Crops??

When any of you go to crops, do you make page kits in advance? If you do, what do you put your papers, pics, embellies for that page in?

I preplan the pages and put everything for the lo into 12x12 page protectors . I have also seen people use the large zip top bags.

I own a bunch of Generations 12x12 craft keepers. It's a big plastic pocket that expands to about 1 inch. It's perfect for page kits. They're normally about $2.00 each but I stocked up with A.C. Moore would run them on sale for $1.00 or less each.

http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/scrapbookcreations_2009_153128124

I have preplanned what I want to do. Not that I get it all done. But you get to share and brain storm. Which is so much fun.

We have a new J's that has just open. Yes, it's a super store. And they are looking for a teacher and demo person. So maybe.....

I don't go to crops, they stress me out because I'm too afraid of forgetting something. But if I did go, I would HAVE to make kits up for myself ahead of time so I would atleast have some idea of what I needed to bring.

There are some ladies here who can give great advice on the subject of "How to make a page kit" I myself have never been able to be this organized and just end up bringing as many of my supplies as I can and enough pictures for 5-10 layouts and scrap just like I would do at home. I usually leave my stamps and anything messy (like paints, stickles, etc.) at home and either make layouts without using these things or finish those parts up when I get home. Hope you enjoy your first crop- they are so much fun!

• MsJackie akaStarbucks Said:

sounds like fun!

I preplan only enough to bring the pics I want to work on and all the supplies I can fit. I've only scrapped at a store or an event that had vendors, so I'm never afraid of forgetting something. I'm more afraid of my tab at the end!!

HA HA HA! Me too! When I DO go to a scrap that's not at a store I bring a few pictures and a bazillion things. I brainstorm with the other ladies there to get different ideas.

I preplan my pages- I have the sketch, pics, paper, and embellishments all picked out and stacked in one of those 12x12 Iris cases with sheets of plain chipboard or cardstock between them. I can just grab the box and my tool tote and go scrap.

I preplan mine--pick out the photos, group by page, pick out the papers (cs and pp), then go through my embellies and see if I have anything that I specifically want to use on the page. Other than that, I try to pack minimally, meaning bringing only a few inks, a few extra sheets of paper, a few extra embellies, one ribbon container, a few stamps, and always leave the really messy things (stickles, glitter, etc.) for when I get home. I also do my journaling at home, however, if it's something I want to use alphas (cb, thickers, etc.) for rather than printing on the computer, I like to write out what I want to say beforehand on a small piece of paper and do it at the crop. If I don't do that, I usually get a brain-lock and can't think of anything catchy to put on that page! I also try to cut out any cricut items beforehand so that I don't have to spend time at the machine during the crop!

The funny thing about crops is I usually end up doing 1 of 2 things...
1) use the tools (the ones that are available for everyone to use) to make custom titles or elements that match my photos & paper (cause I have them with me for the crop) or
2) shop for custom embellishments that match my photos & paper (cause I have them with me for the crop).

So if I leave with a few extra things that I either made (or bought) for my project I am a happy camper.

PS I make up "packets" with pre-picked-out photos, memorabila, paper, stickers, a few embellishments, etc.

I pre-plan at least the basic page (background paper, photos, etc.) but still pack my stash. Because sure 'nuf, I'll think of something I wish I had and I hate leaving a page unfinished!

ME

I preplan my pages before going to a crop. With all the socializing, I can't focus and figure out what to do otherwise!

I put my pages either in those 12x12 plastic envelope thingies. The ones that go on sale at the craft stores for $1 each.

I have a couple of other ones that I found at the Dollar Tree that are wider. They call them a "scrapbook tote." It's more of a narrow box than an envelope.

I have used 2 gallon ziploc bags with a piece of cardboard inside.

Or, I use a 12x12 box that my page protectors come in.

I blogged with pix to show how I did it.

Power Cropping

It's mainly just background paper, accent paper, photo mats and photos. There's things at the crop that I'll use for embellishments so I don't pack any of those. I rarely finish a page completely at a crop. Still have a stack I need to finish. But I get alot done this way.

Somewhere I read that if you choose the pictures first, then the embellies, then the patterned paper , you'll use up more of your embellies and will not have to buy as many.

The theory was that you have already have some embellies that go with the pp you own (so just match up the right pp with your chosen embellies), but if you pick pp first, you may not have embellies to go with the pp you already picked. (Does that make sense?)

I haven't tried this yet, but it makes sense. After a shopping spree in Utah this month, I decided to store the new embellies that matched my paper together in those big plastic envelopes, so I'll remember to use them.

• scrappinmac Said:

This makes perfect sense, especially if you're talking homemade embellies, such as those from a swap. I am so addicted to swaps, but I never use the items I get/make! Maybe if I use this approach from now on, I can use up a lot of those!

The most recent entry in http://wombatart.blogspot.com/ is about this. I sometimes go to crops by motorcycle, so I have learned how to be very efficient packing for a crop.

I've realized that if you plan pages and take things only for those pages, you complete them. If you have 'sort of an idea' and bring along every possible item you might want to think about using, you spend a lot of time trying to make decisions and you don't finish much.

If a page isn't going well, I stop working on it at the crop. Often, I ask for opinions and advice from my friends. Once I know what I'm going to do when I get home, I can easily start working on a different page. But I continue to make progress.

Working at a crop, I never try to finish a lot. There's so much more to do at a crop than just crop. Usually, my goal at a crop is to work slowly and carefully to get things ready to finish up in a flash at home.

I preplan, I pick my pics, layout, background paper. I usually bring my emblies (easy to transport they fit in tackle boxes then in my rolling cart. I need to have my bling, buttons and ribbon to fill in empty spots.

I preplan what I want to take, pictures, paper, and album and embellies.... since I have the scrap studio, I hardly ever go out to crop... but I did this weekend and that's what I did.