I went to OnStage!!!!!

Beware.... this is a very photo heavy post!  

In March, I was lucky enough to fly to Melbourne and spend 3 days with people who were just as passionate about cardmaking and stamping as I am (ok, so some are probably more passionate than me!). I bunked in with some beautiful friends in the city and lots of our time was spent at the Convention Centre listening to and watching fabulous demonstrators and leaders in papercrafting from here in Australia as well as America.  

We chose to participate in the paid Pre-Event crafting night, which was so much fun.  I had picked the Citrus Blooms to play with and it did not disappoint!  Such a fabulous was to start the weekend. 

The annual catalogue being handed out and prize patrols were a highlight.  So many new and exciting things including the announcement that Stampin Up is opening their arms to new members from another company and returning to Scrapbooking in a bigger and better way.  I have been dabbling in returning to memory keeping myself so this was exciting news!

The product playground, a series of hands on and visual displays was open at lunchtimes, and was a lot of fun to participate in.  We got to sample the new In colours (delicious variety this year!) and make our own colour wheel to use.  We also got to use some of the products in the upcoming catalogue to mix and match for a customised card.  I think these products are going to be popular for beginners and young kids.  

I met a few online friends in person, some who have been in and out of forums and online groups with me for the past 17 years, and others are fresh faced from recent social media groups.  It was a great thing to be able to say hello and to make those connections.  I'm generally a shy person is a large crowd so a few friendly faces made all the difference. 

Melbourne city did not disappoint either.  I'm Melbourne born and although I haven't lived there since I was little, I definitely feel its a bit of a home for me.  I love the city, the vibe that you get.  Unfortunately I didn't get to see too much except the sunsets from our balcony, but it gave me a thirst to travel back again for a break soon. 

One of the most impressive activities I thought was the final display... this huge sign is made up on small squares of cardstock that demostrators placed on the wall.  I had no idea what it was, just stuck the squares on and later came back to this!  Isn't it the best idea?  And it really represented us all as a whole community.  

Exciting news.... OnStage is coming to Brisbane next year.  Mark it in your calendars.  It will be the best time to make sure you are signed up as a demonstrator.  I'm going for the entire event and would love some friendly faces to be there with me.  Let me know if you are interested.  

If you made it this far, thank you.  This event was exactly what I needed in my life, it pulled me out of a bit of a creative rut where my mental health wasn't its best and the connection to craft and expression as well as decent supportive and caring humans made me realise that all this playing with paper and ink really is worth it.  A huge shout out to my roomies and besties, Tracy and Marian.  Without your encouragement I would have cancelled the event, sold my ticket to someone else and still been in that rut.  

Happy stamping,

Rachael xx