Saturday, September 08, 2007

My first time attending the Scrapbook Expo

I have an absolutely amazing day at the Scrapbook Expo!!

After a rocky start because we had to sort out some issues with who would watch Alex when Jim got a late night phone call to go into work today I left the house at 7am this morning to pick up my friend, Sue and we made our way over to Hofstra. Trying to find the place where they had the actual expo set up proved to be quite a chore...good thing we left early and got there with plenty of time to spare! At least now I know for next time where they hold this event, it's a pretty large campus and if you don't know where you're going you've got a problem. :)

We registered and got our tickets and I went to the Teacher's Pet table to sign in since I was 'working' as teacher's helper in two of the workshops today. I got all my instructions and we went inside to find the classroom area so we knew where we had to be since Sue was actually taking the 1st class that I was helping in and then we went down to hit the sales floor and check out all of the vendors!!

After we walked around a bit I found my way to the Time Flies booth.
Sue and I did a Make and Take there for $5 and it was a really cute page that I'm looking forward to using right away with some pictures from Alex's birthday.
While we were working on the page I was fascinated to hear about how the company got started by just creating a page and making kits for her LSS and it took off from there. I bought 4 kits and can't wait to get started on them.

The first class that I was scheduled to work in was at 10:30 and I was supposed to be there at 10:15 so I went upstairs and she was still cleaning up from the last class and there wasn't anyone else there so I helped her out with cleaning up and then we started to set up for the class. "A thing or two about Boys" which was sponsored by Quick Quotes. There were about 45 ladies taking the class and my job was to pass out the coupons they got for the class and also their survey sheet that they needed to fill out after the class. I had to then collect their tickets to prove they paid for the class and they put their names on the back for little prizes that the teacher called throughout the one hour class. The rest of the hour I just had to walk up and down the aisle and go over to each table to show them the sample up close and personal. I also helped a few of the ladies that looked like beginning scrappers...some of them were really struggling with keeping up in a fast paced workshop. After the class I collected all of the survey forms and helped the teacher tidy up the area and since the next 'helper' wasn't there I started to help her set up for the next class. She then gave me my free kit for the class that she had just finished teaching, she threw a bunch of "Quick Quotes" in my bag, an ink pad and then she gave me the full kit for the class that she had taught at 9:00am which is a canvas with all sorts of embellishments...I was shocked that she gave that to me but she said I was a big help to her. I later saw that same kit for sale in the booth for $29.99!! WOW!!!

More shopping after that and then some lunch with Sue. We decided that next year we'll bring our own lunch!! Pizza and hot dogs just does not work in the healthy eating plan!!

My next class was at 1:30 and I arrived back in the classroom at 1:15 ready to help out again. This one was called, "All about Heritage" and basically I had the same duties, passing out stuff and walking around the room with the sample and by now I saw the same faces and knew who needed some extra help so I went to them a little more. :) I got my kit for helping out and then Sue and I went back down to the floor to check out the rest of the booths and put a serious hurting on our wallets. We both decided that next year we need to bring MORE money!! HAHAHAHA!!! I spent about $20 at EZlazer Designs and that is because I found tons of great stuff that I will be using for Robert's deployment book. Eyelet outlet had a booth and of course I picked up a few goodies there like Leggo eyelets and some Marines stuff. There was a booth with mosaics and we stopped and got a great demo on how that all works and I picked up a few kits there, too and I'm looking forward to perusing the website and learning more since I have a bunch of the mosaic paper.

I'm exhausted but I had an amazing day and I can't wait to do it again next year!!! For now I have a ton of stuff....good thing I have a weekend crop coming up!!

5 comments:

Kelly said...

I've been to 6 of our Scrapbook Conventions here and last year finally sat that one out. We usually saved up $200 minimum for it b/c we could grab the deals and stock up on paper. Not to mention the classes, but just took a break last year. Might have to go again in 08! Glad you had so much fun!!!

Anonymous said...

It sounded like you and your friend had quite a day. It sounds like it was interesting. Until next years.Hope all was enjoyed.

Anonymous said...

From the looks of that background in your picture it looks like you would never be able to take enough money. Sounds like you had fun and snagged some deals.
Savannah

Laura said...

Sounds like you had a great time....I'm glad, that's what you need and deserve!

Hey, when is our concert? Soon, right? We are gonna have a blast! :)

Thanks for your sweet comment!
L

Nancy said...

That all sounded like super fun! I just can't get involved in a new craft, I barely have time for the crafts that I do now... but all those fun things.... paper....ribbon...eyelets OH MY!