The Stampin' Up! Convention Awards Night was incredibly exciting and nerve-wracking. I had my fingers crossed for making it to the top 15 for the Demonstrator of the Year Awards. However, when the countdown fell below 15, began to creep toward the top 10 AND my name hadn't been called, I knew something really spectacular was about to happen.
The very top photo shows my "hint" of reaction upon learning I was #6. That's my niece, Kris Kilcoyne (Kween Bee Kreations) in front and Dawn Olshefske (DOstamping with Dawn) behind me. Both did a fabulous job keeping me under control until my name was called. If you look in the distance, you can see members of my Stampin' Pretty Pals jumping for joy, too! The photo above shows the Top 10 Stampin' Up! Demonstrators of the Year–I'm exceedingly proud to be among them.
I'm so grateful to Stampin' Up! (that's Shelli Gardner, the CEO and co-founder, waiting for me on stage), my Service Account Manager (SAM) Maxine Conrad, my fellow demonstrators, the Pals and my loyal readers and customers . . . all of whom have been so supportive of my business over the last 3 years. It has been the best "gig" of my life.
I want to thank fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrator Nikki Rueth (here's her blog) for capturing the moment. She took all the photos in this post, including the one below of the two of us.
I also earned the #2 spot for the most promotions to Senior Associate in my downline. Are you interested in joining Stampin' Up! and being one of my Stampin' Pretty Pals? Hobby stampers or career demonstrators are welcome. CLICK HERE for details.
Congratulations on all your achievements Mary. I look forward to learning from you at Founders Circle. Thanks for your friendship. Sherrill Graff [email protected]
Awesome Job! Can’t say I’m surprised one bit! I found you last year and asked if I could have a picture with you! (I was pregnant-if that helps) Way to go Mary! Keep it up!
So awesome Mary!!! I am so excited for you. Hugs, Carla
I concur with several of the above comments. You certainly deserve to be in the top 10, and #6 is AWESOME! You are truly an inspiration to so many of us. Love your blog and your descriptive details of each project you highlight. Your look of surprise is priceless and what a lovely dress with your Tucson suntan. Congrats, Mary!
Mary, I am delighted for you! You are so deserving of your awards! I have followed you for about 2 years now and my customers love it when I say something like, “well, my Stamping Guru, Mary Fish, said in her blog today…” You have been an inspiration to me and a great creative mentor. I am a better demo because of your generousity in sharing your talents. I look forward to the day when I can meet you face to face and thank you in person for all you have done for me without even knowing me. You are an amazing woman! Thank you so very much for who you are and all you do! CONGRATULATIONS, Mary!
I am so bummed. I can’t believe my glowing comments didn’t get on here three days ago! Anyway, I did say a BIG congrats and how can VP for way cool designs be far behind! You are the greatest!
Congratulations! Thrilled for you!
Hugs & blessings
Bernie
Love these photos! Hearty, hearty congratulations again on these wonderful awards! You soooooo deserve them, Fearless Leader!
Congrats, Mary! I am so proud to be a member of your team. Having you as my mentor inspires me every day! And, I am the one who started the cheering just as soon as they said, “From Tu…”!lol
Congratulations, Mary! You are so inspiring and truly deserve this recognition.
Congrats Mary! Love your cards. Here’s to Top 5 next year!
Congratulations, Mary! You have a fabulous blog and fabulous cards…I’m so glad you get frequent and very welcome recognition.
Congratulations on this fabulous achievement, Mary!!
Congratulations Mary! I agree with all the above comments; thanks so much for sharing all you do:) MJ
Congratulations, Mary! You are SO deserving and such a wonderful inspiration to all of us. Blessings! :o)
Mary!! Wahoo for You!! Congratulations on a job well done. You are my inspiration and I love going to your site everyday. Keep up the good work! God Bless you and your family and keep you in His care. What a great support system you have! Thanks for your dedication.
WOOOOO HOOOOOO, YOU GO GIRL, CONGRATULATION MISS MARY, I’M SOOOOO PROUD OF YOU AND TO BE PART OF YOUR TEAM !! LOVE THE PICTURES THANK YOU FOR SHARING. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!!
HUG’S FRENCHIE,
Congratulations! Your blog is full of inspiration 🙂
Congratulations! Your blog is full of inspiration 🙂
This is honor is well deserved and you are an awesome leader. I’m so proud to be a part of your team. Congratulations Mary!
congrats mary-what an awesome honor-I love getting updates from you-your work is just incredible
Congratulations Mary, you sure do inspire me every day! Keep up th good work!!
Mary, congratulations! I’m not surprised, however. You look very nice at the convention. I’m so happy for you. You deserve this honor. You treat all your customers in a special way, and your service and creations are second to none. Keep up the good work!
Congratulations Mary, So happy for you. Love your cards,
Something happened to my computer and I wasn’t receiving your blogs, I was lost w/o them. Keep inspiring us.
Mary, congratulations on such a wonderful acheivement. I admire all the wonderful creative cards you make and acheive to be just like you. I’m a newbe demonstrator in NC and love to check your blog out every day! Congratulations again, you deserve the recognition.
Of all your post, this one is my favorite, hands down. Your talent is a wonder, Mary, and I am so proud to call you my mentor and friend. Congratulations you sweet and fabulous thing!! XOXO
Mary-CONGRATS to you! You are truly an inspiration. My team, The Gotham City Stampers, didn’t get to Convention this year. I am so thrilled to be able to see your excitement in pictures. Thank you for sharing them.
Mary
I love your site and I love your cards! It was soexciting for me to see your pictures and that you got spot number 6!
Tracy
Congratulations Mary!!!
That’s just fantastic, Mary!! Congratulations from a long time blog follower.
Hugs,
Brandi
Congrats Mary! I am so excited for you and know you deserve it all. Thank you for sharing with us. Have a wonderful weekend!
You’ve come a long way, baby! I know, I have been here for most of it!
It all comes down to customer service and loving what you do!
(And also having some mad skillz!)
Way to go Mary!!! You Rock!!! I love to follow your blog everyday.
Congratulations Mary! You are a stellar demonstrator!
Many many congratulations Mary. Super exciting.
Mary, “CONGRATULATIONS” on being #6….but you are and always be our #1!! 😉 Yippee…wooot….woot!!
Congratulations Mary! I am a demonstrator, but I am mostly a hobbiest. I love your blog and it gives me great insprational ideas. Thanks!!
Congratulations, Mary! I live in Oro Valley and would love to meet you some day.
Congratulations Mary! You’re #1 in my book! I have been following your blog for several months and look forward to it every day. Thanks for inspiring me! Susie
Hip, hip, hooray! What a wonderful time for me to join Stampin’ Up! Who knew what an amazing team I was joining…well everyone I see.
well done…great job!!!!
Mary: You are the most amazing demonstrator that I know. Your generous heart and passion for what you do SHINES through each and every year. YOU continue to obtain some pretty amazing achievements and do it with class and grace …… all the way. Congrats on yet another year of hard work (which by the way…you always make look SO EASY) – You inspire me and other too. Your Stampin Sister in Arizona-Kadie
Top 10! You are #1 in my book. You are such an inspiration to me and I look forward to each day’s post on your blog. Thanks for all you do.
Way to go Mary! You work hard at this business so you deserve it. I know I love looking at all your wonderful creations. Thanks for all the help you give to me.
God Bless You!
Candy
What a awesome achievement to have obtained. I look everyday to see what you have created to get my inspiration going.
Oh, my goodness, Mary!!! That is sooooooooo exciting! Congratulations!
Congratulations!! No one deserves it more!! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
🙂
Congratulations Mary!!! Great job! Dede
Oh, Mary, CONGRATULATIONS!!! That is so wonderful!
Woohoo!! Congratulations! FAB photo capturing that moment! 😀
Congratulations Mary – well deserved awards. I’m sorry that I didn’t have an opportunity to actually meet you – but I did see you several times on and off stage! 🙂 I’m going to put a couple of pictures of you on my blog if that is OK. This was my first convention and it was exciting because of the people I “know” were given recognition and I’m so glad you were one of them. Thanks for blessing my stamping life! 🙂
You go girl 😀
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing your photos! That is awesome and you deserve the best!
Congratulations,you start my day with your wonderful ideas.Hard work & creativity are a great combination for Success. ALLSOME!!!!!
Congratulations!!!! You sure are an inspiration to all.
Congratulations Mary, you’r AWESOME.
Congratulations! I look every day!
Greetings from germany
Congratulations Mary! Nobody deserves it more than you. You amaze me!!!!!!!
Super super super. Congrats!! I am so happy for you.
Hugs to you.
Judy
That’s WONDERFUL Mary! Congratulations! I was thrilled to meet you at Leadership (still owe you a drink!)and I’m so happy for you. (You looked great in that little black number by the way!) Have a great 2010/2011!
Sincerely,
Carol
Congratulations Mary!!
Mary it was so wonderful to be there and see you get recognized for your wonderful accomplishments!! I am so lucky to be a part of your team. These pictures are great!! Thanks for sharing them. 🙂
I had every faith in you my friend! Remember when I told you that you would be in the top 10! All year long I could just see that happening. So happy for you girl! You are amazing 🙂 Kris even captured me on stage as my role of ‘flower girl’ ! THANK YOU for your sweet compliment. I LOVE being your SAM 🙂
Mary, is was a joy to sit next to you during the awards ceremony! Congratulations on your awesome achievement!!
How exciting! Congratulations!
Mary – I too congratulate you! I am a demo from Nebraska and check out your blog every day to get inspiration! (You send me a notice every day) You deserve all of the reconginition you received 🙂 Keep stamping and I also agree – you are one hot mama in that dress!!!!
You area a great inspiration! Congratulations!! Planning to acheive the incentive trip this year.
Congrats Mary! If anyone deserves it, it is most definitely YOU! By the way you look absolutely stunning in that black dress as well. 🙂
So excited and happy for you, Mary. You inspire me and my stampin gals every day and we’re grateful to be in such talented company as you!
blessings,
barb
Wow. Congrats! I discovered your blog a few months ago and I am an addict. Continue the good work!
Congratulations!! I follow your blog daily and LOVE what you do!! So happy to see you get that recognition. Thank you for the inspiration and amazing creativity!
Congrats on your great achievements and success! It was great to chat with you on the shuttle from the SLC airport. I even got to chat with Kris backstage waiting for the game show. I am a loyal follower of both of your blogs.
CONGRATULATIONS MARY!!! Fabulous year!!! I LOVE the picture of you getting up, that’s awesome!!!
Wonderful pictures – your face says it all – just fabulous! And I love your dress………simply chic! 🙂
Congratulations, Mary. I’ve been on pins and needles waiting to read this post. I had all the confidence that you would be in that top 10. CONGRATS.
WOW — what an honor!! Well done! Mary, I have enjoyed reading your blog for two years — your cards are great BUT it is the description of the cards that brings me back time and time again. Your use of the English language is inspiring. Thank you for the good work.
Congratulations! You’re my morning coffee go 2 website. I can’t wait to see your inspiring designs and your color combinations are fantastic… P.S. Loved your little black dress!! :-}
Awesome Mary! Woo hoo congratulations!
Congratulations Mary! You totally deserve this…you are such an inspiration and a wonderful Stampin’ UP! demonstrator. I can tell just from reading all the comments left on your blog! 🙂
Congratulations! So happy for you!
Congratulations, Mary! Way to go! I have been following your blog for several months and I’m a fellow SU! demo from Kansas. You have been an inspiration to many and your creativity is abundant. May your “mojo” keep flowing for many, many years! Enjoy your weekend!
Congratulations! I am so glad that you were recognized for your hard work. Always keep in mind that we have greatly benefitted by your insipiration every day: We are grateful too!!
YAY + Congrats Mary! I am so thrilled for you! I wished I could have been there, to see you do that happy dance 🙂 YOU ROCK!
Congratulations, Mary! I’m truly happy for you. (I’m smiling as I type.) You’re a very talented lady and very much deserving of the top ten. Enjoy!
Congratulations! I follow your blog everyday and find your card creations creatively inspiring. Your hard work and passion for paper crafting is obvious, which is clearly reflected in the awards being showered on you! You truly get what you give!
Meg