Wow! I just attended an incredibly fun Stampin' Up! Event - OnStage Live. It's the "new" convention that is held twice a year. And, I have to say, I had more fun over the past three days than I've had for YEARS at any other Stampin' Up! event. I attended with Deneen. She's one of my team members from Texas. We'd never met so just getting to meet in person was one of the highlights of the event! It was so fun to attend an event through the eyes of a first-timer. I also enjoyed introducing her to some of her favorite bloggers - Patty Bennett and Dawn Olchefske. At the event, the new 2016-2017 Annual Catalog was unveiled. And, everyone agreed that it is a pretty amazing catalog.
The event was PACKED full of stamping presentations featuring products from the new Annual Catalog. I'll post more photos tomorrow - we're allowed to post EVERYTHING (except photos of the insides of the catalog) starting at 1pm MT tomorrow. But, I'll give you a quick taste.
We attended several "product spotlights" where we had hands-on experience with some of the new products....including 5 new In Colors! The spotlight presentation rooms were so much fun. There were faux brick walls and archways like the ones pictured below. 80 demonstrators at a time had the opportunity to listen to a 10-15 minute presentation focusing on four different themes: kits, in colors, a product suite, and a technique. We then went "behind the curtain" (you can see it in the background) where we made a quick make & take.
At the In Color spotlight, we made a sampler sheet (that I managed to lose somewhere) that featured a card stock, ink, and marker sample of each of the new colors.
At the kits spotlight we made a sample from one of the upcoming kits (and it's super cute).
At the product suite spotlight we made a cute card and got to use one of the new embossing folders, stamps, and YUMMY new Specialty Designer Series Paper.
And, at the technique spotlight, we got to practice the technique using some new accessories that are coming out.
That's all I'll say about that right now! Check back tomorrow at 1pm MT to see the projects I made at these spotlights....don't worry...even though I lost my In Color sampler, I still have samples of the new colors for you!
There was also a hands-on Paper Pumpkin station where we got to see AND make a sample from the May Paper Pumpkin Kit. AND...I'm actually allowed to show it to you! YES! NEVER before have you gotten to see the next month's Paper Pumpkin Kit. I know so many of you are tempted to subscribe, but are worried you won't like the kit. I'm going to err on the side of caution and not reveal it until tomorrow. I know I've seen the sample floating around. BUT, we were told we couldn't share anything until Monday at 1pm MT. So, I'll have photos of the full kit and the card we made on my blog tomorrow.
On Thursday night, the "leaders" in attendance were invited to a "Black and White" CentreStage Live event. It was held at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City. It's got to be the "fanciest" hotel downtown. They are famous for their Sunday brunches - especially the Easter Sunday Brunch. We were transported over to the hotel where we enjoyed mocktails and appetizers before heading into a seated 4-course meal and entertainment. As soon as I walked in, I spotted two grand pianos up on stage and that could only mean one thing - dueling pianos! And, they did not disappoint! Here are a few shots of the menu, food, and entertainment. I apologize the photos are dark. My iPhone can only do so much in a dark ballroom.
A great re-cap of a fun event! It was good to see you again....until next time!
Posted by: Mary Rodgers | April 18, 2016 at 07:37 AM