Scrapbooking Convention helps create memories

    For the past six years, a scrapbooking convention has been held here in Aroostook County. Every year, this one-day event attracts hundreds of people. This year was no different! This year’s free-admission event was held on April 24, and  April 25, at the Aroostook Centre Mall.
Photo courtesy of Grace O’Neal
SCRABOOK DAY — The sixth annual Aroostook County Mini Scrapbooking Convention took place recently in Presque Isle at the Aroostook Centre Mall.
    The purpose of the convention is to bring all the local scrapbook stores, teachers, consultants and enthusiasts together — in one place — for everyone to see what is available right here in Aroostook County for this very popular hobby. 
    The first Saturday of May is considered “National Scrapbooking Day” and the convention is generally held around that time frame to recognize this holiday. Throughout each day, participants were able to see the latest and hottest scrapbooking and rubber stamping products that are available right here in their home-towns. They are also able to purchase items for their own creative use and even try out the new products by doing ‘make-n-take’ projects, which were provided by the vendors. This was a chance for scrapbookers to learn and see how products are used — and see that it’s all available right here in Aroostook County. Enthusiasts don’t have to shop online or make a trip to Bangor.
    This year’s participating vendors consisted of a variety of locally-owned and -operated stores and consultants/demonstrators from nationwide home-based scrapbooking companies. Vendors included: Scraps!, located in Houlton and owned by Bev Rowe and Lisa Winship; Mom & Me Scrapbooking, located in Saco and owned by Mary Pelkey and Olive Bouchard; Treasure Chest Crafts, located in Presque Isle and owned by Lisa Cray; Elaine’s Scrapbooking & More, owned by Elaine Ouellette of Van Buren; Creative Memories, with consultant Edwina Vincent of Caribou; Stampin’ Up!, with demonstrator Sue Pelletier of Caribou; and Close to My Heart, with consultant Denise Carter of Presque Isle.
    Anyone attending the convention was eligible to enter into three grand prize drawings that were awarded at the end of the convention. Each prize basket had a $75 value. This year’s winners were: Melody Boyles, Presque Isle; Rebecca Ledbetter, Houlton; and Nicole Mourneault, Clair, N.B.