Post by angel97701 on Oct 11, 2022 3:32:46 GMT
The best thing about the CKC was being on in the crop room surrounded by crafty loving people. We figure there were about 170 or so give our take during most crops. Average of 3 sometimes 4 per table. Saturday sit and crop was the most crowded. We choose to do the Preview crop, the Technique crop, the Friday Sit and Crop, Friday night Crop, and the Saturday Sit and crop. We were able to set up our stuff and leave it there the entire time as we did the back to back crops! A bonus for us. So it was worth it to pay to sit in the crop room. It felt wonderful to be surrounded by so many groups of friends enjoying our hobby together!
I am really glad they went with the Hillsboro Convention Center. It is much smaller, but there is parking was better versus Downtown Portland Convention Center.
The sad part was there were only 12 vendors, and Paper Wizard was one of them. Great company, as well as Craft Fancy. I shopped the floor during our Technique crop time as there were deals to be had! Craft Fancy came in during the preview crop with Adhesives (Scrapbook Adhesives my favorite in E-Z Runner Grand.) It was buy 3 get one free, so I stocked up on refills and have all three versions now. The also had the 60 sheet packs of American Crafts paper for $16 a pack . . . regularly 24.99 on their website. I bought three. I tried, but failed to stay within my budget. 
The fact that The Stamp and Scrap Expo was the same weekend might explain why there were not as many vendors. Hopefully they will not fall on the same weekend next year? The dates for 2023 have not been announced yet, but I do see the The Stamp and Scrap Expo will not have one on the first weekend in October, which is when CKC first came to Hillsboro after Covid in 2021. No mask mandates or restrictions.
Tessler had 50% one die for the first 90 minutes each day, which I took advantage of both days. The owner had all of the Imagine (Tsukineko) brand inks. I started talking with her and she asked for my information, as I knew so much about the inks! I mentioned I was on the design team, and could give her the down low on the different types and what they were best used for in crafting.
My favorite and biggest impulse buy was the Creative Memories rotary paper cutter, with 8 cartridges show special for $99! They also had Versa Magic full size black ink pad, a small set of stamps, and multi colored ink pens in the bags. I LOVE IT! It is light weight and the designs are small but distinct patterns. Better than the really old school fiskar cutter I have from 20+ years ago. Already used it for a layout! It will be my birthday present from my Mom for this year, not a bad trade overall. Mom and sis both got one as well. I've gone through at least 5 EK cutters in my scrapping and card making years, and never really liked the Fiskars blade cutter. I went with the Tim Holtz Guillotine, but this new Creative Memories cutter is well built and very versatile. And no they did not talk me into being an advisor.
