I finally remembered to get my camera out at one of my classes! These lovely ladies did such a fantastic job I just had to take a photo or two.

This was one of the classes I did using the retiring stamps and colours. It was a free-form class and everyone was able to create as many cards as they wanted using the sponged rainbow technique and their choice of colours and stamps from the retiring lists. And boy did these ladies get crafting. It was wonderful to see the results of their hard work….

Kamani & Veronica with their creations!

Here’s a better look at Kamani’s cards

…and Veronica’s!

You can see my sample cards in this post here.

Sorry to the other ladies who came to one of these classes, you did amazing work too, I just wasn’t organised enough to photograph it!

If you’d like to come along to one of my classes in Narre Warren, VIC keep an eye on the Monthly Classes page or Subscribe to my newsletter so you can keep up to date with what’s coming up.

Cheers

Genna

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Wow what a jam-packed few days that was! The Stampin’ Up! annual convention is always a blast for so many reasons and Brisbane certainly delivered this year. It was four days of complete stamping indulgence! There were classes, presentations, dinners, awards, product playground, workshop wows, swaps, friends, hugs, goodies and exciting news galore. Here’s a whirlwind tour of my time at my fifth Stampin’ Up! Convention.

First, meet the wonderful bunch of ladies I shared it with…

L-R: Me, my team members Teena Pillar, Jodie Griffith & Linda Perrins, and my very good friend and long-time convention buddy Ros Davidson!

DAY ONE

A ridiculously early start and a flight up to Brisbane got me there just in time for the add-on Leadership part of convention where we got to spend a bit of time with the US staff that come over from head office and heard all about the business side of things- achievements, goals, priorities, challenges, etc.

This is Miriam Thomas, Sue Maddex & Claire Daly, some fellow-leader friends from my wider team, and Stampin’ Up! President Rich Jutkins

(Thanks for the photo Claire!)

We had some classes on coaching and problem solving and then headed up to the Sky Terrace for a Movie Star themed Manager’s dinner.

They even had our names scrolling up in lights and gave us themed gifts.

We also got to pick up our fabulous Convention bags full of goodies including two brand new stamp sets! I’m not sure me and white are a good combination but I love the design!

DAY TWO

Another early start so I could beat the crowds by ducking into the VIP session of Memento Mall! This is a highlight of Convention for me where we get to purchase Stampin’ Up! themed products that aren’t available elsewhere. There were bags, watches, charms, display items, stationery items, and even a hammer!

And then it was off to a frenzied round of card swapping before the first General Session full of news, demonstrations, giveaways and prizes. One of the most exciting pieces of news came from an unlikely source – Ronald McDonald! He dropped by to celebrate that Stampin’ Up! is now a supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities in Australia and that we will have an exclusive stamp set in our new catalogue that will carry a $3 donation for every stamp set sold. Keep an eye out for more on that one!

We then had the chance to explore the Product Playground and experiment with some of the upcoming new products – a rotary blade for the trimmer, a magnetic platform for the Big Shot, Simply Pressed clay and more! And we also got the chance to browse the swap boards!

Mine is on this board somewhere!

We finished off the day with more presentations, prizes and awards. We went home that day with more new stamp sets, a new colour coach, a copy of the new catalogue, and a couple of kits. They really were determined to celebrate their 25th anniversary in style!

Despite the long day, we even managed to fit in some brief sightseeing with a trip up the Brisbane eye! It helped that it was happy hour and it was right outside the Convention Centre!

Can you guess which one of us wasn’t so keen on being up so high?

DAY THREE

We had a very long day filled with demonstrations, classes and creating before getting dressed up for the Annual Awards night and After Party.

I had already walked the stage and received awards the day before for Level 1 Sales, Level 1 Recruiting and Level 2 Leadership but at the Awards night I got to go up and receive recognition – and a lovely bouquet – for achieving the incentive trip…A Grand Vacation to Utah in July.

That’s me hugging Shelli in the middle!

This was sooooo exciting and terrifying all at once. For the other awards I just gave my name and walked across the stage, for this one I had my name announced and was greeted with hugs from Shelli Gardner, the CEO and cofounder of the company, and the heads of Stampin’ Up! in Australia and New Zealand. It was a different experience entirely!

And the After Party was a hoot! It was so much fun to share everything with some of the amazing ladies in my team!

DAY FOUR

The final day of Convention brought more classes, demonstrations, presentations, inspirational talks and even more giveaways!

I finished the day with a photo of me and my charming companions and Shelli herself. I was exhausted, elated, inspired, motivated and so full of new ideas to think about and try out I could barely think straight! Usually that would be enough to last a year but this year I’m going to get to do it all again at the US Convention in Salt Lake City and it’s only weeks away!

Finally, after the intensity of it all I managed to add a couple of extra days to my trip to see a bit of Brisbane – it was my first time there – and catch up with some family there. It was lovely and relaxed and the sun was shining and it felt like I had a whole extra holiday.

I actually arrived home far more relaxed and ready to go than I ever have from convention before. I’ll have to remember that for the future.

Cheers

Genna

P.S. Big thanks to Linda Perrins for some of the photos!

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I’m so excited to be heading off to Brisbane today. The Stampin’ Up! Annual Convention is one of the highlights of my year! Four days of complete stamping indulgence and then a couple of extra days so that I can see something of the city other than the Convention Centre. It’s my first ever time to Queensland (other than a brief visit when I was a baby), which is a bit sad really considering all the other parts of the world I’ve seen. But that will be rectified very, very soon.

And, I’ve actually got all my swaps completed and ready to go. In advance! Not being hurriedly finished at the last minute or being taken with me to finish when I get there. Actually finished. Wow, that’s not like me! And here’s the proof:

I think there were about 44 in the end but I lost count. I used a design I made for a class last year so that took some of the pressure off. And I did most of the work while at my market stalls over the weekend and that helped too.

In case you’re wondering, every time a group of demonstrators get together we do a swap of card fronts. We make a whole load of the same design and get back a whole load of different ones. It’s amazing to see all the fabulous ideas everyone else comes up with and often in styles very different from my own. I’m so looking forward to seeing what I get!

Here’s a closer look at mine:

I used the Blooming With Kindness stamp set and the faux pillow-top technique for the background. I love the softeness of the look and the way the flower pops.

I’ll be back again as soon as I can with a report from Convention and I look forward to sharing with you all the ideas, inspiration, tips and techniques I’ll be treated to while I’m there.

And wish me luck for Awards night. I’ll be getting three awards so will have to walk the stage three times, maybe even four if they bring us up for achieving the Incentive Trip to Utah. I love that I achieved the awards – in sales, recruiting and leadership – and I’m very proud of it but getting up on stage makes me very very nervous! Am I the only one who feels excited and terrified in equal measure at times like that?

Cheers

Genna

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Wow, what a wonderful holiday we’ve had! I could do without getting sick within an hour of arriving home but I’m very grateful it had the decency to wait!

It was certainly a holiday to remember and we crafted some amazing memories I know will last a lifetime. I couldn’t have asked for more. We had soaring heatwaves on the beach, snow in the desert, volcanoes, canyons, and all manner of natural wonders as well as thrilling lights, sounds, sights and  theme parks. I don’t think we could have squeezed another minute of fun in anywhere! We filled a 32GB card with photos and videos so you’ll have to bear with me while I share just a few with you here….

Chilling on a beach for a luau in Hawaii with my three favourite boys brought back lovely honeymoon memories.

We showed the boys the very spot on the edge of the Grand Canyon where Alex proposed at sunrise 13 years ago!

We have a self-portrait of us taken in the same spot hanging on the wall.

My little cowboys were beside themselves with excitement at visiting the real Tombstone! Their dad was just as bad.

We took a brief stroll into Mexico too. We were so close, how could we not!

I’m already missing the sight of cactus. They become familiar quickly when you see thousands every day!

 Guess where we went!!!! Truly the happiest place on Earth!

And in case you think I forgot all about creative things while we were away, think again…

 My character-filled boys in Hollywood!

My first attempt at cartooning with Goofy!

And how could I not purchase this ?

So that’s what I’ve been doing with my April, what about you? I’m looking forward to catching up with you all soon.

And I’ll be back shortly with a creative project to share.

Cheers,

Genna

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Wonder hubby and I both turned 40 this year and we’re celebrating with a big overseas holiday with our boys.

We met last century while backpacking in the USA, went back there to get engaged and also honeymooned there so we have a bit of a soft spot for that big old place. We love to travel but just didn’t find it appealling with babies or small children so have hardly been anywhere in the past decade!  We realised a few years ago that this year would be the perfect year to hit the road again so we’ve been planning this trip for so long it’s hard to believe we’re actually going now.

We’ll be on the road for most of April, starting in Hawaii, then heading over for a road trip from Los Angeles to Arizona and back again in a great big circle. We’ll end the trip by doing all the big theme parks in California and we’re all so excited!

I will attempt to be in contact occasionally but can’t promise anything. This is a family trip after all. Have a wonderful month.

Cheers,

Genna

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A big hello to everyone who took the time to come and visit the Stampin’ Up! stand at the Caulfield Craft & Sewing Show – and to those who have found my blog or joined my mailing list as a result.

It was a tiring few days but exhilarating nonetheless. It’s a lot of work to organise and co-ordinate a stand like this but so incredibly rewarding. Thank you to all those who contributed to that. The stand looked amazing and I had such a ball demonstrating my paper flowers and chatting to so many people about what I love.

For those who missed it, here’s a little photo tour for you…

And these are the posters I contributed to the display….

The prize draw has now been done so if you haven’t heard from us I’m afraid you missed out this time. Don’t forget though, if you won a prize in the book to look cake you have until 31st March 2013 to book a workshop and redeem it.

We’ll be back at the show again at the end of October next year so make sure you drop by for a visit.

Cheers

Genna

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MELBOURNE

OCTOBER 25–28, 2012 (last days!!!!)

10AM–4.30PM

CAULFIELD RACECOURSE

Some lovely demonstrator friends and I are once again working the Stampin’ Up! stand at the Craft and Sewing Show at Caulfield Racecourse.  The show started on Thursday and is on until Sunday so you’ll need to get in quick. There are some lovely ladies at the stand today and I’ll be there again tomorrow so make sure you drop by and say hi if you’re there.

The Stampin’ Up! stand has a variety of displays and product demonstrations happening all day. You can pick up a new Annual Catalogue or Holiday Catalogue – or, better still, both. And we have a huge hamper of Stampin’ Up! products (valued at around $300) that will be won by one of our lucky visitors.

Here’s Sarah, Linda & Ros who put in loads of hard work at the stand with me yesterday! Thanks ladies for a really fun day!

 For more information on the show

please visit the official show website.

Cheers

Genna

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And the winner of the Jul/Aug/Sep mailing list prize is…

…Lisa Taouk!

Lisa recently signed up to my mailing list at the Emerald Community House market, Main Street, Emerald.

And here’s the prize – the Whimsical Words stamp set, Polka Dot ribbon samples in Soft Suede and Melon Mambo and a selection of 6″ x 6″ patterned papers! Lisa, I’ll be in touch soon to arrange to get it to you!

If you’d like to win a prize like this, I do a draw every three months from all the people who’ve joined my mailing list that quarter. You can join in a class, at any of my market stalls or online.  For your chance to win this quarter’s prize, simply SUBSCRIBE today. 

Cheers

Genna

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Thanks to everyone who came to my two Card Buffet catalogue launches – they were so much fun! For those who couldn’t make it, here’s a quick guide to everything that was on offer….

First up was the display of all the brand new products that we didn’t use on the day.

This was the chance to see things in the flesh and get a better idea of textures, sizes, quality, etc. than what you get from the catalogue – either in your hands or online.

First port of call for many was the In Colour station. Here you could collect your free sample bag and create an In Colour sample sheet using cardstock, markers and the brand new Ink Pads in the new firm foam style. There was also a free mini card to create using your choice of In Colours and the new Papillon Potpourri and Elegant Butterfly punch combination.

 Then there was the chance to pick up your new free catalogues and check out my upcoming classes.

 Then it was on to feature presentation – the Card Buffet!

This was a new concept for me and I loved it! Even better – it was a hit with everyone who came and tried it out too.

There were 8 cards to choose from and everyone could pick which ones they wanted to create. All they had to do was pick up the basket of tools and instructions, purchase the packet of consumables ($2-$5 each) and go find a spot to sit and create.

The Big Shot got a great workout with all those snowflakes, ornaments, christmas trees and labels framelits!

Most people created 2 or 3 cards, some even managed 5 0r 6!

Everyone who placed an order of $50 or more at the launch has gone into a draw for a share of the hostess benefits  – so several lucky ladies will find an extra something in their bags when their orders arrive!

Keep an eye out for future posts featuring the cards available in the card buffet.

And if you came along, leave me a comment and let me know what you thought!

Cheers

Genna

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To celebrate the launch of the two new catalogues this month I’m hosting a Card Buffet! Come along to this free event for your chance to have a play with all the new goodies.

Each date will include:

Free catalogues
Free package of sample products
Free mini card to create
Free product sheet to complete
Displays with sample projects
The chance to try out new products
Multiple prizes
Entry into the hostess prize draw for every $50 order
The option to partake of the card buffet

(Papaya Collage)

How the buffet works:

1. View the range of projects to choose from.
2. Select the ones you want to create.
3. Purchase the ‘kit’ containing the consumable materials and instruction sheet. (Around $2 to $5 each)
4. Locate the tools basket for that project.
5. Get crafting.

Feel free to drop in briefly at any time or stay for the whole session and you can choose to make just one project or all of them. They will vary in skill level, products used and techniques – you may have spotted some examples of the types of projects you can create!

What you get from the launch is up to you. There’s no obligation to do the card buffet at all – there will be a mini card and a product sheet for you to get your hands inky with regardless. And I’ll be on hand to demonstrate and answer any questions.

  Thursday 13th SEPTEMBER

Any time between 7pm and 11pm
NARRE WARREN

OR

Sunday 23rd SEPTEMBER

Any time between 2pm and 6pm
NARRE WARREN

Bookings essential. Click here.

(Googly Ghouls)

If you want to come along or you like the cards I’ve been creating, make my day and leave me a comment!

Cheers

Genna

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