There were no dancing girls, casino tables, bad comedians or Elvis impersonators in sight. No,
it was a far more creative and inspiring Brisvegas that hosted the 2008 Brisbane Stitches & Craft Show.
While the sun shone outside, inside the Brisbane Convention Centre a different kind of light shone on the Living Creatively Stand, the newest exhibitor at Stitches & Craft. Dedicated to inspiring creativity and encouraging visitors to participate and have fun, the stand featured activities a plenty, creative demonstrations, a garden party, giveaways and mini cupcakes!
During each of the Show's five days thousands of people - women, kids and very patient husbands - dropped by, and most seemed keen to explore the Living Creatively display. And why wouldn't they? Who doesn't love adorable fluffy ducklings, for one?
So, as the mildly curious strolled along the white picket fence of the Stand's Garden of Inspiration, their faces lit up at the sight of the cuter than cute ducklings waddling among the unique craft items displayed on a white Hills Hoist, against aged fence palings or on an enticing Amitié picnic quilt. The mildly curious became the actively interested, and soon word spread about the Stand's delightful little surprises.
Nine-year-old Bree Subratzky, visiting the Show from New Zealand with her grandmother, was such a fan of the ducklings and the many crafty activities she came back three days in a row! Her dedicated persistence paid off too, securing the excited girl her 15 minutes as the star of the photo accompanying The Courier Mail's story on the Show. Bree was photographed among handmade totes and aprons hanging on the Hills Hoist in the garden, which, apart from the real grass, was hand crafted from fabrics, ribbon, buttons and beads.
The largest area of the Living Creatively Stand, the garden also featured wooden garden sheds as well as tables and chairs for visitors to sit at and play with the many tools and products generously provided by Fiskars and Kaisercraft, who each had a dedicated shed housing experienced, well known demonstrators offering helpful step-by-step instructions on a variety of craft tools and projects.
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It was like a mini craft class, with every 'student' welcome to take their handiwork home! Being free and open to all passers-by, these projects proved very popular, especially with kids like Bree.
The adults had fun too. One happy crafter, holding up a bag tag she made at the Kaisercraft shed, gushed: "I never thought I could make something so adorable. I especially love the bling from the pink rhinestones!" Another lady, relieved to see a group of Fiskars Ambassadors on the Stand, saw it as the perfect opportunity to learn how to use the Fiskars' shape
cutter she purchased at Lincraft the week before.
In addition to the projects, there were crafty demonstrations on the centre stage, every hour on the hour, expertly helmed by Fiskars Lead Ambassadors Dawn and Lyn and Kaisercraft's Cass and Lou. These were ideal for more in-depth projects and product demonstrations, and were as equally well received as the other Stand activities.
Also popular - unsurprisingly - were the bite-sized cupcakes, laced with white icing and tiny pink flowers, handed out by the Living Creatively girls. Designed by Living Creatively and baked fresh every morning by Brisbane cake maker Cakes by Judy C, the picture perfect morsels prompted many to ask "are they real?"
- until they tasted them, that is!
One of the most popular events of the whole Show occurred on the Friday, when Kerri-Anne Kennerley visited, drawing packed crowds. On the Living Creatively Stand, she dazzled as she chatted casually with presenter Claire Stewart, both ladies displaying their favourite product finds from the Show as well as answering questions from the crowd, before Kerri-Anne left to have her final Logies dress fitting with Alex Perry!
For those who wanted more of what they saw on the Stand, computers displayed the Living Creatively website, as well as giving visitors opportunity to register and automatically go in the draw to win the Limited Edition 100 Year Anniversary NS-30LE sewing machine by Brother.
All up, over the course of the Show, the Living Creatively Stand was an area of inspiration where everyone - big or small, young or old - could participate. But was it craft or cuteness that most people came
to see?
Sure, there was an overdose of cuteness, especially from the ducklings cuddled in a corner of the garden, sleeping, eating, grooming and playing throughout the day. Barely a few days old, they definitely wowed the crowds, and it didn't take long for one creative craft exhibitor, Nikki of Memories 2 Remember, to name them [Dizzy, Daffy, Cupcake, Mighty and Plucka]; for her efforts she got to take them home with her after the show!
But craft was the major drawcard for the enthusiastic crowd; one glance at the projects areas, packed with a constant flow of busily crafting people, proved they were here for the love of craft.
In the end, like the earlier Melbourne Show, the Brisbane Stitches & Craft Show was a pleasurable experience. Here's to the final show for 2008, at Sydney's Rosehill Racecourse from 20-24 August. Hope to see you there.
Find out more at stitchesandcraft.com.au |
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