Convention '09 - Part 1

Hello Everyone. Well, I'm back from Stampin'Up!'s annual convention. What fun! There was so much to see, so much to do, and so much to share. In fact, this year's theme was Inspire, Create, Share; the perfect summary of what Stampin'Up! is all about. Attending convention really is one of the best bonuses of being a Stampin'Up! demonstrator. I am so excited about all the new products and promotions we have coming up in the next few months. And, of course, I took a TON of photos. So naturally I thought I'd share some of them with you.


This is a photo of my dear friend and fellow demonstrator Joanne and me. This is the 5th year we have attended convention together and we're already talking about our plans for next year.

Home Decor Tour
One of my favorite display areas at convention is the home decor displays. I love seeing all the different decorating ideas, and there are SO many. It is kind of like an "I Spy" game when you view them; standing there trying to spot all the different ways Stampin'Up! products are used. (Click on any of the photos for a larger view.)

Let's start in the bedroom, shall we? And what little girl wouldn't love this room? Check out the pretty border along the top of the wall. It was created with one of SU!'s newest lines Decor Stencils. Specifically the Brocade Flourish stencil (catalog #117971) and All Scallops (#117584).



Here is a closer view of the wall hanger. It was made by covering a piece of wood with Razzleberry Lemonade designer series paper (#115675) and then attaching some reproduction crystal door knobs.


Here is a view of the damsel cap displayed on the headboard. So pretty! I believe the base was made using Bridesmaid specialty paper (#116479). I also 'spy' Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon (#109067), pearls and a stick pin from the Pretties Kit (#109114), Chunky Sprinkles stampin' glitter (#111343), butterflies cut with the Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die (#114507), and the Once Upon a Time stamp set (#113746) was also used.


And here's a look at the banner pinned to the foot of the bed. I spy more ribbon, pearls, butterflies, and glitter. The letters are from the On Board Timeless Type chipboard set, covered with glitter. I think the flowers were made using the Flower Layers #3 original die (#114527).


Moving on to the dining room. More stenciling on the walls. Here the Baroque Medallion stencil (/#117973) was used.


A closer look reveals lots of clever ideas. The Cheep Talk stencil (#116570) was used on the pillow, Kind Thoughts Brocade (#116573) on the tray, and a modified version of the Baroque Medallion stencil was used on the rug. The window and the magazine file/box were stenciled using stencils created with Sizzix dies; Serif Essentials (#113464) on the box and Decorative Accents (#114523) on the window.


A frame stamped with craft ink using the popular Baroque Motifs stamp set (#113490).


Oh my! There are so many things stamped and stenciled here, the hatbox, the back of the hutch, the cover of the photo album, the vintage suitcase, the picture frame, the book on the top shelf.... did I miss anything? I just love how so many of the stencils and the Sizzix dies compliment each other.


This "room" wasn't finished when I was photographing the display. They were still stenciling the wall. They (the SU! staff) actually install some of these displays during the convention so you can see how they are created and ask the "installers" questions. Check out the witches chant on the wall. It is from the Decor Elements line, Toil & Trouble (#117945).


Isn't this Halloween tree cool? Again, lots of details here I'm not going to try and list them, but lots of cute things created with Stampin'Up! halloween-themed designer series paper, stamp sets, and Decor Elements.


Does anyone remember Elvira, Mistress of the Dark? This floor lamp reminds me of something she might have in her boudoir. The shade was stenciled with the same stencil as the tray in the dining room display (Kind Thoughts Brocade).


And finally a look at the home office. Well, actually there are lots of ideas here that could be used in a number of rooms in the house. More stenciling on the walls, here the Adornment stencil (#117585) was used on the soft pink walls.


Do you recognize all the shapes cut out for this quilt using the Big Shot die-cut machine? The longer I stood there admiring it, the more I noticed; Beautiful Butterflies die (114507), Build a Flower Set #2 (113446), Hearts Set (#113448), and Scallop Circle #2 (#113469), just to name a few.


Who needs a lamp shade when you have a Big Shot and a Stampin'Up! Flower Folds die (#115970)?


Scrap book paper isn't just for scrap booking. These pretty file folders are covered with Kaleidoscope designer series paper (#115680).


And a bulletin board covered with the same paper.


And, of course, the clock has to match. More designer series paper and numbers cut using the Stampin'Up! Alphabet Simple Numbers die (#115968).

That's the end of our tour folks....
I guess this post got a little long winded. But this is only a small sample of the ideas on display at convention. I hope you were inspired to create something beautiful for your home. I know I was.

If you'd like to order any of the products listed, please go to my Stampin'Up! website by clicking on the icon in the column to the right. Once there, you'll notice a 'shop now' button which will take you directly to the catalog where you can enter in the name of the item or the catalog number.

Stay tuned for more inspiration. As I sort through my photos from convention I'll be posting lots more ideas.