Great American Scrapbook Convention

Lisa and I found out just this year (how did we not know about this?) that there is actually such a thing as a scrapbook convention. In fact, they take place all over the country and have several (large and small) per year. HOLY MOLY were we excited. The two of us, along with Lisa's friend and co-worker Sonia (also a big scrapbooker) packed up the car and drove four hours to Dallas for the Great American Scrapbook Convention.

You know you're in the right city for a scrapbook convention when....you arrive at your hotel at 11:30 on a Friday night and find a group of ladies (ranging in age from 40 - 70) sprawled out in the lobby scrapping their hearts out. What a great way to start the weekend!!!

Scrap Girls :-)

A glimpse of the toys inside.....

I initially gave Lisa a hard time for getting us up at the

crack of dawn to be among the first in line (almost 2 hours early!)

but I was glad she did because the line ended up outside and

around the building in 100 degree weather. AND, since we were

among the first 25 people in line, we got to be in a group photo

that will end up in one of the scrapbook magazines. Thanks Lisa!!

Opening the doors to the entrance was INSANE.

Ever watch kids go after candy coming out of a pinata?

That's what this was like. A bunch of booths had free

grab bags and items for the first 25 people, so everyone

was in a mad rush to get to their booth of choice.

Grown women were running, knocking each other out of

the way....it was mayhem!! I think I had more fun at this

show taking pictures of my friends looking like kids in a

candy store. After capturing the photo of Lisa above,

I looked up and she was gone. These ladies were

hard to keep up with!

Scrapbook shopping heaven

Prior to this convention, I knew of Tim Holtz only in name.

Little did I know that he had a CULT following of women

and artists around the country. After watching his stamp

demonstration, I can see why. I've never even been into

stamps and he got me fired up about them. He's an amazing

artist as well as a warm and friendly person.

Hangin' with Tim (Notice the bags of goodies in our hands?

That wasn't thehalf of it!! These shows are daaaangerous.)

We took a class and learned some great new techniques

Some good ideas....

"Scrap Box"

All the paper you could ever want....aaaahhhh

Some last minute shopping before the doors close

On the way home we were greeted by a statue of Sam Houston

Thanks for a great weekend girls - I had so much fun!!