The 411 on Creation Destination Event's 3rd Annual Winter Wonderland Crop

Creation Destination Events hosted a vibrant three-day crop this past weekend: The Winter Wonderland Crop.  Over 60 paper crafters, hailing from Maine to New Jersey, loaded up their abundant stash of paper crafting tools and supplies and converged for the 3rd annual event at the Boston Marriott Quincy.

The event ran from 4pm on Friday, February 18th, 2012 and didn't let up until 4pm on Sunday, December 20th, 2012.  I really appreciated the options that were available for registration: I could stay the weekend, come for the day and enjoy the buffets, or just come for the day.  If I didn't want to stay & crop, I could  pop by to shop, or just take any of the classes provided.  The staff was very open and accommodating to my schedule.

Dee Pierce, owner of The Crop Shop and Creation Destination Events, is the CHA 2011 Innovative Retailer of the Year.  I had high expectations and she and her staff did not disappoint.  There was plenty on the agenda to keep paper crafters of every ability inspired -

Headlining Class:

- Cheryl Mezzetti, Education and Design Team Coordinator for Creative Imaginations and an AccuCut Craft Designer, was the headliner for this three-day event.  A nationally recognized artist, she introduced the class to new techniques including Creative Imaginations Luminarte Twinkling H2O with her newest rendition of The Snowman Album featuring Fancy Pants Designs Winterland Collection.

Additional Classes, taught by The Crop Shop's experienced team

The Crop Shop Team offered Make-N-Takes and demos all weekend, too:

• The Crop Shop's Inchie Club
• Craftdee Bowz
• Memory Box Dies
• My Favorite Things Dies
• Creative Imaginations Twinkling H20
• Imaginisce Ribbon Cutter

There was well over 1,200 s.f. of shopping was available, too:

• The Crop Shop & Creation Destination Events
• Scrapbook Girl
• Scrap-A-Doodle-Doo
• Stampin' UP
• Close to My Heart
• Craftdee Bowz
• Thrity-One Gifts
• Smooth Transitions Massage Therapist

Creation Destination Events enhanced the cropping experience with registration gifts, hourly raffle prizes, "Snowball Fight" (using styrofoam balls) prizes, and three competitions. Many of the prizes featured products by Creative Options.

I enjoyed a very well-run event at a gorgeous venue that offered great food with enthusiastic and accommodating organizers.  I will keep in mind couple of things the next time I go: (1) Stay longer (2) take more pictures (3) bring additional table for spreading out and (4) add additional extension cord to my kit.

* Check out The Crop Shop and Creation Destination upcoming events, and be sure to ask about their upcoming "Christmas in July" scheduled for Warwick, RI!

Many thanks to The Crop Shop/Creation Destination Events Team:

Photo, L-R: Dee Pierce, owner, The Crop Shop & Creation Destination Events
Laurel Lee Pollard, New England Paper Crafts
Event Staff: Jean MacLeod, Susan Chalifoux, Andrea Joaquin, Nancy Hawes,  (not shown: Donna Coleman, Donna Maligno and Jacki Bates)