ACOT Message Board

Hey cherries, looking forward to the coming weekend, NSD is ALWAYS so fun at ACOT    THANK YOU in advance for all the fun & games the hostesses have in store for us! 

I thought it might be helpful, especially for the cherries that will be here for NSD their first time, for us to have a thread to mention any tips some of us seasoned (not old.....seasoned  ) cherries might have for NSD weekend.  Here's a couple I thought of while getting some supplies pulled out I'd like to use:

Replace trimmer blades or have extras on hand

For new cherries: Sprinkles = Cherry Points.  My first NSD I was very confused trying to figure out what being sprinkled meant LOL  It's amazing how many cherry points you can accumulate throughout the weekend!

 

Great idea, Stacy!

Have fun and enjoy the games.  Don't stress over getting the challenges done because you'll have a week to complete except for a fast scrap.

I also try to do one challenge from each hostess and if I am able, go back and do more.

Don't feel like you have to do it ALL to be a success. Do what you can and let the rest go. The challenges will have a deadline one week later, so you will not have to try to fit that in along with the games. Make sure you have adhesive, lots of it, and pictures ready to go. 

I have extra adhesive, trimmer blades, and photo paper. I even have a few extra pairs of scissors since I always seem to lose the pair I had 30 seconds ago,

I agree - have fun and don’t stress since there will be a week to complete challenges. I can’t wait till the sprinkling begins.

MB = message board
GC = gift card

I print up a list of the challenges and cross them off as I do them.  If I don’t have a lot of time I just highlight the ones that I really want to do.  I use sticky notes identifying what challenge that project is for if I put things together for a challenge and need to come back to it.  

Sometimes things can move fast, but just go with it and have fun! 
 

Print off the schedule ahead of time, jot down notes on the challenges as they’re posted and then you’ll have one spot to look to start your next layout!

I’m planning on highlighting the ones with prizes from my favorite companies to start with those. With so many challenges this year I know I won’t get them all so I have to strategize! LOL

Yes to the list recommendations!  I made a spread in my bullet journal to write down the challenges I want to do 


Some challenge hostesses post hints or questions ahead of time, also...........so be on the lookout for those posts!

Adding on to the list & pre-crop questions… I’m jotting down my answers on my schedule so I don’t have to remember them all or go back and look!!! Time (& sanity! Lol!) saver!!!

Have fun!

It's ok to focus on the games and random stuff during the long weekend. You can do a lot of the challenges afterwards because they're typically due a week later.

The 25 items challenge is for EVERY time you use that thing, not just once per page.

Have snacks and others to make meals ready. You'll be too busy having fun to deal with food.

Have fun!

You don’t need to send a PM saying thank you every time you get points. The hostesses PM boxes are really full. Just one big thank you at the end is enough. They know you appreciate it.

I have my snacks ready

make sure to pm or ask questions in the threads for help. There will be many eyes on the boards that will be able to help. So don't be shy.

I echo everyone. Have fun over the weekend. Make a plan for the week to finish your challenges.

QueenBee89 wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 11:37 am

Adding on to the list & pre-crop questions… I’m jotting down my answers on my schedule so I don’t have to remember them all or go back and look!!! Time (& sanity! Lol!) saver!!!

Fantastic suggestion.......I've already answered a few pre-crop questions this morning! Writing down the answers in one spot is a great idea 

DO WHAT YOU CAN & DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF.................................

IF NOTHING ELSE JUST PLAY THE GAMES & GET CHERRY POINTS FROM THE GAMES........................

MOST IMPORTANTLY HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VALERIE

Wonderful advice here!!!
I'm writing down my answers to hunt questions, too!
All I can think to add is that maybe have a variety of subjects in your photos and kits/stash lol never know when you're gonna need something random like a bird for example! Remember also, that you may be more- or less- organized than some. My first NSD I wasn't as organized as I thought I was haha!
Oh, and having room for photos on your phone/tablet/camera, etc- that's helpful, too! JUST in case lol!
Remember you have a week to do challenges, and just have fun with all the games and chatter!!!

*Plan to prepare some snacks, ready-made meals ahead of time for the family so they will leave you alone!  LOL 
*The board moves really fast during NSD, so don't forget to hit "Refresh" periodically, and it helps to have 2 windows open, as well!  One for checking on the games and one for other posts/challenges.
*Be "visible."  If you are hidden and your name doesn't appear in the list of people online, it is hard for hostesses to "sprinkle" you with points!
*Make sure you have your profile set to Daylight Savings Time, if your state does this, and note that most times are EST, since that is the time zone ACOT is in.

Run your anti-virus software or whatever you use on your computer/laptop and update your browser. The last thing you want is for your computer or your browser to be lagging and bog down when you are trying to play games, or upload your project.

Keep an eye out on the hints and teasers in the NSD Forum. Play along with them, even though you might not get to that challenge. Remember, everytime you post on the MB, your post increase count goes up! Ranking up is fun, but it is MORE FUN during NSD!

And remember, HAVE FUN!

Remember -  there is no WRONG way to enjoy the weekend! 

Have Fun!

For crazy people like me....make sure your house is clean before Friday.  I find it very hard to concentrate and have fun when I know there are messes in the "world outside my scraproom door". Also, get up and stretch your legs once in a while 

All great advice Cherries!  I even got some good pointers!  I've been doing NSD for over 20 years in various places.  I think this will be my 2nd one here (maybe 3rd...)

My advice is to avoid overwhelming yourself.  If outside your scrap room things stay on your mind and you couldn't finish them before you start, LET IT GO!  It will still be there at the end of the weekend!!!

By posting in the forum on challenges or games or whatever is the best way to get "sprinkles" and it could put you in a different Cherry category!  (Not really worth anything but bragging rights!)

Take a deep breath and look around at the scenery outside for a few minutes every day.  It will help refresh your mind. 

LET YOUR FAMILY KNOW YOU'RE NOT AVAILABLE!!!!!!!  I even have to make sure my husband knows because he'll bug me too!  And it's just us.    Put a sign on your door and lock the door if necessary!!!    This is YOUR play time!!!  Treat it like it's precious because it IS!  They can handle it for a couple of days!!!

And like all the other Cherries said HAVE FUN!!!!!!! 

I'm really looking forward to it!  I'm prepared to even turn my phone and/or computer off for a bit if people keep messaging or calling me. 

Don't plan on doing the challenges during the day. Write them down and any plans you think of for doing them.

If you need photos printed, get them done before Friday Most CVS, Food stores, etc that offer one hour printing DO get slammed on NSD . In fact I was once thanked by a store manager for telling him it was "this weekend" and he offered me 36 free prints, and his clerk overtime!