Melbourne Convention 2011

Well this time last week I was at Convention - how fast time flies.  It was fantastic - so much fun and so inspiring .... now to find the time to put some of those ideas into practice.

But I thought I'd show you some photos.  One of the major highlights for demonstrators is meeting up with other like minded women (and the occasional man) who are all passionate about the same thing.

I was very fortunate to meet and have a chat with Karen Cumming and Tracey Hanshaw who organise the Cards for the Troops - Karen is the brains behind this scheme and has been out to the depot in Sydney where the parcels are put together - it was amazing to speak with her.  Both of these ladies give so generously of their time.

And here is a wee sample from the 500 photos I took over the three days - is that obsessive? LOL

My roomies from last year - the lovely Christine Blain and Judy May

Some of my roomies this year ...
across the back we have Kathryn Rudderick, Dianne Dunk, Ros Davidson
and Nicole Nation
and in front we have Genna Gifford, Margaret Knoops, Alisha Watson
and Rachel Woollard 

Nic and I (or is that Nic and Nik) at the Awards dinner

Two of my most favourite people from the Home Office - Bonnie Thurber and Shannon West .... these ladies are just awesome and if you can, you simply have to see them in action - beautiful people.  Sadly I didn't get a photo with Shelli this year - I really do admire her business drive and passion - she is one very dedicated and clever lady.

Bonnie Thurber demonstrating how to make a lovely fascinator, would have been perfect for THAT wedding - isn't she a scream!

I've been looking through the photos trying to pick out some from the Workshop Wows and other demonstrations we saw, but honestly, we saw that much 'new' stuff that finding something I can show you is very difficult.  Teneale Williams did show us how to do the 'Teneale Bow' - watch out for a few of those in the coming weeks and the lovely Delys Cram showed us a few scrapbooking ideas.  There was so much to take in - it really was very exciting.

Yes camels were in the Convention centre - this year's Incentive trip is to Broome - they were huge and Shelli said they were smelly (she's hiding just behind the camera man!).

There was so much to see and digest .... rows upon rows of swap ideas, new products ideas, new colours, new goodies you are going to love, memento mall purchases (will take photos in the daylight - very yummy goodies) ... so many ideas are now swimming around my head so I am clearing a few hours over the weekend to sit down and have a play.

I'll be back next week with some projects to show you.

And if you are reading this and thinking .... 'I want to go next time' ... well you can, we are off to Canberra in May 2012.  Want to come?  Just ask me how!

Happy stampin!

Nikki

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Making Merry Monday # 16

I was wondering last week how many days it was until Christmas .... never actually worked out the exact number - didn't want to scare myself, but I do know that we are already half way through October ... oh heck! 

So there really is no time like the present to make a start on those Christmas cards .... I've 'invested' in a new set 'Winter Post' ... and so yesterday afternoon I whipped up a few cards ... I really love this new oldie worldie set .... that reindeer is just so cute.

I've used, Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Riding Hood Red and Very Vanilla for this card .... the ribbon has been 'pleated' using the Sticky Strip double sided extra tacky tape and the Taffeta ribbon and the trees are from the Lovely as a Tree set.  

I've seen this ribbon technique around the net and even tried it once but it didn't work for me, that is until yesterday .... I attended the Melbourne Stampin' Up! Regional Training day which was held in the city - Bonnie Thurber who is the Director of Demonstrator Training residing in Salt Lake City in the US, demonstrated this technique and when I saw the roll of Sticky Strip it all made sense.  If you've never used this tape before ... beware!  It is sooooo sticky ... but then I suppose you've gathered that from it's name :o)  It just grabs the ribbon and holds it in place, so pleating is a breeze.

So who's Bonnie Thurber, well if I can find Bonnie's blog I will let you know because you just have to 'meet' this most amazing lady.  Having travelled all the way from the US for the Stampin' Up! Regionals she managed to arrive in Melbourne minus her luggage!  Poor love, inside her luggage was not only all the usual 'stuff' that ladies just need to travel with ... but her samples that she was going to demonstrate to us.  

As I sat making four brilliant projects with my new free stamp set and roller from the soon to be released Summer Mini, I was keeping an eye on this lady who seemed to be quite busy herself with her card and snail trail.  Little did I know just how talented Bonnie is ... she managed to rustle up three samples using just what she could find around the room and the contents of her bathroom goodie basket!  Little bags and boxes and a great demo of how to pleat your ribbon onto a card.  Just amazing - Bonnie is a demonstrator herself so she understands Stampin' Up! from both sides of the coin ... her business tips were extremely helpful - she was entertaining and happy to answer all of our questions ... an absolute pleasure to meet.

Back tomorrow with more news from the Regionals and my swap.

Happy stampin

Love Nikki

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