Scrapper's Dream Vacations

What should I bring to an SDV?
A small amount of casual clothes (layered is best because of fluctuating temperatures in hotels), Enough Scrapbooking Supplies to fit your Comfort Zone (try your best not to overload the aisles!), Zip-Lock Baggies for all those die cuts and punches you will make at the Cut-n-Punch Center, closed container for drinks (we do not allow open drinks on the crop tables), some of your favorite snacks if you like, plenty of ambition to get lots of pages done, and a good friendly attitude to make many new friends.

What should I wear?
Layered clothes are best, because hotel temperatures fluctuate and it is hard to control because of the size of the room. By the time the room is warm enough for one attendee, it is too hot for another...so layered clothes are recommended. Definitely casual clothes - PJs are always acceptable.

Here are some more packing & setup suggestions from our attendees:

1. I quickly learned that I had accumulated more "stuff" than what I could carry. Since I can't bring it all, I have to have a good idea about what I am going to work on. Choose a theme. I usually save my holiday, theatrical (My darling daughters dance and perform in various school musicals) or Disney albums for SDVs and other crops away from home. They are easier to plan, as well.

2. Leave behind your light table, large paper cutter, heavy punches, idea books unless you need a specific one. There is a great selection of punches and die cuts in the Cut-n-Punch Center™. I have never NOT found what I was looking for there, or by asking to borrow something from another attendee. There are multiple alphabets in the die cut center. As for templates, there is a large selection of those also. Cutting tools include large paper cutters, various decorative scissors, a light box, and a variety of paper crimpers. The vendors have a wide variety of things you might have forgotten or run out of, or that you've never seen before! 

3. If scrapping on a table cloth is not your idea of comfortable, invest in a heavy art board sold in craft stores or a large cutting mat. It is smooth, flat and will delineate your spot (an added bonus). You will have 3' wide by 30" deep, and sometimes people do encroach, (although, if they are like me, they respond well to "Hey, get outta my space!!!!!!") The added bonus to this is that the art board is disposable, and can be trashed afterwards.

4. One of the newest trends is to bring table top shelves for the "back" of your table space. You can get these cheaply at K-Mart, Target or any organization store -- less than $7 for a sturdy wire shelf. You can see through to your across-the-table neighbor and have more space to put things that you want handy.

5. Another way to keep your space clear for scrapping is to bring one of those seat cushions with the pockets attached for tool storage. If everything is handy, but off the table, you will have more space to spread out in, (and scrappers NEED space!!!!) 

6. I never trust the lighting. My eyes are getting old, and I always carry a light with me. I prefer my "Ott" type flip light, but it requires electricity, and outlets are not available at all locations. Note from Nancy @ Dream Events, Inc.:  Most hotel locations charge a high fee for electrical access to all tables, so your best bet is to request seating around the perimeter of the room.  We are working at getting electric access at all hotel locations, but access is still not guaranteed.  If you request an outside table, the odds are greater that you will be within reach of a wall outlet. Please be sure to bring along duct tape and an extension cord in case this happens. 

7. Bring snacks to share!! There is plenty of food, but you never know when the chocolate munchies will strike. Also bring some analgesic in case of headache. I bring my own sodas, they are much cheaper than in the hotel machines.

8. A cup holder that attaches to the side of the table to hold your drink is a must. There are NO open drinks permitted at the tables, so you need a place to park your drink. Your trash bag, tools and drink can be hung off of the table beside you and remain handy. Scrap-Ma-Bobs are available at some of the vendor booths.

9.  Don't forget to use your under the table space to store things. Aisle space is at a premium, and there is plenty of room under the table. There is NOT enough room for everyone to have their rolling tote bags right next to them, open.

10. Make sure you dress in layers. Crop room temps vary, and you could be chilly in the evening and warm during the day. I keep a sweatshirt at my seat during the weekend.

11. Run a tab with the vendors. It is easier on the vendors and more convenient for you if you run a tab. If you want to keep track of your purchases, ask the vendor for a copy of their tab sheet and track what you've picked up at your seat. Checkout on Sunday is not the nightmare everyone fears.

12. Bring your basic toolkit, plus any extras you need for your PREPLANNED pages. You do NOT need to bring every piece of cardstock you own. You do NOT need to bring every embellishment you own. Invariably you will forget to bring exactly what you need, and you'll be visiting the vendors or asking for specific things from the microphone. It's ok, might as well plan for it!! Bring the stuff you use all the time. Don't get caught in the 'might need it' trap!

13. Don't plan on doing much of anything other than scrapping and shopping. The amenities at these resorts are great, but we ARE there to scrap. In the previous 7 SDVs I have attended, I have done nothing outside of the scrap room except eat and sleep. The one luxury I allow myself is a 15 minute nightly massage by one or two of the resident Massage Therapists, (they sell out fast.....sign up as soon as you get there for a slot!) I also get one of the last ones on Sunday afternoon -- sets me up for a calmer trip home!

14. Bring Ziploc bags in a variety of sizes. You will find them convenient to store the extra diecuts you make at the Cut-n-Punch Center™, plus any other goodies you pick up. If you bring the 2 gallon size they will be big enough to accommodate 12x12 paper, and you can make one for each class you are planning to attend. I accumulate completed pages in one also, for transfer to my album when I get home. I take a lot of these, cause I use them a lot!!

15. Other items that you might want to bring: your camera, extra camera battery, small packs of Kleenex, a small pack of baby wipes, Sharpie permanent marker to put your name on all the new stuff you buy, (of course, you have already labeled your equipment that you already own! Things aren't stolen, but they do sometimes wander or are loaned out, and they want to come home with you!). Other suggestions: lip balm/Chapstick, hand lotion, tweezers, Scotch tape, Band-Aids.

16. When preparing for classes, you might want to make an index card for each class, including Class Name, Instructor Name, time of class, supplies & equipment needed. I usually put this into the above-mentioned Ziploc bag with the needed supplies and equipment so all I need to do is grab and go when its time for class. When you get to the SDV you will receive a Program with a chart of classes and their locations, so you can even write where the class is on your index card. Then, no thinking, just go!

17. SET-UP SUGGESTION: We modified some of the tips and boy what a difference it made for us in Orlando. We sat next to each other and had 3 three drawer containers on the table, one on each side and one in the middle. Then on top we put a thick board that was 6 feet long. We had mat board on the table top which was a great surface to work on, better than the tablecloths and we had everything at our fingertips. Our 8 1/2 x 11 paper was above us, as was our magazine/ideas books, survival kits, cropping blocks and pictures of our children. In the drawers we put our adhesives, cutters, embellishments, photos, sticker letters and templates. The whole set up cost $25 for the two of us. Well worth the $12.50 per person, We have the drawers for home use and next year, and we have the mat board and wood as well to use again next year. I highly recommend this system.