Almost Done!

My unpacking is almost done!  Of course, my camera was in the last box.  So it was a great excuse to stop for a little while and post some pictures.  I'm going to put them on Facebook when I'm done.  If you aren't a friend, look me up and send me a request.

Yep!  That's a leak, Becky!  How it missed me and Lyla was beyond me.  Fortunately, as soon as they shut the a/c unit down, it started slowing down and eventually stop.  It sure made us all think about what would happen if the fire alarms went off.... YIKES!!!

Everyone busy at work!

No, they aren't in trouble!  They are just all attending a technique class.  It sure has everyone's attention!

Boy, we have a bunch of stuff, don't we!  And we sure liked the room to spread out in!  Gotta love space!

We had plenty of snacks.  I don't think ANYONE went hungry!

Ok, back to putting stuff away.  I wish I was still there.

What a Weekend!

All I can say is WOW!  I mean, really... WOW!!!

You are ALL the greatest bunch of ladies I know.  Did we have a great time or what?!  I have some pictures I want to post, but I haven't found my camera yet!!!  I only have one question.... how in the world did I come home with MORE stuff than I took?  Especially since I left SO much stuff there!  That is really baffling me!!!

Oh, well... I hope you all had as much fun as I did.  And I hope you are going to take a few days to rest up, because if you are as tired as I am, I am sure you will need it.  But it was SO worth it, wasn't it!

It's just so amazing to me that I have found each of you and you are now a part of my life.  I truly mean that.  You each are so unique and so very talented and so VERY much fun!  I can't get my mind to slow down.  I just keep replaying the last 5 days in my mind.  I usually do that to re-evaluate and try to figure out how to make things better, but this time is different.  I am just enjoying all of the fun moments and time spent watching everyone enjoy themselves and talking to people and just getting to know you all.  I wish I had more time to spend with each of you and even though I tried, I know I didn't/couldn't. 

I can't wait til October (boy, I am sure wishing my time away, aren't I!), but I can't wait to see everyone again.  I so appreciate your feedback and I so want to make this coming 2010 Fall Scrapbook Retreat, the BEST ONE EVER!!!  (I know, I sound like a broken record, don't I!!!)

So, keep an eye out on this blog.... I'll be posting pictures of this past retreat and I'll be building a NEW blog for the 2010 FALL RETREAT in the next month or so and I'll be sure and post a link here.

I'd offer you CROP CASH for leaving a comment, but I'm done with bribes for now!  Just leave a comment if you want to... 'til later!

IT'S HERE - FINALLY!

It's finally here... I'm finally here!!!

And now, I'm lonely!  But not for long, I know.  It is truly the calm before the storm.  Here are some before pictures... it won't look like this for long!  Be safe in your travels and see you soon!

Final Notes... Travel Safely!

How do we get there, you may ask!  Click HERE for a map and directions.  If you have any problems, call me... 417-880-2426.

Bring comfortable clothes!
Bring your creativity!
Bring your snacks!
Bring whatever else you want!  And if you forget something, don't worry too much, I'm sure someone will loan you just about anything and for enough CROP CASH they may just give it to you!

Send me an email if you don't want to call... my email address is jmpurves@mchsi.com.  I have my Blackberry with me all the time and I get my emails there.

You can either check in at the front desk and ask for "THE SCRAPBOOKERS" and they will tell you right where we are or come to the Convention Center and come on it... we are the only ones in there!

Be safe, have a good trip and we will see you when you get there!

STOP COMMENTING!!!

COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED!  Tally away, Kim!

I'll be back in a a little bit with some last minute information for you.

Comments Close at 5:30 tonight!

Remember, we have to close the COMMENTS tonight at 5:30 so Kim has plenty of time to calculate those millions of dollars of CROP CASH you all have earned!!!  Don't get too excited... it's NOT millions, but when you look at it, it kind of looks like that... check it out!

Now, guessing how much is in there would make a great contest, but, I don't want to count it all!

The Pinks's are $100, the White's are $50, the Yellow's are $20 and the Green's are $10.  WOOHOO!!!  Bring on the CROP CASH!

Packing! And Taxes are DONE!

Today was my day to get my taxes done and get some major packing started.  And guess what?  I did it!!!  I can't believe it!  And this was after spending the day yesterday in Bolivar at a fundraising crop for TOMSK Missions.  It was a great day, but what was I thinking?  The Saturday before my retreat?  I committed to doing something ELSE... all... day... long?  Oh, well!  It worked out!  And here's some pictures to prove it!.

I've been packing and moving to my living room.  

This is how it started this morning (after the taxes were done!).

 

This is just another view!

And then, I ran out of room, so I started moving the stuff to the garage...

And I haven't even begun to pack my own stuff yet!  Or any of the tools!  Or my clothes!  

Anyone have a U-Haul?  I may need one!

I hope your packing is coming along, too!  I can't wait to meet and see everyone.  The weather is supposed to be beautiful through Thursday and then it looks like rain Friday and Saturday.  Perfect weather to be inside scrapbooking!  I will be adding another blog with some final details... AFTER I finish packing! 

Trivia Game - LAST Crop Cash Opportunity!

Ok.  This is the last one... on the blog and/or by email, anyway.  There will be tons of opportunity at the retreat to earn more CROP CASH, so don't worry!  Answer these 7 trivia questions by sending me an email with the answers.  This time, you DON'T post them here.  You just email me the answers at jmpurves@mchsi.com.  I'll be sending this out by email, too and you can simply reply to that email!  To answer some of the questions, you may need to refer back to emails I've sent or blog entries I've made.  Some, you may have to dig for!  Some you may have to guess!

1.  How many people are signed up for this retreat?
2.  How many items will be up for auction at the infamous CROP CASH AUCTION?
3.  What is the name of the hotel where this retreat is being held?
4.  How much in CROP CASH is a homemade snack worth?
5  What direct market scrapbook company am I a consultant for?
6.  How many people who have responded to me are attending this retreat as their very FIRST retreat? 
7.  How much CROP CASH do you think you have earned SO FAR?

You will earn $100 for EACH correct ANSWER!!!

Get that response to me quickly!  Remember CROP CASH earning on this blog or by email will close at 5:00pm Monday, April 12th.  Don't be late!

Drop and Swap Table

Cherry has asked for more information about the Drop and Swap Table!  This is a place where you can bring your scrapbook supplies that you no longer want.  You just leave them on the table.  And while you're there, take a look around and see if there's anything that you want!  And if there is, you just take it!  And keep checking back and people arrive and add to the Drop and Swap Table, the selection gets greater and greater!  Sometimes, as people are actually scrapbooking, they find things they just don't want anymore and they take them to the Drop and Swap Table!

It's really fun to keep checking back from time to time.

Then, at the end of the retreat, whatever is left over is packed up by one of our retreat goers (Debbie) and she takes it all to a local women's shelter.

So if you decide to drop something off at the table, come to me at the retreat and I will give you $100 in Crop Cash for doing so!  (This is a one-time Crop Cash payment!  I have to be clear about this stuff because SOME people will try to get more CROP CASH than they know what to do with!)

That's it!  Just an added little thing at our retreats!

One Week from Tonight!!!

Exactly ONE WEEK FROM TONIGHT, I start (or maybe I should say FINISH) packing.  I have a lot done already, but I have a lot left to do!  And get this, I still have to finish my TAXES!  And we all know when THAT deadline is!!!

And then... ONE WEEK FROM TOMORROW, we head down to Branson to start setting the room up!  WOOHOO!  When I hit that ONE WEEK mark, I really start getting excited, freaking out, going crazy... and any combination of the 3.  At any given time, I could just be laughing or crying!  But you know what.  This is the absolute best time!  I love this week.  I love the anticipation of seeing everyone.  I love the idea of getting the room ready.  And I get so excited at just getting there.  I hope you are getting excited, too! 

Be watching tomorrow night... I'm conjuring up another CROP CASH OPPORTUNITY.  Sadly, it will be the last one... on the blog at least!  So, get ready and be sure and check the blog tomorrow night!

Blog Comments and Earning Crop Cash!

We are getting SO close now!  SO CLOSE I CAN HARDLY STAND IT!

SO.... just FYI... there will be probably ONE more CROP CASH OPPORTUNITY and then... we must stop!  For the BLOG anyway...

All blogs and comments will remain open until Monday April 12th night at 5pm at which time they will CLOSE and you can no longer earn CROP CASH (we have to have time to calculate the millions of dollars of CROP CASH being earned!!!)  Ok, maybe not millions of dollars!!!  BUT A LOT!

So, mark your calendar for Monday, April 12th and be sure you get comments on all of the CROP CASH OPPORTUNITIES you can!!!

A Couple More Pieces of Information!

Suzy and Beth asked me this question and I think it's important enough to tell everyone the answer!!!  They are coming in on Friday and wanted to know how early they can arrive. 

Here's the deal... I don't really care how early you arrive, but if you want breakfast (served at 9) or lunch (served at noon), just let me know and you can pay when you arrive.  You can have breakfast with us for $5 and lunch for $6.  You can even bring your own food in if you want!

The reason you can't arrive earlier than 1 on Thursday is so I (and my team) have time to get the room set up!  Plus we don't have food being catered in. 

A couple more things I've thought about.

1. Bring an extension cord (or power strip) if you will have power items at your work area.  I've tried to set the tables up to optimize the outlets, but it would just be a sad day if there weren't enough places for you to plug in your Cricut, your computer, your printer, your light source, your craft gun or whatever else you may be bringing!
2. There will be a Drop and Swap table.  This will earn you $100 in CROP CASH to leave whatever you are going to leave.  This is too hard to keep track of, so it's a one amount deal.  So you know... feel free to leave and pick up whatever you like.  Whatever is leftover at the end of the retreat was taken by Debbie last year and donated to a woman's shelter... I hope she will do that for us again this year!
3. Last year, everyone got one of those pop-up trash cans.  Not doing that this year!  So, don't forget to bring some type of trash receptacle for your area if you want to have one there.  There are big trash cans throughout the room that they pick up for us, but sometimes it's just more convenient to have a small receptacle at your own space.
4. If you have ANY questions for me, don't hesitate to ask!  Or send me an email!  This is YOUR Retreat and I want you to enjoy it as much as possible and I want to help any way I can!

Back to organizing and packing!

Happy Easter, Everyone

Just a quick note... no CROP CASH!...

Happy Easter, EVERYONE!!!

Let's Get to Know Each Other - AND earn CROP CASH!

Ok... In less than 2 weeks, we are going to be spending 3 days together!  Can you believe it's getting that close!!!  I can't, but I am SO ready.  I really am!

So, it's time for more CROP CASH!!! - Leave a comment, answering these questions and you will earn $200 in CROP CASH!!!

1. Is this your first retreat or have you attended others?  If you've attended others, how many?
2. If you've attended a retreat before this one, what words of wisdom do you have for our "newbies".  I'm sure they would appreciate any thoughts.
3. Are you one who will be up early having coffee with me at 6:30 or 7 in the morning or will you be closing the room down at night?
4. Are you a coffee drinker?  If so, when?
5. Are you planning on getting a ton done or are you going to be happy completing a couple of pages or cards?

Remember, leaving a comment with your answers will earn you $200 in CROP CASH.

Just an update on my planning... Prizes are done.  CTMH orders are in.  Tombow orders are in.  Name tags done. Goody bags DONE!  Food ordered.  Rooms reserved AND paid for.  Room layout and seating chart done.  Signing in stuff done.  Stuff being gathered in my living room room is growing.  Arrangements made to haul stuff to Branson. 

Still to do... Print more CROP CASH! Shopping for last minute stuff (list continues to grow!)  Organize what I am going to take and work on (organize?  what's that?).  Finish Crazy Cropper Pass or Play game envelopes.  PACK, PACK, PACK!

I love it when the done list gets bigger than the TO DO list!!!  I am getting SO excited.  When I have to sit and think about what still needs to be done, that means it's getting SO CLOSE!

Ok... it's time to leave your comments and earn your CROP CASH!

Just a Little Information

Well, quite a few of you picked up your Close to My Heart orders this weekend!  It was SO good to see you who came by.  Some old and some new friends!  I can't wait for this retreat.  I just know we are going to have to much fun!

Here's just a few things you may want to know...

• We will have the convention center all to ourselves. (no sharing with anyone this year!)
• The hotel has free wi-fi in all the rooms AND the convention center
• You will have your very own 6 ft rectangle banquet type table... you don't share it with anyone!
• There will even be an extra 8 ft table that is placed in the middle of a 4 table pod for everyone in that pod to share (it's a good place to stash stuff kind of out of your way or put your cricut on it or whatever!)
• We have access to the kitchen (which is right off the convention center) so you can use that refrigerator and microware and ice machine all you want!
• The crop room will be open from 6:30am to around 2am.  It will be locked up between 2am and 6:30 so your stuff should be safe.
• Our block of rooms is in a building just across a driveway and is covered so in the event on inclement weather, you won't get wet (and you can wear your house shoes back and forth from the crop room to your room.
• Feel free to bring your Ipod or any other form of music, just don't forget to use your earplugs... you may love your music, but that doesn't mean everyone else will! 
• I probably don't have to say this... but.. No children, PLEASE!
• The complimentary hotel continental breakfast is for you, too!  We will be having out catered breakfast at 9, so if you need coffee, juice or a bagel to get you started, don't forget to hit that room on your way to the crop room!
• When you arrive, you can pull right up under the breezeway at the Convention Center to unload.  There will be luggage carriers waiting for you!
• Check in to your hotel room is 3pm (if they have your room ready, you can check in earlier)  If you want to wait to check in, come on to the crop room and get set up!  No earlier than 1, please... we want to have everything ready for you before you get there!
• Be sure to find me when you check in as I will get you your drawing tickets, check in your snacks, and all that stuff and show you where your assigned seating is.
• Don't forget the ScrapNook will be setting up Thursday.  It's an amazing store and you won't believe what all Sheri will bring.
• Check out on Sunday is 11am, but we don't have to be out of the crop room until 2.  (I don't even want to think about checking out.... that made me sad to type that!

These are just a few things to think about and know.  I tend to think my planning out here on this blog so if you have any questions, don't hesitate to shoot me an email or leave a comment here!

Oh, and by the way... At last count... there are 45 auction items!!!!  WOW!!!  Are you getting excited!!!  If you are... you can earn $100 in CROP CASH if you leave a comment and tell me JUST how EXCITED YOU ARE!!!

Here's the Menu!

Here's the menu I turned in to the caterer today!  

Get you taste buds ready, these ladies are awesome cooks!

Thursday Dinner - 5pm

Fried Chicken

Mashed Potatoes/Gravy

Buttered Corn

Tossed Salad

Dinner Rolls

Friday Breakfast - 9am

Fresh Fruit Basket

Bacon Quiche

Ham and Sausage Links

Potatoes, Peppers and Onions

Friday Lunch - 12:30pm

Turkey, Ham & Cheese Sandwiches

Roast Beef & Swiss Sandwiches

Chips

Friday Dinner - 5pm

Baked Ham

Baked Apples

Baked Potatoes

Tossed Salad

Dinner Rolls

Saturday Breakfast - 9am

Scrambled Eggs

Biscuits and Gravy

Bacon and Sausage Patties

Hash Browns

Saturday Lunch - 12:30pm

Ham & Cheese or Chicken Salad on Croissants

Chips

Saturday Dinner - 5pm

BBQ Brisket

Roasted Potatoes

California Veggie Blend

Caesar Salad

Sunday Breakfast - 9am

Bagels and Cream Cheese

Fresh Fruit

I will also have 2% milk and juice available for breakfast.  

Plus, there will be coffee and iced tea available all day.

If you have any special dietary needs, please let me know as soon as possible and I will try my best to accomodate your needs.

Who's Ready to Earn Some Crop Cash?

I'm still stuffed up, but I'm feeling like I'm coming back to the land of the living!  And, I'm getting BACK into Retreat Mode!  Which means only one thing.....

CROP CASH OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU!!!!

Can I get a WOOHOO!!!  (I said woohoo, NOT  "It's ABOUT TIME!")

Let's talk SNACKS!  I know that's MY favorite subject!  This is something I've done since my first retreat and it works so well, it has become a permanent part of the event.  We get such a variety this way and the homemade stuff is always so yummy!

I will have coffee and iced tea 24/7.  There will be sugar, regular creamer and sweetener available.  There is an unlimited supply of ice.  Also, just FYI, I am going to have fresh fruit brought in each morning along with breakfast juices.  And don't forget the hotel has a free continental breakfast available to us.  PLUS, in the next day or so, I will be posting our menu.  I almost have it complete and ready to publish!

For those of you who have been to one of my retreats, you already know the drill, but we have a lot of first-timers, so I'm going to explain.  (by the way this will go out in email format, too, so don't freak if you start getting overloaded with info from me.  I just want to be sure everyone gets the information... wouldn't want to leave ANYONE out!)

You can earn CROP CASH by bringing some/one of the following.  You can choose to bring something from any one category or from as many as you like.  I would REALLY appreciate knowing ahead of time what you will be bringing, so, in addition to the CROP CASH you will earn from the items themselves, you will earn $100 JUST for posting what you plan to bring here OR by sending me an email (and then I will come on here and post for you).  Does that make sense?  If not... ASK ME PLEASE!  Last year, we ran low on a couple of areas and heaven forbid, we run low on snacks!

Homemade Snack - $50

Store Bought Snack - $50

Chocolate - $10 - $50, depending on quality and quantity!

Soda/Beverages - $20 per liter

You will earn your "Food CROP CASH" when you check in at the Retreat.  Get creative!  This can be SO much fun!

Be watching for more posts coming very soon!


Oh... Happy Snowy Spring!

Well, it's more than the Spring Crud...

I gave in.  Finally.  And went to the doctor this morning.  It's a sinus infection and an upper respiratory infection.  Great.  At least, that explains why I haven't been getting better.  So... after a big ole' shot in the backside, a script of Z-Pack and Cough Syrup with Codeine along with some Mucinex... oh and off work til Thursday... I am good to go!  To bed... for now, anyway.  I'll sleep a little and think of some fun CROP CASH OPPORTUNITY I can come up with when I get up later on.  Night, night....

The Spring Crud Hit ME!

Sorry I haven't posted all week.  I've been down with the Spring Crud!  Chest wheezing, cough, sneezing, runny nose... you know that Crud I'm talking about!  I wish it would go away!  I think I'm on the back side of it, though, so be watching for a CROP CASH OPPORTUNITY in the next day or so!  I may not be posting, but I'm THINKING RETREAT!

What a BUSY Day This has Been!

And it's all been spent on WORKING ON THE RETREAT!  There were 4 of us who flat turned out the goods today!  I think you are going to LOVE what you find your CROP CASH in this year!  And the auction items/prizes continue to grow.  My goody bag stuff should be in by the end of the week (did I tell you it is going to be over $40 in STUFF!).  One of our technique projects are all cut and ready to go.  Name Tags are done.  My house is a wreck, but WHO CARES!!!!  It is in RETREAT MODE, too!

No CROP CASH this time... but thanks for reading!

Right Here... This is It!

This is where you need to post a comment and say... "I Can Blog!" and earn $50 in CROP CASH!

If you are here and you can't post a comment, send me an email at jmpurves@mchsi.com and tell me!  You can earn $50 in CROP CASH by doing that, too!  You just can't earn it twice by doing both!!!  I know you people!  You'll do anything to get some money!

And if you can't figure out how to "Follow" or Subscribe, let me know that, too.

And if you simply don't want to play, that is just fine, too!  I would just like to know so I can MOVE ON!!!  And get to some serious CROP CASH giving away!!!

Are You Planning Yet?

So, are you planning what you are going to be working on yet?  It's never too early to start doing that, you know!  If you are one who wants to get lots of pages done, you can pick out your paper and everything you need to finish that page and stack it together.  And then gather just the tools you need to work on those.  How efficient!  I saw someone get 60 pages done on those 4 days!  I was SO impressed!

But if you are one who really likes the social aspect of a retreat, you may want to plan and pack a little lighter!  Take some cards or a special project.  At least that way, you will feel like you got something accomplished!

CROP CASH OPPORTUNITY!

Leave a comment and tell what your plans are.  Don't worry, no one is going to hold you to it!  It's just a way to earn $200 in CROP CASH!!  Plus you might motivate someone else! 

Have a great Monday!

Here's MY List - Whadya Think!?!

Ummmm... Paper Packs, Storage, Ribbon, Tombows, Stamps and Stickles, Alcohol Inks and maybe a Jukebox... Oh..oh... oh.... what about a Clip it Up or a Bind It All or maybe even a BIG SHOT!  What would you think about THAT KIND OF STUFF!!!!!  AAAHHHHH.... I'm just sayin'!

Oh, and guess what else.... I'm printing more CROP CASH this weekend!!!  I was talking to Sheri at the ScrapNook today and I get the feeling she may be digging into my stash again.  So, I need to be prepared!  And it will just be incentive to give away MORE!  And with what all is lining up for auction items... we are going to need a TON of CROP CASH!  Can I just start right now by saying... NO FIGHTING LADIES.... NO FIGHTING!!!!

Wanna Save Some Money?

Since you all are so good and have either subscribed to this blog or have joined as a follower, you are going to get this news FIRST!  (I'll let everyone else know later this week!)

I am going to be offering a 10% discount off your ENTIRE Close to My Heart ordered (placed through me - call or email me as my website can't give the discount!) to everyone who is registered for my 2010 Spring Retreat!  That's a great deal!  This is a no-nonsense, everything included sale!  I plan to submit the order by mid March... just in time to get everything back so you will be stocked up for the RETREAT!  AND... for every $ you order, you will earn that with a zero on the end in CROP CASH!!!  So... if you order $20, you will earn $200 in CROP CASH!!!  WOOHOO!!!

What a great way to get yourself organized!  Order your paper packs and embellies... or, consider the Workshop on the Go kits!  That's what I'm doing this year!  And if you have no idea what I'm talking about, shoot me an email and I'll give you ALL the info!

I'm officially setting March 15th as our "closing" date, so make sure you get me your order by then!  If you need an Idea Book, let me know, but remember, you can view it online from my website... www.jmpurves.myctmh.com.  Let me know if you need any help!

Happy Shopping!

Less than 2 MONTHS..... WOOHOO!

I cannot believe we are NOW less than 2 months away from our SPRING RETREAT!  I can't believe that!  I really HATE wishing away my life, but I really WISH it were starting today!  I need a getaway and I need SPRING!

Ok. that's really great news, but this is even better!  SINCE we are within 2 months of the RETREAT... I think... it's time.... to...

START THE CROP CASH GAMES!!!!!

We need to get EVERYONE following this blog.  It is my preferred way to play CROP CASH games!  It's easier than sending a thousand emails and it's WAY easier to track and keep track of your CROP CASH earnings!  SO... be sure and tell all your friends who are registered that they need to get on here and sign up for email notifications and/or FOLLOW MY BLOG!

Starting right now... leave a message (or, send me an email if you can't get the "leaving a message" figured out) and respond to the following!  (here's another cool thing about blogging.... I don't have to put an end date on the games!)

CROP CASH AUCTION ITEMS

I need ideas.  What would you like to see on the auction block?  You know me... I'll put anything up there! 
So don't hold back!  Leave a message here (or, if you can't, send me an email and I'll add it here to the blog comments) and tell me what you want to see and would bid on.  Let's see, that's pretty easy, so let's make it worth...

$100 in CROP CASH!!!

Don't worry about duplicates... that just tells me that item will be worth fighting for!!!  Oh, and you can list as many things as you like!  Remember this is to give me an idea for some great auction items!!!

Have a great Thursday and start watching this BLOG as I AM going to start doing this more and more frequently as we get closer to the RETREAT!!!  (thanks, Vickie, for reminding me to get this going!)

Spring, Where Are YOU!

As I was driving home tonight, after scraping snow and ice off my car after work, I was thinking... SPRING, Where are YOU? and then it dawned on me... it's not very far away!  Nor is our retreat!  Isn't it nice to chink Spring and think about the Spring Retreat!  And then, I came back to reality and changed the background on this blog.  SNOW!  It's okay, for a little while, I guess!

What the Heck IS Crop Cash, someone asked!

Rita, a new cropper EVERYONE SAY "HELLO, RITA!" asked me an interesting question. What is the deal with Crop Cash? So, I responded to here and here is what I said... In case you were wondering, too!

Here's the scoop on Crop Cash.

Prior to the retreat, I do all kinds of things to give everyone opportunities to earn crop cash. From simply sending me an email asking for CROP CASH when I send out a notice to responding to a quiz I email out. You never know what I'll ask you to do, so you want to be sure to read your emails from me and check this blog often. And then, at the retreat, we will play some games when you can earn more CROP CASH. Or, I might need a tool that I don't have and I'll offer CROP CASH to the first person who can get one to me! Like I said, you never know. I'm a little crazy and a lot spontaneous, so get ready! AND... then, there's Sheri, who has no problem, whatsoever in stealing my "CROP CASH STASH" and just randomly start giving it away. Now that caught even ME off guard!

Then, every night, a little bit after dinner, I have a CROP CASH AUCTION! And that's what it's all about! Last year, I auctioned off over $1,000 worth of stuff. I think it worked out to be about 12 or 13 items each night. And on Saturday night, those items sold for a total of $49,000 in CROP CASH! It was WILD! But oh, so much fun! And with more people there, I think it will be even crazier.

Vickie and Lyla ogt into a bidding war over an organizational bag... I think that's what it was... and they had everyone in stitches! Vickie won! You'll have to ask her about that! She was quite proud and Lyla is still fussing about it.

I just don't like boring old drawings... even though I do a few of them... so I came up with the auction idea a couple of years ago at my very first retreat. It was a hit and has become a highlight of my retreats.

I think you'll like it. And as I get a little more organizes, I'll be letting everyone know what their CROP CASH balance is. And it will all be waiting for you at the retreat. Just a bonus for joining my fun, Crazy Cropper Scrapbook Retreat!

Is Anyone Out There?

I guess we could call this "The Very First Crop Cash Opportunity" on this blog! If you are following, subscribed or just stumbled upon this, leave me a comment and YOU will earn $100 in Crop Cash! It's simple. I recommend getting a Google account. It's free and you can sign in that way and it doesn't call you "Anonymous"! I also recommend you become a "Follower" and/or "Subscribe". You are not going to want to miss any of the posts that are going to be appearing over the next few months.

Can you believe we are less than 3 months away? WOW! I'm working on Retreat stuff today and I'm ready to get THIS PARTY STARTED!

If you experience ANY problems posting, let me know so we can get you fixed... quickly!

Talk to you soon,
Janis

The Contract is Signed!

WooHoo! I signed the contract at the hotel this past Friday! That's always a milestone and a little scary. Fortunately, I've had such a good EARLY response, I'm not scared anymore! I was talking to Nancy (Cobblestone Events Manager) on Friday and she was still in awe at how much stuff we brought in to that room. I said "yeah... they all have a bunch of stuff! And we really need to spread out and I'm thrilled we are going to double our space" ... and she said "It's not double, it's triple what you had in October!" WHAT!!! So we walked over to the convention center and sure enough.. I thought we had half of the BIG room, but we really only had a THIRD of it! This is gonna be SOOOOOOOO nice!

Here We Go!

Ok, so, how did the Holidays treat you? And what about this snow and sub-freezing weather! I'm done with ALL of them! Well, if the truth be known, my Christmas tree is still up, BUT, it's coming down tonight! I know... it's about dang time!

NO, what it's time for is the 2010 SPRING SCRAPBOOK RETREAT!!! I know, it about 4 months away, but I am SO ready for it. Well, not really READY for it, but YOU know what I MEAN!!!

I sent out confirmation emails last night to the nearly 40 people I have registered. Can you believe THAT! 40 people and there is 4 more months! I would really like to get to 50, but we will see.

I don't have much to report other than this. Because of all of the email problems I was having a few months ago, I am changing dates that qualify for CROP CASH. Here are the NEW qualifying dates...

Emailing me your Registration Form before you mail it to me
$100 CROP CASH

Mailing me your Registration Form and $50 Deposit by February 1
$100 CROP CASH

Paying in full by February 15th
$250 CROP CASH

I have also changed the Deposit Due date to February 15th (it won't earn you CROP CASH if you pay then, but that's when I need your deposit!)

So, make notes of those dates! And grab your friends... Let's FILL THIS PARTY!