Welcome back to Freebie Friday! I hope you are enjoying our new blog posts and find it inspiring to stop by each and every day to see what our amazing designers have created. Recently. we have had Jen Gallacher creating cards using washi tape, Paige Evans introduced us to designer Patricia Roebuck and her amazing artwork, Roree Rumph created and decorated fun vellum treat bags, we shared a few tip of the day videos, my Freebie Friday featuring BasicGrey, neat card sketches by Tammy Chenault and our weekend posts by Lorraine and LeAnn sharing a few of their favourite projects and recipes. I enjoy returning each and every day to see what new projects the team has shared. We hope you do as well!
Did you know that the Weekly Scrapper blog is a part of the Scrapbook Expo event brand? Not only do we aim to inspire you at our events all across the USA, but we enjoy keeping you inspired every day that you are not at an event as well. For this week’s Freebie Friday, I have decided to focus on the Scrapbook Expo events.
In less than a week, the first 2015 Scrapbook Expo event will be opening. We have been working hard behind the scenes to make changes and updates to the show that we are sure you are going to love!
On our new website, you can find all of the details about the 2015 shows. From viewing the gorgeous preshow guides, to choosing your classes from the project photos, to learning about the crop themes and our keepsake button program, it is all there for you to read and learn more about our shows.
Did you know that we offer a “Buy 1 Workshop & Get That Days Admission Free” program? This awesome special is available online only so why not go ahead and pre-register for your classes so you can get your admission free? With all the amazing classes that are available this year, it will be hard to choose just one class, so just think that a free admission pass gives you a few more dollars to spend on workshop or scrapbook supplies. Love that!
Another program I am a HUGE fan of is the Keepsake Button Program. I attended an event last year and during my time there was able to collect four buttons (I Cropped, I Shopped, I Learned and I Created) which meant that I earned the I Conquered medal and lanyard. I even got to ring the ‘gong’ and yell that ‘I Conquered’ the Scrapbook Expo. It was crazy fun! I have the lanyard hanging on the wall in my craft room. This year there are new buttons that you can purchase as well, including a special limited edition ‘Scrapbook Expo 2015 ‘ and an event location button. My son compared my collection of buttons to the ones he collected at Disney last year. I guess he is right. We both enjoyed collecting our buttons!
While I was at the event, I tried to do just about everything possible. To make sure I accomplished everything I wanted, I completed my on-site registration as soon as I arrived at the hotel on Thursday. I then used the show guide to see what booths were hosting make & takes that I was interested in and started to mark off which booths I absolutely wanted to shop at. I also made a note on the show floor map of which booths had offered coupons in advance of the show.
I attended the Mega Make & Take Extravaganza on Thursday night. I was flying solo at the event; I did not know anyone in town or from the Scrapbook Expo so I spent my time at this crop meeting new people, making new friends, meeting some of the manufacturers who taught the make & takes, and getting crafty. I was really glad I took the time to meet people at this crop as it meant when I was attending classes the next day and walking around the market place, I had people to say hello to and catch up with for a few minutes here and there.
When I arrived back in my hotel room on Thursday night, I spent time planning my next few days. I wanted to take advantage of the Early Bird Shopping on Friday, but also had an early class so I decided on two booths that I wanted to hit first. The deals were great so the lines were long but moved quickly and I headed off to class with my first purchases in hand. I enjoyed a day of classes and shopping. I would attend a class, shop for a bit, and then attend another class.
In the evenings I attended both crops. Again, I was on my own but was able to meet some wonderful people who were friendly. Oh, and if you attend a crop, you will get to meet Dave and Betty. These two are fabulous! They make sure that you have fun but also have time to scrapbook without lots of interruptions. And prizes, yes they have them as well! Oh, and I can’t forget to tell you about the Tool Shed at the crops. Wow, the Scrapbook Expo team has collected lots of amazing tools for crop attendees to use. You can take advantage of the tools like a Cricut machine so you don’t have to bring your own machine, but there are also tools that you can try and if you like them will be able to purchase in the market place. I had fun trying tools I had never seen before.
When you first enter the show floor, make sure to enter to win at the Door Prize Kiosk booth and not only will your receive a “Swag Bag” compliments of Darice and Spectrum Noir, but you’ll also be entered to win door prizes throughout the day! Door Prizes are drawn at random and all prizes must be claimed by the end of the day. And you never have to worry that your name will be called while you are at class. If you are a prize winner, they will record your name on a white board and you have until the end of the day to claim your prize. Yay!
In between your shopping and classes, don’t forget to take advantage of the Creativity Center hosted by Lorraine. Have you met Lorraine? If not, you need to. She will inspire you, motivate you, and remind you that getting crafty is awesome! While you are spending time with Lorraine at the Creativity Center, you will complete a great project as well. All this for free!
Don’t forget to take advantage of the exhibitor make & takes while you are walking the show floor and shopping. It is amazing what you can learn from the passion that the exhibitors have for their craft!
And don’t forget the big Saturday Scraptacular Giveaway! This is your chance to win big and have lots of fun doing it! Set your alarm clocks early on Saturday and win one of many wonderful prizes awarded from our VIP vendors. Each lucky “Scrap”tacular guest will have the opportunity to choose which prize they would like to win & take home. All you need to do is arrive before 9am on Saturday, have your Saturday wrist band on and collect a Golden Ticket between 8am – 9am. The Scrapbook Expo team makes it so easy to win!
Before i tell you about this week’s giveaway, have you heard about the new Scrapbook Expo Express? Do you want to attend this year’s Scrapbook Expo but don’t want to deal with the drive and parking? Hop on the Scrapbook Expo Express and spend a fun-filled day at Scrapbook Expo. A deluxe motor coach will deliver you straight to the door of the Expo. Start your Expo experience before you arrive at the show; all your friends can ride together plus your bus ticket includes admission and a Golden Ticket for the Saturday Scraptacular. Other features of the bus include fun games and prizes on the bus plus no parking fee. And there is no waiting – get your ticket on the bus and get straight to shopping and workshops and stay all day and relax on the bus on the way home! Doesn’t this sound wonderful and relaxing?
Now that I have told you all about the fun times you can have at a Scrapbook Expo event, will you be joining us? I am going to make it even easier to attend! Leave a comment on this blog post before 6pm on February 19th for a chance to win a pair of admission passes to a Scrapbook Event of your choice. And wait, there’s more! I am going to give away TWO pairs of admission tickets. How fun is that?! Four friends will be able to attend an event and enjoy it just like I did!
Are you ready? Leave a comment below and tell me what is your favorite part of attending a Scrapbook Expo event. Are you a class junkie? Do you shop until your drop? Do you spend your days and nights enjoying the peaceful crop space? OR do you do it all?
Are you on Facebook? For our friends who enjoy chatting on Facebook, I am also hosting Facebook groups for each location. Take this opportunity to meet other attendees who will be at your event. Chat with exhibitors about their make & takes or what they may be selling at their booths. Go ahead and ask questions to the Scrapbook Expo team. These groups are for you! We hope you will enjoy them and we also have special giveaways hosted within the group. At this point, you can join the groups for Grapevine. TX, Pleasanton, CA and Orlando, FL. Watch the Scrapbook Expo Facebook page for the other groups to start soon.
Last week’s Freebie Friday post was sponsored by our friends at BasicGrey. Thank you to everyone who commented on last week’s blog post! I enjoyed reading all of your responses. Your comments show that inspiration comes from all around us!
The lucky winner of the BasicGrey giveaway is …
Congratulations, Laurie! Please send your mailing address to Jen Walker and include ‘BasicGrey winner’ in the subject line.
Would you like a chance to win two single day passes to a 2015 Scrapbook Expo event of your choice? All year long we will be giving away passes. You can learn more about the #IWannaGoSBE giveaway here.
Thanks for joining me this week. I hope you have a wonderful week! Don’t forget … If you want a chance to win passes to attend a Scrapbook Expo event near you, you need to leave a comment on this post.
~ Jen
I am excited to attend my first Scrapbook Expo ever. As a newbie to crafting, I’m excited to learn techniques that I have not tried before and hopefully make some new crafting buddies!
I felt like I was at the Expo with you! 🙂 I always look forward to seeing my favorite vendors (& their new products) and learning something new!
Joanna, that is so lovely to hear. I felt like I was back at the Expo when I was writing the post as well 🙂
This was a great blog! As I was reading it, I was telling my husband all about the expo event and telling him, “I do that too!” and “I want to stay the night and do the Mega Make-n-Takes and Crops!” I’m a class junkie, too! The Scrapbook Expo’s are such a great way to see what’s new, and learn new techniques! I get a lot of inspiration from their Facebook posts, also! Thank you Scrapbook Expo for all you do!!! Thank you so much!!!
This was a great blog! I’m a class junkie, too! The Scrapbook Expo’s are such a great way to see what’s new and learn new techniques! I get a lot of inspiration from their Facebook posts too!
This was a great post. I’ve never been to a Scrapbook Expo and it looks like so much fun!
I look forward to the Scrapbook Expo in my area every year so I can shop ’til I drop!
i attended and volunteered at the classes, so much fun, and I learned for free, in that I got to watch:(
I have attended the Thursday night mega make-n-take it was so much fun, I would love attend for all the shopping and classes.
I am an Archiver’s Scrapfest alumni, literally CRIED when they stopped hosting. I look forward to trying this Expo for the first time, and becoming a “regular”!
I can’t wait to attend my FIRST EVER expo!!!!! The wait is like being a little kid again with Christmas on its way. Looking forward to learning some new techniques and SHOPPING!!!!
The best part about being at Expo is shopping and cropping with my friends. I drive 12 hours each way so we can have our girls’ weekends; there’s never enough time for all the gabbing and laughing!
My friends and I have attended the local Expo for years! We love to shop and take classes every year. We tried the Latest and Greatest Tool class last year, and are already planning on taking it again this year.
I am looking forward to attending my first expo! I’ve thought about it for years and now I have decided to go! I want to do it all- the buffet approach. A little bit of everything please!
I am new to scrapping and would love to attend an event in my area (or within driving distance). The classes, make and takes, demos, AND the opportunity to purchase items would be a dream come true.
Registered online for my 1st Expo: 9 classes, Thurs crop, entry to all 3 days, am I crazy? Mahalo for sharing your experiences everyone. I am so excited!
This will be my first ever scrapbook expo and I’m very excited to meet new people and learn some new techniques.
I love your post! I’m so excited to go to the Expo, this will be my first time attending. And since my sister, sons mother in law and I all retied last year we’ve gotten into scrap booking even more
Thanks for the blog. I am glad to read you went into it knowing no one. If you can do it maybe I can too! I recently relocated so I am torn between flying to Orlando to see my old friends or to check out the Kansas City expo and make some new ones. I embrace the whole experience first setting up to crop and socialize until the next morning when classes start and of course leaving with an extra suitcase (or two) of goodies I had to buy for home. No matter what you go for, you come out of it with knowledge and new friends. A perfect weekend in my book.
Kim if you go to the expo near your new home you will get the opportunity to meet scrapbookers who live near you. And remember, you can always go to both expos
I do it all and the best part is I’m with my friends it’s a time for me to enjoy and relax and have a good time 🙂
Wonderful description of all the fun you can gave at The Expo!
I was fortunate to attend my first a couple of years ago, and have been wanting to get back since then. My favorite was problem the make and takes and the shopping, but I attended a couple of great classes as well!
I can’t wait to attend the Grapevine crop next weekend! I this is year #3 for me and I just can’t wait!
Usually two or three of my friends and I attend the Pleasanton, CA expo…and we shop til we drop!!! Would love to win the tickets! Too bad there is no bus service out here!
I am super excited about attending my first expo this year! Scrapbooking is my hobby and my stress relief. I can’t wait to crop, shop and participate in make-and-takes with others who enjoy crafting as much as I do.
I can’t wait till expo… This is what I call my time and no one is asking me did i finish the laundry, whats for dinner, i need this…. Its all about me Expo weekend.
My daughter and I have attended EVERY Scrapbook Expo that has come to Denver!! My sister and her best friend even came from Eastern Kansas to attend last year. We got a hotel room with a large space to scrap, chat and just have fun when we weren’t at the Expo. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Scrapbook Expo and Dave and Betty are amazing!! I would so like to win free tickets to go again this year! A big thank you to everyone who makes this fantastic time possible!!!
Oh my gosh, Jen, you wore me out with everything you did! I am a shop til you drop person. So many wonderful things to look at, make and takes, and touching real paper and embelishments. Thanks for the chance to win!
thank you for the chance to win tickets! this was a great blog we attend every year and enjoy the whole day this year for the first time we will be going on saturday and we are very excited about the golden tickets- we also love the make & takes and tthe addition of the creative center-
I’ve been attending the Orange County, CA Scrapbook Expo since 1995 and I’m definitely a ‘class junkie’. I LOVE attending workshops each year and being able to have hands on experience with the new products and tools. I would love to win tickets for this year coming up in March!
I have never attended an Expo, but would sure like to. The blog post makes it sound like a whirlwind of fun! I would especially like to have tickets to share with some of my on-line scrapping buddies…
I am looking forward to attending my first Expo event this year. I love to shop! do make & takes and take classes. I would love to win tickets! Thank you for the giveaway.
like you….I try to get everything done, and collect all my buttons. But I have to say my favorite time is at 6 PM when we go and crop with Betty and Dave!!! I have so much fun hanging out with my girlfriends and hooting and hollering for prizes!!!
I attended the Chantilly VA Scrapbook EXPO for the first time last year and I loved it!! I’m already (and have been since last year) looking forward to this year!!! I thought some of the best changes with this company, that made everything more exciting was the Buttons, Golden Ticket, and of course, the vendors!! I’m looking forward to taking some classes and of course, shopping!! I’m already saving!!! Thank you, not for just the giveaways, but for continuing the EXPO!! Looking forward to June!!
I have been to a few Expos and always find them exhilarating! Looking forward to 2015’s selections!
I have been to several expos mostly in Sacramento Ca…. also in Pleasanton. But have always wanted to go to Santa Clara- always happens on my Birthday!!! I love the shopping, new friends, cropping, make and takes, inspiring new ideas… it’s all terrific!!!! This year, I turn 60 and I get to attend Santa Clara to celebrate with my best scrap buddies- new and old!!!!! Can’t Wait!!!!
Wow I really enjoy seeing all the different products and ideas at scrapbook expo. We have very few privately owned shops in NJ so I often travel further to see ideas and designs in person.
I love the bus idea. Hope you will have a bus available for the Ontario/Anaheim Expo. I am in the High Desert are of Victorville, Ca. I am sure plenty of us would love it!
To be honest… This would be my first one!! It looks like so much fun, this was a great post, specially for the ones that never have been there before. Thanks so much.
What a great blog with amazing tips how to spend a weekend at the Expo. I’m really looking forward to new products, new techniques and Shopping, Shopping, Shopping!!!
I like to attend Scrapbook Expo for the classes, the demonstrations and the crops with all their awesome giveaways! Love everything crafty!
Last year was my first Expo and I had such a great time. I am already planning all 3 crops this year and can’t wait to see the class list. I am even considering attending an Expo in another state.
I am looking forward to the Scrapbook expo in Grapevine TX! I love to see all of the new tools and techniques.
I love everything about Scrapbook Expo events….starting with the wonderful Make and take event on Thursday night to the fantastic fun of shopping to my hearts content and the wonderful classes…can’t wait to go again this year
I attended my first Scrapbook Expo last year in Sacramento. Loved it! I was really surprised, since I am not a scrapbooker, but a cardmaker! Lots of fabulous stamp and die cut vendors, and loads of great embellishments! I went with my friend, Laura, and we look forward to attending again this year! I did one make and take card that I especially liked, but other than that, we both just shopped til we dropped! I’d like to try some of the other activities there too!
What a great sounding event, would love to crop!!
Going to an event would be awesome. Never been to anything like that!
I LOVE Scrapbook Expo!! I love the excitement, everybody there is a kindred spirit — we are all cropoholics, and it’s OK!!! There is such a fun feel to the Expo. I am blessed to be able to go to 2 Expos this year, and I’m not sure which one I’m most excited about: Orlando is coming up in just a couple of weeks (YAHOOO!!), but the 2nd one is in Duluth, Georgia, where I am kidnaping my sister and taking her to her first scrapbooking event ever!! I’m excited to be able to share that with her. See you SOON!!
will be my first time attending, and I sure would like to muster up enough energy to do it all
Scrapbook Expo shows are the most fun a crafter could ever hope for! I can’t single out any one particular thing I enjoy about the Scrapbook Expo because I love all of it! I start saving my pennies months in advance so I can shop and take classes. I love, love, love the individual vendors’ hints and tips and overall friendly and generous natures! I’m looking forward to the show in my city this fall!
Wow! I’m looking forward to my first Expo in Orlando in March, but never dreamed there was all this. Looks like one day is not going to be enough!
I can’t wait until our expo returns in August! It seems so far away. I love to take classes, shop and crop. Make N Takes are a great way to try new products and tools before you “just have to have them”. The new bus sounds like lots of fun!
I can’t wait for the expo! You are finally coming to my area
I have been to the EXPO two times now and had lots of fun each time. The location has changed this year to the one I will be attending but I am sure the fun will be the same. I am soooooo looking forward to this as it is the perfect opportunity to spend time with friends and see all the latest products. I cant wait!
I have never attended a Scrapbook Expo in person but I feel like I have “virtually” been there after this awesome blog!!! Thank you so much!! It sounds just like what I would love to do!! I love to learn so classes are perfect and mega make and takes and fun filled events have to be the best!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope it’s my name chosen !!!! <3
I have not attended a Scrapbook Expo. Have participated in three Shop Hops (Paperchase) for the last three years and that is how I started scrapping. Looking forward to planning my attendance at this years Expo. Can’t wait to see when one will be in the Northwest. Love how to do new things.
Love Scrapbook Expo and cannot wait to see what is in store for 2015. The classes, the vendors, every thing! !!
reading this blog got me all excited for this year’s Expo. I love the “make and takes” I always learn something new. It is a great way to try products you see and are not sure how to use. I have never taken a class or the crop but after reading this I will take a look at those offerings!
I’m so excited to be going to the expo soon, it’s our groups fourth year going! I love looking at all the new ideas and shopping for all that beautiful paper but most of all I enjoy the crop night with my besties 🙂
Scrapbook Expo Orlando is just around the corner. I’m making my lists and checking them twice. I can’t wait for the weekend away. If I win two tickets I will take my husband. He said he would “love to see” what goes on at a scrapbook convention.
I am so excited to be attending for the very first time to the SBE!!! I plan on going all 3 days. I live in Southern California, so I have already put in my Vacation time at work to take off Thursday, Friday and attend Saturday and Sunday as well! I’m so excited, I started packing my tools and gear 2 weeks ago! I have a checklist ….(will probably take too much with me) but I have a portable/foldable wagon to tote along with me to buy all the goodies. I heard they have really great prices and baragains! I am so excited! SBE is my Disneyland for 3 1/2 days straight.
My Checklist is:
____ Good Pair of Shoes
____ Comfy Clothes
____ Camera
____ Scrap Friend Book (phonebook for all my new friends I meet and business cards to collect)
____ My Red Foldable Wagon
____ Bottle Wire
____ Snacks
____ Score Pad, Adhesive, & Tools
____ BackPack
____ Credit Card #1
____ Credit Card #2
____ Credit Card #3 (the one for emergencies only….this event is an emergency!) LOL
____ Hubby’s Credit Card!
____ Cash as well!
____ Extra Large Reusable Tote Bags
Did I miss anything? I plan on buying all my paper, cardstock, ribbons, embellishments, washi tapes, trims, blings, etc there! So no need to bring them!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. I felt as though I was on a “ScrapBook Tour Ride” and I feel as though I will know everywhere to go and everything to do and look for once my feet hit the pavement!
That is an amazing checklist! Have a wonderful time!
love scrapbook expo so much we go to 2-5 of them a year.
I have been attending the scrapbook expo for over ten years. I can’t remember exactly but my friend SandyK introduced me to your event. I moved to Arkansas but I’m coming this March. I can’t wait. Yay. I love this blog.
Great fun!
Looking forward to Denver Expo. This is my 3rd year and so excited. Love the classes and crops and maake and takes! Yes I hit the gong!!! So excited!!! We shop til we drop at the vendors in between classes after classes, before classes. We are there. Our car coming home can carry no more. Love love expo!!