question for the ladies that go to crops!

BeatrizS · Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:15 pm

Ok so i have noticed when i go to a crop i bring ALMOST everything except the kitchen sink with me! I have noticed that lots of ladies travel light and have things organized!!! how do you figure out what you should bring with you and what stays?????

bigsmartass · Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:22 pm

I tend to bring everything I can too! I do manage to travel lighter when it's at a store and I can pick up what I happen to need though. Part of it though is that I tend to go to long crops, so I need lots of stuff!

ScrapGoo · Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:24 pm

I've learned to make kits ahead of time. I even think it helps me scrap pages faster because I have less of my ~~junk~~ supplies to choose from.

I plan what photos I want to scrap and choose papers and embellishments that match. I decide what size the photos should be and sometimes even make a rough sketch or bring something to scraplift. Everything goes into bags with the photos and I gather up as many kits as I will have time for. And I bring nothing else!! I can now pack for travel with just a small rolling tote and a large canvas tote bag.

cynderellaj · Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:24 pm

That is a very good question. I know I always bring too much. but I am getting better. I try to create "kits" for the pages I want to work on. So I take the photos, the papers I think I might want to use with it and then a few embellies that would work with it and put them in those big 12x12 bags you can get. I usually throw in a couple different ribbons too just in case. Then in a little ziploc I throw some buttons of every color and in another I throw some of every size and color of brad just in case. I also print my title or decide on an alpha to put in the kit.

Hope that helps

eta: I also throw in a few sketches or layout ideas if i think I might want to go that route.

anazelia · Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:35 pm

The first few crops I went to I brought everything and ended up being not so productive. Then I started I making page kits. I will put papers, embellies, a sketch and photos together before hand. I also take all my alpha stickers and things that I may need. But I figure if it isn't with me, I can either buy it there or borrow someone elses.

immom2anc · Tue Mar 24, 2009 5:22 pm

Ditto to the above posts. Kits will save you! I'm trying to do them at home as well... It's working out fairly well too. I'll gather photos, paper & a sketch or design and put it in a bag. I'll do this with about 5-10 sets of just the basics. Then when I have time, I pull them back out, add some embellis and what not, and then restack them. Then when I have time to scrap it's just a matter of assembling and adding the final touches & copying the journaling (which I usually have written on a 3x5 card in the bag). Makes things super simple, and I feel more productive this way. I got 6 layouts done on Sunday because of it... Off to take photos now!

DisneyInsider · Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:13 pm

I am bad at that! I take everything and the one time I don't, I will end up spending way to much money buying what I "need." I really need to make kits, that is a great idea.

craftyfool · Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:16 pm

One word: KITS!

I started this a few years ago and when I first started bringing them, the ladies I scrap with said I was cheating, made all kinds of fun of me and in general made me feel like a dork. BUT the results spoke for themselves. I was packing less, unpacking & repacking less and getting MORE DONE!

Slowly but surely I've converted several of them now.

BeatrizS · Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:59 pm

Ok Dokie you have all convinced me to make kits ...

scrapy1967 · Tue Mar 24, 2009 7:24 pm

I used to take everything with me. Now I plan ahead and just take what I need plus a few extra things just in case.

jaziscrapper · Tue Mar 24, 2009 7:59 pm

If I go anywhere to sb, I plan out my layouts so I know exactly what I'll need to bring with me.

ctaylor0312 · Tue Mar 24, 2009 8:05 pm

I learned through the 8 years of going to crops, that no matter how much I organize and "try" to pack light. I always forget to bring something that I need/wanted. Your always gonna leave something at the house you "thougt" you weren't going to use, but then when getting to the crop you wish you had it. My falosofy - bring it all as long as it fits.

deerewife · Tue Mar 24, 2009 8:27 pm

I started using a 12X12 box and at least sorting pictures and papers. Then, I just need cardstock (which I usually am short of the right color) and embellishments. It eliminates at least one or two containers that I would otherwise take.

Nikki_E · Tue Mar 24, 2009 9:11 pm

I pick one project and just bring stuff for that.

naney1952 · Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:43 pm

craftyfool wrote: One word: KITS!

I started this a few years ago and when I first started bringing them, the ladies I scrap with said I was cheating, made all kinds of fun of me and in general made me feel like a dork. BUT the results spoke for themselves. I was packing less, unpacking & repacking less and getting MORE DONE!

Slowly but surely I've converted several of them now.

I agree with kits too.....you just get more done that way cause you have made most of the hard decisions at home. Sometimes when I'm not quite sure I throw in a couple choices like for paper or embellies.

emarie803 · Wed Mar 25, 2009 12:05 am

I sit down and go through the paper, cardstock, and embellishments ahead of time and make kits. Then, I will bring extra basics like alphas, brads, flowers, but those fit easily in my stuff.

MiasMommy · Wed Mar 25, 2009 12:18 am

The first crop i took everything and didnt plan any layouts. I took all my pictures and was very overwhelmed. I spent more time packing and unpacking and choosing what to do than actually doing any layouts. The next time i still took everything but had some pictures and paper already picked out. So now I stilll take most of my stuff but I pick out my pictures and papers before hand.

Wed Mar 25, 2009 12:31 am

when i go to crops i useally work on the kids sport albums i stick to one theme ie volleyball or football and the school colors.

stephfez · Wed Mar 25, 2009 6:35 am

I totally tend to bring everything but I do match pp and pics before. I know I could get more done but I kind fo feel like page kits are just assembling and it doesn't work for me. I know a ton of people have great luck with them though. I am going to a crop in May and I am going to bring one album that I am working on so all will be geared to that one - at least I am going to try

JulesinParadise · Wed Mar 25, 2009 7:04 am

Ditto what the others say: prepack kits with photos, card stock, a few picks of patterned paper, ribbons, brads etc. that you think might work. I journal when I get home.

I have a tool bag and I make sure I have extra adhesives, some letter rub ons or stickers, my glass mat and my magnetic one (how did I ever live without these?) And I always take my Slice!

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