OnStage Live Amsterdam Friendships and Team Gifts

This time last week, I was in Amsterdam at OnStage Live, our annual Stampin' Up! event where hundreds of Demonstrators come together to Inspire each other. 

It's an amazing event and one I love to attend. I've attended a few Live events in Europe now, but not one in Amsterdam before. I was fortunate enough to share this event with five of my Team, who had never experienced a Live event before. 

I always like to give little Team Gifts out to my girls at events like this and Amsterdam was no exception. The first gift was given as we reached the Airport for our departure. A little wallet card with a magnetic closure. 

This cute little Piggy badge attached beautifully to the magnet and when opened, the girls each found inside a few personal words and an OnStage Luggage Label. 

They could either use this tag on their case or the OnStage bag that they would be presented with at Registration. It had their name on the reverse to help them identify their bags. It was only a little something, but a useful something from a practical me. 

Their main gift came once we arrived into Amsterdam and shared our first meal together. 

The girls surprised me by giving ME a beautiful Bracelet. A delicate little heart that sits beautifully with my watch. I absolutely love it and was totally bowled over at receiving it, even if a little embarrassed. 

Well the funny thing was ... I had chosen them each a Windmill Charm for their Recognition Bracelets. They can earn similar charms for gaining promotion, but the Windmill seemed only right and fitting for them to receive as a gift for attending their first ever Onstage LIVE event ... and this was how I packaged them. 

Swaps are something else that we tend to do at events like this to engage with others and obtain an abundance of inspiration from the many different styles out there. I made 60 of these Welcome cards that I exchanged for a fabulous array of swaps. I'll share those with you in another post. 

A LOT about OnStage events, be it Live or Local, is to do with the friendships and people that we meet and share our time with, so to share the experience with 5 of my team made it even more special. Here we are top left of this collage. 

I've created a wealth of friendships over my 5 years as a Demonstrator and love to spend time with these friends. Some I don't get to meet from one event to the next, but chat with often. We all support each other and cheer each other on ... it's wonderful and was great to see them ... Eimear, Gina, Joanne, Louise and Pip.

The smiles and laughter say it all really ...

I was last in Amsterdam as a child when I did a coach trip with my Mum and some friends. I had no recollection of the place from my first visit, so went with fresh eyes this time. 

Amsterdam has some beautiful waterways and some fabulous architecture. Allison, Holly and I took ourselves off for a late afternoon walk to take in the atmosphere. I'm so pleased we did, however brief it was, it was great to see. 

It was so lovely to share quality time with the girls, to really get to know them. We all looked out for each other, shared our aspirations and cheered each other on to achieving them ... it really was a heartwarming time to see how we each grew with confidence as the days passed. 

Here's to the next one now!

5th Anniversary Prize Giveaway

click on the image to read all about it

OnStage Live, Brussels … Sneak peeks and more ...

I can't believe that it was a week ago already, that I was in Brussels for the start of the first ever OnStage Live event … formerly known as our Annual Convention. 

A word of warning … this is photo heavy and isn't best suited to those following a diet.

This year I decided to arrive a day early, so that I could take in some of the delights that Brussels has to offer before the main event started … The Architecture here is breath taking and the Meringues, Macarons, Chocolates and general window displays, appear to all be presented to perfection.

With the build up to Christmas, chocolate Saint Nicholas' were in abundance and the displays were beginning to look very festive. Sadly we have arrived just one week ahead of the Christmas Markets, which I'm sure will be fantastic.

This is certainly not the place to come if you're on a diet though … just look at all of these temptations!!

Thursday afternoon came and it was over to The Square for the start of OnStage Live and the first of General Sessions, Prize Giveaways and a few Sneak Peeks from the up coming Spring/Summer Catalogue, that's due to launch on 5th January. 

Our Interim CEO, Sara Douglass opened the event with a wonderful explanation of how birds migrate and how we as Team Members of Stampin' Up! work better together as a Team, by pulling on the strengths of each other to move forwards. 

A few sneak peeks from the up coming Seasonal Catalogue … 

with lots of oooos and ahhhhhs … before it was time for … Centre Stage. 

This was an evening of recognition laid on for those holding certain titles. We were whisked off by coach to the waters edge, where we boarded a boat for an evening of live entertainment, a wonderful 9 course taster meal, drinks and time to chat with friends and fellow Demonstrators.

The next morning and it was back to The Square for yet more Inspiration, sneak peeks and the start of the rewards and recognitions, which this year, included me. 

Yes, this year, with the support from my loyal customers, my Team and of course my loving husband, I worked hard to achieve a few milestones of my own. I may not have reached the sales that some remarkable Demonstrators had reached, but for me, I've reached levels I had only ever dreamed of before and earned myself a week long cruise for Hubby and I around the Mediterranean. 

The Heart of Stampin' Up! was awarded, the new Artisan Team announced, Incentive Trip achievers applauded and over the coming days recognition made for Sales, Milestone years with the company, Recruiting and Promotions all interspersed with … yes you've got it … more Sneak Peeks, Prize Patrols, Giveaways and Crafting … after all, that's what we're in it for.

The main Product area was like walking into the up coming Catalogue with display boards a plenty and lots of hands on crafting time.

This was just one of the project suite areas, but one that a good friend and my room mate, Zoë Tant, was presenting at. 

It really was a good few days away taking in all of the delights that both Brussels and Stampin' Up! had to offer. It's always wonderful to catch up with fellow friends and Demonstrators and I've returned home buzzing with renewed enthusiasm, but sadly slowed down a little having returned home to knee surgery … 

Still, it's given me plenty of time to ponder the gorgeous new catalogue (disguised here by the annual catalogue), forward plan and when I can manage, I'll take a few photo's of some swaps and Giveaways that I was fortunate enough to receive. 

All in all … a fantastic OnStage Live … so if you'd like to join in fun of this type, then you might like to consider joining me and my Team in April for the next Stampin' Up! event. 

Get in contact if you'd like more information … just allow a little longer for me to get to the phone ;) 

Hoping you're all well

Mikaela x

Today's Stampin' Chat and OnStage Live events begin

Today is the day that I'm heading out to Brussels for this year's annual Conference, called OnStage Live. My suitcase is packed, my Swaps are made and I'm super excited to be spending the next 5 days with friends, fellow Demonstrators and a whole host of the Stampin' Up! Team. 

Whilst I'm heading out, the next episode of Stampin' Chat will have gone live. Yet more great memories of fun times with people who share my passion for paper crafting.

More hot topics about being a Demonstrator and yet another fantastic Competition, so be sure to grab yourself a cuppa, take a look and enter. I'd so love it if one of my followers were to win something … and if you do, please let me know. 

VIEW STAMPIN' CHAT HERE

In this episode we discuss building a Team … Well, if you've ever considered joining Stampin' Up! and fancy joining my team, then do get in contact. I'd love to have an informal chat with you about it … and no, you don't necessarily have to live locally to me.

Upon my return from Brussels, I will firstly be going into hospital for a mini knee op, so will take the rest time afterwards, to sit and upload my photo's to share with you. I feel sure there will be lots to post, so don't forget to pop back or sign up for email updates so that you don't miss out.

I will do my best to keep you up to date with news as it unfolds, through my Facebook page, but of course, with so many yummy chocolates to eat, I may well get distracted or have sticky fingers. 

Enjoy the delights as they get posted.

Mikaela x