Last Saturday, September 03, 2011, I attended the Scrap Laureat organized by Studio Azul in cooperation with the Pinoy Scrapbooker Mods and sponsored by Visual Creations and Ippity Stamps. This happened at the Cameron Hall, North Forbes, Makati City.
It was my first major scrapping event so I was very excited and had high hopes and I am glad to report that they didn't disappoint in a "major-major" way.
I arrived a little past 8AM. I registered and got a prize from the grab bag -- a silver leafing pen -- and I was already so happy and the event haven't even started yet. It may be a little shallow, but scrapbookers in the Philippines know how expensive and difficult it is to source out scrapbooking tools and products. So, any item that will expand yoru creativity is always welcome.
The table seating was pre-arranged and I was glad to be seated with April Lim, Arlene David and Liza Bermudez. April was our trainor in one of the LI classes and I love how fast she can scrap. she is also very kind and accomodating in helping newbies like me in using techniques and sharing tips. Arlene is familiar to me because I met her in one of Iris Uy's classes. Her sunny personality made our table light and happy. I just met Liza, although I've seen her name and work in scrapbooking circles since I could remember. I immediately felt at home in my table and whatever anxiety I had totally dissipated.
While waiting for the event to start, I explored around the venue. They had a paper and cardstock station, a creativity station that had a die-cut, painting and stamping area. Visual Creations and Studio Azul had their booths too. VC had 20% discount on their items so I was able to buy an MS puncher for P760 (from P900) and Glimmer Glam for P240 (P300). Studio Azul had kits for sale too, P300 for earlier than 2010 kits and P500 for 2010 kits. These were originally P1,000 per kit.
The event was well-organized with the help of the Pinoy Scrapbookers Mods. Our table's Mod was Mia Caniza who was also very kind and accomodating. Other tables had Cabbie Lopez, Au Lim, Nita Sy and other pinoy scrapbookers. It was totally a blast specially since I only see their names and their work on line.
We started off with the starter kit which had several papers and cardstock, lots of Tim Holtz die cuts, a cardstock die cut 12x12m, an ippity stamo and a stamp set by Studio Azul. The rules are, once a scrapbooker finishes 2 LOs she/he becomes entitled to 5 patterned papers (PPS) or cardstock (CS) of her choice. Once the table finishes 10 LOs, the table is entitled to choose 5 items from the "dimsum" cart. This is on top of the materials already laid at the table for the the whole table's use which is a LOT! and I do mean A LOT! There were die cuts, ribbons, cardstock, patterned papers, buttons, rub-ons, a whole bag of prima flowers, CS stickers from cosmo cricket, basic grey and other known brands. It was just too much for a newbie like me -- it was scrapbooking overload -- It was crazy! I didn't know where or how to start.
Anyway, the Warm-Up Sketch Challenge did the trick and soon I was trimming paper and choosing my embellishments. Here is my entry to that challenge:
I looked at my watch before starting my 2nd LO and saw that it was already 11 o'clock. I thought, if I ever wanted to get myself to that PP station, I better get my groove going. So, there I was, happily cutting scraps, looking for appropriate embellishments and here is my 2nd LO.
At around 11:30, it was announced that lunch was already served, but you'd be surprised as not a single butt lifted from their seat. After about two minutes though, my table decided to go for it and have lunch early.
The food was very very good. Three viands of beef, chicken and a vegetable dish, rice, a cupcake and some gelatin. I kept on going back for more food -- and I tell you, I never go for seconds in these buffet style feasts. ( I am the worst company to bring to an eat-all-you-can restaurant). This tells you how wonderfully prepared the food was.
But another surprise was also how small the dining area was. Imagine, we had something like 7 tables with an average of about 5 persons to a table but the dining area only had 3 tables. But surprisingly, nobody complained about the space because the dining area was utilized by a very few people at a time since a lot of the people wanted to scrap rather than eat. Talking about dedication!
After lunch, Liza went on to do her breast milk pumped which reminded me that I might also leak anytime by this time. All 3 of us who were left at the table scrapped our time away. This is my 3rd LO.
At around 1PM, we were invited to join the scrap throwdown where we were supposed to beat CV who held the speed scrapping record in the last scrap buffet. Our table joined also but we were beaten by Bessie Del Rosario, another scrapbooking friend from Lasting Impressions. I was so happy for her but she was disqualified because she lacked one embellishment. The rules called for 3 PPs, 3 embellishments, 2 photos and 1 tim holtz die cut from the starter kit. Here is my entry to that challenge:
In the afternoon, I was still able to scrap two more which includes my entry to the shoot, print scrap challenge. We were supposed to take a picture at the event, print it and scrap it. These are the LOs:
In the midst of doing the last 2 LOs, we had merienda of Lomi and siopao which was also very filling. In fact I ate 2 siopao.
The whole event was punctuated by a raffle where everyone got a prize. My prize was a heart-shaped mini-album.
At 4PM the sketch challenges were declared closed to make time for judging. At 5PM the scrapping was declared closed. I used the last hour to make 4 cards. Later, the winners were announce and the best announcement of all, the "No Take Home" Policy was lifted and everyone got to take home what was on the table.
The good thing is that my table mates were veteran scrapbookers and were no longer interested to take most of the stash home so I ended up bringing home most of it. I was sooo happy!
I left the event very fulfilled. I was able to scrap 6 LOs, met new friends and learned -- learned -- learned! I can't wait for the next scrapping event.
