Expo Update

Oh, my goodness, has it been 3 weeks already?   This month is flying by.  I have been working...first 2 weeks at the 'shop' and the past 2 weeks splitting my days between grandbabies.  Mornings with my son's family (they are moving) and my dd's (she has brand new newborn).  Happy and Exhausted but not much time at home and in my scraproom.    BUT my work schedule will be adjusted, so maybe more mornings can be spent creating.   Since I will probably still be waking up @5:30...ha!

Santa Clara Expo was the bomb!  ha! seriously, the day just went by too fast.  Michele and I were joined by Kathy and Chris...that is the wonderful thing about Expo crops, it really is no problem to share a table with people you do not know...they were very friendly... 

So, shopping....which I did more of than I should have...

Kiwi Lane templates, concentrated on the card sized borders...but did get a new accessory. Next time I really need to bring a list, I did duplicate!!!  siiiiiiiiiigh

 Lasercut Titles, I stop at this booth every year and use their buy 3 get 1 free coupon.

 irresistable baby stuff...since I was working on baby boy layouts

 Authentique, another must stop....so adorable, love the 'vintage'

 and of course Echo Park...we actually stopped by toward late afternoon... my fave these days

 Actually scrapped with a class kit...at Pleasanton I took the Echo Park class...and used them on a couple of layouts...here are the sample layout pics from the class

 Here are my versions, will need more embellishing....

This Expo, since I only went one day...really packed light....so for the most part only got layouts started but not really embellished...that will come as I unpack them and put them into their books.

Kiwi Lane had a card class...Michele and I took it together...it was 12 x12 papers pre designed, you used the templates to cut them out and glue together...for me, it was meh.   For Michele, it was a bit confusing at first.  I plan to add some embellishing before using.

 This pic shows my card vs the designed card.   I would have preferred a class that shows how to take the templates and design your own card.  Instead of a draw and prizes, the class had a purchase special...which we took advantage of!  

 Oh and the crop freepack...I got Fancy Pants

 But gotta say, I see myself using the 'B' side!!   ha!!!!

Expo! so much fun...I think Michele is addicted and next year would like to do the full 2.5 days...okay by me.  Esp if we can get the discounted hotel room...though her mom's house was less than 30 min away.

First week of Aug...busy but will end with EXPO!

Busy month, am training the gal who will replace me at the business...so have been working a (gasp) full week.   So commute and something going every evening.  I go to the home office each night to collect more files and email her spreadsheets.   Good part about that, is I get to see the babies each evening.  And it is difficult to not spend my day with them.  So I get to huggle them in the evening.

BUT how is that even when you don't have time to scrap, your scrap desk gets messy.  Esp if you are a 'shopper' like me....ha!!!

This is what the desk looked like on Weds, when I finally went into my room...well, to pack for Expo!  

I finally made a Unity Stamp purchase.  They did a great promo on facebook, 'comment and you and a friend can win"...so I followed the link and bought.   Sooo cute!!!

I joined a Facebook Scrapbook sale site, recommended on the Refugees site...and picked up these CTMH stamps.  And the gal is a Posh rep and sent me samples...I really like what I see.

Amazon purchase I had shipped to Texas while I was there last week.  Basics, wanted to start some slider cards...but...my sis's scrapbook stuff is 'unreachable'.  Her kids turned her room into a store room and it is packer.  Sis is not happy, but the good thing about grown kids...is...they eventually move out...riiiiiiiight?

Creative Memories reboot purchase, a friend became a rep...so going to give it a try.  This is actually packed for Expo.   I was never really a fan of CM...their tools are fantastic...but you know the whole almost 12x12 papers and concentration on stickers.   And the reputation some of their reps gave the line about 'acid free'.   So, we will see.

Speaking of CM tools a friend was selling her punches, all for $5...including these CM's.  So got these, the Martha Stewart was 70% off at the Texas Michaels.   Since I have gotten into making pockets with my fuse, I imagine I will also use the shape punches.   Plus, these are great for dgd to start her own collection.

So, off to Expo.  Instead of the usual cropping all 3 days, only doing one with my friend Michele.  I missed the $135 per night hotel block and the hotel rooms were over $300!!   So, we will be spending the night Fri and Sat with her mom who lives in San Jose...and only crop and shop one day.  

Looking forward to it...and I did something impossible...I really tried to pack so that it would be only one car trip...I usually make 2 for crop stuff...and I think I did it!!!   More to come. and hopefully some layouts and projects!   Whoot, whoooot!!!!