well we are only a week away and it's time to start thinking (and perhaps packing) your scrap stash and photo's to bring.

How do you go about this??

Do you bring everything you can grab and just hope for the best?

Do you bring miminal supplies, your photo's and buy the rest (yes I have done this plenty of times!!!)

Do you organise "page packs" with a photo, cardstock etc ready to go???

I usually just buy when i get to retreat, because Lee-anne always has the most amazing product that I NEED to buy But this year I am trying to be a little more organised.... packing a few page kits, then adding a whole heap of pretty things from the store !!

how are you packing???

Not coming to the retreat but will be up the week later to scrap with the local ladies at Babinda and cant wait...
And will be bringing my scrapping with me....
I'm a kit packer... got to travel light so dont have any room for extras...
the extra's will come later - when I get into the shop then what is purchased can always be posted back!!! LOL! That'll be a good thing cos we are off to stay on Green Island after that so dont want to lug it all around! LOL Somehow each retreat I always have a big box sent back home
Way too many tantalising Scrap Therapy things too close at hand to ignore!

I've never been to a retreat where I have been flying so packing for this one will be interesting

I managed to find a 12 x 12 case that is split into 4 drawers (a couple of those drawers have dividers) so I have put all my pens, adhesives, scissors, small tools, ribbons, doilies, buttons and other small embellies in that. I am rapt with how much I have managed to fit into it.

I have also bought a couple of paper kits like those from Echo Park so I will have co-ordinated stuff without having to take too much paper with me. Some Kraft, black and white cardstock and I am good to go (I think LOL).

Like Lisa and Mandy, I am planning to buy stuff up there as well to add to what I bring along

Oh yes! just like Mandy every year Lee-anne sends me a pizza box (or more) of product back it doesn't cost much to send my purchases home for me, and then I don't stress while checking in my baggage at the airport!!

UGH - I hate the stress of wondering if the baggage is over weight!
It just horrible!!!

HOWEVER.... if there is ANYBODY who can pack so light it was just an inspiration (i could never achieve) was Julie!!!!

She is a legend!! She came with 10 kilos!!! from PERTH

Hope she confesses how it happened!!

Mandy. It definitely was a drama trying to decide just what to bring over in my case and it so didn't help that I was reading the luggage scales I borrowed wrong.

I had a shoulder tote that I borrowed from a friend that was full of about 15 page kits with assorted embellies etc in each, a stash of letters and a selection of stamps which came in at 7kgs as carry on.

I went over with only minimal clothes and toiletries in my case, along with my trimmer, my most used tools in a big pencil case, my copics, and one of my fishing reel cases jam packed full of assorted embellies. When I weighed it at home I was reading it at 25kgs so I went to the airport thinking I would be over weight only to be told that it was 10kgs.

Even on the way home packing in what goodies I brought back it only came in at 12 or 13 kgs. I could of brought along so much more I was kicking my self.

I still giggle about it cos the lead up emails before Julie left was that she had tooooo much in her case... and she cut down the clothing!! (This girl had her priorities right!!!!)

And while she was here - she was washing out her clothes each night and yes she berated herself often!

......still worth the giggle

Ha Ha!!! I remember that story!!! so funny!

what a legend, I didn't know you were washing clothes out everynight i would have bought some when I got there

You are all getting me worried LOL!

I do have a scrap tote that I could take as carryon but my concern is that after flying to Melbourne from Mildura, I have a couple of hours there before I fly to Brisbane, have a couple of hours there then onto Cairns. I don't really want to be lugging a big tote around the airport with my while I am in transit

I think I will start with my clothes and the stuff I have already put aside, weigh that then see what I have leftover. At least lighter weight clothes don't weigh as much!

we send everything you buy home from retreat for you girls for a flat rate of $6 - just with the classes stuff to take, that can be a daunting start. (and rather than express, we send it insured)

we will keep you all pretty busy with classes, games and challenges which we supply stuff for so dont sweat what to bring, just make sure you have the important stuff like trimmers

It seems no matter what I pack I want something I left at home.
So some page kits, photos and paper, then a container of tools and some embellishments. Fortunately I am in Cairns so I will be returning home each evening, if some one is desperate for something please ask a local we will be happy to help.
BTW Lee Ann I have a new sewing machine so if you need me to bring it I can and am happy to. Don't say you don't want it because it is new, it was not a particularly expensive item and it is only a machine.

and under warranty - feel free to bring it along Trisha - I am sure the girls would be grateful - but all care, no responsibility. As long as you are happy to take the risk.

Someone brought two books last year that ended up lost and it became a little unpleasant - I would hate it to happen again.

I would love it if there was a sewing machine handy!!!

But as lee-anne said as long as you are ok with others using it?? we will be careful of course, but you never know

I am already packed as I am have been travelling since before Easter. I have one pizza box full of photos and a few kits I made up, a pencil case of sorts with my tools and a few inks and sprays and that is about it. I had planned on buying some stuff, including a trimmer. I have a 23kg allowance and have no idea how heavy my bag will be. I will be in Cairns for 6 nights.

Yes I am happy to bring it.