Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,241
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Oct 29, 2023 12:12:20 GMT
Next Sunday I will be leaving for a three-ish day crafting retreat. It's organized by my local SU demo's up-line, but it is not specifically a SU or even paper-crafting event. Just bring what you like and work on your stuff in the company of other crafters on the peaceful Maine coast (recent events notwithstanding).
My first thought was "bring all the Christmas things and all the things that coordinate well with all the Christmas things!!"
Then the reality of crafting in a hotel meeting room set in -- no pastes or butters! And do I even want to bring stencils and blending tools at all? They don't seem to me to pack well. I figure I'll bring coloring supplies since I love to color and will have more ample time than I would at home. But not my alcohol markers, that would be too much. Probably my water-based dual tip markers and Prismacolor pencils; both are relatively compact and complete sets. I'm debating whether to bring heat-embossing stuff and how many/what inks to even bring
I have four or five 6x6/6x8 PP pads here or on the way for making SLoCs or similar simpler card projects. Since I need 50+ hap-Pea holiday cards, I suspect I'll be making quite a few of that sort of thing. I have a Z-fold project for colleagues mostly done, so I'll bring what I need for that.
I guess my question is, am I under-thinking this? Do I need to plan actual projects? Create an official "crafting capsule" a la Kristina Warner (I think)? I hate the idea of getting up there and getting stuck because I didn't plan well enough. On the other hand, it's pretty early in the season. If I thought of a project or design while I was up there except that it needs something at home, I could probably keep myself busy creating parts to put together later at home.
Maybe I was under-thinking and now I'm over-thinking? Maybe the whole thing is a boondoggle?
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
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Post by scrapnnana on Oct 29, 2023 16:44:18 GMT
When I went to crops in the past, just putting a variety of things in my crop bag did not work well for me. I always, always, always forgot something important for every single project, and did not go home with anything completed. And those were just local crops. It would have been even more frustrating if I’d been at a 3 day retreat.
Prior to packing up everything and moving halfway across the USA, though, I put together kits for scrapbooking/card making. My scrapbook friends and I were meeting every couple of weeks at the local library, because the scrapbook store had closed. Kits were a far more efficient use of my crop bag space, and I rarely forgot anything important. I ended up going home each time with completed projects.
It takes a little more thought and preparation to do kits, but it worked so much better for me, and I was even able to keep paper crafting right up to our actual move, in spite of most of my craft room being sealed up in boxes and in storage.
Have fun at the retreat!
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Post by MichyM on Oct 29, 2023 17:37:56 GMT
First of all, your getaway sounds lovely…I am a bit jealous! I agree about preplanning and making up kits. I almost always make multiples of cards (or at least similar enough) that it’s pretty easy to do. While my only “out of the house” card making has been limited to single day get togethers, it works well for me. I think You’ll thank yourself later  |
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Post by joblackford on Oct 29, 2023 17:52:46 GMT
I don't have any relevant experience and would struggle under and overthinking, and I would forget something crucial if I didn't make a plan. But I would also consider whether you're going to be chit-chatting a lot. Is there something like coloring that you can do while chatting with interruptions? I'm a talker so I wouldn't get much done if I brought involved things like heat embossing - I'd forget to use my antistatic powder or feel bad about the noise or just generally get distracted. I also don't make decisions well if I'm distracted so I would probably have the papers chosen but not cut.
I would go with coloring and kits where it was mostly just a matter of assembling. Sheetloads would be a great option.
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
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Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Oct 30, 2023 0:43:50 GMT
Yes, I think I'm going to focus on PP techniques -- SLoC and other assembly-line types of sketches.
I think I can afford more hand-colored focal points than when I generally do this kind of batch production, just because of the time I'll have.
The SU demos will be bringing some equipment they're willing to share -- 6" die cutting machines and 12" paper trimmers -- so I can bring just my compact cutter and 9" fiskars trimmer (with scoring blade) and be ok even if I decide I need to cut 12x12 or use a larger die.
Over the last month or two I've purchased a punch of holiday PP packs/pads, some with ephemera or stickers, and solid card stock mixed "Christmas color" packs. Part of me still just wants to grab all of that, plus all the holiday-themed stamps and dies, and just wing it. There's a Michael's and a Joann 20 minutes away and I don't have the stamina to craft all day, really.
A half measure would be to grab all the patterned paper, all the holiday-themed solid packs, also go through my other solid stock to find other matches, and proceed as above.
I should have time Saturday and Sunday mornings to try and flesh out a more detailed plan and make up more of a kit situation. But if I don't manage that, I'm not sure that "i'm going to focus on PP and coloring and the winter holidays" won't work. It's at least an approach even if it's not a plan, right?
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Post by cmpeter on Oct 30, 2023 1:48:44 GMT
I like to bring a variety of projects. A couple SLOC, some coloring projects and maybe a more elaborate die cut cards. I’m never quite sure what I will want to work on and would rather overpack than work on something that feels like a chore.
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Post by mbanda on Oct 30, 2023 19:16:09 GMT
I'm going to a 3-day retreat in November and decided to only bring Christmas card items (dies, stamps, embossing folders, pattern paper etc). I'll bring my mini inks in tins as well so I can stencil. I don't plan on doing any coloring but if I decided to do so, my friend will have her markers there. Even if I only create elements for the cards (like die cutting a bunch of things or hot foiling a bunch of sentiments) and assemble them at home, I'm ok with that.
Last year, I decided to organize all my Christmas themed card making supplies (stamps, dies, embossing folders) into one box so now I can just grab it and take that with me along with my additional basic supplies.
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kate
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Post by kate on Oct 30, 2023 20:52:44 GMT
Do you have any monthly card kits on hand, perhaps? Not that I know anyone who would order a kit and not use it for months...   That's my favorite thing to do at a crop. SLoC would be great, too - maybe pick a couple, since you'll be there a few days - just grab one of those 6x6 pads + ephemera and some coordinating card stock and inks for each sheetload. Keep your embellishments simple - all gold and white, for example. I find I am very productive when I have limited choices! I bet the SU demos will have some things for sale, too, in case you get stuck. That getaway sounds like a little slice of heaven. Have a great time! |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,241
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Oct 31, 2023 12:00:44 GMT
Of course I have kits I haven't completed -- but no holiday ones.
I probably should have stuck with "underthinking" because I am now somewhat obsessively planning for this. Found it difficult impossible to focus (on work) while "working" at home yesterday!
But I am pulling some things together, but I'm not sure I'll really get it right. Matching papers with sketches I find pretty easy, but where my SLoCs and similar projects usually go sideways is with focal images. I might still fall back on "bring all the Christmas things" and wing it in that regard. Or maybe I'll finish obsessing about the papers and sketches and move on to images and those supplies?
Two more paper pads, these with matching embellishments and at least one also with matching ephemera arrive today....
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,241
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Oct 31, 2023 13:40:28 GMT
Just checked my order online -- both paper pads/packs arriving today have both coordinating enamel dots AND ephemera!
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Post by grammadee on Oct 31, 2023 14:50:52 GMT
I am the first to admit that I bring too much to a crop, but my packing has become more efficient. I have one this coming weekend as well. My packing will include: Essential tools: trimmer, cutting mat, pens, pencils, water brushes, X-acto knife, palette knife, CM cutting system. Plates and basic shape dies to use on a borrowed Bigshot. Tape runner, foam dots and tape, liquid glue. Ink pads and brushes. I bring wet wipes, paper towel, spray hand sanitizer. Also I bring wax paper to use as a splash mat if using wet media. For other supplies, I decide on a theme, rather than a specific project. This year I plan to be making holiday cards, so I will be packing card bases, Christmas/winter related dies, stencils, stamps, embossing folders, and some paper packs I purchased last year on sale, complete with diecuts and stickers. Some sequins & enamel dots. Maybe a punch or two. I will probably also pack some embossing ink, a few embossing powders, and a heat gun. This year I will be bringing my Spellbinders Glimmer System, plates, and foils b/c I want to force myself to USE that system until I am comfortable pulling it out more often. When I plan to scrap pages, I will decide which stories I want to scrap, and take the photos and supplies I may want to use when scrapping them. One year I did mostly hockey pages for my dgk's. Other years I have decided to scrap a bunch of birthdays. Or a family reunion. I know I won't USE all of the supplies I bring, but to feel creative, I know I need options right up to the last minute, so I am happy with the trade-off of having to lug a lot of STUFF with me LOL. I also usually bring sketches for cards &/or pages I hope to create. This year I hope to work on the CARDtober challenges as well an MS Word printout of pic's of Justine Hovey's 12 Days of Christmas cards. Depending on the length of the crop, I may pack wet media to apply the first evening or day. I want to make sure it has enough time to dry before packing up to head home. This year I am planning to create a bunch of outdoor winter scene type cards, so True Snow, white glitter paste for sure. Probably white acrylic paint and loose white glitter, too. Wow. Thanks for this thread, Shakti ! I just got back from a weekend with dgk's and need to switch gears quickly to get packed up for this crop. Making this list helped. |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,241
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Nov 1, 2023 0:53:51 GMT
Thanks, grammadee . Rather than use any of ProBoards quoting functions, I've copied and pasted the meat of your post so that I can interject line by line. I've put my commentary in italics. Essential tools: trimmer, cutting mat, pens, pencils, water brushes, X-acto knife, palette knife, CM cutting system. Plates and basic shape dies to use on a borrowed Bigshot. Tape runner, foam dots and tape, liquid glue. Ink pads and brushes.
The essential tools I'll be bringing include a little trimmer, compact 3" die cutter, colored pencils & markers, water brushes, dies, adhesives, inks. I think I've chosen to forego stencils and blending brushes -- not terribly convenient to pack and not my favorite technique. I'm curious about bringing your own cutting plates but borrowing a Bogshot...your plates are also Bigshot?I bring wet wipes, paper towel, spray hand sanitizer. Also I bring wax paper to use as a splash mat if using wet media. I'll bring cloth wipes of various ilks, shammy, stamp cleaning spray, alcohol spray/squeeze bottle/hand sanitizer. I think I'm going to skip wet media. For other supplies, I decide on a theme, rather than a specific project. This year I plan to be making holiday cards, so I will be packing card bases, Christmas/winter related dies, stencils, stamps, embossing folders, and some paper packs I purchased last year on sale, complete with diecuts and stickers. Some sequins & enamel dots. Maybe a punch or two. I will probably also pack some embossing ink, a few embossing powders, and a heat gun. This year I will be bringing my Spellbinders Glimmer System, plates, and foils b/c I want to force myself to USE that system until I am comfortable pulling it out more often. I'm totally down with the idea of a theme rather than a project. I thought I did rather well with my fall exchange cards and CARDtober challenges by just keeping ALL THE FALL THINGS in a big pile and mixing and matching. Of course, I also had free access to all the other things if needed. I've decided not to stencil, but I do plan to bring ALL THE CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY stamps, dies, embossing folders, red/green/glitter card stock, some punches and basic shape dies. Card bases and extra panel card stock. One or both stamping platforms.I also usually bring sketches for cards &/or pages I hope to create. This year I hope to work on the CARDtober challenges as well an MS Word printout of pic's of Justine Hovey's 12 Days of Christmas cards. I 'm bringing at least one CS card formula (with papers picked out), I've created templates/scrap paper samples/notes for a couple of gramma's sets, I'm eagerly awaiting this month's SLoC, and I plan to replicate a couple of my CARDtober pairs, maybe in larger quantities.Depending on the length of the crop, I may pack wet media to apply the first evening or day. I want to make sure it has enough time to dry before packing up to head home. This year I am planning to create a bunch of outdoor winter scene type cards, so True Snow, white glitter paste for sure. Probably white acrylic paint and loose white glitter, too. I should consider some of my sprays. Not sure.The only other thing I'm really up in the air about, I think, is whether I'd really be happier bringing my 12" guillotine trimmer and P6 instead of using the SU versions the demos will bring. |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,241
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Nov 1, 2023 0:56:44 GMT
So, thank you in turn grammadee, because the structure of your reply helped me focus, too |
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Post by dewryce on Nov 1, 2023 1:53:34 GMT
I always overpacked and talked too much and never got anything done! But then we started doing Christmas Card Days at someone’s house, and I learned that if I had a plan and limited supplies I could get a lot more done. Something to consider, you can always bring things you think you might need and keep them in your vehicle. Like the extra trimmers. Personally I’d put together kits with the SLOP instructions, papers and embellishments I’m planning on using for those cards. And I’d make many kits. If you want to bring all your Christmas stuff you can keep the things you don’t have plans for in your vehicle. Worst case scenario you can go out to your car, but you’ll probably get more done with limited options and more space. Something I do when I don’t craft in my craft room, rather either downstairs or at someone else’s home, is to use a Sterlite 3-drawer container. I do assembly line crafting so in one drawer I keep my raw materials, the next drawer I put the various pieces in baggies as they are cut/colored/put together, and the last drawer is often things I might want to use. If my plan is solid, I put my smaller tools and ink pads, etc in the 3rd drawer instead of a small tote. This unit also provides a big flat spot on top that stays clear so I can toss my tools in between uses, and they don’t get covered by paper.
Have fun!
eta: If you’re using ephemera packs or the like you might consider taking small trays or a divided tray so you can open the packs and put them in there to keep out, but not get lost in your workspace.
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Post by grammadee on Nov 1, 2023 2:40:08 GMT
eta: If you’re using ephemera packs or the like you might consider taking small trays or a divided tray so you can open the packs and put them in there to keep out, but not get lost in your workspace. Good idea! I am taking my Sticker Stadium: it holds 12x12 pp and cs upright at the back and then card bases and toppers in the middle and the little stuff at the front. And you can see it all when deciding what to use. |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,241
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Nov 1, 2023 10:29:57 GMT
I am not familiar with this acronym. keep the things you don’t have plans for in your vehicle I have been considering this for the big guillotine trimmer and P6. ALL THE CHRISTMAS stamps/dies/embossing folders are already in a couple of Altenew/Paper Pumpkin boxes where it would almost be more difficult to separate them. I might try if I have time. I do mix and match between sets and brands profligately, though, so it's really hard to draw hard and fast lines. As I was looking through my box of new goodies last night, I was thinking how helpful trays for ephemera had been for my fall stuff, but I didn't actually get them onto a list -- thanks! |
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Post by dewryce on Nov 1, 2023 13:02:38 GMT
Sorry should have been sloC!
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,241
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Nov 1, 2023 13:33:28 GMT
Sorry should have been sloC! Haha! I thought that might be the case and stared at my keyboard trying to figure out if "p" and "c" were close enough that it was a finger slip, but they weren't , so I thought maybe this was some other new-to-me thing like SLoC or Assembly Line Card Making  |
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Post by dewryce on Nov 1, 2023 19:42:19 GMT
Sorry should have been sloC! Haha! I thought that might be the case and stared at my keyboard trying to figure out if "p" and "c" were close enough that it was a finger slip, but they weren't , so I thought maybe this was some other new-to-me thing like SLoC or Assembly Line Card Making Nope, just me not knowing my acronyms! Oh, as far as the ALCM  I just mean that I cut out all of each piece one at a time and put in a baggie, then I’ll do any coloring all at once, then die cutting, etc. then I put the cards together at one time with everything laying out in a row. I think lots of crafters that do the a repeated card design do the same thing, it’s really helpful for my type-A personality! |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,241
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Nov 2, 2023 11:26:35 GMT
OK, so having spent some time looking at sketches and thinking about projects, I went through ALL THE CHRISTMAS THINGS knowing that I was looking for images in an approximate range of size, some to color & others solid/layering, and lots of sentiments, especially those with dies. That eliminated exactly one set, so probably not really worth culling the stamp and die collection. Did take a few minutes to cut apart some die sets this morning. Now I really have to adult.
Well, I guess I need to find the top of my desk first....
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Post by grammadee on Nov 2, 2023 17:33:35 GMT
Good luck, Shakti . Would love to see a pic of the cards you create while at the crop.
My crop bags/bins are in the vehicle. For the first time I went through my Christmas/holiday dies & stamps and selected which I would take along (usually take the whole works) But I have a shoulder tote in the house and I am adding items that I am thinking I *might* want to use. |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,241
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Nov 3, 2023 17:56:12 GMT
Would love to see a pic of the cards you create while at the crop.
Have no fear -- you will! I will (again) try not to share exchange cards here until they're in the mail, but I will share them! |
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I just mean that I cut out all of each piece one at a time and put in a baggie, then I’ll do any coloring all at once, then die cutting, etc. then I put the cards together at one time with everything laying out in a row. I think lots of crafters that do the a repeated card design do the same thing, it’s really helpful for my type-A personality!