SD Scrapbook Expo

Friday I went to the San Diego Scrapbook Expo. 14 hours by myself to do my craft... so wonderful! Well, it didn't start out that way exactly. It was hard to find babysitting arrangements (we ended up paying our day care sitter) and had to ask Matt (Mike's brother) to go out of his way (thanks dude!) to help us out. It ended up working just fine but I was pretty bummed the day before - thinking it wasn't going to happen and that I just wasted $100 on classes and crop registration. Well, it happened and I'm so grateful!

I left my house at 7:45am and got to SD around 8:30. Plenty of time to park and get to my first class at 9. Until Murphy's Law hit. I drove around trying to get to the convention center but for some reason could SEE IT and not REACH IT. Finally after a few frustrating minutes, I found my way and the bank. I had only $5 cash (I knew this) so I hit the nearest UBOC to get cash.

My ATM card didn't work! We recently had to close and reopen our checking account but the man at the bank said our cards were linked and ready to go.... wrong! I drove over to see if I could at least park and then I'd figure out the money later. Oh no! Parking was $8. So now it's 8:45 and I have nothing left to do but go back to the bank and wait. And pay!
So here I am, very stressed, talking on the phone with a bank representative telling her my problems. While paying the meter and waiting for the bank to open at 9am - the time my class starts. To make matters worse, I forgot my water bottle. Did I mention I'm addicted to water and go nowhere without it? Well, it's true. I even sleep with it next to my bed at night. And now I'm at a convention for 14 hours with no water and no money to buy any (it's $3 for a TINY water!). After all I've been through to get to this point, this is the last straw, and I'm starting to cry. And text my husband a million times telling him all my problems. Oh yes, and I had to use the restroom... BAD!

So the lady on the phone finally finishes 'helping' me around 9am... and tells me the card will work in 5-10 minutes. The bank opened, so I went in to make the withdrawl. I'm one of the first people so it shouldn't take long to get $40, right? Wrong! They were super slow starting their day and the 1st guy in line was telling the very young and inexperienced teller his life story. Meanwhile, I'm trying to hold back tears while doing the potty dance in line. And still texting Mike. FINALLY at 9:15am I get cash (the teller said my card still didn't work) and run out the door to my car... and the meter was expired. THANK THE LORD (I really did) I didn't have a ticket - since I got 3 tickets in 6 weeks this summer (that is a whole other blog!). Phew! Off I go.

It is a bit dreary and overcast out - perfect to suit my mood. But I still enjoyed the neat buildings and trains next to the convention center.

After a very long walk from the parking lot to the entrance, I picked up my tickets at will call and used the restroom. 9:30am and I finally get to my 9am class: and intro to Digital and Hybrid Scrapbooking. It was great! The teacher was awesome and I wanted more! So I ran downstairs and bought a ticket to her next class, which was more in depth than the first. Oh yes, and I was so happy they had FREE COLD WATER in the back of the class. Since it was like a lecture, I was able to go back and forth from my seat to the water and hydrate like crazy. Here is an example of something I learned that can be easily done in a few minutes. Take one of your color photos and make it totally B&W, except the part you want to be in color. I love doing this!After 2 1/2 hours with this fabulous digital scrapbooking lady, I went downstairs to the shopping and cropping area.
I found my sister-in-law Katie at the crop with her 2 friends. They told me to come back after my classes and sit with them. I was so relieved to have a spot next to someone to talk to - and not have to sit with total strangers...since Vanessa totally dogged me (after it was her idea to go!). She totally owes me one. Anyway, I digress.

Not only was my mood looking up but so was beautiful down town San Diego!After chatting with the girls for a bit and walking around the shopping booths with Katie, I headed to my next 2 classes. Luckily they were back to back in the same room, so I didn't have to pack up and move.Here is an example of one double page layout finished after an hour. It still needs pictures - I do that at home. I did a few more like that in the next class and then headed down to my car to get my luggage. Seriously. Scrapbook luggage. And my dinner. Ooops, forgot to eat much today - no time when you're following directions as fast as you can in class. Gluing, cutting, inking, tieing, etc. It's so fun!I took 40 minutes to de-stress, and up my blood sugar. I ate my healthy sack lunch and then splurged on a Snickers bar. It's been a very very very long time since I ate a full size snickers. YUMMY! Worth the entire 280 calories! Loaded with fuel, I got to work. I finished up some loose ends on the pages from the classes and then worked on my own.Katie came down from Escondido TWICE that day. I'm glad she did, it was fun - and definitely worth the effort.

Another step closer to being done with my Beaver, UT album. Here is my finished double page layout (almost finished. still needs a few words printed on the tags). That's the big family reunion the Baker family does every few years. We went last summer.

Best part was I got to scrap my favorite picture of the whole trip. One of me and my kids? Nope. I love this picture of my sister-in-law Brooke kissing her daughter Sienna. Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen - I got some pages done and am inspired once again. Best of all, I found out the best software program to use for digital scrapping and a great digital instruction book to use. Yeah scrapbooking!