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!!!

Some Crop Tropical Goodness coming your way!!

It's time to start showcasing some of the oh so delicious goodness in store for those coming to Crop Tropical Ultimate Escape at an all-inclusive LAND resort in Cancun this February!!

We are putting together a most fantastic "Croppers of Cancun" package for our scrapbookers that you won't want to miss!!!  It includes a gorgeous 12x12 acrylic album by HARMONIE perfect for keeping each one of the special layouts you create....

like this tropical Basic Grey layout designed by our featured instructor Christy Riopel... "Another Day in Paradise"!!  Which brings us to the exciting news that BASIC GREY has come on as a sponsor!!

So we will be playing with all kinds of Basic Grey goodies like these beautiful laser-cut doilies!!  Just imagine...

And... how exciting... all these supplies and much more will be conveniently stored in this awesome large "Stuff Bag" from NEATNIX!!!!!!!

And there's MORE!!!  But you will have to come back to see more goodies from:

• www.MondayNightClass.ca
• Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine
• The Scrapbook Pantry
• The ScrapHut
• Scrapbooking Heaven

There's still time to join us... just imagine!!

Announcing Crop Tropical Featured Sponsors!!

It's official!!  It's officially AWESOME!!  We have confirmed 3 fabulous FEATURED SPONSORS for Crop Tropical in Cancun in February!!

MondayNightClass.ca is your best choice in Canadian Scrapbook Kits where YOU get to pick the kit you want!!  With a vast and talented design team, you get oh so many fabulous options, you're going to want them all!!  AND... their very own Christy Riopel is coming to Cancun to teach us all her secrets!!  I can hardly wait!!!

NEATNIX is one of my favourites for oh so funky and functional storage!!  And each Cropper of Cancun is going to receive a SUPER AWESOME tote bag/beach bag!!!  Watch here for more details!

 

HARMONIE is my latest favourite CANADIAN company eh??!!!  Check out some of their products in the blog post HERE and make sure to enter the BLOG GIVEAWAY for some of their delicious goodies!!

Watch here for more sponsors, more sneak peeks and GIVEAWAYS... coming soon!!

OR... join us in Cancun in February and get it ALL and more!!  Just imagine....

Technique Treasures Coming to Cancun!!

So very excited about a few things!!  First of all, we are pleased to announce that

Canadian Scrapboooker Magazine

 is sponsoring our Crop Tropical event!!

With the assistance of the new "hot off the press" Scrapbooker Basics Volume 5 issue, you are going to learn a TON OF TECHNIQUES from this fantastic book!!  Get ready to PLAY in the sand and on paper!!

All the classes are coming together and we are soooo excited!!  Watch here for some "teasers" coming soon and even more exciting sponsors we are adding to our list!!

Just imagine!

Announcing Featured Instructors!!

Introducing our featured instructors for Crop Tropical in Cancun, Mexico in February 2010!!!

CHRISTY RIOPEL - Crop Tropical Featured Instructor

MSF (Married Scrapbooking Fanatic) seeks same to crop the week away at Crop Tropical in Cancun, Mexico. I like long lengths of ribbon, patterned paper and sunset photo shoots on the beach. Will teach you new and amazing techniques while keeping you entertained and amused. 

My past and current relationships include being repeatedly published in Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine and being co-owner and head of the design team for  MondayNightClass.ca  (featured in Canadian Scrapbooker's Fall 2009 issue).  I also have experience instructing at BC Crop for Kids, Crop and Cruise, The Scrapbook Carnival, The Bloomin Inn and several LSS’s.  I have two amazing daughters and a very understanding husband. I look forward to sand between my toes and laughs across the crop table. Come join me in Mexico!  To get to know me better, please visit my BLOG!!

ALLISON ORTHNER - Crop Tropical Host and Featured Instructor

Allison's ultimate happy place is being anywhere hot and tropical with her true loves... family, friends and photography!!  So it comes as no surprise that she has hosted numerous events (including Crop and Cruise Scrapbooking Cruises) and LOVES to make each one a unique vacation escape for ALL who attend!  Her plans for Cancun involve special parties, games, activities, prizes and excursions exclusive to our family-friendly group!  And true to form, she is terribly excited to share her BEST photography tips and tricks to help YOU capture amazing photos of it all!!


Back in Canada, Allison appears regularly on TV helping Canadians improve their scrapbooking and photography skills, writes a regular column called "Lights! Camera! Action!" for Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine and has been widely published as well in Creating Keepsakes, Memory Makers, Simple Scrapbooks and Scrapbooks Etc. including 12 front covers.  In her spare time, she "plays house" in Calgary with her "gorgeous gadget guy" husband and two "delightfully fun" kids!!  For more insight, visit Allison's BLOG!!

Announcing Crop Tropical LAND Escape!!

CROP TROPICAL

Scrapbooking Escape

February 6-13, 2010

Cancun, Mexico

Just imagine the ultimate scrapooking escape on LAND... at an all-inclusive resort in Cancun, Mexico!!

This vacation is a family-friendly winter escape where scrapbooking, golf, swimming in the ocean or the quarter mile long pool are only a few of the many choices to partake in each day!!!  F

See the Crop Tropical website for more information and watch here for fun updates over the next several months!