Scrap Etc. 2008 - Recap

Posted 21st April, 2008 in by Andrea
Ever wonder what it looks like to have 600 scrapbookers in one room? Very pink. And slightly intimidating. But, by the end of the weekend, I think maybe I spoke to every single one of them!
 
Scrap Etc. 2008 was exhausting, fun, exciting, inspiring, and then even more exhausting. I was a group leader of one of the 4 groups of ladies who attended in the event. So, let me shout out to all my Group A girls...they were patient, friendly, silly, cooperative, and all so talented. But I could not have led them at all without Molly, Carol and Tracy, who kept me on track and were absolutely indespensible.
 
 
 
We enjoyed classes by Heidi Swapp, Gretchen McElveen, Jenni Bowlin, Monique McLean, Vanessa Hudson, Wilna Furstenberg, and Angelia Wiggington. I came home with a small truckload of scrapbook products and kits to make all kinds of fantastic projects that these ladies shared with us.
 
 
I ended up not having to present my 7 Gypsies class on Saturday night, because we ran out of time, but I did stand in front of that massive group of people and show them the finished project. But by that time, I'd been to every table answering questions, handing out kit products, and it felt like I was talking to an old group of friends. It was no sweat at all... So maybe I'm ready to become a convention teacher---hmm...maybe not quite yet.
 
 
I won't bore you with every detail of the weekend, because, let's face it, if you weren't there, it can't be recreated. But, I will leave you with a list of 30 things I learned while at Scrap Etc. 2008.
  1. How to make a paper accordion flower (thank you Jenni).
  2. That a class will go on, even if everyone's rub-ons are faulty.
  3. No matter what it is, food tastes fantastic when you are starving.
  4. I can function on only 4 hours of sleep...but it's a little foggy!
  5. The next time I take a creative class, I want to be the "rebel" and make the project my own...those turned out the coolest!
  6. I like being in charge of people and organizing activities.
  7. Tennis shoes are much smarter when you'll be standing and walking for 17 hours a day.
  8. Microphones aren't as scary as I thought they were.
  9. Trying to give 600 people instructions at one time in one large room is VERY difficult...note to next year's planners---give handout instructions for the layoust on SNL night and let everyone work at their own pace. Then they can socialize as much as they want.
  10. 1 hour and 15 minutes for lunch and dinner is too short when you have also get ready for the next class.
  11. I want to learn sign language--for real. We had two deaf ladies and two interpreters in Group A and I loved watching them "talk".
  12. Amanda Hudson is a great singer.
  13. I still love Gretchen McElveen's crisp scrapbooking style. So "me"...okay not me, but what I want my style to be. :)
  14. Wilna is adorable. Her accent and teaching style kept us laughing and on our toes.
  15. Jenni Bowlin and her family really impressed me. Love her down-to-earth attitude, she's so talented, and was just a joy to be around.
  16. Vanessa Hudson is remarkably talented, so creative, and still manages to be over-the-top organized--and she always looks great.
  17. I'm proud to have played a part in introducing Monique to scrapbooking (through Scrapjazz) which eventually led to her store, then the events.
  18. Heidi Swapp did not dissapoint and brought us plenty of pink, bling and fun.
  19. Angelia was one of the sweetest women I've met...and I'm so glad I finally got to meet her after enjoying her layouts in magazines since I first started scrapbooking years and years ago.
  20. Bonds are always created during stressful situations...I loved getting to know the other Scrap Etc. girls...and it was my main reason for helping out with the Event--to spend time with all of them. I really enjoyed our Thursday night pow-wow at the Irish pub. :)
  21. The little bird on the t-shirts, bags & aprons were so cute...even if they weren't as "round" as they should have been...it's okay Jennifer...no one noticed that the t-shirt folks stretched your image!
  22. Sometimes, you just have to make a decision and go with it. It's easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission.
  23. Scrapbooking vendors are so generous with their products and time.
  24. I shared a room with a former "Kelly Taylor"! (only you 90210 fans will be excited about that).
  25. A $6 McDonald's lunch seems like pennies after a weekend of eating at the Opryland Hotel. A muffin for $4? Really? That must be some muffin. I'll stick to my granola bars.
  26. Scrapbooking is fun...it still is.
  27. The amount of money people are willing to spend on products for their craft is unbelievable.
  28. I love my Scrapjazz girls! It was great to see Ashley, Trish, and Amanda!
  29. I'm tired of butterflies.
  30. Phoebe (from Friends) is right. There is no selfless act. No matter how many times I went out of my way to help someone, no matter how exhausted I was, it felt so good when I was able to make something "right" for a person. I hope I was able to make everyone's experience as great as it could be.
I'm sure I could go on and come up with 100 things, but I'll stop there. If you went to the Event and have pictures to share, please send me a link! I didn't have my camera out nearly enough!
 
 

5 comments so far:

Katie Burnett said:

Loved your list about the event. It was great spending time with you. Will never forget our dinner that we made in the last 3 minutes the kitchen was open...I wonder if the cook spit in our food. I just thought about that!

Looking at earlier posts, Ayla is so so so cute. She is such a doll.

23rd April, 2008 at 8:08pm

rkj330 said:

Thanks a million for being Group A's leader, you did such a great job!
It was great talking with you about Scrap Jazz!! Looking forward to the newsletters.
Thanks again- Kelly Johnston (one of the rebels in the back row!!!)

22nd April, 2008 at 6:39pm

lisatanner said:

Love your list!! Hanging out when we could was fun. We really need to keep it up!!

22nd April, 2008 at 10:46am

Ramona said:

Sounds like a FABULOUS time. One of these days I *will* make it down south to onw of these events. :)

21st April, 2008 at 3:41pm

jwinters said:

You are too funny. I'm still a little sad :( about the bird, but I'm mostly over it, 98%. :)

Cool, your blog is public now. So is mine... unwrittenjournal.blogspot.com.

P.S. You all rocked with the event!

:)

21st April, 2008 at 1:46pm

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