The Weekend Lens | Crop & Create Markham

Last Thursday Katie and I flew to Toronto, Ontario Canada for a weekend event called Crop & Create sponsored by Scrapbook & Cards Toady magazine. 

We had the best time. 

Sometimes when we travel to events we are in and out - no time for sightseeing or extra stuff - just take care of business and get back home. This trip we planned in an extra day, mainly to make sure we were able to get there since we were traveling across North America from West to East in the winter. It's just so unpredictable and having that buffer day makes everyone feel a bit better. 

Since we made it safe and sound on our scheduled travel day, and since Catherine was so organized in advance, we were able to drive a few hours from Markham, Ontario to Niagara Falls. 

When we landed Thursday evening in Toronto and it was -15 Celsius (5 Fahrenheit). We call that cold. 

On Friday morning we made the 2-hour or so drive to Niagara Falls with the lovely ladies from Doodlebug Designs and Vicki Boutin (all teachers at the event). We were not disappointed. It was our first time and it was awesome. 

We were on the Canadian side, which people seem to say is the best view. 

So all these photos were taken looking over towards the United States. 

Seeing it in the snow and ice was amazing. We'll definitely have to come back in the warmer months to get a taste for what it's like then as well, but seeing it this way was seriously cool. 

We walked all along a walkway where you can see both sets of falls. 

iPhone pano shot for the win. 

And yes, it was that cold. 

So beautiful. 

We were really thankful for the opportunity to get out and see this place we've only read about and seen on TV or movies. 

The event itself was also really great. Organized. Fun. Happy people, ready and willing to learn and enjoy each other's company. I couldn't have asked for a better group of students. 

You guys rocked. 

We did three classes at this event that seemed to be well received: Day In The Life™, Love You Because, and Storytelling With Project Life®. All include a lecture portion and then hands-on work time. I will be offering these workshops as downloadable classes later this year. You can also check out where else I'll be doing in-person teaching events here. If you are in Paris or surrounding countries we want to see you next month at Version Scrap. 

At the end of the event I got up and said a few things, including a big thank you for all the kindnesses received, and shared a few things I'd written down that I wanted to remember about the weekend (because you know I love repeated prompt journaling): 

I want to remember how cold it was at Niagra Falls and how great the company was.
I want to remember the smiles on so many of your faces as you came into the classroom or greeted me in the hall.
I want to remember how lucky I am to have Katie here with me.
I want to remember how great it is to be in the company of other people who are just as passionate about memory keeping as I am.
I want to remember seeing all the heads down, hands moving in the class this morning as people responded to the writing prompts.
I want you guys to remember that you have everything you need inside of you right now to include more of your words in your projects.
I want you to remember the your voice matters. And the person it should matter to most is YOU. 

Thanks again to Catherine at Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine for inviting me and for running such a smooth event. We've love to come back!

I also wanted to tell you guys that I finally caved and bought a Kindle. I went with the Paperwhite because I want it to be only for reading - no other activities like surfing the web or social media. I also just saw that it's on sale on Amazon right now because it's National Reading Month. Good time to jump in if you've been thinking about it too. 

I sent Aaron a text message and told him it was possible I was in love with the Kindle. 

It was awesome and lightweight and I could read when the lights were out in our hotel room. I started and finished The Girl On The Train on this trip (loved it). I don't think I will be only reading off here from now on, but I definitely will anytime I'm traveling.