Cropping parties, common among scrapbooking enthusiasts, are a chance for those interested in the hobby to compare their work and spend quality time together.

“We kind of refer to it as an old-fashioned quilting bee,” says Diane Reams, store manager of Memory Bound in Ankeny. “You eat, scrapbook and chat.”

Scrapbooking enthusiasts from 15 states and one group from Canada had the opportunity to “party” on a much larger scale at the Iowa Scrapbooking Extravaganza IV at Ankeny High School on Saturday and Sunday.

The theme for this year’s extravaganza was “Summer Training Camp.” Reams says about 2,600 people attended, which was similar to previous years.

“We didn’t know what to expect,” she says. “It was the first time we had it in the summer.”

In addition to the cropping parties, more than 100 classes on varying scrapbooking techniques ranging from “Fabulous Fibers” to “The Painted Page” were offered as well.

“We brought in some of the top designers from across the country,” she says.

Alice and Stephanie Ouellette, a mother and daughter-in-law team from Larchwood, Iowa, used the opportunity to display a new product Stephanie developed specifically with scrapbookers in mind.

“It’s a Fridge Frame,” Alice Ouellette says. “You put your completed page in the frame, and then you can fit it on the refrigerator and enjoy it, so you don’t have to put it in your book and not see it for three months.”

The product, made from acrylic, is similar to a plastic picture frame, but the size is specially designed with the size of a scrapbook page in mind.

The Ouellettes were one of 25 separate vendors at the extravaganza who provided shopping opportunities at the gathering.

Alice Ouelette says she saw a variety of both experienced and first-time scrapbookers shopping for supplies.

“It’s been great. It’s been really busy today and people have been enthusiastic,” Alice says.

Several of the vendors also offered free make-and-take sessions, in which participants could watch demonstrators use various products and sample them on their own.

Suzi Rickels, a resident of Fort Dodge, was a first-time participant in the event, although she has been scrapbooking for 10 years.

“The make-and-takes are fun,” she says. “You get to make a lot of things and get a lot of new ideas. They also show demonstrations, so that’s really neat.”