Stampin’ Up! Grand Vacation/Incentive Trip to Utah, USA

What a huge month it’s been!

It may look as though we’ve been quiet here on the blog but as you can see we’ve been hard at work behind the scenes.

Welcome to the new look website! What do you think?

We are also back from our amazing trip to the US for the 2013 South Pacific Stampin’ Up! Incentive Trip. We joined forces with the Europe achievers too, so it was double the fun.

We travelled on planes, trams, buses, a funicular, helicopter, and more. We saw the amazing contrast between Utah, California, Nevada and Arizona. We laughed and cried and giggled and shopped (a lot!!) and yes – it really was the ‘trip of a lifetime’.

I know many of you followed my updates over on the Stamping With Simone Facebook page, but here is a summary of our trip in photo form. After this, I promise we’ll be back to our regular programming 😉

First, the US 25th Anniversary Convention.

We were given the option to add a few extra days onto the trip so we could join in this great celebration. They didn’t have to ask me twice!

 The samples, presentations and inspiration boards were a feast for the eyes.

Next came the amazing St Regis resort in Deer Valley, the official part of the Grand Vacation. An incredibly beautiful part of the world.

We spent a day at the Home Office in Utah. This was a highlight of the trip for many of us. Crafting with friends at Stampin’ Up! headquarters? Priceless.

Next was a full day in Kanab, home of the manufacturing plant where stamps, ink pads and more are created and packaged just for us to enjoy! The trip here was complete with private charter to St George Airport (read about the interest it generated in the media HERE)

On the way back we called into Jacob Hamblin Park, which is a kids’ playground in Kanab. Stampin’ Up! donates waste rubber offcuts as soft fall under the play equipment. I’d heard about this playground over the years, so it was a thrill to be there in person. Looking closely we even recognised some of the images from old stamp sets.

Our final evening was at a genuine ridgy-didge Utah ranch. Country music, dancing and we made S’mores!! (First time ever about the s’mores, so that was a bit exciting!). If I hadn’t already fallen in love with Utah, then I would have that night!

Jason and I added a few extra days in Las Vegas, but I’ll spare you those happy snaps! lol. It was the perfect way to wrap up an amazing trip though.

And for those who asked: Yes. We saw Elvis.

He was playing Candy Crush.

For those of you who’ve followed my blog for a while, you know I’ve been so incredibly grateful for every one of the four Incentive Trips Jason and I have been on with Stampin’ Up!. But this one…. well it completely took my breath away.

Stampin’ Up! has been a part of our lives for nearly 6 years now, so it was a dream come true to visit the Home Office in Salt Lake City, and the manufacturing plant in Kanab, meeting face-to-face some of the fabulous people who have inspired me, as well as making some gorgeous new friends.

Thank you so much to those who supported and encouraged me over the years. I still love what I do (I get asked that a lot), love teaching, love being associated with Stampin’ Up! and love the products. But above all that, what I love is the friendships I’ve developed along the way with customers, demonstrators and team members.

** If you have a spare minute, let me know what you think of the new-look website by leaving a comment.  Any thoughts/suggestions appreciated. Thanks! xxx

Happy stamping,

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