stampin4fun: Maui Achievers Blog Hop

Welcome! Thank you for joining me today for this blog hop! I was actually planning to blog about the Maui Incentive trip today so the timing of this blog hop is perfect.

This is a blog hop showcasing projects from demonstrators all around the world who earned the Stampin' Up! incentive trip. After checking out my post today, make sure to go to the next name in the blog hop list at the bottom so you can hop around to see the other great projects.

Today's project is a very special card I received from a fellow demonstrator Nathalie Lapointe.

Isn't it stunning? I will put the supply list below.

Some of you know I am in love with the French language and am currently taking a French course and have a weekly session with a private French tutor so I love receiving French cards and French messages

I hope you will indulge me as I share the story of this special card in this blog post.

Once upon a time there was a Stampin' Up! demonstrator named Genevieve (that's me) who loved stamping. I loved stamping so much that I couldn't keep it to myself and wanted to share it with friends. As the stamping journey progressed, I became more and more convinced that papercrafting with Stampin' Up! could be more than just a side hobby but it could be a vehicle to spread love and joy and develop meaningful friendships. This passion to share stamping, love and joy grew with much perseverance, prayer, late nights and supportive friends and family. I couldn't believe it when I earned my very first Stampin' Up! incentive trip to Disney World. (Kevin and I LOVE Disney) Here's a blog post from the archives!

Fast forward 8 years to May 2020. Having been on 8 incentive trips, I came to look forward to a pampering, extravagant trip from Stampin' Up! every year. I've always seen these trips as a reward for all the long hours of work in the craft cave and an opportunity to connect and network with other demonstrators. Some of my very close Stampin' friendships started with meeting at an incentive trip. With the pandemic, last year's trip was postponed to May 2021 and could be tacked on as extra days to this year's incentive trip.

I was really really hoping that all would work out for me to attend the trip.

COVID-19 continues to be a major health issue around the world. I understand that Europe and South pacific countries prohibit travel to the United States and although Canada has not prohibited international travel, it is HIGHLY discouraged and the government mandated repercussions of travel could be not only inconvenient but costly, never mind the stress and worry of contracting COVID and inadvertently passing it on to friends or family. I held out hope that things would improve but by late April it was clear that things would not improve enough for me to feel comfortable with travelling and I made the decision to cancel my attendance for the Maui incentive trip. I cancelled so late I had already received the travel packet from Stampin' Up! (I was really hoping there would be a miraculous improvement in the COVID situation. ) You can see the lovely luggage tags and name badges. Even though I knew I had to cancel my attendance it was still sad to do so.

I knew I would miss out on going to Hawaii and staying at the Grand Wailea Resort but I thought maybe there was a way the still enjoy some networking and swapping. Voila! The Canadian Maui Achievers Virtual Party was born!

With the help of other Canadian demonstrators, we pulled off a special Canadian achievers event over zoom this past weekend. So, the card from Nathalie was a thank you to me for organizing.

Leading up to the event we had a mailed card swap and secret sister gift exchange. I am reminded that whether I am in Maui or not, I am VERY blessed to be a part of the Stampin' Up! community in Canada and that as Canadians we really were in this together. ( I don't know of any Canadian demonstrator that went to Maui. We all cancelled). I'm sure the American demonstrators on the incentive trip will have a great time but I know without a doubt I made the right decision for me to stay home. Here's some pictures of my special "not in Maui" experience.

A "get ready for the party" packet was mailed out that included chocolate, tea and memories and more card pack. Isn't the folder pretty?

Of course card swapping has to be part of a Stampin' event! I set up the swap so we had to mail one card to each person in the virtual achiever swap group. What a thrill everyday to go to the mailbox! It was like receiving a beautiful handmade hug from a Canadian demonstrator sister!

Then we had a Secret sister gift exchange. Typically on an incentive trip Stampin' Up! would give pillow gifts each night in our hotel room. I hoped that the Secret Sister gift would give the same sense of surprise and delight.

My secret sister gift arrived the week before our scheduled virtual zoom party. I was so excited! To help prolong the excitement I decided I wouldn't open it right away. I wanted to save it for closer to the party. So, this box sat in my family room as I got more and more excited about opening it!

By Friday night I couldn't take it any longer! I opened it up and I loved the thoughtful gifts!

I believe the idea was that the box contained what I need to have a relaxing, pampering experience.

Right away I got cozy under the soft blanket and devoured two bags of potato chips. The following day I made myself virgin Pina Coladas while enjoying the virtual party. Thank you to fellow Canadian demonstrator Lauren Urbonas for sending such a thoughtful gift!

Saturday was the day of the zoom event! We had stamping demonstrations, went into break out rooms to chat and share, had a mocktail/cocktail making demonstration and just laughed and cried together. Kevin helped me make a recognition slide show video of all the Canadian achievers which I think the Canadian Stampin' Up! office will post in their facebook page later. so I won't post it here.

For extra icing on the cake, a sweet Team STIC sister (Shelley H) dropped by on Saturday with a fruit arrangement and my dear friend and fellow achiever Karina sent me a bouquet of flowers.