Saturday was awesome. I don't often get out to crafting events without it being work related, but the Auckland Heartfelt Stampin' Event was one thing I went to with no strings attached, no teaching to do, I was there to soak up the inspiration and learn new things.
And learn I did. The 'Product Playground' was an awesome idea - a whole room dedicated to learning technique and how to use the various types of products, this area was full of enthusiastic demonstrators with lots to show me. Lucy and I spent far too much time at the first table learning something called the 'Rock n Roll' technique which is clearly an old technique to many stampers but there were many "Ooooohhh"s and "Ahhhhhhh"s coming from us. Seriously. It doesn't take much to thrill me on a day out not working.
One of my fav demonstations for the day was Delys Cram and her rock salt technique. Delys demonstrated how to create this card using rock salt and brayering. It's amazing what you can do with something like Rock Salt and a whole lot of blue ink.
Just along from the product playground was the Gathering Place where make n takes were set up - we were all given packets of pretty fun crafty stuff to create four different projects. We didn't have to bring anything, it was all provided, and Lucy & I were lucky enough to have one of the nicest Stampin' Up teachers ever to sit down beside us, thank you Louise Hopman, the thought of not having to think too much was just fabulous.
What an awesome time sitting, chatting, creating and trying to talk anyone that walked past into accepting our pears from our lunch in swapsies for their chocolate brownie. No one agreed. What's up with that?
The other fun part of this event was a big presentation room with chats and demonstations on various things from Handmade gifts, to Heartfelt cards, packaging, wrapping ideas and my favourite 'Decorations' by Sophie Zadeh. Sophie made amazing decorations which were quite reminiscent of this name badge, which I didn't make, so I suspect the fabulous Sophie may have had a hand in it.
So anyway, yes - awesome event, would go again, especially if you are a Stampin' Up! groupie - and if you aren't a groupie then it's possible you'll be converted during the day.
And to celebrate? I have TWO sets of stamps to give away, one each to TWO lucky people..,. these are the sets we used for the Make n Take projects at the event. We got to take them home too. Score! All you have to do to be in the draw is to click "Like" on the little itty bitty facebook icon at the end of this post, and then leave a comment here on the blog post to say you've done so.
(And for those of you waiting on the winners from the catalog post, they are here, email me if you are one of the winners!)
Easy as that. Good luck, I'm off to play with rock salt and ink.
Laters.


sounds like you had a blast and love the stamps you got! glad you had a fun day out.
Posted by: Donna (midnightscrapper) | September 17, 2012 at 03:52 PM
Very nice stamp sets, I have Liked on FB Itty Bitty stamps too.
Posted by: Brenda | September 17, 2012 at 03:56 PM
liked, shared and got a good idea for that stamp!
Posted by: Danice | September 17, 2012 at 03:59 PM
Have liked on FB. LOVE those stamps. Sounds like you had an awesome time!
Posted by: Sally | September 17, 2012 at 04:22 PM
Done. LOVE stampin Up!
Posted by: Kellie | September 17, 2012 at 04:37 PM
HAve done it, wish they would have more things like this down in Palmy, sadly lacking, so very jealous of you
Posted by: Margo | September 17, 2012 at 05:26 PM
Done. Those are very groovey stamps. Looks like a great combination - salt and ink. Glad you had a good time.
Posted by: Lainie | September 17, 2012 at 05:28 PM
Makes me jealous being near a big city and all the fun, I liked on FB
Posted by: Debbie Reed | September 17, 2012 at 05:30 PM
love clockworks they look so useful and very lovely too
Posted by: Julie Bush | September 17, 2012 at 07:40 PM
Oh my these are gorgeous stamps!! I liked on Facebook.
Posted by: Fiona Angus | September 17, 2012 at 07:42 PM
I liked ;) I love SU...and would love to get my hands on some new stamps. Who knows...it might even inspire me to make something! Thanks for the chance.
Posted by: suzitee | September 17, 2012 at 07:57 PM
FAB stamps. They do need to run this south of the bombays for us though, I feel! Liked on FB.
Posted by: Beck C | September 17, 2012 at 07:59 PM
Great stamps- liked
Posted by: Christine cleary | September 17, 2012 at 08:59 PM
How fun that you got to play and not work!!
Posted by: Jean | September 17, 2012 at 11:35 PM
Fantastic stamps. Stampin up are winners in my book... maybe I'll be one too. Glad you had fun Nic.
Posted by: Wendy Carter | September 18, 2012 at 01:08 AM
Liked on FB.
Love those stamps!! (but then again I love everything Stampin' Up!!!) Would love to win them! Thanks for an awesome giveaway!
Posted by: Jenn | September 18, 2012 at 02:30 AM
I've liked on FB. super cute :)
Posted by: Katie | September 18, 2012 at 07:51 AM
LOVE the Stampin Up stamp set - gorgeous!
Posted by: Neroli F. | September 18, 2012 at 08:55 AM
very, very, cool
Posted by: bridgette | September 18, 2012 at 10:15 AM
Pick me Nic, I'd love to win a free Stampin Up set :)
Jo
Posted by: Jo Limpus | September 18, 2012 at 12:55 PM
Those stamps look great!
Posted by: Lianne | September 18, 2012 at 01:21 PM
This year they DID run the day South of the Bombays - one day in Aucks, the other day on 1 September in Chch. SOOOO hard in Welly to choose which direction to fly to!! I chose Chch cos I got to catch up with family that way - but I know I missed a good day in Aucks!!
I would love to have the event brought to Welly - but we need the numbers to support them to do that.... So, I would suggest to add a third destination into the schedule, we need to let SU headoffice know that we have the numbers. Demo Support's email in NZ is dsnz@stampinup.com :)
Posted by: Kelly | September 18, 2012 at 06:02 PM
love SU!!!
Posted by: Dee | September 19, 2012 at 03:49 AM
Too easy, to 'like', should be 'love'!
Posted by: Jo-Anne | September 20, 2012 at 01:48 AM
Awesome idea to use rock salt. Glad you had lots of fun playing with products. I have the clockworks stamps on my wish list.
Posted by: Erica Lasham | September 21, 2012 at 04:56 PM