Inspired by : Creating Keepsakes Convention - have you ever gone to one?

[Jenn]

I am thinking about going to the one in Charlotte. It is 4 hours away, so I would have to get a hotel room for the weekend. How many classes do you usually sign up for? Have you attended the evening crops and are there make and takes or do you just work on your own stuff?

 

[kozmo63]

I am thinking about going to the one in Charlotte. It is 4 hours away, so I would have to get a hotel room for the weekend. How many classes do you usually sign up for? Have you attended the evening crops and are there make and takes or do you just work on your own stuff?

Hi, I live in British Columbia, Canada...and have gone to a CK convention in Seattle Washington. I don't believe they come up to Canada Anyway, my friend and I went( been 2 yrs now) and took 3 classes which we booked online before we left. We didnt do any of the crop nights as we made our trip a girls night out and did some sightseeing around Seattle as well. The classes were ok...we found that they went too fast for you to keep up. I'm not a beginner, but still found it hard to do everything as they were showing you. One class we even gave up and just took the scrapbook items that you get and decided to just give it a try when we got home.( which btw I did do it and found doing it at my own pace was a lot easier).

The best thing about the convention for me was going to the vendor faire. Being from Canada we don't get a lot of stuff up here that is made in the USA and found a lot of items that were really neat. Good prices as well. In the vendor faire they do have make and takes and sometimes celebrity scrapbookers are there to sign autographs . All in all...was very cool and would do it again if we had the chance.

We had the good fortune of staying at my friends relatives place so our accomodation was free, otherwise it could have costed more for our weekend. Hope this helps your decision ....Happy scrapping!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I've been to CKC Manchester NH and Valley Forge PA. The first in NH I only took 3-4 classes, it was loads of fun! Most, if not all, of the classes give you instructions in the kits to do at home if you can't keep up or don't want to do it in class. I saw several women get kits and then leave for another class.

The vendor faire is fabulous!!! So save your pennies for shopping.

I have never done the crops but I have heard the tables are really small and you have a very small space in which to work. I hope you get to go!! It was a lot of fun. I wish I were going this year but I'm saving my money for SDV Orlando in 2008.

 

[New England Eeyore]

This will be my 2nd year going to Manchester. I am able to stay with family so I don't have to spend the money on a hotel room. I go heavy on the classes. I don't even remember how many classes I signed up for this year - I think 7 or 8? I found last year that I left myself a lot of time for shopping and I spent a LOT of money. Most of the stuff I bought has yet to be used, so I'm purposely limiting my shopping time this year. I like the classes - some are definitely better than others but I like being able to leave with a (mostly) finished project. I don't like the classes where you just do layouts - $15+ for a 2 page layout in an hour is not money well spent to me. I mostly do the mini-book classes. My favorite instructors are those from Little Black Dress Designs and Deluxe Designs.

 

[Faerie]

I'm glad to hear everyone's feedback I need to register for classes for the FLL convention

 

[scrappingtwinmom]

I've been to Manchester CKC and am going again this year. I have about 4-5 classes per day scheduled and elected not to do the crops. I'm usually exhausted after a day of classes and shopping so it wasn't worth lugging all my stuff to a crop. The shopping is excellent! If you go, look up scrapmart and my friend Hope

 

[Octoberbeauty]

I'm so glad to hear all the reviews and advice. I'm seriously thinking of signing up for the Kansas City one in October.

 

[happylady]

I'm really excited to attend the CKC in Ft Lauderdale in late June. I've signed up for 2 classes and the crop Saturday evening. Friends say the classes and crops are awesome....the vendors shower you will extras and make it really worth your while to attend.

They also said tht most vendors give discount coupons during classes, so shop AFTER the class incase you get a discount.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I really want to go!!!!!! Insert temper tantrum smilie here!

 

[MazdaUK]

I suppose this is something else we're not going to get over here

 

[Juliegirl1]

If you are interested in attending any of the conventions and it is in your home city you can sign up to volunteer and work by passing out class materials and assisting the instructors. I signed up to do the one in Houston and then couldn't do it at the last minute - I found it through signing up at the CKC website. This way you can check out the convention, do some shopping and see a class or two without having to pay the hefty fee. Just a tip for those of you on a budget!