The Brisbane Scrapbook and Papercraft Expo wrap up

Wow! I can't believe it's over. Things like this always go way too fast right?! You prepare for months, organising, negotiating, buying product, creating classes and kits, writing instructions, teaching, meeting amazing people, having fun and then it's all over. I have to admit I'm feeling more than a little sad today! 

It was a fabulous event and very well organised. The event organisers were more than helpful in giving me details of my classroom and getting the extra tables etc that I needed. There were tons of amazing shops! Oh my goodness! I needed time to shop! And the range of classes and tutors was fantastic!

I decided while there I would do a little video to give you an even better insight into what it's all about. Movement always makes things more real right? Yeah! So take a look at this.....

 

PS: Oh yeah! Love my exageration.... billions of tutors! LOL! Anyway, here's another look at things too......

All classes were the same size and around the outside of the show. They had walls between them, but no back and no roof. It meant that things could get quite noisy. Grin. Oh yeah! You kiwi ladies know how I love to give out prizes, and you can't do that without a bit of a whooohooo! Well, we had them whooohoooing all over the place. And as each new set of participants came through, and we did the whoohoooing, they would say....'so YOU'RE the one making all this noise!' LOL. Of course the other classes soon caught on and it was fabulous!

The classes were capped at 20 and I had full classes Sat/Sun and Monday was pretty good too. Over the weekend I taught more than 150 students. Over 9 classes. Wowzers! No wonder I'm feeling a little tired today. Grin.

I felt going over, incredibly lucky and spoilt to be asked to teach here and coming home the feeling is the same. I had a ton of people asking me if I'd be going back. The short answer is I don't know. Yes, I'd love to, so here's hoping! If you enjoyed my classes or would like a chance to take one of my classes in the future, get in touch with the 'powers that be' at Scrapbook and Papercraft expo and let them know you'd like me back.

In class we did a ton of different techniques. Lots of stencil use, texture paste, punches, some die cutting and gesso use. And of course my trademark fussy cutting amongst other things. 

As you see in the video above, there is a fabulous display of tutors work as you walk in the main door. Each tutor getting a place to showcase their work. I LOVED going around looking at all the detail. All the little bits and pieces. All the love put into each persons work. Just amazing.

There was also a display of the Australian card makers winners from this year. I was so proud to see a couple of wonderful kiwis work there.... Miss Betsy Clark and Michelle Frisby...

And even more spooky, meeting up with one of my uncles and Dad's friends, Paul. An amazing story....

Paul is very good friends with Andrew and Sophie the owners of Scrapmatts. And when I went in on Saturday morning to set up and teach, Andrew said I've got someone who wants to meet you. I turn around and Paul is standing there. I'm thinking who do I know in Brisbane? And he asks me if I'm 'Don's daughter'. Why yes! It turns out he and Dad became good friends while Dad was over looking after his brother who was dying. Paul and my uncle were good friends and as my uncle got sicker Dad and Paul got to know each other and help each other through those difficult times. I then got to meet Paul in NZ when he and some other friends of my uncles came across to the ash scattering ceremony here in NZ. Talk about a small world!

I was already feeling incredibly looked after by the team at Scrapmatts. I knew Angela Peardon and Sonia Thomason (we were on a DT together many years ago!) and met the rest of the team there. I have to say how incredibly nice they all are! If you are after some chipboard..... you know where to go now..... Scrapmatts! They treated me as part of their scrapbooking family, and I got to hang out with the ladies and team and Tracey Fowler even helped when I got stuck in class. Thank you so much all of you!

You know those times when you just feel like you connect with someone? Well, that's how I felt with these guys. After breakfast yesterday morning, leaving them I felt really sad. But the good news is I did bring some of their gorgeous chipboard back with me, so keep an eye out for it being shown here in the future!

Here's a pic of Sophie and I.

One thing I realise now is that I didn't take many photos while I was away. I got to meet so many people! But hardly any photographic evidence! Nevermind.

So that's about it. A fabulous fun weekend. Just across the ditch! For those thinking of going next year, don't think too hard. It's well worth it!

I do have a couple of spare kits left over, so will put them up in the next couple of days in case anyone would like to buy them.

Have a wonderful Wed all!

Comments

[Brenda]

Aww WTG you looks and sounds like you had a fabulous time. Can imagine you will now be shattered so rest up you have a wee bit of time up your sleeve hopefully before your next excursion..

[Crece Thomas]

I'm so glad Angella introduced you to me, you are truly one talented lady...the Scrapmatts team are pretty awesome aren't they ;)
Hope you come back again to teach, heard lots of great things :)
Xxx

[mandyb]

how fun!!!and yeah your wahoooooo classes are a lot of fun!!!!

[Shelley]

Thanks for a great workshop on Monday! Still have to finish them but that WILL happen! NOW trying to get the gods to line things up so dad's house settles to coincide with SENZ - keep everything crossed :-)