Hello everyone! I apologize for the sparse blog posts this past week. I'm just home from a week of Stampin' Up! Convention and pre-convention activities in Salt Lake City, Utah! All I can say, is What a week!!! There are so many new ideas and products to bring to you in the coming weeks and months! Please stop by on a regular basis and I'll do my best to keep you informed and full of inspiration!
By far, the high point of my week in Salt Lake City was Friday morning when Shelly Gardner, the co-founder and CEO of Stampin' Up! announced that Selene Kempton and I had been named the Heart of Stampin' Up! Award Recipients for this past year! This is such an incredible honor and nothing that Selene and I expected to receive. Both of us were shaking so badly as we made our 
way onto the stage that we literally had to hold each other up! The award is normally given to one person each year that reaches-out to help others through their Stampin' Up! business. This year, Selene and I were the recipients for the work that we've done with the SUDDEN_response network. You can read previous articles I've written about SUDDEN_response by clicking HERE. SUDDEN_response is a group of almost 300 demonstrators who stand ready to reach out and help other Stampin' Up! Demonstrators who've had major damage and loss to their stamping spaces and supplies following disasters (fires, hurricanes, floods, tornado's, etc.). Selene and I founded this group a year ago and now the group stands ready, with the organization and network in place, to lift someone up in their darkest days. When demonstrators reach out through SUDDEN_response to help those in need, it's not so much about the supplies that we send, but about the solidarity and support that we show to each other in times of trial.
Selene and I both feel that this award and recognition was really given to each and every member of SUDDEN_response. We were the lucky ones that got to trip our way onto the stage (literally), but it is really the entire network of caring, compassionate and generous demonstrators who deserve this award. We wish that each and every one of you could have been on that stage wit us!
If you would like to join SUDDEN_response, please click HERE! Membership is limited to current, active, Stampin' Up! Demonstrators and we will ask for some information to confirm your standing as a demonstrator. Once in the group, we stand ready to help the next person in need, when that time arises, and to respond in a timely way to let others know they are not alone when disaster strikes!
Thank you, everyone ... for your support, encouragement, congratulations, and compassion for others! I feel so fortunate to be part of such a special group of people!
Blessings, Gretchen
Congratulations, Gretchen! You and Selene definitely deserve it! I wish I had been able to be there to congratulate you in person!
Hugs!
Posted by: Elizabeth M. Harris | August 10, 2009 at 04:03 PM
Gretchen:
Congrats on earning the Heart of Stampin' Up! award! You both deserve it, not only for SUDDEN, but also for all you do for the cards for the troops.
I'll bet Shelli didn't know about THAT, or you'd have gotten the award TWICE!
Sam
Posted by: Sam Slimak | August 10, 2009 at 04:57 PM
You two SO deserve this award! It's an amazing thing you do!
Posted by: Christyne | August 10, 2009 at 07:23 PM
Most well deserved my friend! So happy and proud for you - it's an amazing achievement for you both.
Congratulations on a fabulous outreach - you have a heart of gold!
Posted by: Robin Merriman | August 11, 2009 at 06:43 AM
Congratulations! This is such a well-deserved honor!
Posted by: Nannette Derrick | August 11, 2009 at 07:41 AM
CONGRATULATIONS.....such a deserved honor! You and Selene both epitomize the heart of Stampin'Up! So well deserved!!!!
Posted by: BarbaraD | August 11, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Congratulations Gretchen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jenny | August 12, 2009 at 03:10 PM
Finally a face to link with the absolutely fabulous cards you make!! Congrats....
Posted by: Bev | August 13, 2009 at 09:43 AM
WAY TO GO GRETCHEN! WHAT A WONDERFUL PROGRAM....I AM VERY HAPPY FOR YOU. AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SHARING SO MANY WONDERFUL IDEAS FOR CARDS AND PROJECTS, ETC. I HAVE ENJOYED ALL THE KITS/SAMPLERS I HAVE RECEIVED! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.
Posted by: Mary Pat | August 14, 2009 at 02:39 PM
Congratulations Gretchen!
You and Selene totally deserve this!! You both have hearts that encompass so much and that have made so many lives so much better!
Hugs and blessings - Jean
Posted by: Jean Fitch | August 18, 2009 at 03:57 AM