OnStage in Vancouver BC was Awesome! Learned So Much! Good Times!

It was such a fun weekend with my teammate Anne B. in Vancouver BC attending OnStage Local for 2022.  It was the first time to be together in person following the major shut-down brought on by the pandemic.

Our drive to Canada went much smoother than the two times previously I've been there, where I got caught in rush hour traffic (Ugh!). We left earlier in the morning and got through the Border Crossing within 30 minutes. Our first stop was the Granville Island Public Market. It is a lot like the Pike Place Market but more is inside. Anne and I enjoyed a Salmon and Chips lunch when did some looking and walking around. Anne was able to find some darling gifts for her three grandchildren.

Then we decided to drive over to the event venue to check out the parking situation. We are glad we did as it was pretty confusing. By the time we finished the drive back it was time to check into our condo.

Anne and I stayed at one of our Worldmark Condo units in The Canadian in Vancouver on Hornby Street. It was very convenient to get around. The rest of the evening was spend yakking and getting to bed early!

We left the condo close to 7:15 a.m. to venture to the venue at the Pacific National Exhibition Forum. We were very lucky and nabbed a parking spot close to the entry doors.

Stampin' Up! only rented a portion of this building. we were in the back third. This building was built in 1931 and was used as a hockey arena, concert venue, and more through the years. 

The projection screen backdrop before the event started.

Over 200+ Stampin' Up! Demonstrator's mostly from all over Canada, but a few American's from Washington and Oregon drove up too.

The ladies were busy swapping cards and saying hello to other demonstrators they know.

Stage area where some demonstrator's presented new projects with new stamp sets coming out soon.

Simple table centerpiece

Anne and I posing at the Photo Op Wall.

Here's all the goodies I came home with! A beautiful Cross Body Purse in Evening Evergreen, with a top bound spiral notebook and matching pen. Fancy commenorative trading pins to go with my name tag. One copy each of the new January to April 2023 Mini Catalog and the January-February 2023 Sale-a-Bration Brochure. Three new stamp sets - two from the new mini and one Sale-a-Bration set. Prize patrol also passed out beautiful Dry Brushed Metallic Specialty Designer Series Paper and coordinating Pastel Adhesive Backed Sequins. I made a haul!

I also participated in general card swapping and one organized swap during our lunch break. I'll post those cards in the next post!

After the all day Stampin' Up! event, we just had to go explore the opening day of the Vancouver Christmas Market by the waterfront at Jack Poole Plaza. We took an Uber both ways. 

There were lots of people and live music playing, but we were able to see most of it in the hour we walked around. There were long lines for the food booths, so no pretzel for me. We did get a couple things at the market booths, but the prices were pretty high even though it was in Canadian dollars. 

I am so glad that I have experienced REAL German, Austria, and Czech Republic Christmas Markets. They are bigger and more to look at. 

On Sunday morning after we checked out of the condo, we decided to add a couple stops after we crossed the border. 

I recommend the darling Lynden Dutch Bakery. I couldn't resist snapping a picture of each display case. 

Next was a gas fill up in Lynden and we were on our way south.

Anne took this lovely photo!

Our second detour was to take the 20 mile drive along Chuckanut Drive Scenic Byway just south of Bellingham and continue into Burlington before rejoining I-5. It was a lovely drive with views of Puget Sound, tall trees, and nice homes along the way. The only exception was for the two impatient drivers who passed me like I was standing still on a very narrow curvy road. The hair on the back of my neck came to attention! Yeesh!

Once again on I-5, the traffic was getting more and more congested. We saw a couple accidents on the shoulder of the freeway. By the time we got into downtown Seattle I suggested to Anne we drive the service streets to head to the airport. She was agreeable. 

I narrated as we drove by the Smith Tower, through Pioneer Square, Lumin Field, T-Mobile Park, and the Museum of Flight. It was a lovely sunny Sunday and far less crowded than I-5. We said our goodbyes at Sea-Tac and in she went. She had plenty of time to relax, and get some dinner before catching her flight back home.

We are already looking forward to next year when Stampin' Up! celebrates their 35th Anniversary! I'd love to have you join us!

Please contact me or email me at stampinwitheva@gmail.com if you have any questions about OnStage, products, techniques, or card designs. Comments below are welcomed too!