stage, it was far too scary, but I am thrilled to be number 12! And it's all thanks to my wonderful customers and hard-working downlines!

So I'm sorry for blowing my own trumpet but I had to share that news... I'll tell you more news about Convention in the next few days. I have some BIG news to share, if you will permit me to blow my own trumpet for a short while.

When I arrived at the Stampin' Up!® Convention I was given the usual kit... a special Convention bag like this one containing our two free stamp sets, a special Stampin' Up! pen, current Idea Book & Catalogue, event programme, meal vouchers for the event, a "Share What You Love" badge to reflect the theme of the Convention, a "My First Convention" badge, as it was my first time and another badge which I really couldn't understand.

This mysterious badge read "Demonstrator of the Year 2010"... but I KNEW I couldn't possibly be Demo of the Year, as I am not even in the same league as some of the ladies. Then someone told me that this meant I was in the TOP 25 demonstrators in the UK!!!! Unbelievable! This award is based on a combination of sales and recruiting, rewarding demonstrators for having a rounded and balanced business. Other than that, I have no idea how they work it out!

Then it dawned on me... this meant I would have to... WALK THE STAGE!!!!! Which, as anyone who knows me will tell you, is my worst nightmare.

There was an agonising wait until almost the end of the evening ceremony, when the list of top 25 was read out. Was it read out? Actually I can't even remember. But the list appeared on the screen, in reverse order, and I was staggered that my name wasn't on the first page ... I'd actually made it to number 12!!!!!!

On stage I received a single red rose from Stampin Up!'s lovely co-founder and CEO, Shelli Gardner - there she is, pictured on one of the big screens which were positioned around the marquee so that all of the 300 demonstrators there could see properly.

I can't say I enjoyed the experience of walking the stage, it was far too scary, but I am thrilled to be number 12! And it's all thanks to my wonderful customers and hard-working downlines!

So I'm sorry for blowing my own trumpet but I had to share that news... I'll tell you more news about Convention in the next few days.