Stampin' Up! Convention 2011

Day 1: listened to inspirational speakers and saw amazing demonstrations today. Also spent a fun time swapping cards with other demos and spending money in memento mall. I bought a gorgeous tote bag to carry all my craft supplies, the design on the outside is from the Greenhouse Gala DSP. We were also given a very bright shoulder bag, useful size and certainly eye-catching! Perfect for Melbourne weather as it has a waterproof coating! Went out for dinner because it was my birthday at an Italian restaurant called Cervo, and it was very nice. Thanks to all the Paper Angels who made it a special day.

Day 2: had a hilarious morning in the general session with some of the presenters getting their make and takes wrong and turned it into a comedy show! (Don't think Emma will be ironing anything for a while!) Got myself a prize on prize patrol of Nature Walk stamp set and co-ordinating DSP. Legged it in my lunch break to the MCG and Rod Laver Arena for a look and to get Mike some souvenirs. Got motivated in speaker sessions in the afternoon, then stamped all evening with our team making swaps.

Day 3: Had seminars in the morning, then had the last general session in the afternoon, where Emma and Aaron arrived on stage on camels to announce that incentive trip will be in Broome next year! Saw some gorgeous works of (stamping) art, and was inspired and motivated by the speakers again – so enthusiastic about getting back to building my business now. And we got some amazing free stuff, can't tell you what yet, we've been sworn to secrecy, but it's lovely. Last day blues, still the awards night will be fab with a lovely dinner and friends for company...

Awards night: Bit chilly walking back to the convention centre (I'm not going to miss that hike) in our glad rags, but tables looked lovely and the food was delicious. It took ages to serve everyone, and we had to swig our coffees to go into the auditorium for the awards session but good fun none the less. They began with the $20k awards, and I got to walk on stage for the first time (even though I got this award last year we were away in England). Thanks Anna for taking the photo. Then watched everyone else get their deserved awards before news that Ursula, one of our Paper Angels team, won the Heart of Stampin' Up! award! Well done Ursula, you deserved it.