The North West Paper Chase 2011 - Part one

Lights! Camera! Action! NorthWest Paper Chase 2011. This is the first time I have participated in the annual event. I had heard about it last year at the tail end. I think it's such a fun idea. Basically a bunch of stores in the Greater Pacific NorthWest have come together to create a SHOP HOP. There are 18 Stores participating. That's a pretty big road trip!

View NW Paper Chase in a larger map

You sign up with your home store for a fee and are given a "Passport", a charm bracelet and the beginings of your make and take 6x6 album. Your passport has all of the store names you will be visiting and a section where they will stamp your passport when you are at their store. From there you can purchase or earn your 6x6 take and make page and your charm - by purchasing product. $10 spent and you receive your page for free, $20 spent and you receive your charm for free. All of the stores have a MOVIE theme where you can have your photo taken on their "SET" so to speak, the take and make pages and charms match their store's movie theme.

This event runs from March 11th through March 27th. Once you have all your passport stamps you bring your passport back to your home store and they send in your entry form to win one of the drawings.

Let me just tell you about the prizes - there are 5 GRAND PRIZES - #1: a combined set of $25.00 gift certificates from participating stores. #2: Teresa Collins Stampmaker from Shop Hop Central #3: 6 mo project a week subscription from Scrap Yard Chicks #4: 6 mo 2 pages a week subscription from Scrap yard Chicks and #5: Winter 2011 Release Papers from Bo Bunny. 

Now....in addition to that there are more for those that can't quite make it to all 18 stores but do make it to 9 of them, there are chances to win. I love that, as I know I may not make it to all 18.

For more info: Click here!

I have to tell you what a great way to get some of your friends together and have a road trip! Which is exactly what I did! Wear your charm bracelet for 20% discounts (some products excluded at various stores). Thank you Elisha, Charlie and Linda for such a great time! We were so sorry that Shavanna could not join us as she was really sick, but it sounds like she will be able to make the next trip!

*Disclaimer: all photo's via phone and it was POURING down rain! ;)

First stop on our route: Ben Franklin in Bonney Lake, WA Theme: Cinderella

What a great store! I never realized that the Ben Franklin stores were individually owned, learn something new every day. My most treasured purchase of the day - The Wedding Day Yankee Candles - I have searched high and low for these. They are my MOST favorite scent ever - and they are discontinued! All they had were the tea lights but beggers can not be choosers, I got 'em! I loved seeing all the Teresa Collins collections and they had many! I can't wait to do a little something with this little hanger!

Stop #2 - The Scrapbook Nook in Kent, WA Theme: Willy Wonka

This is a very popular store, it is very nicely laid out. I love how they keep all the collections together by manufacturer/brand. They have some pretty great classes too! They carry a lot of great products! This really is a must see store. Somehow we managed to miss the other store in Kent on the list so we will be coming back as one of our girls was sick and couldn't make it and also wants to check out both of the stores.

Stop #3 - The Mad Scrapper in Issaquah, WA Theme: Alice in Wonderland

Adorable little store! They had amazing class kits! They hold classes every Thursday, if your in the area I highly suggest you check them out. They have a wonderful ribbon collection as you can see, I picked up this these for $1.75!!

Stop #4 - Stampin' in the Rain in Bothell, WA Theme: Singing in the rain

If you have never been to the Country Village in Bothell let me tell you, this place is a day trip in and of itself. Because of time we stayed on track but it was hard. In the center of this little village there is a pond and kids were feeding the ducks. Stamping in the Rain was more of a specialty stamp store with lots of inspiration and stamps. I picked up the cutest little pink blank journal...new art journal in the making!

We hit 8 stores total yesterday! Look for part two soon!!

✿ Cheri