Hi Friends! My hubby, Brian, and I returned home on Monday from an incredible trip to Orlando, courtesy of Stampin’ Up!’s 2024 Incentive Trip – and let me tell you, it was pure magic.
This dream vacation was earned through my Stampin’ Up! business and the incredible support from my team and customers. I’m so grateful. (Disclaimer: Fewer than 1% of Stampin’ Up! demonstrators earn the incentive trip each year.)
From early mornings at the parks to a magical private evening with fellow demonstrators — Stampin’ Up! actually reserved all of Pandora for us one night (how incredible is that?!) — this was truly a trip to remember.
And can I just say… the Avatar Flight of Passage ride was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever experienced! I was lucky enough to go on it twice — the first time, I had the entire ride to myself (yep, solo!), and as soon as I stepped off, I was able to hop right back on. This is a ride that normally has a 2.5 hour wait, so that alone felt like pure pixie dust magic!
The Florida heat was no joke — it was in the high 90s most days — and we definitely got our steps in! According to my Fitbit, we walked over 62 kilometres during our stay. 😅 I have so many photos to scrapbook (and I plan to put together a video too!). But more than anything, this trip gave Brian and me memories we’ll cherish forever. It really was something special.
And now that we’re back home in Nova Scotia? We had a frost warning last night! Our wood stove is still burnin’, and I even wore a scarf while walking around the yard with Cooper this morning. I don’t know what’s worse — the extreme heat or the cold — but I think I’m starting to lean toward the cold… at least I can layer up! 😂
But I digress…
We stayed at the Grand Floridian during our trip and let me tell you – it was absolutely spectacular. The entire resort is themed around Mary Poppins, with its elegant Victorian charm and sweet little nods to the film throughout. It honestly felt like stepping back in time – peaceful, nostalgic, and full of magic.
I worked incredibly hard to earn this incentive trip for two very special reasons.
First, the very first trip I ever earned with Stampin’ Up! was to Disney World, so it felt fitting that if this were to be my last, I wanted it to come full circle.
Second, my husband had never been to Disney before, and I really wanted him to experience the magic that has meant so much to me over the years. I’m happy to say – he LOVED it! Now he totally “gets” why I’ve always adored both Disneyland and Disney World.
🎉 Fun fact: Walt Disney has always been one of my biggest heroes. He faced countless setbacks — losing his first animation studio, the rights to one of his earliest characters, and enduring years of financial hardship — but he never gave up. He believed in his dreams so deeply that he kept going, no matter what. And just look at the joy he’s brought to the world ever since. So inspiring!
If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend reading Walt Disney’s biography by Neal Gabler — it’s an incredible read. I also have a favourite business book called Inside the Magic Kingdom by Thomas K. Connellan, which outlines the “Seven Keys to Disney’s Success.” These principles are designed to help businesses create extraordinary customer experiences, and I found them so powerful. With my background in tourism and hospitality, customer service has always been something I’ve been passionate about — and I loved weaving those same principles into how I’ve run my Stampin’ Up! business.
So it’s no wonder I wanted to feature Walt Disney (and Mickey) on my cards!
These cards were made using the brand-new Scenic Adventures bundle, and I was inspired by my favourite artist, Roy Henry Vickers. His peaceful West Coast landscapes and vibrant sunsets were the spark behind this design.
Of course, I knew I wanted to show you how I made these cards, along with a bit of variety!
I used Stampin’ Up! inks (Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Real Red, Blackberry Bliss, and Blueberry Bushel) to blend a stunning sunset sky on Very Vanilla cardstock. I then added black die-cut silhouettes of trees and landscapes for a bold, dramatic look.
The sentiments are embossed in silver, gold, and clear, and I even pulled in Blooming Phrases for one of the greetings. I think the gold embossing is my favourite – but the silver is a close second! As I mentioned in my video, I also pulled in the “In the Grove” and “Grassy Grove” dies, now retired, for a couple of the cards.
Here’s my video for you:
I hope my card design and ink blending technique inspire you to give this a go!
Oh — and if you enjoyed the scenic theme, here’s a throwback to the lighthouse cards I mentioned in the video. I created them a few years ago using the High Tide stamp set — and you can check out that tutorial HERE.
Take care, and as always… HAPPY STAMPING
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