Back from Crop Tropical!!!!

We're back and it was simply AMAZING!!!!!!  Crop Tropical's first event was truly the ultimate vacation!!  We stayed at the beautiful Grand Oasis Cancun resort over looking the stunning ocean!!

There was so much to do at the resort (besides EAT)... hunting down seashells, awesome water sports along the beach, parasailing over the ocean (so fun!!) and of course just playing in the waves!!

Our "Croppers of Cancun" ladies were so awesome, eager to learn and great friendships were formed over the week!!  We had a specially fun time doing "glamour" photo shoots by the ocean one evening leading to sunset (and ended up mostly being IN the ocean!!)

Christy Riopel our featured instructor had it going on!!!  We learned so much starting with her "5 Secrets to Amazing Layouts" class (you MUST take this if you get the chance) and then a schwack of assorted tips and techniques throughout the rest of the week!!

And besides teaching photography (watch for blue speedos!), I had the pleasure of co-teaching our "Get Down and Get Dirty" class with Christy using Glimmer Mist, Stix2 glitter and foils, Peel-offs and numerous techniques directly out of the Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine Basics Volume #5 issue!!!  Way too much fun!!

We also got to practice our photography on two separate excursions we did exclusive for our group... a trip to the Mayan Ruins and one to an ecological park with so much to do and see (including a "real life Mexican singer dressed in orange tights)!!

And to top off the great week, we crowned yet another "Queen of the Crop", a tradition at all our Tropical events... congrats to Kristine who won a load of extra special goodies from our amazing sponsors!! 

And speaking of sponsors, watch here over the next while as we show off the amazing products and creations we had our anxious little hands on all week!!  Sooooo fun!!

Crop Tropical Giveaway!!

I'm so excited to be hosting my next HOT TROPICAL event... this one called Crop Tropical at an all-inclusive resort in Cancun Mexico!!!  Here is where my toes are going to be in just a few short days!!  And because I feel sad for those not coming, I thought I'd do a fun giveaway on my blog!!!

Click HERE to check it out and enter to WIN!!!!  Meanwhile, watch for a fun overview of the entire event upon our return!!!

Looking forward to meeting a great group of people on the beaches in Cancun!

Allison Orthner

Extreme Cards!!

This Extreme Cards class designed by Christy Riopel will have Crop Tropical croppers rolling up their sleeves and plunging into a playground of techniques, amazing products and unique ideas!  This class will leave attendees feeling inspired and in love with card making and anxious to try the same techniques on their layouts!

Pockets and Pieces Mini Album!!

Here is one of the fab projects that Crop Tropical attendees are going to get to create!!  Christy Riopel used Bo Bunny and a mish-mash of acrylic, chipboard and envelopes to create a brag book for an ultimate tropical vacation!!  

More Crop Tropical Sponsors!!

Well... we just got back from the Winter CHA show in Anaheim and LOVED LOVED LOVED it!!  Not only was it just so much fun to see everything and everybody, but we snuck in a few fabulous last minute sponsors for Crop Tropical!!!  Check them out...

Bo Bunny!!!  One of my favourite companies for numerous reasons!!  They are simply beautifully fun and always pure joy to hang with (they will be at Camp Croppin' in Calgary in April too!!) and this year they came out with my all-time favourite line of paper... can't wait until it's released!!!

Mama-razzi!!

Westcott!! This company is known the world over for their scissors and cutting tools!  At CHA, Christy Riopel and myself taught make & takes in their booth using their tools and fell in love with them!!  Try their scissors and trimmers and you won't be disappointed!!

Mudd Puddles!! We were walking the show floor when we came across this completely fun product for "Tropical" themed projects!!  It is called Mudd Puddles and is a genuine sand product that you simply spread onto your project like a frosting and let dry!!  Can't you just imagine the possibilities??!!

We leave in just a week for Cancun, Mexico and we are soooooo excited to play with all our sponsors goodies!!  Be sure to watch here for fun updates on our Crop Tropical Ultimate escape!!

Monday Night Class kit for Crop Tropical!!!

They've done it again!!!  Our favourite Canadian kit company www.MondayNightClass.ca and co-owner Christy Riopel have designed a stunning layout for our Crop Tropical event!!!  And the best news???  We not only get this beautiful kit to create in Cancun, but we get the beautiful Christy along with it... for the whole week... to teach us her amazing Design secrets and a plethora of techniques!!!  Sooooooo excited!!!!

Another oh so fun sponsor!!!

Now this is exciting!  Tattered Angels is back again sponsoring Crop Tropical with more fun goodies to share and techniques to learn!!  Be sure to watch their latest CHA releases coming out as well this month!  They are giving everyone "sneak peeks" HERE over the next couple of weeks so we can all see them ahead of time!!  And I will be personally checking them out at CHA and will bring back up close and personal reports!!!