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meowgal
PeaFixture
PeaNut 182,333
December 2004
Posts: 3,314
Layouts: 96
Loc: Midlothian, VA (near Richmond!)
 |  Posted: 5/11/2008 4:45:00 PM
I love retreat crops and this one was no exception, but I was unpopular for speaking up and wanting the back door locked. Seems it was the shortcut to the parking lot, but everytime someone opened the door, it blew wind in (cold!) and I was right by it...and it blew all my papers...plus, I lost several letters I had cut out for layouts. I felt like I was the Grinch who stole Christmas when the crop owner put a sign on the door stating that it was due to some croppers (duh) having their stuff blown around. Truthfully, I was disturbed by that, but also by the fact it was so unsafe and how was I supposed to go to bed and leave my stuff (Cricut, my friend's pazzle, etc) right there by an open door to the parking lot (we were right off I-95, so any crazy could have just come in too!)? It wasn't SAFE! So, I guess they now think of me as grumpy.  |
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Hoosier2
Pea of Many Trades
PeaNut 114,991
November 2003
Posts: 7,392
Layouts: 2
Loc: Iowa unfortunately
 | Posted: 5/11/2008 4:52:27 PM
mine isn't a nightmare but my friends who were there still laugh about the time we went to a crop in our town with a CM consultant. We all paid a certain amount of money to cover the food being purchased. I believe it was sub sandwiches. We all brought in snacks to share. Well, once the croppers got their food, the consultant's family came in and ate like they have never eaten before, even eating up our snack foods so we had none for the rest of the day. We never got invited back but it's probably because she heard us complaining and snickering. She's nice to me when she sees me around town but my friends got their panties in a wad over that episode. | |
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myboysnme
one of those "entitled" peas
PeaNut 69,081
February 2003
Posts: 6,826
Layouts: 1
 | Posted: 5/11/2008 9:12:36 PM
Hoosier, when the consultant's family eats all the snacks, that qualifies as a crop nightmare. Welcome to the club. | |
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Hoosier2
Pea of Many Trades
PeaNut 114,991
November 2003
Posts: 7,392
Layouts: 2
Loc: Iowa unfortunately
| Posted: 5/11/2008 10:01:02 PM
thank you, I guess you are right, I'm a part of the club!!
But that is my only bad experience and I go to crops nearly every Friday night and that's the worst I could come up with so I count myself lucky. | |
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He**inWA
*Clever Pea Title Here*
PeaNut 220,816
August 2005
Posts: 8,918
Layouts: 2
Loc: Hidden under a pile of scrap!
 | Posted: 5/12/2008 12:18:11 PM
Well .......... I took the nightmare to the crop with me.
I registered (and paid for) myself and 2 new-to-scrapbooking friends for an all night crop (10am fri to 6am sat).
One had an album to work on for her mom and the newest one had a huge christmas project (7 identical heritage albums) to work on, that we both were going to help with.
At the last minute, I couldn't go to the crop early.
So, I said I'd meet them there.
At 6:30pm, I called the friends to see how the projects were going and to say that I was on my way.
They were still at home, and neither were ready.
By then, I was trying to talk them into a crop at home another night, but they were not going to be dissuaded, since it was 'all night'.
At 11:00pm,, we finally left for the crop, after I helped print pictures and gather supplies, and told friend with 7 album project that we'll make pages and put photos in later.
Then one decides they have to stop and get something to eat again.
So, at about 11:30pm we finally get to the crop.
They sat in the van finishing their food while I ran home again to get some things they needed, and just as I drove up, a police officer came out to see what we were doing.
[She had stopped by to see why there were people in the store but stayed long enough to look at all the projects].
By about 1:30 am, it was us and the owner and an employee left there.
They apparently didn't think anyone would really stay all night, as they were all scheduled to work at 10 am the next day.
I was tired and ready to leave, but one friend (who is obviously a vampire) wanted to stay until 6, but she did finally leave at about 4am.
The crops at that store now say 2am, not all night.
And I won't ever register them for another crop.
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He**inWA
  
'Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime, and falling in at night. I miss you like hell' -Edna St. Vincent Millay | |
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ladygarter1574
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 283,557
November 2006
Posts: 5,234
Layouts: 0
Loc: Mpls
 | Posted: 6/8/2008 8:58:28 PM
Summer feels like its really here finally....
Any summer time crop nightmares?
Christina
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Purrceyz
BucketHead
PeaNut 25,938
December 2001
Posts: 726
Layouts: 95
Loc: Toronto, Canada
 | Posted: 6/9/2008 1:04:23 AM
Here's mine. It wasn't a crop but a workshop.
A LSS where I was a regular customer was having a workshop on heritage pages so my mom (who was in her 70s then) & I decided to go. The store was run by a younger women & her mom (the mom was in her 50s).
You were supposed to bring a photo you wanted to scrap. My mom chose a picture of her grandmother (my greatgrandma) taken in the 1930s when she was in her 80s. It was one of 2 photos she had of her (the other being a family photo taken when she was young in 1850s). My mom has some very fond memories of her even though she died when my mom was young.
Anyway, my mom's working on her layout after we've had instruction and the owner's mom starts looking at everyone's layouts. She takes one look at my mom's photo and says "what a face!" I'm a little surprised as the photo just shows a tiny old lady. I say indicating my mom, "that's her grandmother" (dropping a hint for her to shutup). The woman than proceeds to say "you wonder how some of these people ever got married!"and again "What a face! Who's marry a face like that!". 
By this time I was really annoyed at the woman's rudeness and reply "She was over 80 in that photo, ..I hope I look that good at the age. She was a very beautiful and kind woman and she had a hard life and was orphaned as a child".
I could not believe the nerve of this woman...making cracks about the photos of customers' elderly & late relatives.
(My greatgrandma just looked like an elderly woman (who had been quite beautiful when young_...the way this woman carried on, you would have thought she had 2 heads!)
She or her daughter never apologized for those rude remarks. My mom didn't say anything but said afterwards she was surprised at the comments and thought perhaps they were a misguided attempt at humour.
(Yeah customers love it when you insult their deceased and cherished grandparents!) 
Needless to say, I pretty much stopped going to that store and it's now gone. | |
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Hallesmom
BucketHead
PeaNut 242,844
January 2006
Posts: 836
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 6/10/2008 10:09:16 AM
I went to CKC Buffalo a few weeks ago. Got in for one of my classes and they had to squeeze the last few (late!) people in after the class had started. Well, the lady sat at the end of my table on the end/corner with one other lady between us. This woman b&tched and moaned the whole hour class - nothing was right, not enough space, why couldn't they go get a table just for her, did you hear that direction I just missed it, on and on and on. She borrowed my pencil at one point - and put it in front of her when she was done instead of giving it back so I reached over and took it  Then she did it AGAIN I know it is only a pencil, but come on it is my only one with me!
The project was fun, but hearing the directions over her complaining was pretty hard. She was so negative the entire time. I wanted to tell the bitty to shut it so we could enjoy the class  |
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Sherry
Is your pet spayed / neutered? | |
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briar-rose
PeaNut
PeaNut 287,806
December 2006
Posts: 174
Layouts: 4
Loc: East Texas
| Posted: 9/4/2008 10:40:49 AM
I could really use a laugh/shocked gasp today. It's been all summer since we've seen any new crop stories - anyone got one? Anyone? Bueller? | |
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ladygarter1574
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 283,557
November 2006
Posts: 5,234
Layouts: 0
Loc: Mpls
| Posted: 9/4/2008 3:11:16 PM
Don't have any from the summer but next weekend is Scrapfest at MOA and I'm going to be working for A's that weekend. I expect a few tales of "interesting" people to show up.
If I end up as part of anyone's tale from the weekend, I promise not to be too grumpy about it. 
Christina
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ladygarter1574
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 283,557
November 2006
Posts: 5,234
Layouts: 0
Loc: Mpls
| Posted: 9/15/2008 2:21:01 PM
So, Scrapfest is over and most of us are getting unpacked. Any hilarious stories about Nightmare moments - not including lines to checkout at A's?
Spill it, please!?!
Christina | |
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myboysnme
one of those "entitled" peas
PeaNut 69,081
February 2003
Posts: 6,826
Layouts: 1
| Posted: 9/15/2008 5:25:12 PM
I've been to alot of crops lately and for the most part everyone has been on really good behavior! Must be because this thread pops back to the top often enough for people to review it, lol!
I have one little story to add from an all day crop this past weekend. I was helping a close friend with her pages, and she asks me about every little thing. Well she decided to put an embellishment she was making herself on the page, and it didn't look great, but she said she liked it alot and it was her own idea - so be it. Well after we added a few more thing on the page to spruce it up, the lady across the table says, " I'm glad you added those extra things because I like the page now. I didn't really like it with just that embellishment thing."
My friend obsessed about that comment all night and the next day. I just said, "Yeah, what was that about?" and we would laugh. New crop rule: Don't give a negative opinion about a layout unless you are begged for it and you know the person well enough that they nursed you as an infant.
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myboysnme
one of those "entitled" peas
PeaNut 69,081
February 2003
Posts: 6,826
Layouts: 1
| Posted: 9/15/2008 5:33:27 PM
Oh, I just remembered another one from a crop last month! I had bought some cardstock stickers that go with a certain paper line, and I saw a lady at a non store crop using the paper that goes with the stickers. I asked her if she had seen the stickers for that paper and she said no. I said, Well I have them if you'd like to see them.
About 30 minutes later she said, "Can I see those stickers you were telling me about?" I handed them to her and when she gave them back, she said Thanks, and about 3 or 4 of the stickers were taken off the sheet! I don't even know what they said because they were brand new and I handed them to her in the packaging!
I could not believe it, and I was going to say something to her about it, but since she already had them stuck down and she must have thought I offered them, I decided to let her have the stickers and just not ever let her see anything I have EVER AGAIN.
I mean, where I come from, can I see it means can I look at it, but I guess can I see it to her means can I have it.
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daisysmom
Coffee-Fueled Pea
PeaNut 9,568
January 2001
Posts: 5,825
Layouts: 177
Loc: Washington State
 | Posted: 9/15/2008 10:08:51 PM
New crop rule: Don't give a negative opinion about a layout unless you are begged for it and you know the person well enough that they nursed you as an infant.
Very wise words!!!
It cracks me up that you guys are still posting on this thread--I love it! Anyone else??? |
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triplesee
PeaNut
PeaNut 367,681
March 2008
Posts: 23
Layouts: 5
Loc: utah county, utah
 | Posted: 9/16/2008 12:18:18 AM
I love all the stories. they are very... ummm... enlightening.
I am have a few friends over tomorrow to crop and thanks to you all i am prepared with good food, and will clear out some more room! | |
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Thai Pea
PeaNut
PeaNut 386,592
August 2008
Posts: 43
Layouts: 5
Loc: south america
 | Posted: 9/16/2008 1:05:26 AM
Not a totally terrible nightmare, but maybe the time I had the least amount of tact.
I coordinated a huge scrapbook club that met monthly for free, back in the days when the only crops were CM or LSS and cost money. About 5 years into it, a regular brought a friend with her.
She was eager to introduce her friend to me. "This is Jane...."
I, like an idiot, looked right at the Jane and said "Oh, I know you. You're the one who stole my boyfriend in college."
Fortunately, I didn't say "slept with" but that's just what she did.
She didn't marry him either, and we got along fine.
But I sure did have a hard time getting that shoe leather out of my mouth. | |
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firecracker
PeaNut
PeaNut 385,580
July 2008
Posts: 157
Layouts: 0
Loc: As Southern Oregon As You Can Get!
| Posted: 9/16/2008 3:07:15 AM
Just found this thread, and I've finally stopped laughing! I don't know if mine counts as a nightmare, but a couple of years ago I started attending CM crops with my sister's next door neighbor. She eventually became a CMC. I guess every CMC in my area goes to a couple of retreats a year, and that year there wasn't enough CMCs to cover the costs, so they invited a few non-CMC. The first one I attended was fine, But the second wasn't so great. We rented a house in Sun River, a pretty ritzy resort here in OR. Well, my friend and I were the first to arrive. We were under the impression that there were no pre-sleeping arraingments. So we looked around and decided to take the master bedroom and share the bed. For two reasons. My friend was preg., and was still having morning sickness(there was a bathroom), and we were the two fluffiest gals there, so the king sized bed made sense. Only not to the "upline?" CMC. She went into a rant b/c she wanted the room, had never gotten it. I was mortified! We offered her to switch, but she declined. I was uneasy all weekened, because of that and because they all knew each other and talked about stuff we knew nothing about. We also were the only one's who listened to anything that wasn't Christian, so when it was our turn to listen to something it was uncomfortable. Then it was "well, I listen to Blah,blah,blah. Oh, me too. Let's just change this, shall we?" Then they all would dissapear down to the basement room and leave my friend and I to scrapbook on our own. Well, mostly. There were two very nice ladies that took over the dining roon table. They were the only two that didn't make me feel out of place. It wouldn't have been so bad, but I know everybody paid the same, so nobody should have had more or less that anybody.Maybe it was our fault, and we should have asked about beds before. I don't know.
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firecracker
PeaNut
PeaNut 385,580
July 2008
Posts: 157
Layouts: 0
Loc: As Southern Oregon As You Can Get!
| Posted: 9/16/2008 3:12:48 AM
Forgot to add. Never went to another retreat, and eventually stopped going to CM crops b/c this friend only had two or three customers and I couldn't afford to support hrt career. The friend and I fell out, sao I'm on my own. Anyone in the Medford area want to get together and crop, let me know! |
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lee(monade)
PeaNut
PeaNut 377,331
February 2005
Posts: 420
Layouts: 20
Loc: The north shore of Lake Ontario
| Posted: 9/16/2008 7:06:24 AM
I have been tempted lately to go to some crops, I've been doing a lot of work in my studio and thought I'd get out. Thanks for the 10-page reminder of why I no longer leave the house  Hilarious! |
~ Lee ~
Photography + Writing = Scrapbooking & Blogging:
Embrace Life
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Josieann
Baby Pea Step
PeaNut 391,552
September 2008
Posts: 1
Layouts: 0
Loc: California
| Posted: 9/16/2008 6:42:19 PM
I must say this was some of the funniest stories I have ever heard. I have been scrapbooking for about 6 years now and have only gone to a few crops - I understand about some "loud and X-rated" conversations.
I have just relocated to California from Michigan and am looking forward to meeting some new people. I'm new to the state and new to this website -
Hopefully I won't have any horror stories to post here, but I look forward to posting on other threads.
Happy Scrapping!! | |
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bwgayoso
AncestralPea
PeaNut 212,029
June 2005
Posts: 4,093
Layouts: 84
Loc: Miami, Florida
| Posted: 10/23/2008 7:49:07 PM
Surely with Scrapink and World Card Making Day there must be some new crop stories out there |
Barb
Mommy to Amanda, Sophia and Olivia | |
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Nanaba
PeaAddict
PeaNut 387,937
August 2008
Posts: 1,051
Layouts: 39
Loc: Just south of the frozen tundra
| Posted: 10/23/2008 9:37:29 PM
I guess if my story is to be considered a crop nightmare, then I'm pretty lucky. (I shuddered reading so many of these...)
My nightmare crop was actually a weekend retreat at a gorgeous B&B. The cropping facilities were incredible, the guest rooms gorgeous (and who wouldn't love their own whirlpool bath after a long day cropping), the food provided divine... I could go on.
Everything was great... except for one cropper. The group at the retreat pretty much knew each other from previous crops. All except for one new person. At the beginning of the weekend we all thought it was great she would come to an event not knowing anyone. By mid-day Saturday we all wished she'd stay home.
She demanded we look at nearly every picture she cropped - all of her children. "Ooohh, isn't he just the cutest?" Yes, her kids were adorable, and she had some really great pictures of them. "I'm not creative at all", she'd say quickly followed by "but isn't this just the BEST PAGE EVER?" Forty-eight plus hours of listening to her and I was about ready to give up scrapping forever. She was seriously non stop.
I'm not saying I never share a photo, or "brag" about what I think is a clever layout. But to expect a room full of strangers to "ooh and aahh" over every single page is just too much. |
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DayHiker
PeaNut
PeaNut 120,298
December 2003
Posts: 329
Layouts: 0
Loc: New England
| Posted: 10/23/2008 10:27:51 PM
C'mon...you know who you are.... you must recognize yourself...I'd just love to hear your thoughts!
Put me in the talks-and-laughs-too-much-and-loud-obnoxious category. Happily, the ladies I crop with regularly are equally so. I go to a CMC's crops (she is a wonderful hostess and not uptight about non-CMC stuff), and we all talk loudly to each other, comment on each other's work and tools, and laugh loudly. Ladies who want to concentrate let us chatty types know graciously. These crops feel friendly and social to me.
So to my obnoxious self, nightmare crops are quiet with little conversation between people who weren't already friends.
I've been to two LSS's crops, both of which were my nightmare crops. Most of the ladies only talked in hushed little groups and got annoyed if anyone outside the group tried to strike up a conversation. There was very little laughing, no one shared LOs or techniques, and certainly no one told everyone funny stories at those crops. And the hostesses were rarely around.
At least no pets attacked me or pooped on me! | |
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scrappymo!
PeaFixture
PeaNut 341,259
October 2007
Posts: 3,372
Layouts: 28
Loc: British Columbia Canada
| Posted: 10/24/2008 1:05:42 AM
For the most part the crops I have attended have been superb.
One however, stands out in my memory.
The crop was sponsored by a LSS and was a Friday till Sunday @4:00 crop in a nice hotel with a gorgeous pool and hot tub about 30 minutes away. Shortly B4 the crop, the hotel advised the LSS they were not booked! LSS faxes receipt, hotel finally admits they double booked and crop would have to go elsewhere. Lss owners have very stressful time trying to arrange alternate accomodations.
Finally they get the Sheratin Landmark at Guildford. About 20 min drive closer than. the original hotelIt is a pricier hotel and the LSS ate the extra cost. It was lovely and the scraproom was great. Everyone had an 8 ft table in groups of 4! The food was superb!
OMG! Croppers bitched that the hotel was too close to where they lived! Others complained that the pool wasn't as nice. I think it was closed for repairs or something. Generally I only use the hot tub so could have cared less. Man, people got hot under the collar. LSS owners had a copy of the letter from the first hotel that cancelled as they felt they had to prove it was not their fault! My heart went out to them!
A Mom & daughter teacher combo sat behind us and complained non stop.
They tried to switch the names on our table and join us but we were a group of 4 who requested to be seated together. LSS owners had to come and tell them to move back to their own table. Turns out they decided they didn't have enough light and bitched non stop about it. They complained to the hotel staff and even had the Banquet manager called from home to settle the "lighting issue".
So Saturday am, bitchy duo haven't showed up yet and banquet hall dude shows up with a floor lamp and places it in the center of our 4 tables. Doesn't mention that it is for the bitchy duo! We advise we have plenty of light and he just keeps pressing us to keep the light. We tell him that we think it must be for the table beside us and he says they are bringing one for them too. So we keep it.
They show up and nearly have a hemmorage that we have a light and they don't! They spend most of the day on the phone bitching and pissed the guy off so much he never brings their light! They figure out that they gave our table number when they ordered it cuz they wrote our table # down on their notebook when they tried to switch the seating names. My friend was so sick of listening that she decided we really needed ours and wouldn't offer it to them.
They only spoke to each other, even at meals which were buffet style in the dining room at tables that seated a dozen croppers. NEVER smiled and would just sit and glare!
Apparently they taught at an exclusive Jewish private school. I feel so sorry for their students!
Maureen | |
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loveallcrafts
PeaFixture
PeaNut 383,577
July 2008
Posts: 3,744
Layouts: 108
Loc: Ontario, Canada
| Posted: 10/25/2008 9:58:27 PM
I can't believe how long this post has gone on. I have spent the last 2 days off and on reading them all. Very entertaining.
I have never been to a crop and admire all the women that go to them without knowing anyone.
I get together with my SIL at my house every Friday night to scrap and make cards. I just made myself a tiny craft room but big enough for 3 or 4 people to work. At about 9:00 we go for coffee or hot chocolate.
We really enjoy this.
My girlfriend and I once a year get together and go to the Bleufin. A really nice place just over the border and scrap all weekend. Love that.
Keep these coming.
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LindaBabe54
PeaAddict
PeaNut 120,429
December 2003
Posts: 1,012
Layouts: 2
| Posted: 10/26/2008 7:07:49 PM
My LSS was a very friendly place to crop - yeah, there were groups that sat together, but very often the chat was general, and no one was made to feel unwelcome. Anyway, they closed last year, so it was a long dry spell with no "face time" with other scrappers.
In January, I was alone in Florida for 3 weeks and decided to go to a crop at LSS near Orlando. That was my little nightmare.
My table mate didn't show up, which, in a way was good, but meant no one to talk with.
There were two women alone at two tables facing me, but every overture for conversation was met with dead end answers, so I finally gave up.
One group came in with the most stuff I have ever seen, totes piled ontop of totes with the piles higher than the ladies. They lugged in all their stuff and went out to supper. When I left at 10, they were still gone.
And the last group, who were friendly, spoke only Spanish. (I don't 
NOT going there again, despite the fact I cranked out 50 pages for for the "Give Kids the World" project.
Laughed at the whole thread, but this in particular tickled me - Had to laugh at the posts a few pages back about the people traveling with their teddy bears. That would be us!
The teddys don't ask for anything (well, Dimples always wants new clothes), they don't get car sick, and they never say "are we there yet"? We take them cruising, and yes they have outfits for formal night and pirate night. Why?
WHY NOT? People take endless photos of their kids and their pets - well, our kids have grown up, and we can't have pets. The teddys make a great "ice breaker" with new people (and kids) and sometimes we hear stories that we wouldn't otherwise have heard. We stage photo shoots and I write stories about them.
But, I promise - if I meet you at a crop, I won't expect you to fawn over endless photos of 'my kids'.
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Scrapn Nana
PEAring through my camera lens
PeaNut 272,954
August 2006
Posts: 7,013
Layouts: 19
| Posted: 10/26/2008 10:43:17 PM
Compared to most of the stories in this thread, mine won't really qualify as a nightmare, but it soured me on crops for a long, long time.
I had started with CM albums. I only went to one workshop. I couldn't see paying to go to a crop for the sake of using the CMC's tools (which I already had plus others besides). I didn't know crops were more than that. I hadn't been scrapping long when my CMC moved. So I found another. She was a novice, and my pages were a lot more polished than hers. She didn't do crops. Then she quit being a CMC.
By that time, I'd read on the internet about crops being more than just a chance to use the CMC's tools. I found out about a CMC in my neighborhood, and in our neighborhood newsletter, she advertised a free crop if it was your birthday month. So I decided to see what a CM crop was like.
Well, everyone there apparently knew each other. I bought some paper from the CMC, but I also brought some of my own stuff. I had nothing major as far as contraband, but because it wasn't solely CM product on my CM pages, people acted like I was a heathen or something.
When the CMC did drawings for prizes, or noted pages finished, etc., I didn't exist. Because I wasn't a paying customer (I got in free since it was my birthday month), I wasn't included in anything. Okay, I kind of understood that, but the CMC never made me feel welcomed in ANY way. What she didn't realize is that I was more than willing to spend money on scrapping supplies and tools. Making me feel unwelcome just tightened my purse strings. If she'd bothered to make me feel like she was glad to have me there, she would have gained a good customer.
So I never went back, and I switched to CTMH albums and products. It was years before I went to another crop, and it was one that I organized myself. I made sure it was no cost to anyone, I brought tools to share, and everyone had space to crop. Now a few of us meet once a month at the LSS during the day when no classes are being held. Use of the crop room is free, but if we need anything, we can purchase it right there at the LSS. And the LSS owner doesn't gripe at those who bring in CM stuff or products that they didn't buy at her store. She makes us all feel welcome. There are lots of tools to use, design team page and project ideas on display, and we can bring in food if we want. No frills, but no horror stories, either, and the price can't be beat.
After reading some of your stories, I'm glad I spent my money on more scrapping stuff instead of on crops. | |
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ametallichick
BucketHead
PeaNut 91,104
June 2003
Posts: 805
Layouts: 2
Loc: Vegas, Baby!
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CreativeEngineer
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 134,808
March 2004
Posts: 6,157
Layouts: 4
Loc: East Coast
| Posted: 10/27/2008 11:19:14 AM
I've only been to two crops ever. I just find it much easier and more productive to crop at home in my own room. I spend SO much time getting everything packed and unpacked that it just doesn't seem worth it, KWIM?
But my horror story is a combo deal LOL. I got to sit next to two girls talking about all their various romantic interests and friend "issues" all night long in really loud, overly dramatic tones. (6 to midnight crop) But the bonus was that they were both tween age girls! Oy! "Johnny does NOT like her!!! No way! EWWWW!!!!!! I'm gonna text him RIGHT NOW and find out." "Did you know that Billy said that Kathy said that Lisa LIKES him and has her as a friend on MySpace????" With a few million "OH MY GOD"s and "NO WAYS!!!!!!" thrown in for good measure.
Then one girl got bored and the whining started. "I don't have any more tape." "I ran out of pictures." "I want something GOOD to eat." "<pout> WHY isn't there a Starbucks closer???" Ack! I wanted to pull my hair out. But the crop space was lovely (and the food was actually really good) and I did get a lot done once I just tuned them out. I should have brought my Ipod.
My second crop was as GASC and other than a few crying babies, it was great. I met a few really nice ladies and we had fun. But we all refused to participate in most of the "games". There is no way I was getting trampled for a few bucks worth of free stuff LOL.
I love kids. I have 7 of them myself and my 8 yo LOVES to scrap with me. But I want adult time when I go to crop. I would love it if stores had 18+ crops that they actually enforced. And then separate crops that were kid friendly. Then I could choose which to attend and know what I was getting.  | |
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desdichaedo
PeaAddict
PeaNut 311,175
April 2007
Posts: 1,295
Layouts: 20
Loc: Miami {the one in Florida, not the one in Oklahoma}
| Posted: 11/3/2008 7:12:11 PM
I would love it if stores had 18+ crops that they actually enforced. And then separate crops that were kid friendly. Then I could choose which to attend and know what I was getting.
I agree! Sometimes you really need a break & sometimes you want to spend some quality time with your young scrapper without annoying people. Maybe even have an environment where she could meet some new people, too! Great idea.
This thread is cracking me up. It is making me relize how lucky I have been with my cropping experiences, since my one not-so-great crop hardly compares to some of these crazy nightmares.
I haven't been to many crops since I moved recently & haven't really dipped my toe into the local scrapbooking scene yet. I used to get together once a week with a few friends and crop at the LSS when there weren't any classes going on -- that was fun!
Once a friend and I decided to go to one of the crops at the LSS. We were both on the store's DT at the time & the store had our pictures up on the website & in the store next to our projects. Well, the woman across from us wanted us to basically do her layouts for her -- what patterned paper, what cardstock, what embellishments., etc? Now, we had paid to be at the crop like everyone else & we were not paid by the store to spend all night helping people with their stuff, nor was helping at the crops part of the DT job description. But we were store representatives so we just answered her questions & were very nice.
Anyway, when we weren't answering her questions, we were working on our own layouts & chatting away & I actually finished all the projects that I had brought with me to work on so I said to my friend that I would do a page about what I love about her (just as a joke -- all the Valentines/Love paper was out at the time). So I got a few sheets and was working on the layout when the lady said, "You girls are so weird." And we just kind of froze up -- what do you say, you know? So then she said, "I bet you're thinking 'That lady is such a b!tch' right now." It was very uncomfortable. We learned our lesson about going to the store crops after that.
But other than that all my cropping experiences have been great. I prefer scrapping at home when I need to get stuff done because that is where all my things are & they are nice and organized, but it is fun socializing with other croppers. | |
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bwgayoso
AncestralPea
PeaNut 212,029
June 2005
Posts: 4,093
Layouts: 84
Loc: Miami, Florida
| Posted: 2/12/2009 4:06:14 PM
btt
It's been awhile since we've seen this thread. Anyone have any good crop stories to share with the rest of us? |
Barb
Mommy to Amanda, Sophia and Olivia | |
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Pennys mum
Stuck In The Bucket
PeaNut 226,994
October 2005
Posts: 702
Layouts: 0
Loc: Auckland, New Zealand
| Posted: 4/20/2009 3:16:13 AM
Bumping...
the Once When I was Pregnant thread got bumped, so I thought I would bump this thread too, as I think they are both classics!!
Jamey | |
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Momoftriplets
BucketHead
PeaNut 243,799
January 2006
Posts: 627
Layouts: 24
Loc: Blanchester
| Posted: 4/22/2009 7:39:03 PM
NSD just a little over 2 weeks away!!! Lots of great new stories expected!!! |
Wendy W.
Mommy to Second Grade Triplets!!!
[IMG]http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c179/WendyWest/CardDT_Dark-1.gif[/IMG] | |
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loveallcrafts
PeaFixture
PeaNut 383,577
July 2008
Posts: 3,744
Layouts: 108
Loc: Ontario, Canada
| Posted: 4/22/2009 8:02:56 PM
Well I have finally went to my 1st (and probably last) crop. As stated in a previous post i scrap every Fri with my SIL at my house.
Well my GF wanted to go to a crop and wanted me to join her. Im game for almost anything so I agreed.
The cost was 15.00 and we would have the use of her tools and could purchase CM stuff. Well I have all the tools I would ever need (ok maybe not ALL the tools I would ever need lol), so didn't use any of her stuff.
I was impressed for the 1st 5 minutes as the hosts hubby came and carried our stuff into the house and offered us something to drink. Well this was looking good. She had about 3 or 4 little kids under the age of 10 (don't get me wrong I love kids I have 3 of my own but I paid to scrap and relax). The hubby hovered over us the whole time showing us pictures of himself and his kids. When I was trying to pick paper he would be right there "How about this colour oh this one might look better".
The host was trying to disapline the kids and her hubby most of the day.
I was like are F'ing kidding me.
Ya I think Ill be staying home for my scrapping time.
Tracy
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scrapping buckeye
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 250,978
February 2006
Posts: 2,164
Layouts: 15
Loc: Buckeye trapped in Michigan
|  Posted: 4/22/2009 8:11:44 PM
All of these stories remind me of why I now work at home in my own space.
I went a crop and had to listen to a woman complain all night about how long it is going to take her to scrapbook the 300 (that isn't a typo) pictures from her daughter's 1st birthday party. Ummm okay there is NO way you have 300 hundred scrapable pictures.
I had many crops where had sat next to table pigs, you know the kind that have no concept of this is my space, this is your space. They bring 3 XL totes with them and you can't even get thru to your spot.
URRGGG |
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daisysmom
Coffee-Fueled Pea
PeaNut 9,568
January 2001
Posts: 5,825
Layouts: 177
Loc: Washington State
| Posted: 4/22/2009 8:36:59 PM
Love it that you guys keep this thread alive! |
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seme
BucketHead
PeaNut 843
June 1999
Posts: 735
Layouts: 0
Loc: Arkansas
 | Posted: 4/23/2009 7:31:49 PM
I'm enjoying reading all the stories too. Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on your viewpoint) I don't have any horror stories to share. I'm looking forward to a NSD crop soon. | |
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renee_elp
BucketHead
PeaNut 310,935
April 2007
Posts: 892
Layouts: 0
Loc: houston texas
| Posted: 4/24/2009 8:31:00 AM
When I went to my first LSS weekend crop, there was a woman who talked very loudly about her "perfect" children. She just didn't stop, but the LSS owner and others at her table didn't shush her (she's a big spender too). I had to laugh when I heard her say that even her doctor said that her son's ears were the most perfect he'd ever seen. I don't even know how or if that's possible but after a while I started laughing a lot out loud just for sheer entertainment.
I didn't go to any more weekend crops at the LSS though. Her voice was too piercing and annoying. | |
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looptloop
PeaAddict
PeaNut 219,636
August 2005
Posts: 1,839
Layouts: 0
Loc: don't taze me bro...
| Posted: 4/24/2009 10:05:51 AM
I had to laugh when I heard her say that even her doctor said that her son's ears were the most perfect he'd ever seen.
This made me LOL! =) |
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cobalthorse
PeaFixture
PeaNut 40,368
June 2002
Posts: 3,494
Layouts: 126
Loc: The land of missing socks
| Posted: 4/24/2009 12:23:06 PM
I've only been to a few crops during my scrapping years and I have to admit, I can't come anywhere near the stories I've read here. To be honest, though, I'm thankful for that! You ladies have had some EXCEPTIONAL experiences!
I guess it goes back to what my Mom used to tell me shortly after I graduated H.S. and first started out in the work force: "It takes all kinds."
It sure does! |
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gothamgal
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 324,102
June 2007
Posts: 2,102
Layouts: 34
Loc: Huntington Beach CA
| Posted: 4/24/2009 12:53:04 PM
I'd been thinking about going to a crop, but hadn't really made the time (apart from our book group getting together for 'crafty day' where we made cards and cut out stuff from my cricut, etc), and I was talking to my BF about going to one. This kinda dissuades me.
So we pull up to A's in the parking lot, just before they opened. There are tons of spaces, and we ended up parking in between a handicapped spot and a minivan. I drive a Civic, so the minivan could see over me as well as around me with no problems. Didn't see anyone in the minivan at first, and I didn't think it was a problem.
I noticed the store was still dark, so I started talking up the crop at A's to my BF (thinking he'd welcome the opportunity to get me out of the house with some crafty stuff), when I notice the van backs up and parks in the spot just behind where they were. There is a very angry woman driving, and an older (I'm pretty sure mother, there was a strong physical resemblance to the driver) woman next to her. Woman driving was between 40-50, the 'mother' was around 65-70.
My BF and I look at one another, then watch as the woman driving speeds off and parks in front of the entrance to A's. Now we, as well as another car, cannot see if the building is lighted. The older woman gets out of the car, pulls open the back and I see a craft store in the backseat--4 of the 12x12 paper tray holders (the ones that are white with at least 4 drawers), a few boxes of machines, two huge rubbermaid containers of supplies... That's all I saw from where I was. The woman drives off, leaving her 'mother' there while she circled the parking lot again. The mother puts a box on the curb while we (and a couple other people) get out of our cars and walk up to the door.
Angry woman nearly hits us as she pulls back up to the door. Mutters something about 'we have to get in there' and I thought maybe she needed to buy something, or was concerned about something being in stock, and she kinda tries to push in front of me really rudely.
She says something to the clerk like 'Aren't you going to help?' and the clerk who unlocked the door starts helping her unload. In not one of my finer moments, I don't hold the door open on the angry lady and just go into the store, watching in disbelief as there's a parade of items. The women were not interested in buying anything, I watched them put all of their stuff on 4 workroom tables--and they don't even sit where their stuff is! They sit at seperate tables.
They were really loud and rude and my BF was watching them to see what was going on, and laughing a bit as he said 'They have 3 Cricuts.' And the funny thing was that they were in front of me in line. The cashier asked if they were working on a project and the angry woman said no, that the plan was to see if she could find something to do. She spent over $50 on paper, and I have no idea how she would have gotten it home because there was so much stuff, even two of those big rolled crafty things, already in the van. I wonder if the cashiers helped her take all the stuff out? She was barking orders left and right and so was her 'mother' and it just seemed like the whole store had to be thrown in an uproar.
My BF started asking if that was like that at a crop. And I told him that it was $15, and you had one seat and so much room to set things up. And then we both mutually agreed that if I go to a crop, it probably won't be at A's. |
Nicole K/GothamGal
Visit me at A Roof of One's Own to see my brand new webshow, 'Scrap N'Tell.' I also have a channel on UStream.tv called 'Runs with Scissors'.
   
   
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lpeitz
PeaFixture
PeaNut 32,192
March 2002
Posts: 3,815
Layouts: 137
Loc: Ohio
| Posted: 4/24/2009 1:19:50 PM
I am going to an all day crop tomorrow and hope I don't end up with any stories for this thread!!! | |
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ladygarter1574
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 283,557
November 2006
Posts: 5,234
Layouts: 0
Loc: Mpls
| Posted: 4/24/2009 2:17:07 PM
I hosted a crop and no one came!
Okay, it was my scrap club/buddies and in my home so no reall skin off my nose but I was disappointed.
Life just happened that day for those who were scheduled to attend and between errands and computer issues, I didn't get the messages until too late.
But on the plus side, I didn't have to cook supper for 2 days and I *had* to drink the bottle of wine I opened for the ladies.
Christina | |
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loveallcrafts
PeaFixture
PeaNut 383,577
July 2008
Posts: 3,744
Layouts: 108
Loc: Ontario, Canada
| Posted: 4/24/2009 9:33:49 PM
I would have went to your crop Christina.
I heard about it on a different thread and it sounded so nice.
Every Friday night my SIL and my friend come to my house to scrap, well tonight they were both busy. So I made myself scrap anyway. I got a 2 page spread completed.
Tracy | |
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Luvmybug
PeaNut
PeaNut 407,221
January 2009
Posts: 365
Layouts: 10
Loc: St. Louis MO
| Posted: 4/24/2009 11:06:13 PM
Ok lets see... the CKC Nashville crop was horrible with the folding chairs that felt like they were going to break under the weight of a normal sized woman and the vendors breaking down their booths dropping metal poles onto a concrete floor all night.
The conventionm crop where there were tables so small they were about as wide as a 12x12 piece of paper and there were not 2 seats together for my sister and I and no one would move adjust (like not take up multiple spaces).
I went to a weekend retreat in a rehabed house, it was nice, the food was ok but it was an old house, not very tight and there was a train that blew its whistle multiple times every hour or two (I need sleep). Also half of our table space was given to the ladies working the weekend so the wowner could go to her daughters performance. We, the paying customers got to sit in the doorway so we could move every time the workers needed to get in the kitchen, get blasted with cold air while they unloaded and took trash out etc.
I think that crop invites or advertisements should have a list of crop rules, ettiquette, and or disclaimers on them so people do not curse like truck drivers, hold the door open while they smoke, bring their pets, kids, husbands, personal radios (Ipods are fine), sit next to me and eat tuna for an hour, the food options are clear, the hours are clear etc.
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505scrapper
PeaNut
PeaNut 420,581
April 2009
Posts: 322
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 4/25/2009 12:51:10 AM
Okay, this isn't really a bad "crop" story, but I was at a class at my SU demo's house and made the bad choice to sit across from this one lady who I knew wouldn't have any supplies (I'd been in other classes with her). Our SU demonstrator had e-mailed us a few days before with a list of items to bring with us but of course, she didn't have any of them. I don't mind sharing my stuff, but come on, this lady never has her own supplies. So, of course, she starts borrowing my stuff. And she's not even asking. She would say things like "can you pass me the scissors" or "please pass the adhesive" as if this stuff was community property. I'm such a push over and just don't have it in me to be mean to people so of course I let her use my stuff. Afte a while, the SU demonstrator brings out some stuff for her to use and tells her that she needs to put together a little kit with certain items (adhesive, scissors). I finished my project and packed up my stuff, then walked down to the end of the table to help another person with her project. After a while I come back and notice there is a broken (as in tape) Tombow adhesive. I pick it up and see the SU demonstrators name on the back but this lady is still using another tombow adhesive. I look down and realize she has gotten into my bag and helped herself to my adhesive and then proceeds to break mine (a brand new replacement I might add). Then she looks at me and says "what am I doing wrong, am I pushing to hard". I politely pick mine up and say "yes you are" then pack my stuff and leave. The next time I attended a class and she was there, I sat as far away as I could. And wouldn't you believe, she still didn't have any of her own stuff. | |
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scrapstitcher
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 394,109
October 2008
Posts: 2,352
Layouts: 8
Loc: Ohio, USA
| Posted: 4/25/2009 9:14:17 PM
My goodness, I started reading this thread yesterday and only made it to page 4 so far and from what I gather, the CM people sound like they are (or were) really snobby with the exception of a few. It sounds like they were really high on themselves. Thank goodness I wasn't into scrapbooking back then. I think all that snobbery would have turned me off from scrapbooking pretty quick. |
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maryannscraps
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 75,215
March 2003
Posts: 6,452
Layouts: 2
Loc: massachusetts
| Posted: 4/26/2009 5:06:09 PM
Ok, this thread is cracking me up. I linked to it from the NSBR. I think it's right up there with the When I was pregnant...thread.
My crop story was sort of a nightmare, but it was one of the all time funniest weekends of my life. Okay, if you were there, you have to speak up. There were a bunch of us - maybe 40 (?)
This was maybe 10 years ago. I had just started scrapping, and went to crops at my CMC's home. She was having a weekend away, and so I went. I knew 1 or 2 people.
Turns out it was one of the women's 40th birthday. Her friend decided it would be funny to hire a stripper to come and surprise us. We were out in the boonies in New Hampshire at a horse farm. I didn't drive, so I don't have a clue where we were, but it was out in the country and waay past Nashua. Anyhow, this friend couldn't find a stripper who would go out that far. So she called the owner of the place and asked if she could find someone closer. The owner said she didn't know anyone, but maybe her son would do it. Yes, she offered for her SON to strip.
So, the big night comes. Apparently, the son hadn't ever done this before. He decided to buy new underwear (thank God!) and get really really drunk. He came in and started dancing and stripping. But I guess the alcohol affected his judgement. He forgot to take his cowboy boots off before he stripped off his jeans. So they ended up around his ankles. And he danced the rest of the dance by hopping around with his pants around his ankles. Did I mention he was really drunk? The birthday girl was so grossed out by skanky guy that when he tried to sit on her lap she dumped him on the ground and screamed "don't get near me you skank"
Okay, after the show was over it didn't end. Turns out that the son was our host for the entire weekend. He was serving meals, cleaning up, bring snacks, driving the tractor for our hayride. The gift that kept giving and giving and giving. And every time he saw us, he asked us if we liked his dance. And told us where he bought his new underwear. And asked if we thought he should go professional (seriously!)
So for a weekend where I knew 2 people a little, we ended up laughing hard enough to pea our pants. Ended up being the funniest crop I ever went to - nothing ever compared to that. And I made a bunch of friends.
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K-B8123
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 395,153
October 2008
Posts: 9,947
Layouts: 138
Loc: Here
| Posted: 4/26/2009 5:12:43 PM
maryannscraps that is hilarious | |
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GimmeCandy!
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 416,625
March 2009
Posts: 2,862
Layouts: 1
| Posted: 4/27/2009 2:52:21 PM
I have lots of bad crop stories, but not quite the nightmares that have been shared.
I taught scrapbooking classes at a LSS for several years and I've had lots of strange things happen. At one huge crop, there was a page contest. All of the pages were lined up in the hallway for anyone to see. I didn't enter the contest and wasn't paying any attention. Well, this acquaintance comes up to me and says that she'll never take one of my classes again because I have the gall to steal the ideas of others and teach them as my own.  I can't for the life of me figure out what she is talking about but I attempted to explain to her that I don't copy from anyone, my layouts are my own, but since I teach classes, I know others have layouts that are copies of mine. She didn't seem to care what I had to say.
Several minutes later, my mom, who is cropping with me, returns from the bathroom and proceeds to tell me that there is a copy of one of my class layouts in the contest in the hallway! I go into the hallway and sure enough, there is an exact copy of the layout I did for several classes on using paint. I probably taught this layout to 30-40 different scrappers! I casually mentioned it to one of the crop organizers that the layout in question came from one of my classes and wasn't original work but that I didn't want the scrapper embarassed. She agreed not to say anything about the layout in particular, but she did make an announcement at the start of the next contest that it was not appropriate to enter work that was done outside of the crop, in a class, or a direct copy of someone else.
I've often wondered if the lady who was nasty to me that day ever realized that she was wrong. I never saw her in another class of mine, though. | |
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