Telford Regional Training Swaps and Gifts

Stampin' Up! Events often bring out Swaps and Gifts a plenty and this year I was fortunate enough to have several of my Team attending Regional Training with me, so wanted them all to arrive to a beautiful box of goodies from me.

I had handmade some biscuits that I packed up inside this Kraft Box made using the Gift Box Punch Board and decorated it with Butterfly Basics in what I believed to be quite vintage looking colours. I was really pleased how they turned out and I'm amazed that all 10 carried, arrived at Telford in one piece. 

My Swaps were based on the new Tin of Cards stamp set that I had been working with, as part of my on stage presentation. I was determined to show just what you could create with this stamp set, over and above the Project Kit that I was Demonstrating. 

The first of my swaps was a Swap I made for my Team and the Stampin' Creative Blog Hop girls, using the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Die and the sentiment "a happy hello". I really liked how the three rows of crosses in different colours worked out as a background. 

From the off cuts I made these Bookmark cards. I used the new Triple Banner Punch that will also be available in the new Catalogue, the Tab Top Edgelits Die and the stamped images from the Tin of Cards Stamp Set. I thought this was a nice way to give a Bookmark with a book as a card and gift in one.

This last and final swap was created using the background from another new stamp set, 'I Think You're Great' and coupling it with the punched and embossed heart and the tab sentiment of Thanks from the Tin of Cards Stamp Set.

I've a wonderfully talented Team and was well and truly spoilt with Swaps and Gifts from them. 

Look at this beautiful Gift Bag, hand stamped and handmade fabric case, notebook and card that Emma Fielding made for me. She is such a clever lady and I just love the Painted Petals Stamp Set. 

oooo I'm clearly known too well … Green & Blacks chocolate and Hotel Chocolate gifts … delicious!

My Downline Susan Merrey, stamped on this tile coaster, which I absolutely love and will use on my craft desk. She plans on posting a tutorial to her blog in the next couple of days, of how to make and seal it, so be sure to pop over to Craftyduckydoodah to see if you are interested.

Here were a few other 3D items with my favourite being the eos Lip Balm box at the front, that another Team member, Mo Rootes, kindly made and gave to me.  

The variety of creations is just wonderful and is exactly why we do swapping.

I absolutely adore the swap that I received from Zoë Tant at the top here, with the little Seahorse on. Such an elegant card and probably my most favourite from the weekend. I equally loved the simplicity of the flower card that Emma Goddard made with the squiggly lines as a boarder.

Here are a few more cards, bookmarks and tags that I was fortunate enough to swap. 

Tomorrow I will share some swaps with you, that use the new In Colours and those from the Stampin' Creative Blog Hop girls that I team up with each month. I will also share a few more card designs that you can make using the Tin of Cards Project Kit embellishments to give you yet more ideas, so yes, yet more inspiration to share with you.

Until then … Happy Stampin'

Mikaela x

Want to see inside the new Annual Catalogue? ...

I bet you, like many would like to see inside the new Annual Catalogue, well you can here.

Chris from our Demo Support Office and I were inside it at this weekend's Regional Training Event in Telford ...

… and what a truly wonderful weekend we enjoyed too. 

A quintessentially English Afternoon Tea, enjoyed in the sunshine of a beautiful garden at the B&B I stayed at with a few of my Team and some other Demonstrator friends, was how the weekend started.

It was then over to the Convention Centre early the next morning to meet up with the other Presenters. 

This year's Annual Training Event was attended by 350 Demonstrators. 

The day was jam packed with Business Training, Craft Inspiration, fun, giveaways and friendships … and a few surprises along the way too. 

Sarah Berry used a gorgeous new stamp set within her Demonstration. This 2nd Generation Butterfly set is sure to be popular and I for one, can't wait to get my hands on it. 

We broke for lunch and had the opportunity to enter the Make & Take room and have a hands on play with some new materials. This was also a great time to check out the  Inspiration Boards and displays, which are always a sure hit. I for one was super proud of one of my Downline Team members, Emma Fielding, who had been asked to come up with some projects to showcase a few new fun stamp sets. 

I think Emma did a fantastic job with such a selection and variety and some great back to school gifts.

 Both male and female, her creations couldn't help but make you smile.

Isn't this little dog just so dam cute? ...

There were many more displays to be seen by some other very talented Demonstrators.

Following lunch, we were back in the room for yet more Inspiration and Business tips, kicked off by Rhoda MacPherson had designed a beautiful set using the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits and a new co-ordinating Stamp Set.

Amanda Fowler gave a talk about Leadership, which she presented with the use of some new Project Life goodies. Being photographs of her own family and not having her permission to post publicly, I have chosen to not post these photo's here. Needless to say, there are some more lovely Project Life goodies to be enjoyed in the new catalogue.

Then the surprise that I've been keeping for the past few months was revealed. 

Before Easter I was asked by Paula Gorry, the Business Development Manager at Stampin' Up! UK if I would partner with them and present some new products on stage. Nervously, I accepted.

I was on stage with the lovely Lisa Cornwall who had also never presented before or done any form of public speaking, so we were both going on with butterflies in our tummies. 

Lisa presented a new Bohemian suite of Papers, Stamp Set and Washi Tapes. She had come up with some wonderful creations, in some very striking patterns.

Along with this gorgeous bag to hold the selection of cards in.

I had been asked to present a lovely new Project Kit, that involves a gorgeous Tin of Cards … a kit that has been causing a lot of excitement being on the front cover of the new Annual Catalogue.

Let me show you inside …. 

One gorgeous tin, complete with 9 dividers and enough embellishments, card bases and envelopes to create 16 cards of 4 different designs.

The designs have been chosen to appeal to the new crafter, to the slightly more experienced and with styles from rustic to full on bling. 

It's a gorgeous set no matter if you choose to keep it or gift it away to someone.

Later in my presentation, I showed how the stamp set used with this kit, could be used in another way and I'll show you these creations tomorrow, along with some amazing swaps I've been fortunate to receive. 

All in all, this year's Regional Training Day was another amazing event that this year I was fortunate enough to share with several of my Team, my Upline and another of her Downline.

I've returned home full of inspiration and excitement to share, so do remember to pop back if you want to see what else I designed with the Tin of Cards Stamp Set for my Swaps and see some more Team Gifts and Swaps that I have. 

Want to be a part of the big Stampin' Up! family? … then be sure to get in contact with me to find out how.

What so far from the New Annual Catalogue, is becoming your favourite?

Mikaela x