If a "scrap retreat" was in your future...

[Susan]

what would be on your wish list?

Just curious?

Length {Friday morning to Sunday afternoon??}
Workspace? {32' feet of table just for me?}
Shopping {Adhesive and cardstock?}
Classes/tutorials {guest vendors, classes to register for???
Find your own lodging or have it included
Lime green lanyards or not? {hahahah}

Tell me what you have liked at other retreats. And what you have not liked?

You know - just 'cuz I'm curious like that!

{wink, wink}

[msumom (Diane)]

-Scrap space - don't like being elbow to elbow
-Lodging included - one less thing to have to find/do I have been to a couple that were right at the hotel
-I'm not much of a class person so that would not be high on my list
-As far as shopping I know it is alot of work for someone to bring the 'store' so I would say just a few of the basic's for some people who run out of something or forgot to bring it
- and definately a lime green lanyard

-Electrical source near my table for my vagabond or cutters or laptops
-access to beverages or snacks / either part of the package or in a lobby or near by for purchase

[midmiscrapper]

I've helped out with a bunch of these through the years for our LSS. Fun...what are you up to Susan??!!

Legnth: Friday evening through Sunday early afternoon, lodging included on site of crop. Place to keep your stuff out overnight so you don't have to pack it up each evening.
Workspace: ~6-8 ft scrap space just for me!
Shopping: a mini store, right on site! Yes everyone uses the adhesive, cardstock....but it's amazing how much other product sells at a crop! OH...and a discount at the sponsoring store for the weekend of the crop.
Classes: Eh. Unless it using some new technique that no one has tried yet.

-lunch/dinner included at the site as well
-We've had a massage therapist on site in the evenings with just a chair massage option....VERY popular!
-Numerous electrical sources are a must for all of the computers and digital cutters now (totally agree Diane!)
-prizes/games make the day fun....break up the scrap time. Not to mention get people out of their seats! (I've been at some that do a scavenger hunt, that was fun! - even though I stink at them)
-Lanyards are a great idea!

That's all I've got right now! If I think of more I'll add...

Pam

[scrappykaren]

This sounds fun!

Friday- Sunday sounds good. Like Pam said, a place to keep your stuff over night so you don't have to pack up.

Lodging included- have to get as much done as possible!!

A small store with adhesives, cardstock, and a few doo dads.

Large work space, have to spread out!

Electricity for our electronic die cutters, laptops, etc.

Meals, snacks, and beverages provided.

Prizes! Thats always fun.

Classes? I don't know! They are fun if is something new!

I like the idea of a massage therapist!

Of course lime green lanyards! Love it!

Karen

[Cat]

Susan, I've never been to a scrap retreat so bear with me.

Length: a Friday morning to Sunday afternoon sounds great or a Saturday thu Monday holiday type weekend works too.

Workspace: 4ft to 6ft sounds good.

Shopping: if retreat was held at a store with hotel nearby; shopping would be fine....if not maybe a few basic supplies.

Classes: not really....but my ideal fun thing would be everyone gets a mini chipboard album kit at the beginning to work on along with their own stuff. A way to print photos of the event/retreat. That way we would have a memory album with pictures of retreat in it. (Hope this makes sense )

Lodging: included

Lime green lanyards sounds fantastic!!!!!


Cat

[vederekutz]

Length -- a 3 day weekend would be good, either Friday-Sunday or Saturday-Monday night.

Make lodging available, too, with a choice of staying the night before it starts or coming in the morning of the first day. Maybe with early bird activities for those who can fly in the night before--even if it's just let them set up in their craft space early the morning of the first day. I like the idea of most of us being in the same place and getting group rates if we can.


Shopping -- I definitely think daily access to basics would be good, but I would also like the chance to buy metal dies, stamps, and any cool stuff i see while I'm there.


Classes/tutorials-- Maybe one really, really cool new thing demo'ed would be okay (maybe showing something on a big-screen TV so all of us can see), but mostly I think I'd like to see what others are doing, how they work, etc. It'd be nice to have the chance for us to teach other the things we like, show each other our favorite tools, etc. We can sit at our tables (about 4 feet each) and work, and when we need to get up and stretch, we can go around and see what others are doing. Maybe give us a bulletin board over our work space (or in front of our work space) where we can pin up projects we've done in the past (if we want), or where we can lay out or make a list our favorite tools (Dani and Co. could come see what we have and maybe think about carrying them online ) . We could have little "guest books" at our tables where we can get emails and contact information, or just the signatures and personal notes of people we "see" on the message boards all the time. I guess I'd see the ideal retreat as being a "scrappers teaching scrappers" sort of thing, where we're coming and going as we please among the tables for part of the time--something like that. Maybe lay it out in such a way that our workspaces are interspersed with semi-comfy group seating areas where we can sit and share or sit and rest. And I also like the idea of having a secure space where we can leave our stuff if we want instead of packing it up every night.

I also think it'd be fun to get kit or two at the beginning or at various points through the retreat, something we can maybe work on as a group, if we choose. While I want to have my own space to work, etc, I think some activities that bring us together, help people mingle, etc, would be good, too. I want to meet the folks I "see" on the message boards, learn a thing or two, and have time to work on stuff in an atmosphere of like-minded crafters. Have a few laughs, make some friends, and share the joy of tools and paper and bling. :-)

Mom, Christy, and I talked about it and we agree that a place to print photos would be nice, whether that's just a store within walking distance or a print center on-site where we can pay to get prints.

Lime green lanyards or not? I don't think it'd be a Scrapyland retreat without some lime green, lol.

I've never been to a scrap retreat, so this is just what I have in my head based on me, mom, and Christy getting together, what I've experienced at professional conferences, and how I imagine all of us who are friends on the message boards getting together like we've known each other for years.

[vederekutz]

Oh, and electricity and internet access from work spaces are a must, too.

[Susan]

these are GREAT ideas!!!

I think I"m with you on classes - I am not a huge class taker {but I LOVE teaching classes - weird huh?!??!}. But I think manufacturer demos are always fun - they can stop by and show off new products, give away some goodies, sponsor prizes, let you try things out, etc.

Gotta have electricity - yes! Good reminder, thanks!

Picture printing - hmmmm - guess it depends on location. If a hotel was close to a Walgreens or Costco or CVS, etc online ordering could come in handy!

Food, games, goofiness - YES!

And I definitely like the idea of a hotel location. Ballroom cropping, locked or at least supervised at night for the all night crowd! Rooms upstairs, great parking, rolling racks, etc.

I've only ever been to one big retreat - last March - and it was a blast! I think with our great customers it could be a big fun event!! You have to start small, and build up - but I'm dying to try it!

Okay so now - the million dollar question...what time of year??

[Cat]

Susan; I'm dying to meet everyone and share our love of scrapping too!!!!

Anytime during January, February, March, April, September & October are usually slow vacations taking times at my work so it's usually easy to take off days during those months. The other months we have to work around each other and schedule any time we want off during those times in January.
If a "Scrap Retreat' was held during the busy vacation times (at my work) you will still catch me trying to work out a way to take off to go. ;D


Cat

[midmiscrapper]

Are we talking in FL or AZ??

[vederekutz]

Sept 3, 2012 15:59:18 GMT -5 midmiscrapper said:

Are we talking in FL or AZ??

I was wondering the same thing.

[yankeegirl]

I've NEVER been to a scrap retreat, but I've heard about them from so many scrappers! They sound like great fun!
You gals have amazing ideas....based on the classes I've taken at CKC, my first want would be SPACE....I too hate being crammed in. After that, everything else for me would be a first!

[Susan]

Sept 3, 2012 16:07:42 GMT -5 vederekutz said:

Sept 3, 2012 15:59:18 GMT -5 midmiscrapper said:

Are we talking in FL or AZ??

I was wondering the same thing.

as much as I would love to say AZ...because we have so many great hotels/resorts around me...I think it would make a LOT more sense to try and work it out in Miami, as that is where the good are.

Goods being - the store and supplies and paper and dies!

Of course here we have the best Mexican food, amazing sunsets and dry dry air. But in FL there is the ocean...hahah!!!

of course Bazzill is here too!!! And Spellbinders. And BoBunny. Fun stuff!

I'm just brainstorming ladies - just brainstorming!!!

[Cat]

Susan, brainstorming always works for me; helps me work out all those fussy little details I tend to forget at times. People throwing out the pros and cons of why, what, where and how is always plus in my book.


Cat

[funmollie]

I really like scrappy retreats.

Definitely do an "all inclusive" one. I like to be able to check in at one spot and be settles for the weekend. I personally like to maximize my time so I like the Friday to Sunday idea, but maybe an early bird special of Thursday afternoon. Nothing scheduled and all the festivities start on Friday, but those who had to travel could get set up and start if wanted to. It's kind of nice to have some of the meals included too.

I know that there are some scrappers who will go into the middle of the night, me beig one of them at times. You never know when inspiration will hit! I really like being able to access te work area whenever, so a locked room, or the ability to get someone to open the room would be great.

As far as the space. I'm a Imorpher, is that even a word??? Anyway, I'd prefer my own table, but group te tables so you can talk to other scrappers other than just your neighbor. Electricity would be great.

I really like the idea of a mini store set up. Adhesive, card stock and new stuff. We all forget it and we all want it.

No to the classes, but maybe some quick technique tips for those interested. Vendors coming in to demo new things is always fun.

Contests, games and fun stuff is always a plus.

In terms of time of the year, I like Sept or early October, then Janyary -March is good too. Not anytime after mid October through the end of the year or April - August. Those at high holiday times, lots of school activities and summer vacations.

[AnnaMatrix]

Susan, I think you know my thoughts - heaven knows I've voiced them to you often enough!!

I pretty much agree with most everyone so far - classes aren't a biggie, but I do LOVE vendor demos and make & takes!

The more space the better - 6 feet minimum. Good lighting, and electrical outlets for my Ott-Lite, Vagabond, etc.

RESERVED SEATING - with ability to sit next to friends. I've been to non-reserved ones, and the stampede for the "good seats" resembled a rock concert!!

Held at a hotel (that has fridges & microwaves in the rooms) with special room rates for attendees. Meals included really helps to save time - especially for breakfast and lunch. I like a nice, hot breakfast, but a box lunch is fine with me!! Dinner on our own is OK - I find I need a break by then, anyway!!

Early Bird check in the day before would be great - especially for those who need to fly - sometimes the only way to get there in time, is to arrive the previous day!! Having the Scrap Room open the day before would be nice, but not essential.

I was originally thinking that if the locale is AZ or FL, that cooler weather would be nice - on the other hand room rates are much cheaper in the "off-season", so late Spring or Summer might be optimal. After all, I'm guessing we won't be spending much time outdoors!!

Games, prizes, contests - YES!! The cornier the better!!

Miami would be the logical location - I'd pay extra for a tour of the Scrapyland warehouse, but I'll need a box of tissues to control the drool!! A store with a bit more than basic supplies is really nice, and profitable for the vendor(s) from what I've seen!!

Waiting with fingers crossed for more info..... Gail

[Cat]

Ladies,I never gave food a thought.


Gail's ideas.....
RESERVED SEATING - with ability to sit next to friends. I've been to non-reserved ones, and the stampede for the "good seats" resembled a rock concert!!

Held at a hotel (that has fridges & microwaves in the rooms) with special room rates for attendees. Meals included really helps to save time - especially for breakfast and lunch. I like a nice, hot breakfast, but a box lunch is fine with me!! Dinner on our own is OK - I find I need a break by then, anyway!!

Early Bird check in the day before would be great - especially for those who need to fly - sometimes the only way to get there in time, is to arrive the previous day!! Having the Scrap Room open the day before would be nice, but not essential.

I was originally thinking that if the locale is AZ or FL, that cooler weather would be nice - on the other hand room rates are much cheaper in the "off-season", so late Spring or Summer might be optimal. After all, I'm guessing we won't be spending much time outdoors!!

Games, prizes, contests - YES!! The cornier the better!!

Sounds great to me!




Cat

[vicki7]

I think Pam has it down pat. This is how the LSS does their Friday-Sunday retreats (getting ready to go to one next weekend in Georgia). They don't do classes but make n takes. We make a little project that teaches us things we may not have ever used and it sells product for the store cause you know, playing with something new makes you want to buy it, lol. They really are easy projects. As for the time of the year? Doesn't matter to me cause I will be there, lol!!!!
Vicki

[Susan]

awesome information and ideas ladies! I appreciate the brainstorming session! ;D ;D ;D ;D

[jenn]

I would like to have classes. There are no SB stores or classes taught in my area.

SB space, would not need a lot of space, since I will have to fly in and thus am limited to what I can bring.

All inclusive is always better. Part of the fun is if everyone is staying in the same location.

Food is always great and coffee as well. Though I am on a health kick these days so some healthful choices (veggies platters) would be nice.

[peterpan]

jenn, good to see you around again. Seems like it has been a while but then I have been a bit absent myself lately!

Like most I am kind of "ehh" on classes. I am lucky enough to have A's right down the road from my house so I usually get at least one class in a month. Like jenn, though, Mom and Sister do not have that luxury. Make and takes and/or vendor demos would be great ways to break up the time a bit. If a class was available I would consider going though.

I have to admit I love Sister's idea of having a few lounge areas with big comfy chairs available for those times when a bit more time away from your project is needed. I'm guessing this would depend on the hotel though.

Based on the professional conferences I've been to, definitely get a ballroom in the hotel where everyone will (or can) stay. Very convenient to have your room just upstairs from the conference.

Friday AM to Sunday PM, 6-8 feet of table space, plenty of outlets, games (especially a scavenger hunt!), mini store, food included or easily accessible all sound great to me. So, no original ideas here.

Definitely assigned/reserved seating and a secure space so we do not have to pack up every night (or whenever we drag ourselves to bed).

For timing, I would echo Mom's preferences...I should be at least as flexible has her schedule would be.

I cannot think of anything else at the moment.

c

[AnnaMatrix]

Jenn, great to see you again!!

I actually think the best part of a Scrapyland Retreat would be getting to meet all of you in person!! Priceless!! Gail

[jenn]

Hi....

It is nice to be able to stop by the message board once in a while. Hope that you are all well.


Jenn