|
|
Post by cannmom on Jan 23, 2017 16:13:23 GMT
We have had a few threads lately about crops and I thought it would be fun if we could share our favorite tips, tricks, and hacks for packing for a multi day crop. Do you have a certain way you set up your space? Something you always bring no matter what? Share your crop stories with everyone.
A friend and I go every year to a 3-4 day crop that is about 4-5 hour drive from our home. It's held in a hotel and usually has about 100-120 people there. It's put on by a local store. We absolutely love it and have a blast every year. It's our chance to get away and drink wine and laugh together without thinking about anyone else.
Each person has an entire 6 foot table as their own space. They are put together usually in groups of 4 tables so you are sitting with 3 other people and each person has an end spot. I hate being in between 2 people. My friend and I sit across from each other and it's easy to share supplies back and forth. We bring a medium sized fabric basket that we put in the middle to throw our trash in and she has a large nylon fold up hamper that we toss it all in once the basket gets full. I bring a small 3 drawer thing that I use for storage of small items.
I usually get sucked into watching youtube videos on crop packing before we leave because I never feel as if I'm very well organized with my supplies while I'm at the crop. So, definitely share with me what you do. Are you a minimalist cropper or do you bring it all?
|
|
|
|
Post by caspad on Jan 23, 2017 16:39:27 GMT
I'm totally a minimalist cropper. I'm going to a retreat this weekend.
Now that I mostly do pocket scrapbooking, I'm packing my Kelly Purkey kits, a few favorite stamp sets and inks, the Epson Picturemate and some basic embellishments - labels, enamel dots, stars, flair. Plus my trimmer, ATG and a pencil case of basic supplies. I will work on DD 2015 and DD 2016 and PL 2016.
All the supplies should all fit in one 31 Utility Bag. Oh and extension cords! I have those too.
I always pack my cup holder and my headphones. Even though I love my friends, sometimes it's nice to just put on some music and get in the zone.
|
|
|
|
Post by acd on Jan 23, 2017 17:40:05 GMT
Remember a power strip, extension cord, chargers, stay-cold water bottle, pillow to sit on, Excedrin and a task lamp.  |
|
|
|
Post by cmpeter on Jan 23, 2017 17:53:28 GMT
I go to three or four a year. We rent a lodge place that has a large room they normally rent out for weddings or yoga retreats. It's fabulous because we all have a ton of space. We do need to bring our own tables. I like to setup in an L shape. One side for my laptop and Cameo and one for scrapping.
I also like to bring my own office chair. The lodge has padded folding type chairs. I have one I bought at IKEA. The legs pop on and off easily, so it's not a huge pain to get in my car. I bring two OTT lights. One clamps onto my table and swings up above...lots of good light is key for my old eyes.
|
|
|
|
Post by mommaho on Jan 23, 2017 19:33:53 GMT
I always overpack and tell myself before each crop that I am going to be more organized this year! Well, my next one is the end of March and I've actually started page kits and plans for the cards I want to make.
|
|
|
|
Post by justjac on Jan 23, 2017 19:48:56 GMT
I always overpack. I also always bring the extension cord and power bar. I try to co/ordinate with my friend grammadee so we don't both bring the same tools: one Cricut, one Cuttlebug, one heat gun etc. I try to pick one topic (for example Christmas) so I can just bring the paper and embellishments that match. |
|
|
|
Post by grammadee on Jan 23, 2017 21:15:36 GMT
Like justjac says, coordinating with a friend is a good idea. My advice is to pack so you can still use your own scrappy style. I like to have options right up to the last minute, so I pack a lot: usually fill the back of my SUV with stuff. I try to organize it so I don't need to unpack things unless they are needed. Tools go in one tub,, maybe more. These include bigger things like the cuttlebug, a box of dies/ embossing folders;, punches, trimmer, cutting Matt's; and my tray of smaller tools. Probably some Cricut cartridges... Artsy supplies go into another. Like paints, inks, applicators, stamps, sprays, molding paste, stencils, spatulas, brushes, maybe some embossing powder and a heat gun... Embellishments, brads, etc in another. And my tote of PL cards. Photos usually go in a box in there. I don't do kits, but I have my pp sorted into ziplock bags, and i sort those by themes that suit my photos. All those bags, and one with letter stickers go into my rolly tote. I keep it under my table and can roll it out and flip through those bags looking for just the right one. I plan to buy cs on site. And usually end up buying other stuff as well  I may not use half the stuff, but I love to have options. Keeping each separate cache of supplies in a different box or bin helps me find them when needed. |
|
christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,124 
Location: New York, NY
|
Post by christinec68 on Jan 23, 2017 21:59:25 GMT
For me, page planning is key. I'll pair pictures with a sketch, papers, lettering, any specific embellishment I want to use. I seem to average 12 layouts per day so I bring enough kits for each day plus 3-6 extra. I'll note the title and maybe some draft journaling on the sketch. While I am doing this, I'll keep a list of special tools I might need like punches, particular color of ink, etc. I put everything into those 12x12 iris boxes. Then I gather all my most used tools, the extras from the list I prepared making page kits then a selection of random embellishments like a mix of buttons, some twine or extra washi, etc. Things like that which are more universal. It's a lot of work but when I get there, I can usually just sit down, pull out my stuff and get started. I don't expect to use all my kits but that's fine since I can finish them up when I get home.
|
|
|
|
Post by 950nancy on Jan 23, 2017 22:24:49 GMT
I have most of my layouts already preplanned and kitted. I bring an XL and XXL Navigator to hold most of my supplies and another tote to carry punches. Then I toss in my tool tote and I am good to go. There is a tote that you can split in half so that all of the tools face you. I have two of those and love them. I also have a butt cushion made for back support that helps immensely.
|
|
|
|
Post by gmcwife1 on Jan 24, 2017 5:14:22 GMT
I had no idea they had videos on crop packing!!
|
|
|
|
Post by myboysnme on Jan 24, 2017 17:49:17 GMT
I go to a few weekend crops each year and I am generally very productive. My friend and I sit next to each other. We each have a 6 foot table at most of the crops. I think I am going to start bringing a couple of those stacking shelves to put up a little wall across from me because we don't know who will be across from us and we don't do much talking. We are there to get our scrap on and be as productive as possible. At most crops we try to have the wall behind us as well.
I bring my XXL full of cardstock and some other things like extra trimmer, adhesive, a few punches, that kind of stuff in zipper cases. Then I have 1 or 2 plastic bins filled with whatever photos and theme stuff I plan to use for those photos. Sometimes if I am going to go off theme and work on something different a little bit I have that stuff in one or 2 of those 12x12 plastic folders.
We usually don't share drinks or snacks - she is into healthy eating so her snack of yogurt and shredded wheat is not my snack of grapes and peanut butter filled pretzel nuggets.
She gets cold and I get hot so she brings layers to put on and I sit near the window if there is one. My friend and I are of one scrapping mind so while we do take meals together, leave for the night and go back to the crop room together, etc, we don't chit chat a whole lot, we don't listen to music, wander around looking at other's work or entertain family visits. It's just us two, scrapping our hearts out. |
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 6, 2024 0:12:24 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2017 20:47:12 GMT
I go to a few weekend crops each year and I am generally very productive. My friend and I sit next to each other. We each have a 6 foot table at most of the crops. I think I am going to start bringing a couple of those stacking shelves to put up a little wall across from me because we don't know who will be across from us and we don't do much talking. We are there to get our scrap on and be as productive as possible. At most crops we try to have the wall behind us as well.
I bring my XXL full of cardstock and some other things like extra trimmer, adhesive, a few punches, that kind of stuff in zipper cases. Then I have 1 or 2 plastic bins filled with whatever photos and theme stuff I plan to use for those photos. Sometimes if I am going to go off theme and work on something different a little bit I have that stuff in one or 2 of those 12x12 plastic folders.
We usually don't share drinks or snacks - she is into healthy eating so her snack of yogurt and shredded wheat is not my snack of grapes and peanut butter filled pretzel nuggets.
She gets cold and I get hot so she brings layers to put on and I sit near the window if there is one. My friend and I are of one scrapping mind so while we do take meals together, leave for the night and go back to the crop room together, etc, we don't chit chat a whole lot, we don't listen to music, wander around looking at other's work or entertain family visits. It's just us two, scrapping our hearts out. Sounds wonderful to me! |
|
|
|
Post by canadianscrappergirl on Jan 26, 2017 2:59:26 GMT
I used to bring a ton of stuff but with each crop I go to I get better and better at packing!
My tips:
Have an ongoing check list on your pc and print off for each crop. Include everything from tools to photos to snacks to personal items. As your list changes add or delete to keep it current.
Have a number of premade boughten kits or ones you've made up always on hand. They are great when you are up against a deadline to get packed and need some projects for crops.
I have a stack of sketches printed off if I want to make kits. I also try and make a pinterest board for each crop I'm planning to go to with cards/layouts etc that I want to case.
If I am doing cards I pull the stamp sets/cardstock/pp and other supplies and pack ehem in one of those 12x12 iris containers. I do the same for layouts I want to do. I add the sketch or photo of lo I want to case paper photos and embellishments.
I find the more planning I do ahead of time the more productive I am!
|
|
|
|
Post by justcindy on Jan 31, 2017 2:35:53 GMT
This is so interesting to me!
I haven't been to a crop in I bet 10 years. My kids are older now so "stealing time away" isn't as critical as it used to be. But, my sweet friend whom I used to go to weekend crops with and has since moved away, invited me to one in a few months. I'm thinking I'll go, not because I need the un-interrupted time like I used to, but to visit with her and have DEDICATED time for scrapbooking. My problem these days is always putting it off because I can do it any time!
My style has changed a ton since my weekend crop days....this thread will help me figure out the new way I will need to pack, and different things to consider, to get the most out of the weekend.
Can't wait to read more tips and ideas!
|
|
|
|
Post by justcindy on Jan 31, 2017 2:37:25 GMT
Also, can someone recommend a few "Crop Prep" videos to get me started?
|
|
tiffanytwisted
Pearl Clutcher
you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave
Posts: 4,538
|
Post by tiffanytwisted on Jan 31, 2017 20:58:38 GMT
Love multi day crops! You can really get a lot done. I definitely tend to overpack for these as opposed to a day crop. I can pretty much guess how much I can accomplish in a few hours. But a few days? Way too many variables there, lol. I never want to be in the middle of the second day and be running out of things to work on. Yeah, the kitchen sink has definitely come w/me on more than one occasion. That being said, I do put together page kits (or I 'power layout' as we used to say). In each envelope, I have a cover sheet for each layout (I put 2 layouts in each of my envelopes). I list the supplies needed and I highlight anything bulky (punches, Stickles, brads, etc.) that won't fit in the envelope. That way, when I'm packing up, I know to grab those things. After I've filled my bags w/the goodies I need, I will throw in any extras I think I might want. Plus it's always nice to share if you're able. Since the bag takes up the same amount of space regardless of what's in it, I pack as much as I can fit, lol. Like canadianscrappergirl, I have a list of all my supplies and will refer to it when packing for a crop. Don't forget your trimmer, extra blades if needed, your adhesive (can NEVER have enough of that!) and your photos. Yes, I have been to crops where each of these has been forgotten. Most of the stuff I would suggest to bring has already been listed, but I would also bring ear plugs if you're sharing a room. And if you don't need the ear plugs, then you might need Breathe Right strips.  I always bring both. Oh, and never underestimate the need for Beano and/or Gas-X. Nuff said. justcindy, here are a few I've watched. I'm sure there are more out there. Packing for a Weekend CropSetting up at a CropThe first one has 3 more parts to it. |
|
I always bring both. Oh, and never underestimate the need for Beano and/or Gas-X. Nuff said.