Belated GASC review!! :-)

Went to the Great American Scrapbooking Convention last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and had a WONDERFUL time with friends! :-) They weren't the 'herd mentality' types, so I was able to wander around on my own, wherever I wanted, for as long as I wanted. It was great!

Got to participate in a 12-hour crop on Wednesday (didn't finish any pages but got lots of little things done so all I have to do is put the pages together), then on Thursday and Friday I went 'shopping' in the vendors' section. It was in one of the convention center's huge ballrooms, easily 2 football fields in length I think!! At least that's the way it felt to my feet after 2 days, LOL. :-) Hundreds of vendors with great deals (though not as many discounts as I would have wished) with make and takes, new tools to play with, and new supplies.

Bad part is that it seemed to be even less new stuff for cheaper prices, than old stuff they were clearancing, which I didn't mind, just expected a bit more.

Was very disappointed 2 of my favorite vendors from the past, My Mind's Eye

and the Quote Stacks books vendors, weren't there, wah!! :*( Those were the places I have always gotten the best deals in the past. Some vendors had some small amounts of their stuff, but the prices weren't worth it. Oh, well. Did get a TON of new ideas and photos of other peoples' work for my own stuff (yes, I scraplifted like crazy, LOL!) and I'm even more determined to start my own ebay scrapping business here in the near future! I got a boatload of eyelets, brads, paper, rub ons, etc. Best deals I got where some 'grab boxes' (new pizza boxes) of paper, die cuts and sticker sheets: 80 12X12 pattern sheets (top of the line stuff!) and a couple pages of die cuts and sticker sheets (8.5X11) for only $10 each!! I have to tell you I was a little wary at first, but then was tremendously, pleasantly surprised and went back for two more!! I opened them nearby where there was an empty chair, and many people came over to see what was inside--and immediately would go over and purchase their own! :-) The vendor was so appreciative of the 'free' advertising that she came over during a break and gave me some small cropper hopper picture holders (4 4x6's and 1 8x10) as thanks!! :-)

I even went back one last time to get a box for a friend, determined not to open it, which lasted all of a few hours--while I was waiting in a 40 minute make and take line later in the afternoon I swear I could hear that box calling me!! LOL. Opened it in line, and found some soccer stuff that would work great for Maya's soccer LOs!! My friend told me she doesn't mind, she's tickled I thought of her at all. :-)

My other big deal was three medium sized cropper hoppers (they're like tackle boxes only better) with removable storage boxes for $3 each. Got to the front of the line and the cashier told me they are normally $18-20 each!! Went back to get some more but by that time the news had gone back through the long line and people had snatched them all up. Oh, well. At least I got three! :-)

I've got a bunch of house projects to finish this week, we've only got a short time before our vacation in Australia at the end of the month, and I want to get them finished! I'll try to scan in some of the stuff I made for Maya's dance recital layouts later in the day. I'll also try to scan in some of my goodies I purchased as well when I get a chance.

If you are a scrapper, and you get a chance to attend this convention, go for it! You'll have a lot of fun. I know I did! :-)

Carolyne in TX