Crop & Create Cardmaking March 2022

I've signed up for both Spring events but completely forgot to join the FB groups when the email came in. I am so excited for these classes (and I managed to get a friend to join me for the Papercrafting one). Seriously considering doing all 3 fall ones too!

I didn't know about the new clause concerning the product. I understand the reasoning and appreciate Catherine coming here to explain more fully. I had a couple things that I would never use from my fall kit, but I just shared them with my crop group. I can't imagine just signing up in order to sell the stuff - that's crazy to me!

It took me a bit, but I am liking the sneak peeks. They initially struck me as having a different feel to them than things we've done in the past two cardmaking events, but I quickly realized that was a good thing. (I can be a little slow on the uptake sometimes!) I don't need more of the same - I need different! Having said that the Hero Arts one is a bit confusing. Hoping I'm going to like that one. It looks like a lot of coloring and I don't identify Hero Arts with coloring. We'll see!

Edited to add -  I just went to the Hero Arts site and the kit for this month has an assortment of water colors in it. Maybe they're going in a new direction?

I signed up for this event and now I am regretting. It is very intimidating and overwhelming. This feels like over the top and way too much extra which will be fun killer for me. Never again. This is definitely my last Crop and create.

Twillerbee - sorry you feel this way! Are you primarily a card maker? I am not, and stamping is very challenging for me. I haven't participated in the cardmaking event, but I LOVED the Papercrafting event I attended in the fall. I'm signed up for the spring one too.

What I like most about these events is that they are Virtual and recorded so you can go back and watch again and you don't have the pressure of trying to keep up. I also really have begun to enjoy crafting at home. I wish you luck and I hope you can enjoy the event!

This will be my 3rd. It does seem overwhelming when the supply list and the time table are posted. But remember that it's a virtual event, so you can go at your own pace. If you looked at the schedule they (SCT) has jam-packed it with creative goodness. (I can't even imagine doing this in person.) It really is a very good value for what we paid.

In the three days of the event you'll be attending 8 full classes and chat with the teacher after, plus all the mini classes, make-n-takes and presentations on Friday. They pack a lot into the weekend. BUT, it will all be recorded so you can watch in real time and then go back and watch and create whenever you want. I've done other virtual events (lots with Jenn Shurkus, the free LF classes and a Hero Arts) and I know I love creating in real time with the teachers. At the C&C I will work on my cards during class but if I get behind I know that I can finish them up during the teacher chat time or sometime after the event ends. No problem. 

Regarding the supply list, you don't have to have the exact inks the teachers will be using. Every instructor is representing a different brand and they use their branded products. My almost full set brand is GinaK, so I'll be using those inks for all classes, I will just use my best match or change up to colors I like. For the coloring I usually the Copics, but I don't have all the colors listed so I'll sub whatever I have (I still plan on being frozen!). Mine will look different and I'm ok with that. Some people will be using colored pencils, brush markers, Tombows, etc. 

Have you joined the FB group? I was reading today and some people and getting a bit snarky. (Reminded me of here! LOL) Anyway, we all have to remember that around 2500 people are attending and there are lots of levels of crafter - from novice to expert. The classes are taught at a pace so all levels can participate. Again, I can't imagine doing this in person! 

When you get your box there will be a really nice workbook that has instructions for cutting the paper (all provided in the box). At that point I will start gathering my supplies and organizing. The first time I wasn't very organized and I was fumbling around for things. The last event in October I used these mesh bags to hold the materials for each class in. That helped me a lot.

Anyway, sorry for the long post. But I hope that you don't worry too much. And I can't stress this enough - Don't fret if you get behind just put it aside and watch the replay at another time.

twillerbee, It does seem overwhelming at first. Also, all the facebook group stuff moves fast. I ignore all of that and only concentrate on the supply list and schedule. If a card design looks complicated, I just watch the class, I don't even attempt it until afterwards when I can stop and start the video.

You are going to be just fine. They are your projects, you can do whatever you like with them. Like cmpeter said, the peas can help you. I'm counting on them to help myself!

Could you say what feels overwhelming so we might help more specifically? Have you joined the Facebook group? Questions are answered - including by someone who posted she’s overwhelmed - and yesterday SCT put up a post for questions & answers.

A couple things in case any hit the mark:

Stated on the supply list, and also posted by some instructors, you do not need all the supplies. In fact Jenn Shurkus pointed out for her own classes she suggests participants not buy until after taking a class. You can use what you have. And some participants are posting comparison charts for inks. Someone said she doesn’t even gather inks ahead of time, just grabs what she has during the class. 

A big one: some participants craft during classes but more than you’d imagine do not, or just make a couple cards (me!). Crafting while watching just isn’t fun for me. It feels pressured and I miss out on the fun of paying attention to the video and after-class Q&A.

The videos will be up for at least a year. In last October’s FB group, people are still working on cards and sharing them or asking questions. I still have cards to make from then if I decide to. 

The guide book is excellent - step-by-step instructions with photos for every card, and which steps are homework, if you want to do it beforehand. Someone suggested noting times in the book of key points in the youtube videos, so you don’t have search down the road. 

Classes are on youtube. Live interviews/Q&A’s with instructors are on FB after each class. Emails and forms and important info is at the top of the Facebook page under Guides or Files. 

No one is left behind who wants to participate. A dozen people on Facebook will kindly jump in to answer any question or offer to talk privately via Messenger. And here are the Peas. 

I followed the class book to make my cards not the videos. That way I could go my own pace, not be overwhelmed at the speed, etc. I also used the limited inks I have on hand. None were the same as the classes.

Also, I didn't do the Lawn Fawn or Doodlebug classes, and I don't feel guilty one bit. They are not my style at all. I'd never send those cards. I didn't waste my time. I still got my money's worth from the other classes.
I learned lots and tried new techniques to take to other projects.

I personally love being on the west coast because I quickly realized I rarely like crafting live at these events. I usually start everything at least 2 hours later which is 9 am here and then craft as much as I feel like it each day. I’m a fast crafter but I feel like I fall behind if I miss something and love being able to pause the videos. This way I don’t feel rushed and really enjoy everything. Just try a class live to see if you like that, if not they are all available right after the class is over. I tend to attend the keynote, instructors talks, etc live but the classes I do not. They are all willing to answer questions later. I love getting the surprises in the mail, trying all these products from different companies, and learning new techniques.

twillerbee. I'm happy you are feeling better about the crop! It will be fun.

Great idea, I will have to do the same.

I am glad you are feeling better about it. I did my first one in November and actually didn't do anything at all (look at videos, etc.) until January. I loved being able to stop and go over anything I found confusing. I also discovered I loved two of the instructors and didn't really like the way one of them taught, so in the future, I would just skip even looking at that video.

The past two I have waited until the unboxing. Not this time. The first time it was fun anticipating what was in the box and "attending" the unboxing event on FB. Last time I waited and was thinking why did I wait. This time I'm ripping that tape off immediately!

And I got my shipping notice too.