Any Tampa Bay / Central FL Scrappers...

[Mischief_Managed]

going to be joining the Scrapbooking Treasure Hunt this year? I found out about it too late last year, but I heard it was lots of fun. I'm thinking about doing it this year - but wanted to see if other local scrappers were doing it, maybe we can plan on going to the same shops at the same time to meet up?

Details here - http://www.scrapbooktreasurehunt.com/index.html - hopefully the site doesn't get filtered, not sure of the rules about posting websites. But if it does get filtered, it's scrapbooktreasurehunt (dot) com.

Happy scrapping!

 

[rlovew]

I would like to- I need to look more closely at what I have to do and how far I have to drive.

Rebecca

 

[Diana Lyn]

I didn't see this thread and just sent the link to Rebecca. I've heard it's a lot of fun, but heard about it too late last year too.

 

[Diana Lyn]

The 12 stores are:
The Happy Scrapper, Largo
K2 Scrapbook Studio, Sarasota
Made for Memories, Sarasota
Ruban Rouge, Palm Harbor
Scrap and Sew, Lutz
Scraporium, Lutz
Scraptopia, Brandon
Scrapbook Fanatic, Hudson
Scrapbooking in Paradise, St Pete
The Scrapbook Shoppe, Tampa
Violettes, Lakeland
Whim So Doodle, St Pete

 

[Mischief_Managed]

I would like to- I need to look more closely at what I have to do and how far I have to drive.

Rebecca

To fully participate, you have to buy the passport from one of those stores prior to the event - it's $5. Then during that week, you have to visit all the stores and buy $5 of stuff from them to get the stamp from that store. Each store will have different activities extending the theme of the hunt. My closest LSS will have a Captain Jack look-alike on the weekends that will "interact" with all the ladies. I heard he is a blast - he was there last year too. But I think all the stores will have sales/discounts and make & takes to prepare an album from the hunt.

But once you have all the stamps, you take the passport back to the original shop that bought it from. And then, collectively three winners will be selected - the first prize is $100 GC for each of the twelve stores!!! I think I would seriously pass out if I won that! But they have 2nd and 3rd place too that I would sneeze at.

The 12 stores are:
The Happy Scrapper, Largo
K2 Scrapbook Studio, Sarasota
Made for Memories, Sarasota
Ruban Rouge, Palm Harbor
Scrap and Sew, Lutz
Scraporium, Lutz
Scraptopia, Brandon
Scrapbook Fanatic, Hudson
Scrapbooking in Paradise, St Pete
The Scrapbook Shoppe, Tampa
Violettes, Lakeland
Whim So Doodle, St Pete

Is it bad that I already mapped which days and times I will be going to these stores??? I live in North Tampa, so other than 3 of the stores, this will be my first time venturing to these stores. Plus I have only lived on the West Coast of FL for 17 months now, so I will get to drive around and see this coast - and go shopping for scrapping stuff! Can't beat that.

 

[Diana Lyn]

Is it bad that I already mapped which days and times I will be going to these stores??? I live in North Tampa, so other than 3 of the stores, this will be my first time venturing to these stores. Plus I have only lived on the West Coast of FL for 17 months now, so I will get to drive around and see this coast - and go shopping for scrapping stuff! Can't beat that.

Which store is your LSS? I'm closest to K2 and Made for Memories distance wise, but Whim So Doodle is probably the same timewise.

K2 and Made for Memories are just a few miles away from Siesta Key beach, so make sure you stop down there, it's beautiful.

We moved to FL just 14 months ago, so I'm anxious to check out these other stores too.

 

[rlovew]

I am about equal distance from K2 and Made for Memories as I am from Violette's in Lakeland. I am just that far inland. I look forward to checking out the other stores though.

Rebecca

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Sounds interesting though I'd have to do it in one day as I live in Orlando...

 

[caribear]

I live in Lakeland near Violette's and just received the info on the treasure hunt. Looks like alot of driving.....it would take me 1 1/2 hours each way to Siesta Key....plus the drive through Tampa and back to Lakeland.

The cost this year for the Passport/Treasure Box is $10.

It does look like a lot of fun though. Violette's said they sold out of the passports last year....so I need to decide soon if I am going to participate!!

For those who have not shopped at Violette's it is a great store!! They also have a nice array of classes!

 

[Mischief_Managed]

Which store is your LSS? I'm closest to K2 and Made for Memories distance wise, but Whim So Doodle is probably the same timewise.

K2 and Made for Memories are just a few miles away from Siesta Key beach, so make sure you stop down there, it's beautiful.

We moved to FL just 14 months ago, so I'm anxious to check out these other stores too.

I live in between Scraporium, Scrap and Sew, and the Scrapbook Shoppe. I frequent the Scrapbook Shoppe more often (it's a beautiful store with really good prices - plus the owner has fantastic sales where EVERYTHING in the store is 40% - 50% off. I do a lot of damage on those sales). But I live the closest probably to Scraporium - it's a good store, although she is more paper-centric. Oh, BTW, it's Scraporium that's going to have the Captain Jack.

Hopefully, the weather will be good when I make the trips to these far away stores because then I can do the sightseeing. I'm from Miami, but have only been to the West coast as a kid on family vacations. So this will be great to see things now.

 

[Mischief_Managed]

Just bumping this up to see if any of you ladies are joining.

I bought my passport - and my Mom will be coming to visit to join in as well. Can't wait.

 

[deeintampa]

doing the Treasure Hunt. It is a bit of driving but in some cases, SOOO worth it. I live closest to Scraporium up in Lutz. Last year my daughter and I were able to complete 10 of 16 in 1 day. This year two of the more annoying stores to reach aren't on the list, so that works for me. A few have closed too but that's life I guess.

If anyone wants any help or has questions, feel free to ask.

Denise

 

[rlovew]

I want to do this. I am going back and looking at the dates to make sure I am in town and then I think I will pm Diana Lynn and see about doing some of the further one together.

Rebecca

 

[caribear]

Has anyone started the hunt yet??? A friend and I started today and went to Scraptopia, Scraporium, The Scrapbook Shoppe and Scrap and Sew...plus our home store Violette's. We had fun checking out these stores as we have never been to any of them. Besides my home store, I really enjoyed The Scrapbook Shoppe. Wish I had more time to look around, but we were in a rush to pick up the kids from school. Would love to go back and look around again!! We will finish up the other 7 stores tomorrow as we are heading out at 8am to head down to Sarasota.

Have fun everyone!!

 

[caribear]

Am I the only crazy one who did the treasure hunt?? I finished Saturday...went to 7 stores...left at 8am and got home at 9pm. We were worn out!!! What a difference in prices at some of the stores! My favorite stores were Ruban Rouge...although their registers were down and they were overcharging people like crazy....Whim-so-Doodle, The Scrapbook Shoppe and Violette's. Bought lots of stuff I probably didn't *really* need, but we had a great time!

 

[rlovew]

Glads you had a great time- I just wasn't quite ready to do it this year but maybe next year.

Rebecca

 

[LindaBabe]

Am I the only crazy one who did the treasure hunt?? I finished Saturday...went to 7 stores...left at 8am and got home at 9pm. We were worn out!!! What a difference in prices at some of the stores! My favorite stores were Ruban Rouge...although their registers were down and they were overcharging people like crazy....Whim-so-Doodle, The Scrapbook Shoppe and Violette's. Bought lots of stuff I probably didn't *really* need, but we had a great time!

What did you buy? And what was the special emphasis in each store? Which ones were the most worth while?

I'll be in Kissimmee for a month next winter and would love to spend a day visiting the cream of the crop. The only one I've been to is Violettes, which I loved.

 

[Mischief_Managed]

Am I the only crazy one who did the treasure hunt?? I finished Saturday...went to 7 stores...left at 8am and got home at 9pm. We were worn out!!! What a difference in prices at some of the stores! My favorite stores were Ruban Rouge...although their registers were down and they were overcharging people like crazy....Whim-so-Doodle, The Scrapbook Shoppe and Violette's. Bought lots of stuff I probably didn't *really* need, but we had a great time!

I can't believe you did 5 & 7 in one day!!! We did 3 on Friday (K2 Scrapbook Studio, Made for Memories, & Scraptopia), 4 on Saturday (Scrapbooking in Paradise, Whim so Doodle, The Happy Scrapper & The Scrapbook Shoppe), and 3 on Sunday (Ruban Rouge, Scrapbook Fanatics, and Scraporium - my home store). Plus on Friday, went to the Character Warehouse in Ellenton - bought lots of stuff there!!! I have two stores left - Scrap n Sew (which is about 20 minutes from me), and Violette's, which will be going to on Saturday. It's been lots of fun. And I scheduled the stores so it didn't feel rushed, and could do the make n takes in the store if desired.

It was interesting to see the prices of some places - I was shocked that everything at Made for Memories was waaaayyyy overpriced. I had the toughest time finding stuff there because I couldn't bring myself to buying stuff that I knew was cheaper at my local stores! But I was able to average about $7 at each store - so not bad.

My favorite stores so far are Whim so Doodle, K2 Memories, The Scrapbook Shoppe (one of my local stores), and Scraporium (my closest store).

Glad you had fun! I am really happy I did it this year. Crossing my fingers to win a prize - would love it!!!

 

[caribear]

I can't believe you did 5 & 7 in one day!!! We did 3 on Friday (K2 Scrapbook Studio, Made for Memories, & Scraptopia), 4 on Saturday (Scrapbooking in Paradise, Whim so Doodle, The Happy Scrapper & The Scrapbook Shoppe), and 3 on Sunday (Ruban Rouge, Scrapbook Fanatics, and Scraporium - my home store). Plus on Friday, went to the Character Warehouse in Ellenton - bought lots of stuff there!!! I have two stores left - Scrap n Sew (which is about 20 minutes from me), and Violette's, which will be going to on Saturday. It's been lots of fun. And I scheduled the stores so it didn't feel rushed, and could do the make n takes in the store if desired.

It was interesting to see the prices of some places - I was shocked that everything at Made for Memories was waaaayyyy overpriced. I had the toughest time finding stuff there because I couldn't bring myself to buying stuff that I knew was cheaper at my local stores! But I was able to average about $7 at each store - so not bad.

My favorite stores so far are Whim so Doodle, K2 Memories, The Scrapbook Shoppe (one of my local stores), and Scraporium (my closest store).

Glad you had fun! I am really happy I did it this year. Crossing my fingers to win a prize - would love it!!!

Sounds like you had a great time too!!! I also tried to keep my spending around $5-10 at each store. I agree about trying to find something to buy at certain stores.....Made for Memories was overpriced...I think I bought 6 sheets of paper for $7. I like when items are marked too....it's hard with paper, but I like the way The Scrapbook Shoppe writes the prices on theirs. I bought Dew Drops at K2 for $3.89....then bought the same item at The Happy Scrapper for $5.99, but I couldn't find anything else at that store...the shelves were almost empty and things were overpriced. I liked the Scraporium's outlet section...lots of good deals if you have the time to look. Does she continually mark items down and place them in this section?

The 7 stores on Saturday were crazy.....we only did the make and take at one store...it turned into a take and make the rest of the way. Next time I think we will try to find time to space it out a little more so we can enjoy the stores we really liked this time around.

Would be nice to win a prize! Enjoy the rest of your hunt!!

 

[caribear]

What did you buy? And what was the special emphasis in each store? Which ones were the most worth while?

I'll be in Kissimmee for a month next winter and would love to spend a day visiting the cream of the crop. The only one I've been to is Violettes, which I loved.

I bought lots of patterned paper, embellishments, board books, special glue......I didn't buy anything that I could find in Joanns or Michaels with a 40% off coupon.

I'll try to remember a little about each store (of course these are only my opinions):

Made for Memories - overpriced - lots of paper and embellishments, but nothing really special

K2 - smaller store, but better prices than its competitor Made for Memories

The Happy Scrapper - small store - higher prices, nothing worth going the distance for.....none of the newer scrapbook items.

Scraptopia - many empty shelves, staff not too friendly.....nothing exciting to buy

Scaporium - nice outlet section and good array of products with friendly owner/staff. Would like to go back to check out the outlet area!

Ruban Rouge - larger store with lots of 7 Gypsies, Bazzill, Heidi Grace...really enjoyed the selection at this store although I think the employees/owner were a little overwhelmed and it reflected in their attitudes. Lots of unique items that I didn't see anywhere else. **Would take the drive to shop at this store again**

Whim-so Doodle - enjoyed this store....in a nice area of downtown St. Petersburg....large crop area. **Would take the drive to shop at the store and stroll around downtown/the beach.**

Scrapbooking in Paradise - okay selection- nothing really stands out although I did find the Doodlebug Sugar Glitter that I had wanted...really cute tag and 6x6 page from the Treasure Hunt though!

Scrapbook Fanatics - very small store - not worth the drive

The Scrapbook Shoppe - Larger store with a great selection of products. Really enjoyed shopping here. **Would take the drive to shop at this store again.**

Scrap and Sew - very small store as half of the store is dedicated to sewing. Emphasis on Jolees that you can buy at Michaels.....would not make the drive.

Violette's - I live near this store and love the great selection of products they carry. I think this is the largest store out of the 12 on the Treasure Hunt. Attitudes of employees can be hit or miss. **Would make the trip to this store even if I didn't live so close.**

Again, these are only my opinions....I had heard that here were 16 stores on the hunt last year...so I guess some closed down since then. Will be interesting to see what happens next year.