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Post by RoselynR on Aug 11, 2015 14:03:41 GMT
I'm planning on attending the crops at the scrapbook expo next month for the first time. My BFF and I are doing both Fri and Saturday crops and on Saturday we are attending with two other people.
Can anyone who has ever been to this crop tell me what it is like?
Can you leave your stuff and go shop and not feel worried about thefts?
Do they leave the concession stands open late since the crops go on after the expo ends?
Do you need to pay for a reserve table to guarantee seats together?
Any and all info appreciated. Thanks!
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Post by alissa103 on Aug 11, 2015 14:29:06 GMT
If it' was just two of you, you wouldn't need to reserve a table. You shouldn't have any trouble finding two spots together, especially if you get there close to the start. But with a group of four, yes, I'd pay to reserve a table just to make sure you all sit together. And that way you can check in leisurely, because they put a table tent on the reserved tables with your name on them, so no one can sit there.
You can leave your stuff if you feel comfortable. I didn't feel comfortable until we met the ladies across from us and then we all just kept an eye on each other's things while we shopped or went to the bathroom, etc. It depends on your comfort level for sure. It's a HUGE room and a lot of people. I've had stuff stolen at a crop before (not this one), so I'm very cautious.
They left a concession stand open for us in the back. It was really expensive though! A small bottle of diet dr. Pepper was $4.50 at ours.
They start doing door prizes around 5-6 each day. It'll be on your schedule when you check in at the crop. You need to be present to win. So what we did was go grab dinner somewhere at about 4:30 and then ate it later at our seats so we wouldn't them. They draw for a TON of prizes and they're good. We didn't want to miss out!
They also do costume and other contests, so if you're interested in doing those, you have a good shot at winning if they're good. Not many people participated at ours.
They also have a phone charging station and a tool station (with a Cricut, etc.) that you can use too.
On Saturday before the vendor fair closes, some booths will severely discount stuff so they don't have to ship it home. We got Authentique 6x6 pads for $1 each at ours! Not all of them do it, but it's worth a last pass around the shopping 20 min or so before they close.
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Post by lonr on Aug 11, 2015 15:03:00 GMT
I have never paid amd only once did I stay and crop for a day. I would love to do the whole shebang though with early bird tickets and reserved seats etc. My cousin had a group of about 10 that she went with and they didn't reserve a table. At ours they tables on the outside of the cropping area that are for anyone. They just took some space there, but there seems to be a lot of those tables empty when I go. Have fun! And participate! There are some fun ladies there. I love to see the ones that are all dressed up and doing the dancing games and stuff. (Living vicariously.  ) I won't be going this year so I'll be over here being jealous!  |
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leeny
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,655
Location: Northern California
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Jun 27, 2014 1:55:53 GMT
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Post by leeny on Aug 12, 2015 4:06:54 GMT
My friends and I did the make and take crop last year and are going again this year. The food was snack bar food and expensive. We packed snacks and drinks in our bags and snuck them in. We sat away from the center of the room, so no one bothered us about our food.
I did do a regular crop a few years ago and left my stuff out as I went back and forth.
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Post by RoselynR on Aug 12, 2015 14:09:49 GMT
Was the Make and Take crop fun leeny - I'll be there on Thursday but didn't think to sign up for the make and take event. Thanks alissa103 I think I will go ahead and reserve a table for the four of us. That way if we decide to sleep a bit later on Saturday we won't have to worry. |
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mjmone
Full Member
Posts: 441
Jul 3, 2014 2:58:29 GMT
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Post by mjmone on Aug 12, 2015 18:39:39 GMT
I just went this past weekend in Santa Clara.
We have a small group that goes to every year.
for us, it has been better to reserve tables Friday and Saturday, we don't reserve on Thursday. By reserving a table, you can leave your things set up overnight. We have not had any problems with theft, but some tables will bring an extra tablecloth to throw over their items for overnight. If you do not reserve a table..then you have to move your things next to a wall overnight, or take them with you.
At least at Santa Clara, electicity at your table is expensive. If you need your cutters and stuff...good to split cost with table mates. Do not think you can just find an outlet, guess the venues have all kinds of regulations for that.
They do have a tool center, but if you plan to use cricut bring your own matt. If you want to 'borrow' a cart, you will need to give them your driver's license...all other tools, embossing, punches, and even a rack of kiwi lane stencils need to be used at the tool center. Guess they have had too many things walk off. And if there is a tool you are interested in, but have not yet tried, I have gotten good demos.
Have small bills available, at least on Thurs and Friday, vendors will come in and sell items at discount price. Sometimes Saturday as well, but only one did it this year. These will be cash only.
Ooooooh, and Santa Clara also offers massage...this year there was not only a 'chair' but a 'table' also. If yours does,....oh, so worth it. They had it in 10 minute increments.
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Post by Dictionary on Aug 12, 2015 22:28:49 GMT
I go at least twice a year with my bff.
We always leave our stuff out, but will say my motto is how upset will you be if you come back and it's gone..so I either put it away or take it with me before I leave. Most of my stuff is out..I just don't like to leave all copic markers sitting out..just temptation in my eyes.
It's costly to reserve a table but if you get their fairly early you can easily find empty tables.
Sadly the concession stands are not left open late. Although there is one that I go to that does open up specifically for the crop so I think it really depends on what is available at your Expo.
I have found for the most part there are a lot of ladies who routinely go to these and always reserve a table and always dress up and decorate their tables. During the contest they will cheer 5x more louder than anyone for whomever is in their party..and most times the contests are judged by applause. The music can be quiet or loud. I usually bring my mini speaker and ipod to play music through out the day. They do have some vendors who come in with their bargain basement deals.
I usually do the Thurs/Fri crop. We bring most of our food but do go out for coffee or one meal. It is nice to meet others and everyone seems to be fairly considerate and friendly. I have back issues and have learned to bring something for support, not all venues offer great seating.
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leeny
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,655
Location: Northern California
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 1:55:53 GMT
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Post by leeny on Aug 13, 2015 3:02:09 GMT
Was the Make and Take crop fun leeny - I'll be there on Thursday but didn't think to sign up for the make and take event. Thanks alissa103 I think I will go ahead and reserve a table for the four of us. That way if we decide to sleep a bit later on Saturday we won't have to worry. we enjoyed being able to do all the make and takes at one time. Each kit was prepackaged with instructions so we could really forge ahead without waiting for the instructors. It sure beat standing in line at the booths trying to get into their make and takes. |
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oaksong
Drama Llama
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Location: LA Suburbia
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Jun 27, 2014 6:24:29 GMT
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Post by oaksong on Aug 13, 2015 3:48:42 GMT
I did the Make and Take crop for the first time at the Anaheim Expo last year. The kits were mostly cards, but each had a little interesting twist. The MCs had good energy, my table mates were very nice, and I liked the goodie bag that was part of the registration. I would recommend it, and I plan on going again to the one in Ontario in October. I'm not sure about the regular crop, though. I enjoy being home in my own little studio. Maybe if I had buddies to go with I'd feel differently.
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Post by RoselynR on Aug 13, 2015 13:48:35 GMT
I thought bringing food wasn't allowed. Are you guys sneaking it in? Thanks for all the tips about what to expect. Getting excited now! |
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Post by doesitmatter on Aug 15, 2015 0:24:21 GMT
I have done it several times.
Most recently I did the Friday and Saturday crop last October at Scrapbook Expo Sacramento. I had a blast!
There were 4 of us - we did not reserve the table but were in line right at opening and then selected a table for 4. Many were reserved and some groups had to split up to get seats- so next time I will reserve seats together.
It was a lot of fun. There were nightly themes, raffles, contests and music.
We could crop all day opening (9?) til midnight. I thought it was nice that I could take a class or shop and then come back to my seat to scrap or just relax and not have to be on my feet all day. There normally isn't much seating at the smaller venues...bigger venues like OC and Ontario tend to have more common area seating, Sacramento did not.
Since we did 2 full crop days I did do a lot of scrapping most of both days.
Something else that was nice - they had Cricuts and photo printers, trimmers, dies, and other tools you could use at their tool tables.
I hadn't seen that before! I am a Cameo girl and I had brought the tools I needed but I think it was awesome that they had so much available.
Oh and the free gift was about the price of the crop. I chose a full EP collection pack, including chipboard, brads, stickers etc - the whole line.
I think the crops are well worth the money!
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Post by doesitmatter on Aug 15, 2015 0:30:52 GMT
I thought bringing food wasn't allowed. Are you guys sneaking it in? Thanks for all the tips about what to expect. Getting excited now! We could bring in crop snacks like candy ...and water was allowed. They did not allow other food like sandwiches or fast food or stuff brought from home. At Sacramento they had a lacuna buffet that I bought both days. One day it was a potato bar, the next a pasta and salad bar- for like $11-12 and was well worth it! Drinks were extra. It was very reasonable - especially inside an event! And we were bale to bring that food to our crop area, so it was nice to not have to leave or get the car etc. We had to run out for a quick dinner though. Concession stands were pricey and I didn't get anything there! Nor did I need to! |
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Post by birdgate on Aug 15, 2015 4:29:28 GMT
I went to the Make in Take in Anaheim also. There were people who snuck in food, some of it stinky, but I saw no food police. We all had snacks and drinks out on our tables. I had a big gap between my last class and the crop so I checked in the crop to get early dibs on my kit and pick a table then left my stuff at the baggage check next door and ate at Baja Fresh and Starbucks at the hotel across the way. One person at my table brought food from home in a container.
There was somebody in the center of the crop who had her wallet stolen. I don't know the details but I saw security at her table. She had a lot of stuff. I don't know why she would leave her wallet. There must be more to the story. Maybe cash was missing out of it.
I'll definitely do it again next year.
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