VersionScrap was a whirlwind of a weekend - one where it feels that your feet haven't touched the ground but you know they have because they ache from standing, walking, stair climbing.. a bit more standing - and you've enjoyed ever single minute.. that was my my weekend...
(I take my hat off to the rest of the PaperArtsy team because they worked for 3 more days than me!)
It really is a lovely craft show - though 'craft show' doesn't do it justice - its almost like a big retreat - 2 days of great classes on offer, beautiful stands, lots of make'n'takes, great products and a nice atmosphere all help to create an inspiring craft day out or weekend as many people visit for the weekend (or all three days!) - so many things to do.
I spent Friday teaching 3 classes to groups of lovely ladies (57 people! phew!) and we worked through the language 'barrier' with the help of Sally's translation skills, and its surprising how much (or little lol) of my school french came back to me... and how miming skills come in really useful...
I spent Friday teaching 3 classes to groups of lovely ladies (57 people! phew!) and we worked through the language 'barrier' with the help of Sally's translation skills, and its surprising how much (or little lol) of my school french came back to me... and how miming skills come in really useful...
... the classrooms are bright & airy and have a nice view out of the window onto the park...
I didn't get a chance to take many photos of my classes - all very busy - and I only took a few around the shops/stands themselves,.. and then it was mainly of shop names I wanted to remember - I even forgot to take photos of the PaperArtsy stand! (or the demo samples!) Very unusual for me & so I've borrowed a couple of stand and class photos from PaperArtsy's Leandra's twitter feed.
I walked the whole show twice on Saturday (in case I missed anything the first time, and because it was 'a bit' busy) and did a bit of shopping (well it would've been silly not to!) - here's my stash pile - I haven't had a craft-spend like this in ages!
several dies, a few stencils, couple of stamps, cute little laser cut embellishments (love the smell), and magazines as research and because the French magazines are lovely. My suitcase on the journey home was only two-thirds full but weighed a blummin tonne! lol
One of the stands had 3d pens- v clever.. tempted to look into these back in the UK - could make all kinds of quirky embellishments & 3d drawings....
At the back of the hall is a gallery of great big canvasses - scrapbook layouts but huge - about 60-100cm - this wood plank based one was one of my favourites...
as well as this yellow and black one (yes, me, liking yellow - how things have changed - I told you I was embracing yellow!)
Big paper flowers seem to be on trend at the moment- I've see it used on catwalks at recent fashion shows, and in window and product displays and so I really please to see this clever use of a frame and flowers:
so much to see.. I really enjoyed this show, thanks to everyone who came to my classes and who visited the PaperArtsy stand and watched Leandra and Lin demo their socks off all weekend- it was lovely to meet everyone.
The PA team work so hard keeping everybody happy and the stand well stocked with PA products.
I had time, on the walk back to the courtesy bus (or NoddyBus as its affectionately called, because it looks like a toy train lol), to take photos in the gardens... only the tulips were in bloom at the moment and they looked lovely - so colourful...
I had a few hours to spare before I caught the Eurostar back to the UK and so I dropped my luggage in a locker at the station and caught the Metro down to Les Galleries Lafayette... this is a mecca for shoppers - the shop is just beautiful! The central gallery with its huge stained glass dome is stunning and smells amazing with the perfume counters in its centre.
Cute.
and very very tasty! lol
Now I'm back at home - so glad I went to VersionScrap and experienced teaching outside the UK and the show itself - I'd recommend going to the show if you get the chance... I hope to go back next year... we'll see... I'll start brushing up on my French now, just in case :o)
x
Looks like you had a fab time!! xx
ReplyDeleteHi Jo, I was glad to meet you and follow one of your class, how lucky, it was great to start with you I really enjoyed!! So yes please, continue to improve your French for the next year! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd ooh, I see that I'm on your photo made on PA's stand tee-hee!.. I had a great time too at VS this year, hope I can go next year too and see you again! xx
Amazing show, your stash looks so tempting and a lot of it will work beautifully with your own stamps and stencils too xx
ReplyDeleteWow.... so exciting. Btw, Maplins sell the 3d printers.......
ReplyDeletehaving been lucky enough to go last year, this brings back many happy memories - I'd love to go again too, and I love the stash you brought back with you.
ReplyDeleteGreat round up of the show Jo. I do love this show, it has such a great vibe, it's so different from all the UK shows. Glad to see your lovely pile of stash too, it was fab to see products that we don't have in the UK. How lovely that you managed a little time to see that amazing stained glass dome too.
ReplyDeleteLin x
Lovely to see your write up, Jo. Bought your French stamps at ally pally!beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLucy x
Great to see you enjoyed your visit to Version scrap Jo, your classes looked so much fun and i love the new stamps you brought out specially for the show too.
ReplyDeleteYou can buy the 3D pen from Maplin for £70 http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/3doodler-3d-printing-pen-n00ds or there is another called the LixPen which is smaller and is due out soon for £85. Looked at these last year when i first saw them, they do look loads of fun don't they! :-) xxx