Paperific Expo 2010

What an incredible time I had at the 3 day Paperific Expo in Melbourne last week. It’s hard to believe that this time last week I was packing up my car and organising the last minute bits and pieces for the show. Now here I am, back home once more with lots of great memories.

I stayed in the city of Melbourne this time – and oh dear, what a shame – David Jones and Myer were just outside the door!! So a bit of retail therapy was just what I needed after my 8 hour drive from Canberra. Lots of lovely things to look at. One day I will own a Chloe handbag. Dreams!!!

Next day it was a little bit of shoe shopping then off to the National Gallery of Victoria to see the European Masters Exhibition. There were some magnificent works on show and I loved it. Two of my favourites were Fritz von Uhde “At the Window” and Pierre Auguste Renoir “After the Luncheon”. Absolutely beautiful. Then upstairs for a look around the beautiful Asian Ceramics - a very serene area of any art gallery. And to finish off my visit, a stop at The Tea Rooms on the first floor for coffee and the most delicious and beautifully presented sandwiches. Playing ladies for the morning has never been such fun.

Then back to business. Off to the Melbourne Showgrounds for set up. This is the first big craft show that I have attended when I have set up on the ground floor. WHAT A RELIEF. No lifts and waiting around. There were even flat bed trolleys to unload your car so I had only 4 -5 trips back to the car instead of the usual 15-20. At last I was set up with no more to do so the butterflies set in just ready for the start of the show.

Flemminton Racecourse where the famous Melbourne Cup is held each November. These beautiful gates were on the way to the melbourne Showgrounds.

Setting up day

The 3 days were busy all day - every day. I released the 4 new Paper Quilt card patterns which everyone seemed to like and sold out of the Cinderella Shoe - so I think I'm on the right track. I managed to have a quick look around each morning at all the fascinating products for sale during the show. Fabulous new papers, embellishments, computerized cutting machines, pens, sparkles and kits. Then it was head down and almost non stop talk about Paper Quilts. I received a wonderful response and I hope as always that I have inspired people to have a go at this craft I love.

Thanks to Naomi Swan and her team of wonderful and cheerful helpers for making the Paperific Show such a great experience for me and everyone who attended. I look forward to my next trip to Paperific and beautiful Melbourne.

Paperific Expo Countdown

Wren’s Nest Studio has been asked to demonstrate Paper Quilting at the up and coming Paperific Expo in Melbourne - Friday 27th to Sunday 28th August at the Melbourne Showgrounds, Ascotvale. I am so excited to be travelling to wonderful Melbourne for the second time this year. This time I will be staying in the city so I can do some window shopping, walk the beautiful streets and soak up the buzzy, sophisticated atmosphere of the city at the end of each day.

Paperific – as its name implies, is all about Papercraft so it is wonderful to be involved. I can’t wait to see the other Papercraft stores at the show which I’m sure will have some inspirational goodies. Here is a piece I have been working on to celebrate the 10th birthday of the show. She was inspired by the Paperific logo and was created using a combination of techniques. She is being framed today and will be travelling with me to the show.

I have been busy preparing for the show. Creating more Paper Quilts, organising my gallery of Paper Quilts, working on some card making patterns which I will release at the show, packaging and working on the set up of my space. It always takes a lot more time than I think it will and I end up in a hell of a mess up the shed. Maybe today I can get it all organized. Dream on dear!!!

Last week I became a Bernina Friend. This is incredibly exciting news as it means I may be doing some work with them in the future. So yesterday I picked my very pretty new Bernina 46 to use for demonstrations and in my classes. It is a great looking machine - combining a retro feel with modern design. It is just perfect for Papercraft and general sewing as it’s not heavy and it is not expensive. Today (if I can tear myself from tidying the shed) I will be learning to use my new beauty so I will be up to speed for Paperific. I think I will call her Nettey Blossom - as every sewing machine as pretty as this deserves a name.