Scrapbooking workshop set for Saturday

The club will hold a "Crop 'til You Drop" event Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., in the Cascade High School cafeteria. The cost is $10 for the entire day.

Cascade's Family Career and Community Leaders of America club officers, president Julie Chick, secretary Kari McClenney and vice president Beth Carter practice stamping and using the "Cricut" machine, which has been described as the latest must-have in the scrapbooking world. (T-G Photo by Tamara Belinc) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"A crop day is a time for scrappers to come together and scrapbook," said Lynn Richardson, sponsor of FCCLA. "We are going to offer demonstrations, vendors and classes to help beginners learn."

Fun, info planned

Door prizes, including a $50 gift certificate to a scrapbooking weekend at Petticoat Junction in Normandy, scrapbooking supplies and other gift certificates, will be given away each hour. A yard sale, with items no longer needed by other scrappers, will also be held.

Lunch and dinner will be available for purchase from the Bell Buckle Café. Baked goods and other concessions will be for sale, and vending machines are also available for drink purchases.

Classes will include a "Love Is" layout class, a Cricut Expressions Demonstration, a gift box class and a Sizzix Big Shot demonstration. A Cricut is a machine that cuts out letters and other designs used in scrapbooking, and many consider it a must-have supply.

"Just the chance to use a Cricut all day is worth the $10," Richardson said.

Those attending should bring their own supplies, Richardson said, although beginners will be able to buy what they need to start out.

"Beginners will have the chance to learn what supplies they need, which can be purchased at the event," Richardson said.

Interest rises

Club officers President Julie Chick, Secretary Kari McClenney and Vice-President Beth Carter are very excited about the event, even though Kari is the only one of the three who scrapbooks regularly.

"I do it with my mom," she said.

"From what we've done in class, I'd really like to start doing it sometime," Julie said.

"It seems like a lot of fun," Beth said. "I really like the way it all looks when we're finished."

"Scrapbooking is a way to preserve memories," Richardson said. "My first scrapbook was one I did about my mom after she died, for my sisters. It was therapy for me, and I know it is for others as well."

Helping others

The main reason for all the fun is to raise money for Ronald McDonald House, a charity that is especially close to Julie's heart.

"I want to help children," she said, "and Ronald McDonald House is a place where families stay when their children are sick. I really wanted to do something to help them."

The club usually donates $100 from its coffers to the charity, but when Julie was a sophomore, she visited the Ronald McDonald House in Nashville and saw the "Tree of Life," filled with gold leaves. The leaves represent anyone who has made a donation of over $250.

"I really wanted to get a gold leaf with the club's name on it," she said, "so when Mrs. Richardson suggested this fund-raiser, we really wanted to do it."

Club member Jordan Claxton's family actually used a Ronald McDonald House when his sister was sick, so the charity means even more to the club now.

"We really hope to raise a lot more than $250," Julie said. "We want as many people as we can to come out and help us raise money for the cause."

Interest has been especially high, and those interested in reserving a table can e-mail Richardson at richardsonc@bedfordcountyk12tn.net. "Yesterday, we had a lot of e-mails come in," she said, "and I told them every time I got one. They were really excited each time that happened."

For more information, e-mail Richardson or call her at home at (931) 389-6765, cell (931) 580-2997 or at school at (931) 389-9389.