The day began with hours of gabbing over breakfast. I sat at a table so long with friend, Angie Juda, that I think the other people at the table changed completely about 3 times. Felt great to just plant myself and catch up with my stampin' buddies.

Next we wandered to the Gathering Place – look how huge this room is… they truck in sofas and decorate the area just for the 5 days we're here.

Then, Angie and I watched Diana Gibbs, the master of watercoloring, do her thing. Demonstrators are so giving and Diana was happy to offer an impromptu tutorial.

Check out some of today's decor and delish delights in the bakery case.

In the corner of the room, I found my teammate Sarah Wills (far right) hanging out with our CEO Shelli Gardner.

At noon, Demonstrator #5 Jill Olsen (#5 as in the 5th person to join Stampin' Up! in 1988) had drivers waiting to take 20 of us in her downline to her home for team bonding.

Jill began by offering us lunch then a demonstration of how to make an apron using our Stampin' Up! fabric and a tea towel of all things (note the apron Jill is wearing). Her two daughters-in-law are her assistants.

Here's Patty Chenail digging in to the salad.

Jill and her daughters-in-law welcome us.

Teaching time.

After Jill finished demonstrating she raffled the 4 aprons she and her assistants were wearing and I won Jill's!

Then sneaky Jill announced that everyone in attendance would receive an apron too! Her assistants brought them out.  So generous!

Next we got to business and went downstairs to Jill's stamping area. This is her work area.

Jill was kind to pose for me.

Jill had 3 Make & Take projects for us to make. All gorgeous!

Jill has 5 "rag doll" cats. I took several photos of her cats but check out the look on this one's face. I think I'm annoying him.

Thank you, Jill, for your warm hospitality!

Fast forward an hour or so and 7 of us went out for Greek food. Here I am with my teammate Sarah Wills. Cheers to Stampin' Up!

We quickly returned to the hotel to put on our pj's for our pajama night and swap. Here I am with dear friends Denise Sullivan (left) and Ruth Bingle (center).

A gift from Stampin' Up! at the pajama party… carrying on the tea theme.

After the swap, I returned to my room to find this on my bed. Hmmm…. what's inside…

Guess I'm going to the theater tomorrow night!

And here are all the swaps that I just dumped on the bed. Too tired to look through them but, wow, what a pile!

Tomorrow, a full day at the manufacturing plant in Kanab. It's about a 2-hour drive by bus each way. I love going to Kanab as it's where the company was founded and where I can thank those super hard-working Stampin' Up! employees who create the most beautiful crafting supplies in the world!