I do look forward to the Melbourne Stitches and Craft Show, held at the Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne every March. I don’t know if it’s coincidental that it’s run at the same time as the Australian Grand Prix; maybe it’s a refuge for women escaping petrol-head mania. And I will be up front here and state categorically that I am not into stitching in any way shape or form. I only go for the paper crafting. Or to be more specific the papercrafting workshops.
This year Fiskars brought Heidi Grace out to co-run some workshops featuring their products. Heidi seemed like a lovely fun person. I caught her first workshop of the day and she conducted half of it with her new baby Reagan strapped in a harness to her front. Reagan, incidentally was beautifully behaved and looks like being indoctrinated into the scrapbooking and cardmaking world before teething. The workshop was designed to give us an opportunity to use lots of Fiskars products and we made three cards in 45 minutes. However, I have to say that whilst it was good to try the equipment, the pace of the workshop was very stressful and I would rather have walked away with one really speccy card than three fairly ordinary ones. But we also got a free Fiskars craft apron so I certainly am not complaining.
I then took myself off to the Hot off the Press workshops which are conducted by Sheila Cafferkey from Birch, who import the products. I always like to go to these workshops and for me they are the highlight of the Show. Sheila is an excellent trainer and her workshops don’t feel stressful as you strive to keep up with the pace. Also the items that you make are ones that use interesting techniques and are items that you are happy to use. I stayed for two cardmaking workshops, a scrapbook page workshop and one where we made a cute little notepad (but I’m hanging on to the technique to make quick and easy mini albums. The collage on the right isn’t exactly colour coordinated, but it features all of the four items I made in the workshops as well a little pic of Sheila.
By the time the workshops were over I only had enough time for a half an hour to whip around the stands and pick up some bits for the stash before the day was over.
Other related posts:
Hot of the Press Girlfriends Getaway
Paper Wishes Weekly Webisodes
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow what a productive day you had. I had a giigle at the timing of the event. Karen are you going to Kiwiscraps Freestyle down under in Sydney?
I love craft fairs. There used to be huge 3-day events here in Sacramento but for some reason the promoters moved the Northern California event to Southern California and I’m just not that addicted. I used to do a lot of needlepoint and crosstitch but I don’t seem to have the patience for them anymore. That’s what I love about digital scrapping. It’s quick and clean.
I am terrible with collage, but your collage page is gorgeous! We don’t have any craft shows like that where I live, so I’m totally jealous. lol
Sounds like a fantastic craft show! Great job on the collage page!
“…are you going to Kiwiscraps Freestyle down under in Sydney?”
I hadn’t planned to Janine. Maybe I should find out more about it. Is there a website?
You had a busy day Karen … and even managed to squeeze in some shopping. I’m going to the Wellington Freestyle downunder event in April (my first scrapping event) and i’m really looking forward to it. Details for the Sydney version Janine mentioned can be found here:
http://www.kiwiscraps.co.nz/CC2007FS/index.html
Great collage page Karen!
Looks like you had a great time and learned some fun techniques. That collage is awesome!
one thing I hate about living in Perth west aussie we never have any decent craft shows grrrrrrr the classes sound amazing.
BTW inregards to my comment about a dish washer hehehe I’ve only had one for like 6 months and now I willnever not have one I am totally hooked.
Your work is really nice. Love the colours and collage work!
I just love art works especially making collages. I often do this to my collectible coins. I make fancy collages with bright papers and cute cut-outs that I bought from the bookstore. You have beautiful works too! Keep it up!