And so the planning begins.

To the left you will find a list of links to general event information.  Information may be updated without notice, so be sure to check it out once in awhile (chances are you'll know when we update... so I just lied).

Again, this is your event too... so please, if you have questions that are not answered by the FAQ or have suggestions or whatever, let us know.

Are you excited?

F.A.Q

Is there a cost to attending this event?

No.  Since it's just the four of us, we are splitting the hotel, paying for our own food and supplying the kits for our own projects.  We are, however, accepting tips.  (TOTALLY KIDDING).

How will we get around?

We can all share one car.  Unless the hotel is in a prime spot where we can just walk to everything.  Let's just say that transportation is provided in the event fee (see above).  Unless, of course, Donna insists on going to TJ for a Donkey show, then I'd say personal excursions are on your own dime.

Are we going to have to share a bed?

No. 

When is the event again?

The event takes place on May 22, 23, 24, 25 of 2009.  Thursday the 22nd will simply be a "welcome meeting" and then you will be released to have dinner on your own.  All day Friday and Saturday will be filled with the projects.  Sunday we wake up and leave.

What is the weather like in May?

My advice to anyone coming to San Diego is to dress in layers.  We often have what is called "May Grey" during this time of year.  What that means is that the sky is grey and overcast until about noon.  Then you sweat your ass off.  So, depending on your body... you could get away with shorts in the morning, would really need them in the afternoon and probably evening.  I'd at least bring a sweater or jacket, in case the "work room" is air-conditioned.  I'd bring at least one pair of long pants, just in case.  As for evening attire when we go to the so called "nice" restaurants... shorts are fine... we're in San Diego... basically anything goes.  Just don't look like a scuzzball... you'll embarrass us.

What if I forget something?

This isn't some po-dunk town you're coming to... we have these places called stores where you can basically get ANYTHING you want.  We have a local scrapbook store that pretty much will have anything you need scrap-wise.  We have easy access to Michael's, Target, I refuse to go to Walmart (but Mabelle is a fan), Blick (art supplies), most major chain stores... you get the idea.

Will the unemployment crisis be over soon?

Who knows... watch the news.

Does Christine still have that baby in her belly?

Hell yea.

Will there be a CRE8.10 (pronounced CREATE ONE OH)?

First thing's first.  Let's see how this event goes and we'll talk.  Maybe that will be the topic of discussion over breakfast on Sunday morning.  We hope to keep this going and maybe even make it bigger... it's all up in the air right now.  (Boston in 10 maybe?)

Will this event be fun?

Yes.

The "Surprises"

Surprises?  What?  What is this about surprises?

OK... admit it.  Once of the fun parts of CE were the little surprises we found in our rooms each night after school.  Why not let it be a part of our event too?  This is how it works.

Each of us is responsible for providing 4 ( I guess really only 3, since you're not required to give yourself something) little "surprises."  Think along the lines of CE and what they did.  Each year was quite different from the others, but all were fun.  Think "party favors."  For those if you that weren't at all 3 years of CE, let me re-cap what what given (I hope I can remember them all).

• Bag of flavored popcorn (in cute packaging of course).
  
• CE sleep mask
  
• Apron
  
• Bling ring
  
• Bubble bath
  
• I can't remember the last one... I think it was cookies???
  

Anyway... as you can see... all very different but all very cute!

Again... party favors are one of favorite parts of planning a party, so if it's ideas you need... let me know.

We will them get our surprises on Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Food

We are all responsible for paying for our own food.  In general, we plan to keep breakfast and lunch low-key and have dinner at a nice restaurant each night.  By nice, we don't necessarily mean evening gowns and tiaras, but something a notch above McDonalds.  We will have these planned in advance so we don't play the over-accommodating game of "I don't care, where do YOU want to eat."

Depending on the hotel, we will probably just eat bfast there.  As for lunch... I expect we'd hit up a Subway or a Deli or something... these places will also be decided on once we secure our hotel.

The details are TBD.

If anybody has any food particulars, please let us know now... so we can consider them when we choose restaurants.  For example: is everybody OK with sushi?  Do we have any vegetarians out there?  (sorry Shan, had to throw it out there).  Anybody hate Chinese food?  You get the idea.  San Diego has a billion fabulous restaurants, so we'd like to make the most of it... but we want EVERYONE to be happy too.

The projects

OK... there are 4 of us and 2 days to fill.  Logically that would mean we each get half a day or 4 hours to "teach."  Don't get freaked out by the word "teach."  You don't necessarily have to "teach" us anything, really just "present or lead" a project.  

Time:

We each will have a 4 hour block of time to fill.  It is up to YOU to decided how to fill this time.  If you want to do one, four hour project, so be it.  If you would rather do two, two hour projects, that's cool too.  If you want to sing a little song, do a little dance... fine.  This is YOUR event too, and those four hours are yours to fill.  

Value of project:

Since it is tricky placing a "value" on a certain project, we are not going to do it.  We say, let the projects that we did at CE be the guideline.  Use your best judgement.  If for some reason there is an element to your project that might be costly... give us a supply list needed (outside of the kit you provide) and we can determine if we want to use that item on our project.  For example, say your project involves some crazy 18k gold leaf paste or something... and it's like $10 a bottle or whatever.  Give us a list of "suggested" items and we either buy it ourselves or choose to forego that element.  We all know that crafting is all about making do... and "it's not wrong, it's different."  Personally... I really don't care if your project only cost $5, if it's cool and it takes up four hours and I finish it, I will be just at happy as doing any other project that may have cost $20.  Seriously.  SO... if anybody can think of a better way to handle this aspect of the event, please speak up, otherwise... we can all go with the flow.

Kits:

Much like at CE, it will be expected that you provide the elements needed to complete your project.  Aside from the basic tools, of course.  Also, there are only 4 of us involved, so many things can be shared amongst us (stamps, inks, punches, paint, etc.)  It is up to you if you want to have everything cut up, ready to be assembled.  Just as long as you have the raw ingredients available to us (or unless you supplied a BYO supply list) and we can complete the project.

Tools:

Everyone is expected to bring their "usual" tool kit to the event.  Anything considered unusual (ie. you NEED a grommet maker/punch/piece of shit) can either be supplied by YOU (the project leader, and assuming it is something we can share) or you let us know in the form of a supply list.

Ideas:

We're thinking that the projects should be a surprise, so we won't discuss them, other than the supply list.  It would be a crazy coincidence if we all came up with the same project, and if that happened, we're taking a cab to the nearest 7-11 to buy some lottery tickets.  Personally, if we end up with 2 card classes, I would be thrilled... I don't think we will... but what would the chances be that they would include the exact same cards?  Slim to none!  So... projects will be revealed at the event.  If you are stumped and don't have ANY idea what to do... email me and I will try to offer suggestions.... remember, my suggestions would not based on anything other than guessing... Mabelle nor I will not know anything about any project other than our own.

The hotel

This is still being determined, but as soon as we know which one we're staying at, we'll let you know.  We are looking for a place that is big enough for us to live in and work in.  We are exploring other options for work space just in case the room is too small to work in.  We should know where we're staying soon though...  hang tight.

Welcome (take 2)

We're chicks... we're allowed to change our minds... and so we did.  The new name for our kick-ass event is CRE8.09.  Much better, eh?

Anyway, welcome to the official blog of CRE8.09.

Stop by when you're in the neighborhood for event information and details.

More to come!