Hello stampers and happy Friday to you. This day has been full of unexpected things which means another late blog post. That’s ok. Life happens and not always according to schedule. On Wednesday I promised that I would tell you all about my epic day on Thursday. What made this day so special you might ask. Let me tell you.

The Importance of Belonging

We all need to belong to something. That is just a truth as old as time. Some people have a greater need to belong to their extended family group, some put a higher importance on friends, others find their place in a church, but we all need other people to some extent. When you discover a fun hobby, it is even better when you connect with other people who share your passion. This is what happened yesterday.

Twin Teams Gathering

Every three months or so we have what I call a twin teams gathering. The reason for the name is that it was originally supposed to be a meeting of two teams, but then it grew before it even started and we never came up with another name. This gathering came about because as fellow leaders we really wanted to spend more time together and just have fun. We realized the importance of our team members meeting other people for both creative and business inspiration. It has been phenomenal! We have so much fun when we get together. There is a lot of laughter, food and creativity. So much inspiration, so much joy.

When Dale Hampshire, the head of Stampin’Up! Canada, mentioned that he would be visiting some demos, I messaged him right away with the date of our gathering. Imagine my delight when I got his email saying that he would love to join us! Not everyone was able to come because the weather acted up with snow and ice and some people were sick with colds and flu, but we had a great turnout and a fabulous day.

We all gathered around my stamp room table and everyone introduced themselves and told their story. It was so affirming to hear everyone and how they fit into the puzzle of belonging. It is great to belong to a tribe, even though we all have our unique reasons for doing so. There is a place for everyone, and there is the freedom to do with your hobby whatever you need to do. We all learn from each other and support each other and that is so very powerful. My team members have become family for each other.

It was also very special to be able to meet Mike de la Torre in person. Mike is the head of all things Saleabration at head office in Utah and is in charge of marketing. Dale and Mike drove all the way from Toronto to join us at our twin teams gathering and we truly appreciated it.

Thankfully Carolyn Hansen-Henderson took some photos of the day as well, so I am editing my post to include this photo since it really captures the joy and energy of the day. Amazing things happen when we gather together to create, inspire and share!

A Place For You

I just really want you to know that there is also a place in this stamping tribe for you! If you love to stamp, you really should get your own discount and you should go to one Stampin’Up! event just to experience what it is like to be in a room full of people who are just as crazy and passionate as you are. I really believe this with all my heart. There is not one person who has regretted getting the starter kit and there are so many who have told me that it has totally changed their life for the better.

Canadian demonstrators are an amazing group of people who encourage each other and work together and celebrate each other. I have also experienced deep connection and a sense of belonging with demonstrators around the world. Without getting the starter kit, I would never have had that experience. Who would have thought?

Saleabration Freebie

Every blog post should have at least one card to inspire you. I thought I would share this beautiful card made by Tammy Bendel from Sarnia. She was at our gathering on Thursday all the way from Sarnia and I hadn’t seen Tammy since OnStage in Quebec City a year ago. She used the free saleabration set Happy Birthday to You. If you spend $60 before shipping and taxes you get a free saleabration item until March 31, 2020.

At our twin teams gathering we always do shoebox swaps, and this card was Tammy’s swap card. There is now a set of dies to coordinate with this stamp set so that you don’t have to fussy cut the images. If you want to see more of the products that coordinate with the free saleabration items, click on this link. My favourite thing about this stamp set is the big beautiful “Happy BIrthday” sentiment.

This stamp set pairs beautifully with the Parisian Flourish embossing folder. The colours used for these two cards are pool party and petal pink.  Blends were used to colour the cake and the flowers.

Thank You

I am so thankful for all the people I have met on my stamping journey. The importance of belonging is not to be underestimated. Belonging to a tribe is crucial to our mental health as is a meaningful hobby. Stampin’Up! does both. I hope you share your love of stamping with your friends and family and community. You never know whose life you will transform!

If you are looking for a sense of belonging and you live in Canada, my Beyond Pampered team would love to have you. To get the best deal in the catalog, click here to get started. This will also make you a part of my team and get you your very own 20% discount. No strings attached, no pressure to do anything. If you have any questions if this is really meant for you, please message me and I would be honoured to help you out.

Thanks for stopping by and have a super day.

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