Stampin' Up European Convention - 2013 - Manchester

Oh my..  where to begin..!

Last weekend found me (and a whole host of other demonstrators from the UK, France, The Netherlands Austria and Germany) in Manchester at the Central Convention Centre, for the  Stampin' Up European Convention 2013.

My first ever convention and a week on,  am still in a whirl thinking about it all.

From the thrill of initial registration and THAT convention bag,

with all its goodies, stamp sets, program of events, commemorative pen, name badge, SU coloured wrist band for that all important 'prize patrol'  to name a few!.

this is me not pausing for breath!!!

Information sessions aimed at helping you grow your business, special technique classes, make and take sessions, the service project cards, inspiring demonstrator presentations,  the convention memento mall, the demonstrator resource Centre, the various display boards and galleries, as well as the General sessions - the famous prize patrols, the all attendee give-aways, the pre-convention mix and mingle, the absolute mad mad frenzy that is swapping - 

and not forgetting the absolutely inspiring award ceremony and 25th anniversary party night - these all made for one very packed but so so enjoyable weekend.

Although meeting up with old friends as many seemed to be, me as a first timer had absolutely no need to worry.

Before convention started., I finally got to meet my lovely upline Vicky - heartfelt congratulations to her on promotion to Silver 2! and  also met a number of her lovely  downline - the 'Inkcredibles':  Helen, Jacqueline  Lizy and Victoria.

Thank you so much ladies for the lovely welcome and the pre-event swapping you all  so kindly included me in!

Additionally, after registration on the Thursday evening was absolutely delighted to meet up with a very large contingent of attendees at  Michelle Last's pre-convention reception that she had arranged for all us  'Pinkies' -  what a lovely lovely evening and thanks to everyone for all the delightful swapping there as well!

Here's a little tiny sample batch of my swaps in readiness - I made over a 100, using the lovely Winter Frost paper stack, and the Festive Flurry stamp set and co-ordinating framelits.

I mounted a layer of Whisper white card stock, scored all the way round for interest, on a card base of Whisper White.

I stamped 2 sizes of the festive flurry set in the Bermuda Bay and Smoky Slate colours, die-cut them out  - made so easy with the matching framelits.

These I mounted  with some Stampin' up dimensionsals for depth,  all finished with a tiny rhinestone in the midde. 

To  complete the card I cut little banner strips in co-ordinating papers,  finished with a bow and finally my sentiment which I created in Stampin' Up's MDS  (My Digital Studio) design program, sized to enable me to punch it out with the Modern label punch. These I also afinished with a couple of the basic rhinestones.

Now the eagle eyed amongst you will notice the 2 sorts of bows I used to decorate them.

Yes you guessed it, I ran out of the silver taffeta ribbon and Stampin' Up had it on back order when I came to request another roll of it - but panic not.. or at least I didn't once I had calmed down and thought about it.!

With the aid of  Stampin' Up's MDS  design program I was able to fashion my own 'silver bow' - printed of a sheet of them and with my super sharp paper snips - cut out a load  to apply to the rest of  my cards - what do you think!

Things I used to make this card:

Stamp sets and Framelits: Festive Flurry
Inks: Bermuda Bay, Smoky Slate
Cardstock  and papers:  Whisper White and Winter Frost paper pack
Other essentials:Score board, Glue dots, dimensionals, Silver ribbon, 
MDS - for sentiment and alternate 'ribbon bows'

So finally,  from someone who has never been to a Stampin' Up Convention before - Can only say I could not have been made to feel more welcome. People just happy to chat,  give advice,  share their experiences, assist if you were at all unsure about anything.

It truly was a fabulous thing to be part of and impossible to capture in a few lines of a post.. or even really do it justice in a photograph.

but here for me to finish with,  for today - just a very very tiny collection of some of the absolutely amazing samples and display boards .

stop back later in the week and will try to do justice to some of the fabulous swaps I received in return.

Am so appreciative of them all and the thought, inspiration, and creativity that just goes hand in hand with everything that is 'Stampin' Up!  Thanks so much, again, everyone!

til next time

Jan
x

I can order Stampin' Up products for you, shipped straight to your address and am
happy to answer any questions you have  - if you would like to find out more or would like to place an order you can email me or phone me on 01438 820829

or why not visit my on-line store