Monday, September 21, 2009

4th Annual Scrapfest with the Fam!

I'm ba-a-ack! (Did you miss me?) I just got back last night from the 4th Annual Scrapfest with my sisters at Mall of America. Happily, this year, I did not manage to drench myself in gasoline and have to buy new clothes before I got there! (If you missed that post, just search "scrapfest" in the search bar in the upper left of this blog.)

Thought you might like to see the photo set-up for those "I was at Scrapfest" type photos. Each year, we get one, and you get a magazine with it; I always choose the photography magazine. This year, the line was quite small, so I asked the photographer to also take a shot with my camera, and she glanced at the tiny line, and willingly obliged:


And although we have a brother named "Bob", this is not OUR Bob, but SpongeBob. (Like, you might not know that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Some thoughts about this year's Scrapfest:

It's absolutely wonderful to get to spend this time with my sisters; where else can you stay up until 3 am, laughing hysterically?

Every year, the quality of Scrapfest deteriorates further. More and more, we're questioning paying for the Crop Around Town events: We could find a table to scrap at much less expensively than this, and the "gifts" in the drawings are truly the dregs of the scrapping world. It's pretty transparent that oddball little scrapping supplies that wouldn't even sell on the clearance racks are the "prizes" at the Cropping events. Why pay money to "win" this stuff that's destined for recycling or the thrift store; we couldn't even give it away at the Cropping event! (Maybe we should have snuck it into someone else's bag when they weren't looking!) We've decided to create our own version of Crop Around Town next year, and spend the money on supplies that we choose ourselves.

And combining Scrapbooking with our own version of a Photowalk just really adds to the pleasure of it all!

One other thing, if you're still with me. . . . it you want to read a most intriguing blog post of cross-cultural confusion, read Dianna's blog post. Dianna is doing a semester abroad program in India right now. 109 Days in India

16 comments:

pat said...

Angela, I've missed seeing your posts and commentaries. Sorry that your trip and retreat didn't live up to expectations, but at least SpongeBOb was there; but wait, maybe that was an omen...
Thank you so much for including the link to Diana's blog! What a wonderful treat to be able to experience her reactions to India; to see it through her eyes. Please let us keep up with her journey. I found the entire episode with the transgender person very interesting, especially the blessing aspect.

Maria said...

Love the photos of the three of you! What a cool "sister time!"

The Au Family said...

How fun! I think I need some girls time off for a scrapfest!

Cindi Koceich said...

I love scrapping too...although I haven't scrapped in four years because all my time goes into photography...LOL! But, I vow to return to the scrapbooking world again someday and I have the drawerfuls of scrap crap to prove it! :)

Lauren Hartman said...

So sorry to hear the event itself wasn't up to snuff, but glad you got to spend time with your sisters. Off to read your daughter's blog....

Diana said...

why hello

im sorry that your trip did not go as expected but you at least had a blast with your sisters now im off to check your daughters blog

Suzy said...

Well sorry your trip wasn't what you'd hoped. Great captures and I'm off to see your daughters blog as well.

Reds said...

Been missing your posts - glad you had fun at the scrap fest with your sisters! Enjoyed reading your daughter's blog - awesome that she gets to spend time in India!

Nicki said...

Yes - we did miss you, but obviously you have taken up with a rowdier crowd (SpongeBob! ...really!!, your sisters sure - but SpongeBob...Doug must be beside himself with jealously. haha!).

Your daughter's post was enlightening and she has your gift of story-telling. Personally, I would have to wear a scarlet R for rude, because I am a 'no touchie' type of gal when it comes to strangers. One boat ride in Mexico with chicken packing, baby squalling and hygiene-challenged passengers only vindicated my fetish.

Bobbi said...

That 1st picture cracked me up.

Wow I jut read the first entry on your daughters blog...that is crazy. I have to go back and read more when I have time.

Barb said...

It looks like the three of you had a great time. It is nice to have an event when getting together to add to the memories.

Stephanie said...

Great captures! Sorry you trip wasnt as you expected. :(

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you had so much fun with your sisters:) Your daughter's blog is fascinating!

Ron said...

You guys look very happy together. And I too am jellous abut spongbob!

bprincephoto said...

Looks like a great time!

Margaret said...

sorry the trip wasn't quite what you had hoped, but it looks like you had so much fun with your sisters. I'm going to check out your daughter's blog!