First, I have to say that I worked very hard on my projects. I am so thankful that Stampin’ Up! has recognized my work. This is my third year in a row winning this award…..I will continue working hard, creating, sharing, and submitting to have this title. Like many, we set goals for ourselves for motivation. This contest has been a consistent goal for me. As I grow, this goal will continue. I just find myself adding more goals to my list — finding motivation for other areas as well.
This year is a bit different from the past years. We, the Artisan Award winners, have created a very nice friendship and communicate frequently. I think they are all amazing women. I wish I could have spent more time with them. Our dinner with Shelli, Brent, Robin & Angie (2 awesome concept artists) was the best to date! This is the first year all 10 were present for the dinner. I could have sat there all evening (it went by a bit too fast). I just wanted to get to know each one better. And who wouldn’t want to have a private dinner with Shelli & Sterling, Brent & Angela, and 2 su! concept artists who have the ultimate dream job in my opinion. I jokingly tell John that if he comes home and me and my belongings are missing…..check Utah lol. I’m just kidding with him. Okay, fine! I’d drag him along:)
We had a private Artisan Card Swap at the dinner. I’m still speechless when I look at all of the cards. AMAZING!!!! We have a private Artisan Christmas Swap already planned, and maybe a Leadership Artisan Swap in the plannings.
I look forward to this year and all of the monthly creative challenges from Stampin’ Up! And I hope you enjoy seeing them as well.
I’m going to show 3 projects upclose. They are all favorites of mine, but I got a lot of compliments on the 3-D items so I’ll share upclose pics.
The first 3-D item is a sampler in a shadow box showcasing coordination of Stampin’ Up! products.
The second 3-D item is one of Stampin’ Up!’s 8-1/2″x8-1/2″ On Board Albums (#112456). Full 12 month 2010 Calendar. There are approximately 560 hand-sewed beads (su! duo-beads) on this calendar. It was created exclusively for the contest. Some details can be omitted to simplify for a class in the future.
My silly little Ethan. Always happy! Always making me smile and laugh. This picture represents him so well. You can see just how happy he is in the pic….brightens my life so much.
Isn’t that owl stinkin’ cute? He was created with On Board So Tweet chipboard (#113893). I love the look of the owl so much that I created some other projects with him (you’ll see in future posts).
BIG HUGE THANKS to everyone I talked to at Convention. I was truly flattered by all of the sweet comments. Have a wonderful day & thanks for stopping by.
beauty lies within 
Congrats! Though I am not surprised. It was great to see them all in person!! Yes that owl is so cute! Looked like a bit of work. Did you piece together his tummy with the scallop edge? Love that photo.
Your work is amazing! I am newish to stamping and SU (1 year anniversary in October!). I recently subbed to your blog to admire and learn from you beautiful examples and creative ideas. Thank you for sharing and congratulations for the recognition.
Congrats ! You are so talented and deserving ! How fun and exciting to have a private dinner with them !
I wish you nothing but the best! Your projects are stunning!!!
Congratulations! You are such an amazing artist, what a blessing to have such a wonderful gift! I read your blog regularly and aspire to have such talent! Thanks for the inspiration!!
Best Always,
Cindy
Wow! Congrats on your three-peat. I really love the owl page. The owl is adorable, but the entire page is amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Congratulations! You do such beautiful work, it’s no wonder you won! I LOVE the calendar! Could you send details (instructions) and more pics? I would love to do this!
Thanks for sharing!
Anita Holden
Congrats on winning the artisan award at Stampin’ Up! 3 years in a row! I appreciate all of the hard work you put into your projects. It really shows in all that you do!
I particularly love this scrapbook page with your son and the cute owl!
Congratualtions on your 3rd win!!! That is absolutely amazing! You are so talented! I love looking at all of your creations!!! I am always interested in seeing your scrapbook pages and that calendar takes my breathe away!! I cannot imagine the time and energy you spend creating such masterpieces! Thanks for all the inspiration and keep up the fabulous work!!!!
Hi Mary Jo,
I so enjoyed getting to know you and the rest of the girls a bit better at dinner, I must admit I was a little intimidated to meet you, cause you have won 3 times, and you ARE Mary Jo Albright, but after meeting you, I now consider you my friend, cause you are a sweetie, and just a regular gal.
Big hugs, and see you at Leadership,
Di
Mary Jo,
You might consider having a yahoo group for your artisan award girls. . .Last year I joined the Rising Star (past and present) yahoo group, and we have some fantabulous swaps! It might make it easier for you all to communicate, as well as organize your swapping.
Just a thought, as I really love my RS group!
Congratulations, yet again 🙂
Mary Jo, your projects are beautiful! I especially like the calendar.
Congrats on your win and I’m so glad y’all had a wonderful time at the dinner.
I was so thrilled to learn that you were a winner again of this amazing award! you more than certainly deserve it!
don’t ever feel that you should apologize for being recognized for the talent that you have been blessed with – you are using it in such a kind and generous way to continuously bless other people. You make God smile!!! 🙂 keep striving for the best, as you always do. you give the rest of us ‘little people’ something to aspire to! and you inspire us constantly with the beauty of your creativity. that is what this is all about! the projects that you have submitted are absolutely astounding! thank you for sharing them with all of us!
Congratulations on another well-deserved win. Your projects are always breath-taking, gorgeous and very inspiring. Thank you for sharing them with us!
Mary Jo- I’m so excited for your third win! You are so talented! Thanks so much for showing the close up photos- inspiring to say the least! I’m happy to see your blog updates again. : )
Your projects demonstrate why you are a 3-time Artisan Award winner – wow!!! You are such an inspriation, your work so beautiful in every detail. Thank you for sharing
Congratulations on your 3rd year in a row win! I’m not a SU! demo, but I’ve been an admirer of your work for some time. Thanks for the inspiration!
I was so happy to meet you at convention! Not only are the cards and projects you do beautiful but so are you! 🙂
I’m also glad you are stampin’ and sharing again on your blog. Your blog is one of the ones I visit daily. 🙂
I think its wonderful that you have won for a 3rd time the Artisan Award. Just think… when I enter and win next year I’ll be able to be that much more proud of myself to know I’m in the company of great stampers such as yourself. LOL.
I was very inspired by the framed piece you did with the Love You Much set. Can’t wait to recreate it and show my customers. Amazing!
Jackie
It was nice to see you again at convention. Never will forget sitting behind you during the awards for your first win. You were so sweet to turn around and give us a peek at your beautiful bracelet. You are an inspiration to us all. I look forward to making time to enter next years contest. You should be proud of winning this award 3 times and I won’t be surprized should you win again next year. It is such and honor to know you. I visit your blog often and love all your work. I hope to see you at Leadership and perhaps get to chat a bit more. Bravo on all your achievements, well deserved. Thanks for taking time to talk with me again this year.
Debi Pippin
FL Stampin’ Up! demonstrator
http://bizestampin.blogspot.com
Great job on all of your Artisan projects! I always enjoy seeing what you create. Your attention to the details is always amazing to me. Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂 Have a great day!