leeny
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,642
Location: Northern California
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 1:55:53 GMT
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Post by leeny on Nov 15, 2019 1:49:58 GMT
Still? Back in the day when crops were plentiful I was not ‘allowed’ to go. Nor would I have been “allowed” to spend money on it. Now that I can do what I damn well please there aren’t many near enough to bother. Have you tried Meetup.com, Close to My Heart or Creative Memories to find a consultant near you?
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Post by LisaDV on Nov 15, 2019 2:37:51 GMT
I was never that into crops. I want all my stuff. I went to 1 3-5 hour crop and knew it wasn't even worth it to try those again. I went to 2 or 3 12 hour crops. Not bad. And recently, last year, I went to a 1.5 day crop. Friday afternoon until 10 or 11 and then the next day from 10-10. I prefer this, however, I just don't often have the time to really devote to that. And then, I really like just doing it at home so I can rock out or put on a show or have complete silence.
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Post by kokomo on Nov 15, 2019 3:08:49 GMT
I go to lots of crops . We go to Crop &Create every year , this year to two different locations. One was 6 hrs away which was a bit too far but it was a 3 day crop .I go to Two Scrapbook Friens 3 day crop in Grand Bend which is tons of fun. Both of these crops are over 150 people with everyone having a large table, and venders on site and all meals.
i also go to 6 - Sat crops a year 5 mins away and another 4 crops that are 12 hr crops about one hr away. Lots of fun and keeps me motivated to try out new things . Not cheap though. Hence no winter holiday this year
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Nov 15, 2019 4:18:18 GMT
one other criteria I must have for a weekend retreat is 24-hour access to the crop room... that way when I get in a groove, I can work as long as I want- or until I can't see straight any longer, lol. That is one of the reasons it's worth it to me to haul everything but the kitchen sink with me for a weekend. Well, that, the snacks, the talking and the crafty shopping, lol!!
honestly, for me, hotel weekend retreat crops are like a weekend-long slumber party with the added bonus of crafting.
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Post by KelleeM on Nov 15, 2019 9:35:37 GMT
I’m at one now. It’s a 4 day weekend about 3 hours from home. There are 7-8 of us, most of whom met on the old CK message board, who come every year. The same people host one in March as well but in the past I wasn’t able to attend. Only two out of my group go to that one. I went to the day crop that msliz and @ihavetoomuchstuff go to every month back in August but haven’t managed to go back yet. It’s about 2 1/2 hours from me.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,173
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 15, 2019 13:04:03 GMT
Still? Back in the day when crops were plentiful I was not ‘allowed’ to go. Nor would I have been “allowed” to spend money on it. Now that I can do what I damn well please there aren’t many near enough to bother. Have you tried Meetup.com, Close to My Heart or Creative Memories to find a consultant near you? My worst crop experience was at a Creative Memories crop. If you are really into their products and philosophy, or find a more laid back rep, you would probably have a better experience than I did, but I felt like a leper. I left early. I never tried a CTMH or SU crop, but like CM, their reps make money on the crops, and they want you to buy their products. If you go to a CM, CTMH, or SU crop, I suggest you take and use only albums, tools, and supplies made by that company. If you don’t want to feel limited, then find a crop that isn’t going to care what products you use. I had taken my CM album. I even bought a little paper from the rep, but I did NOT scrap the CM style (white pages, just get it done) or use exclusively CM products to make my one page. The rep didn’t notice, or if she did, I wasn’t aware of it, but the other attendees did, and their disapproval was obvious. Maybe most of them were just cliquish, anyway, but I felt like I was being shunned, so I left soon after. It was a long time ago, and CM has evolved a bit since then, but I still would not recommend taking/using non-company products if you go to a crop run by a rep, unless you know ahead of time that rep and the other customers will be okay with it.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Nov 15, 2019 15:24:08 GMT
I never tried a CTMH or SU crop, but like CM, their reps make money on the crops, and they want you to buy their products. If you go to a CM, CTMH, or SU crop, I suggest you take and use only albums, tools, and supplies made by that company. If you don’t want to feel limited, then find a crop that isn’t going to care what products you use. I had taken my CM album. I even bought a little paper from the rep, but I did NOT scrap the CM style (white pages, just get it done) or use exclusively CM products to make my one page. The rep didn’t notice, or if she did, I wasn’t aware of it, but the other attendees did, and their disapproval was obvious. Maybe most of them were just cliquish, anyway, but I felt like I was being shunned, so I left soon after. It was a long time ago, and CM has evolved a bit since then, but I still would not recommend taking/using non-company products if you go to a crop run by a rep, unless you know ahead of time that rep and the other customers will be okay with it.I guess it does depend on the rep, because the reps I know for these companies don't care one way or another what supplies you use or what you work on when you're there. The 'new' CM seems to be a lot more laid-back than they used to be back in the day when they first started. Candace shows us new tools and the latest supplies, yeah- but if you don't buy them, she's good with that. At the last crop I attended, I think I bought maybe 3 individual pieces of paper-- only because they matched the project I was working on- and hardly ANY of my supplies (other than my punches and a few other tools) are CM product. In the 10 or so years I've been attending events with them, I've never felt pressured by any of the 'company reps' to use their products or ostracized because I didn't.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 1, 2024 5:17:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2019 15:48:23 GMT
I’m at one now. It’s a 4 day weekend about 3 hours from home. There are 7-8 of us, most of whom met on the old CK message board, who come every year. The same people host one in March as well but in the past I wasn’t able to attend. Only two out of my group go to that one. I went to the day crop that msliz and @ihavetoomuchstuff go to every month back in August but haven’t managed to go back yet. It’s about 2 1/2 hours from me. msliz and I need to figure out a way to drive your way at some point
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leeny
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,642
Location: Northern California
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 1:55:53 GMT
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Post by leeny on Nov 15, 2019 16:02:14 GMT
I never tried a CTMH or SU crop, but like CM, their reps make money on the crops, and they want you to buy their products. If you go to a CM, CTMH, or SU crop, I suggest you take and use only albums, tools, and supplies made by that company. If you don’t want to feel limited, then find a crop that isn’t going to care what products you use. I had taken my CM album. I even bought a little paper from the rep, but I did NOT scrap the CM style (white pages, just get it done) or use exclusively CM products to make my one page. The rep didn’t notice, or if she did, I wasn’t aware of it, but the other attendees did, and their disapproval was obvious. Maybe most of them were just cliquish, anyway, but I felt like I was being shunned, so I left soon after. It was a long time ago, and CM has evolved a bit since then, but I still would not recommend taking/using non-company products if you go to a crop run by a rep, unless you know ahead of time that rep and the other customers will be okay with it.I guess it does depend on the rep, because the reps I know for these companies don't care one way or another what supplies you use or what you work on when you're there. The 'new' CM seems to be a lot more laid-back than they used to be back in the day when they first started. Candace shows us new tools and the latest supplies, yeah- but if you don't buy them, she's good with that. At the last crop I attended, I think I bought maybe 3 individual pieces of paper-- only because they matched the project I was working on- and hardly ANY of my supplies (other than my punches and a few other tools) are CM product. In the 10 or so years I've been attending events with them, I've never felt pressured by any of the 'company reps' to use their products or ostracized because I didn't. Oh no! The one I attend is not that way. Early in the CM days they were that way, but the current rep I go to doesn't care. She sells for both CM and CTMH. She has her stock available for purchase, but only has a help to those cropping, in case we run out of something, etc. I am not faithful to any company anyway! I buy what I like and fits my project.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 1, 2024 5:17:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2019 17:39:16 GMT
Have you tried Meetup.com, Close to My Heart or Creative Memories to find a consultant near you? My worst crop experience was at a Creative Memories crop. If you are really into their products and philosophy, or find a more laid back rep, you would probably have a better experience than I did, but I felt like a leper. I left early. I never tried a CTMH or SU crop, but like CM, their reps make money on the crops, and they want you to buy their products. If you go to a CM, CTMH, or SU crop, I suggest you take and use only albums, tools, and supplies made by that company. If you don’t want to feel limited, then find a crop that isn’t going to care what products you use. I had taken my CM album. I even bought a little paper from the rep, but I did NOT scrap the CM style (white pages, just get it done) or use exclusively CM products to make my one page. The rep didn’t notice, or if she did, I wasn’t aware of it, but the other attendees did, and their disapproval was obvious. Maybe most of them were just cliquish, anyway, but I felt like I was being shunned, so I left soon after. It was a long time ago, and CM has evolved a bit since then, but I still would not recommend taking/using non-company products if you go to a crop run by a rep, unless you know ahead of time that rep and the other customers will be okay with it. I had the same experience at a CM weekend retreat...I decided to ignore them...my style is my style (plus I was with friends)...I found that EVERY TIME I left the crop room they couldn't wait to scramble over and see what I had done and ohhh and ahhh...I think they secretly wanted to scrap that way but didn't feel comfortable scrapping that way in front of the demonstrator
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Post by kiera on Nov 15, 2019 17:53:14 GMT
CM and CTMH are pyramid schemes, so I'm not surprised that some reps have pushed crop goers to buy their stuff. They want to keep their uplines happy. It's a shame that they're not more open to letting scrappers just scrap with whatever they have, but that's what MLMs do, sadly.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,173
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 15, 2019 18:59:31 GMT
Clarification on my post. The point I was trying to make is to make sure ahead of time that the reps are okay with your bringing other products or tools to their crops.
As I said in my post, CM has evolved since then.
Even so, it’s just basic courtesy to talk to the rep ahead of time before bringing in products and tools you have bought elsewhere. If others want to know where you bought something, the rep may feel you are taking business away from her, whether you intend to or not. Or as was the situation in my case, her very loyal customers......
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Post by 950nancy on Nov 16, 2019 3:56:47 GMT
I was never that into crops. I want all my stuff. I went to 1 3-5 hour crop and knew it wasn't even worth it to try those again. I went to 2 or 3 12 hour crops. Not bad. And recently, last year, I went to a 1.5 day crop. Friday afternoon until 10 or 11 and then the next day from 10-10. I prefer this, however, I just don't often have the time to really devote to that. And then, I really like just doing it at home so I can rock out or put on a show or have complete silence. The one in my city is about 25 minutes away and 8 hours on Friday and 8 on Saturday. I love it because it is $15 for both days, you get a large table (only 10 people total), and you can bring stuff for one day and more the next if you need. I crop a lot at home, but every other month I like to have one with other people. The store also gives you a 10% off everything that weekend too.
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Post by chlerbie on Nov 16, 2019 19:54:02 GMT
I wish.
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Post by Ryann on Nov 16, 2019 20:04:53 GMT
Yes! San Diego/Orange/Riverside counties have an active scrapbooking retreat/crop scene ^^^ it seems like in recent years, the Phoenix area has expanded to have an active retreat 'scene' too. Off the top of my head, I can think of at least 5 different groups or consultants who all host weekend hotel retreats at different places in the Valley-- and I'm sure there's lots more that I just don't know about. A couple of them are just groups of scrappers who have started hosting / scheduling them and open them up for public attendance, and the other ones are consultants from different companies- a CM consultant, a CTMH consultant, and a Kiwi Lane consultant are the ones I know about. I started finding out about a lot of these things once I finally started to use Facebook for the 'groups' function. This is the only reason I use Facebook - to facilitate scrapbook retreats and crops!
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Post by myboysnme on Nov 17, 2019 0:48:55 GMT
A large room of women gets really noisy, which is distracting to me The retreat I am going o this week is like that. Loud, obnoxious women who come primarily to socialize. I have my ear buds and play list. I have never ever understood the need of so many women to yell, laugh and carry on so loudly and talk even louder, talk about politics and controversial topics, get drunk, facetime everyone they know on speaker, play their Bee Gees CD at top volume. This retreat is packed with people so if there are 50 people and 20 are obnoxious it is pure hell. The reason I go is that it is at the beach, it's affordable, it's close by (an hour away) I sit in the back against the wall where there is only loudness in front of me, and I can get so much done. But I have to take all kinds of steps to minimize the assault of the clueless ones who have no interest in trying to minimize their obnoxious presence.
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Post by scrappintoee on Nov 17, 2019 1:37:51 GMT
Oh, how I miss the Friday night crops. Me too!!! From 2000 to about 2002, we scrapbooked EVERY. SINGLE. Friday night at our sweet friend's lss. We were soo bummed when she closed her store, but we continued meeting at everyones' houses. SO. MUCH. FUN! I'm still friends with some of these gals, BUT, I'm the only one who still scrapbooks. A few of them have said they REALLY want to start again, but they haven't....yet. My friend and I do 2-3 crops a year, one at GASC Cool! I had no idea if GASC was still around. One year, my bestie and I went to the one in Dallas--what a blast! The next year, I was THRILLED that they had another GASC in Northern Virginia. It was perfect, because I'm originally from there, so I got to visit my Dad and brother AND have a blast at GASC. At that time, "Making Memories" magazine had published some of my layouts, so I was hoping to meet some of the staff. I was such a DORK, I was SO giddy and excited to meet some of the magazine staff, I said dumb things like "I'm not worthyyyyy!"
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Post by workingclassdog on Nov 18, 2019 22:08:05 GMT
Sadly not anymore. I had a great group of about 10 scrappers for a few years. We had the perfect 'cabin' we rented. Even had a friend who would cook for us. And just over time people dropped out, one passed away and it just died out. Life gets in the way I guess. ferblover was one that was in our group.. She was the 'serial' killer of the group. She really was the brave one that joined in our group a little later.. didn't know us, we didn't know her (except me on this board).. I was telling DH about our newest member and he is like "I hope she isn't a serial killer".. I told him.. 'well it's one of her and eight of us" so lets hope we can take her down. "Ferbie" shows up and all 4 foot 5 inches of her total cuteness shows up and I laugh hysterically. So now I have to watch my back.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 1, 2024 5:17:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2019 0:14:44 GMT
I’d like to go to some but none in the area I currently live. I am sure if I dug around I could find a CM one but I don’t use the products. I miss scrapbook stores that had weekend crops. I liked being able to mini shop all day while making layouts.
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Post by Sharon on Nov 19, 2019 0:21:39 GMT
I try to get to one a couple of times a month.
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Post by lauralaforest on Nov 19, 2019 2:06:43 GMT
I still go to a monthly crop which is only about a 15 minute drive for me.
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Post by tinksmommy on Nov 19, 2019 2:14:45 GMT
Yes! San Diego/Orange/Riverside counties have an active scrapbooking retreat/crop scene, so there is something going on most weekends. I try to attend something once a month. I am in San Diego County and have a hard time finding crops anymore. There was a gal who owned a house that hosted weekend retreats and day crops. I used to go all of the time but she no longer does that. I am actually going to a Crop & Creat event in Canada next year. It’s been a dream of mine along with a scrap cruise.
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Post by Ryann on Nov 19, 2019 5:35:15 GMT
Yes! San Diego/Orange/Riverside counties have an active scrapbooking retreat/crop scene, so there is something going on most weekends. I try to attend something once a month. I am in San Diego County and have a hard time finding crops anymore. There was a gal who owned a house that hosted weekend retreats and day crops. I used to go all of the time but she no longer does that. I am actually going to a Crop & Creat event in Canada next year. It’s been a dream of mine along with a scrap cruise. Are you on Facebook? Here are some of the groups I know of that are on FB that hold regular crops and/or retreats: Girly Girlz Retreats w/ Misty Crafty Crops, Classes, Retreats & Events Crafty Chicks Scrappin Escapes Retreats Crafty Gals Getaways San Diego Scrap Inn (they hold open retreats once a month at SDSI 2) Tropical Craft Retreats with Candace Romano JIngle's Crafting Escapes Rockin' Paper Designz - Mobile Pop-Up Shop and Retreats
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Post by ferblover on Nov 19, 2019 13:52:45 GMT
Sadly not anymore. I had a great group of about 10 scrappers for a few years. We had the perfect 'cabin' we rented. Even had a friend who would cook for us. And just over time people dropped out, one passed away and it just died out. Life gets in the way I guess. ferblover was one that was in our group.. She was the 'serial' killer of the group. She really was the brave one that joined in our group a little later.. didn't know us, we didn't know her (except me on this board).. I was telling DH about our newest member and he is like "I hope she isn't a serial killer".. I told him.. 'well it's one of her and eight of us" so lets hope we can take her down. "Ferbie" shows up and all 4 foot 5 inches of her total cuteness shows up and I laugh hysterically. So now I have to watch my back. 4'10 thankyouverymuch Funny, my husband never worried about my safety at all going to a cabin in the mountains with strangers lol! It was a nice little group with no drama that I saw (unless I was the drama and didn't know it!). I think about going to the "local" craft store for their crops but I25 from my town to the Springs under the best circumstances is a horrible drive let alone the construction and winter can come at any moment. I would need to spend the night down in the Springs for sure to do both days, but there is a chance I could meet 950nancy which seems like a fun trade off
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Post by boymom5 on Nov 19, 2019 16:29:37 GMT
I wish! I used to go ALL the time! Like weekend retreats often and weekly ones all the time. Then friends stopped scrapbooking and places stopped having crops. There aren’t any close to me and since I don’t know anyone else it’s not worth the drive. I’ve contemplated going to the one at the closest scrapbook expo but again not knowing anyone doesn’t make it seem worth it to me. I have a nice set up at home so paying to pack it all up to scrap by myself doesn’t seem appealing.
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Post by karensay on Nov 19, 2019 17:27:55 GMT
After our last LSS closed we were at a loss where to go. We found a CM crop 2.5 hours away. we loved that, except for the distance. tried another crop at a LSS 2.25 hrs away, that was nice too, just SO far. Then, we found a MONTHLY crop Thr/Fri, one weekend a month, 1 hour away. I can only attend on Saturdays because I work M-F during the school year. I did recently attend a 4 day crop near Myrtle Beach (2.5hrs) with the CM group. Planning to go again in Mar. I loved walking on the beach in the morning and watching the sunset over the marsh at the house we stayed at. We have also attended 2 NSD crops in Raleigh, hosted by Virginia Scrapbook Retreats, those had 70 or more ladies and several vendors. We hope to catch their next crop in MB in 2020. I get so much more accomplished at a crop or a retreat than I do at home in my scraproom with all the distractions and other obligations to the house and family.
The 'we' I refer to is my scrap buddy and I. we scrap at her house on Mondays 8am-1:45pm most of the time.
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Post by hmp on Nov 19, 2019 18:41:05 GMT
I go to one 4 day weekend crop a year and also 3-4 one day crops. I get so much more done at a crop. Plus once I get organized and cropping, I’m more likely to continue the momentum once I get home.
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Post by lisacharlotte on Nov 20, 2019 1:00:11 GMT
Yes both one day and three day crops in my city. Cropping is still a thing in the Midwest and we still have an LSS.
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Post by travelscrapper2 on Nov 21, 2019 22:38:55 GMT
I do. I host a monthly crop at our local library. Also, attended a couple of fundraising crops this year. Won't be able to go to one of them next year because CKC is the same weekend.
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Post by tinksmommy on Nov 22, 2019 0:36:29 GMT
I am in San Diego County and have a hard time finding crops anymore. There was a gal who owned a house that hosted weekend retreats and day crops. I used to go all of the time but she no longer does that. I am actually going to a Crop & Creat event in Canada next year. It’s been a dream of mine along with a scrap cruise. Are you on Facebook? Here are some of the groups I know of that are on FB that hold regular crops and/or retreats: Girly Girlz Retreats w/ Misty Crafty Crops, Classes, Retreats & Events Crafty Chicks Scrappin Escapes Retreats Crafty Gals Getaways San Diego Scrap Inn (they hold open retreats once a month at SDSI 2) Tropical Craft Retreats with Candace Romano JIngle's Crafting Escapes Rockin' Paper Designz - Mobile Pop-Up Shop and Retreats Thanks so much! I’ll check those out😄
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