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Classes, Classes, and More Classes

The heart and mission of Creating Keepsakes University truly is education. Scrapbookers attending any of these events across the country have the opportunity to take classes with some of the best instructors in the nation. Industry leading manufacturers and publishers sponsor classes in everything from the basics (Scrapbooking 101, organization, and basic design concepts) to more advanced techniques. In two days of classes, you have the opportunity to take in ten different topics. Each of the classes that I attended were jam packed with great information and taught by people you feel that you already know, such as Stacy Julian, Lisa Bearnson, Rhonda Solomon, and Rebecca Sower. As you plan to attend CKU, you should line up your vision with the mission of the event. Certainly you will have fun, meet new people, and get some cropping in, but overall you will learn so much more than you can even soak up in two short days. I took copious notes in many of my classes, thinking the whole time that I wanted to make sure I remembered all this when I got home. Some of my favorites were also ones that I heard other scrapbookers mention while chatting in the elevators and in the halls. However, I was pleasantly surprised to come away with a wealth of information from some of what appeared on the surface to be the simplest classes. My most important tip that I can give you, to help you get the very most out of a trip to CKU, is go prepared to focus on learning. Enter each class with a student's attitude, taking away with you the very most that you could gain from each and every one.

Parties, Crops, and Fun

Second to learning (okay, maybe tied with learning) your mission when attending CKU should be to have fun. In San Antonio, there was a western theme to many of the events. The school song was a CKU version of "Deep In the Heart of Texas."  Through activities such as the Campus Crop, and Tailgate Party, we were given an opportunity to get to know our classmates and make new friends. Other activites, such as the Door Decorating Contest (see photos link below for some examples), gave students the opportunity to display their creativity and just have fun!

Based on my experience at CKU in San Antonio (and of course other crops, similar to the ones you attend in your own hometown), I found that not a lot of cropping gets done at the crops, but A LOT of cropping supplies are brought to crops. In Texas, the local scrapbook stores also sponsored some evening classes and shopping excursions, which distracted some of the croppers. My suggestion is that if you plan to crop when you go, plan ahead. If you will be flying to the location, you will especially need to plan in advance what you are going to bring. Remember that no sharp implements of any kind are allowed in your carry-on luggage on planes, so all cutting supplies will need to be packed in your checked suitcases. Having seen how my regular luggage comes back to me at the baggage claim carrousels, I can not even imagine checking my Crop In Style XXL tote. I know people do it; however, my recommendation would be to chose what pages you will be working on, and have as much done ahead of time as possible, allowing you to bring only the essential supplies.

Product Demonstrations and Shopping

On the first day of CKU in San Antonio, we were able to attend product demonstrations and meet with favorite scrapbook celebrities. The demos gave us the chance to have hands on experience with a wealth of techniques in just a few short hours. More demonstrations were also going on at the local stores throughout the weekend, and shuttle busses were available to accommodate scrapbookers who wanted to check out these opportunities. The stores were also running specials for CKU students who decided to make some purchases of fun new supplies while they were in scrapbooking mode. The stores even stayed open late, offering late night classes. My tip for shopping while attending CKU is simple: Bring extra spending money. You will be learning about so many new products and techniques that the temptation to pick up some new supplies when visiting local stores is almost overwhelming. You will also want to pick up Creating Keepsakes University hats, t-shirts, and sweatshirts not only as souvenirs but also to clearly mark you as a CKU graduate when you go to your next local crop with friends.

Photos

Click on these topics to see pages of photos giving you a feel of CKU in Texas!

Attendees: Pictures of other scrapbookers at CKU San Antonio who clearly display how much fun everyone had.

Classes: Snapshots of some of your favorite "professors."

Decorated Doors: Scrapbookers took their creative energy out on their doors having fun while hoping to win prizes.

Graduation: A field of graduation caps marked the last night of the weekend.