What a total BLAST! Stampin' Up Convention 2012

As I have very nearly finished the FINAL assignment for this semester, I am going to post a quick peek at some of the awesomeness that was Stampin' Up! Convention, 2012.
It was certainly a fun event - and a good way to wind down after a most hectic semester at uni!  Term 2 is crunch time at schools, apparently, with so much happening.  Even as 'just a student teacher' it's been full on trying to juggle lesson plans, assessments and the rest, and throw in a couple of subjects worth of uni assignments and it becomes faintly ridiculous!  Still!  Just one semester to go, and I'll be a fully qualified (over-qualified?) high-school science teacher!

Stampin' Up! Convention 2012 - Canberra Convention centre, theme "I am" - 500 excited demos enjoying 3 days + of stamping, inspiring presentations, socialising, and lots and lots of freebies!  I even won "Prize Patrol" this year for the very first time, but I can't show you yet!!  (Sneak Peeks on the way when I get a chance to create with my prize!)

Yes, that's the awesome SU founder and CEO Shelli Gardner, with me (right) and the equally awesome Clare "Crafty Cow" McIlhatton, my very first downline team member back in January 2008 (left).  Clare was  selected as a winner in the Stampin' Up! Convention commercial competition with her super dooper punch art stop-motion animation - go Clare!  Shelli had us in stitches (of empathy) this year, with her series of project glitches while stamping on stage, she was utterly mortified, but we were so impressed with how she managed to get back on track and wow us anyway.  It gives every demonstrator the feeling that it's OK to have a "Shelli Stuffed It" moment from time to time!

Just one small part of many inspiring displays, using the Edgelits and Framelits dies.

The current and upcoming In Color collections (yummy!)

One of many inspiring swap boards - arranged in colour groups by SU! staff!

The all-singing, all dancing SU! Sydney office staff!  Talented Cate Lynch is a knockout singer, and the "I am" theme song was fab (and stuck in my head!).

I am SO going to make some of these!!!  Amazing 3D apple made with the "Simply Scored" tool by Brian Pilling, from the US Head Office.  A very talented bloke, Brian also gave some brilliant leadership presentations, and you can also see him do some great youtube video tutorials here!
Oh, and he danced too! (blue shirt below)

Better stop there, I took so many photos I could be here all day!  Hope that gives you a taste of what it is like to attend a Stampin' Up! Convention - maybe you'd like to join me next year as a guest or member of my team?  I've updated the "Become a Demonstrator" page on this blog, visit here to find out all the details about the really great changes that have been made over the last few months.
 I'm also thinking of hosting an "Opportunity Night" in Cherrybrook, to go through the benefits and fun that come with being a demo on my team - please leave a comment here if that sounds interesting to you.  (or even if it doesn't,why not leave me some comment love anyway??! ;)  )