Convention 2015 inspire.create.share.

Each year for the last six years I have made an annual trip to convention to be inspired, to create and share. This year, We did all of that and more!

A few of my Fellow stamping friends and I have just returned from the Gold Coast having survived a category 1 cyclone and the last Stampin Up ! Convention ever as we know it.

In the opening session we received the new 2015-16 stampin'Up! catalogue. 

700 very excited demonstrators took home a copy of the new catalogue to read in cafes, planes and trains.

We were inspired by 25 staff from the Riverton office US, plus Australian and NZ demonstrators.

We created some gorgeous cards during the make and take 

and learned how to share the fun!

This year CEO Shelli Gardener was on something or other in Hawaii with her husband Sterling.So here I am getting to know interim CEO Sarah Douglass. We had an in depth conversation about the weater and humidity in Australia and what it does to our hair. As you can see Sarah has a stylist and I have well rain frizzed kinky hair, but she complimented me all the same.

So photo above is the location shot of our apartment in relation to the Gold Coast convention centre.

It's the small block next to the pink building, one block back from the beach.

I stayed with three awesome room mates: Wanda, Linda and Courtenay.

Here's a better photo of me showing my new proper hair cut and colour. I had done before convention. I'm looking pretty happy here because its day one and I've had a good night of sleep before the excitement of the next three days begins.

I was going to post these photos in chronological order but instead you'll be enjoying them as they come.

Our view from the balcony overlooking the water. I was glad we were this far back as the waves got a little high and wild during Friday nights cyclone adventure. 

At each of the general session new stamps, new products and in-coming colours were revealed.

The flower above is made with new cotton paper which scrunched easily and beautifully to form a rose. That went straight on the wish list for me. Imagine every gift box getting one of these on top?

There were display boards filled with creative ideas using new stamps, new papers, interesting techniques and  those in-colours.

Lace dotted ribbon, patterned paper and flower embellishments - they're on the wish list too!

Convention 2014 ... continued

Since I only took 350 photos this year of Convention, you will have to make do with a short slide show of photos. Here we are soaking up the atmosphere, Wanda and I, standing in front of the stage between sessions.

 There were so many not so sneak peeks of new products that will be coming out in the New Catalogue. Such as alcohol based markers called "Blendabilities".

 Shelli featured several new stamps and a brand new photo storage, scrapbooking system called "Project Life".

 Shelli also decorated some gift boxes with new stamps, star shaped dies and bakers twine pompoms.

 There are some gorgeous new card kits, envelopes and all the new alphabets will be in clear photo polymer...

 New alphabet dies too...

 I particularly like this stampset called "tap, tap, tap" available in July!

 New Designer Series papers (DSP) but don't worry I am not giving much away here, you will soon see it all when you: place an order, come to a class or the launch of the 2014 annual catalogue. That's when I start handing out free catalogues and we get to play with the new products in real life.

Each evening we took ourselves out to dinner on the Yarra river.

We had quite a few make and take sessions at large round tables where we shared our new stampsets and explored the new colours on some creative little projects.

Our group: Lorraine, Wanda, Denise, Amanda, Nerida and Michelle.

 While away I celebrated my 5 year anniversary with Stampin' Up! and took a walk across the stage at the annual Awards night.

Convention 2012 Make and Take projects

During the holidays I have found time to finish and photograph the gorgeous Make and Take projects we made at Convention in Canberra this year.

There are quite a few sneak peeks in here...

I can show you the completed projects but not the individual stampsets

 as these wont officially be released until September 1st. 

 I was very excited about this butterfly punched card with new punch, stampset and patterned paper.

And the matching envelope that we scored and folded with the new diagonal plate that fits our Simply Scored tool.  

I won the matching butterfly stampset as my door prize, can't wait to ink that one up.

 This is the 8" x 8" scrap book page we made using new stampsets and papers. The back ground is splattered with Island Indigo Ink from an aquapainter filled with ink and Isocol (rubbing alcohol).

Then stamped with daffodil delight Island Indigo and Lucky Limeade ink.

 Now take a close look at this one... There is  a new stampset used, new Big shot flower dies... and a brand new facetted button. I've used the flash on my camera to hi light these beautiful colours.

 Did you notice how we have used the Blossom punch as leaves on edge of this one? Lots of distressing (that should be de-stressing) of these paper flowers ... it made good therapy.

 Next,  there is the box with a clear lid and a whole bunch of new goodies used to make it.
You can see that gorgeous butterfly punch, a new stampset or two, flower die and papers, that button again.

 The window sheet lid is a great idea for a gift box, held together with glue dots and sticky strip and topped with that lovely baja breeze flower.

 I can't say any more ... let the pictures do the talking.

Watch this space ... Stampin' Up are offering some Customer Creativity days in November.

Let me know if you want to come with me for a day of stamping, new stampset included, lunch and fun with friends at Darling Harbour.

My favourite stampset in the new catalogue is ....

How would you answer that question?

I have to say my answer may change from week to week, so dont hold me to it ...

 but at the moment it is definitely:

"Creative Elements"!!!

 At Melbourne Convention we made 2 different cards, a scrapbook page and a 3D banner using only this one stampset and I was amazed at its versatility.

The card above is quite a simple layout but with great texture.

My favourite bit  is how we stamped the flower on to Naturals Ivory cardstock and sponged it with Champagne shimmer paint. We cut the square into three panels and raised it on to the crumpled piece of Not quite navy cardstock. But the prettiest bit has to be the crumb cake seam binding ribbon, don't you love how it folds and shines! There is also a lot of spritzing of Early Espresso ink with the colour spritzer tool. 

 We completed a mini scrap book page using the words, background stamp, border stamp and frame.

The vintage look can be quite clean and crisp, but for some unknown reason must contain the words: No.3

Can anyone explain this to me?

 Banners are all the rage atm!

Bunting I think we call it when it is strung up on a string and strung along fences, trees, party venues and every school fete. I have a photo of my project somewhere... this was the sample on the Melbourne display board.

 More of the display board... we made four projects altogether.

And even more projects that the talented Stampin' up staff made with this set.

Stampset Details:

Stampset: Creative Elements (set of 8 stamps)

See it on page 89 of the new Idea Book and catalogue and also featured on the Cover page.

Clear mounted $49.95

Wood mounted $61.95

Nature walk and the Botanical gazette

 

The "Nature walk" stampset is another favourite from the Autumn/Winter mini catalogue.

There are 7 stamps in the set featuring the realistic natural designs you would find in a vintage botanical gazette or nature magezine.

At Melbourne Convention, Sophie Zadeh from Stampin up demonstrated this card. I love how the cage hangs from the top of the page and is collaged with the Elements of style roses.

 Tenealle Williams made this gorgeous card on stage at Convention. She has lightly sponged the Bird and cut it out, layering it over a circle and sponged it all to perfection.

 On the display boards in Melbourne were beautiful tags, cards and projects combining the botanical gazette paper and stamp images in trendy colours like Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive.

 Vintage Style stamping is all about torn edges and layering of patterns and papers.
Dont you also love the amazing way that the bevelled window frames the stamped image!

 I love the vintage style of these images that you can change the style of just by stamping in different colours and adding a textured border.

 Vintage Easter cards in Melon Mambo and... 

...another example of  Masking on the above Thank you card.

I will certainly miss this stampset and Designer series paper.

Let me share the Stampin' Up experience with you.

I'd really like to share the Stampin' Up! experience with you all ...
If your wish list is as long as mine or you'd just like to be able to order what you want to when you want, and receive 20% discount on ALL your orders why not join Stampin' Up! and get a lot more...

Did you know that you can now join Stampin' Up! without an Australian Business Number?
That you never have to hold a workshop or class ever, if you don't wish to...

It only costs $289 to become a hobby demo, and you can tailor the kit (stamps & colours) to suit your style and needs. As a demonstrator we get to see new the idea books, catalogues and products before everyone else does, you get amazing discounts, specials and endless inspiration.

If you decide to leave Stampin' Up! at any time, there are no penalties and you keep everything !

So, what are you waiting for?

 If you'd like to join and recieve an ongoing 20% discount on all your purchases, and come to team training events too, then give me a call on 0468 877 125 or send me an email.

I'd love to share the fun and creativity of Stampin' Up! with you.

Oh, and that's Linda H my upline recieving an award (second from the right).

Convention 2011 News

Can you imagine what it would be like to receive an extra $70 in hostess benefits?

Who wouldn't like an extra $70 to spend!

 All you need to do is host or place a workshop order between NOW and the end of June 2011 that reaches $450 in sales (including shipping).

Once you reach $450 you'll receive the usual FREE Level 1 hostess stamp set

and $40 to spend on anything you like,

PLUS a bonus $70 to spend on any products in the current catalogues.

That's a total of $110 of free product.

* * *

If you are not local to me you don't have to miss out.

Simply pass your catalogue around to your friends and get together an order that reaches $450.

Or if your wish list is really long...

This could be the time to place an  order just for yourself or with a few friends to get your $110 worth of free product.

This special ends 30 June so don't delay. Send me an email to book your workshop, organise a catalogue workshop or place an order at nerida_carter@hotmail.com

 * * * *

Breaking News: ABNs no longer needed to purchase your  Starter kit.

Have you thought about buying the Starter Kit on page 8 of the catalogue? But thought: I dont want to go into business? I'd really just like to get the demonstrator discount and sell ocassionally to some of my friends or family?
One of the best pieces of news from Convention is : You will no longer need an ABN (Australian Business Number) to become a demonstrator. You can simply sign up, fill in the order form with your choice of stampsets and coloured ink pads, cardstock and enjoy all the benefits of a demonstrator without the hassle of starting your own business.

* * * 

If you're wanting to sign up to be a more active demonstrator - That is holding workshops and selling more than $2000 per month then you will  need an ABN to recieve commissions.

Until then it's as simple as filling in your details, choosing what you'd like in your customisable starter kit and you're done!

If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator send me an email at nerida_carter@hotmail.com and I will answer any of your questions to get you signed up and started.

Enjoy!!