What do YOU pack to a crop

This Saturday will be my 5th crop at our LSS. I have only been scrapping for 2 years so I don't have too many supplies, but it's piling up quick!

For every crop, I have pretty much taken ALL my stuff! LOL. (I know that's probably an unimaginable thought for many of you to take all of ur stuff to a crop). The reason I do this is because I don't want to be in the middle of a page and missing that ONE piece of paper/ribbon/embellie that I didn't take.

But this time, I want to be more organized and truly only take with me the stuff I need.

Please give me tips, tricks, and ideas!!

TIA!

Put together mini kits of the pages you want to finish. that should help narrow it down.

Most of the crops I have attended have a Cricut on site you can use, and a sewing machine, and sometimes a cuttlebug...I always try to plan on what I am going to be working on and take any papers/embellishments/sti ckers, etc. that coordinate with that project, otherwise you end up taking more than you need. Most crops have a store on site, so if you absolutely had to have something that you didn't bring, you can purchase.
Always take your basic tools, adhesive, trimmer, and and a lamp. Again, plan on what you are going to work on specifically, and coordinate your supplies....instead of taking everything. Hope this helps.

yes, that helps. i will try to only choose the pprs i am going to be using.

my problem is that i'm so indecisive that i can pick/choose pprs for hours. LOL.

i am totally with you Dasha...I have the same problem. I have packed up all of my stuff for a crop on Saturday (this will be my first). I think after this one, I will be better prepared for my next one.

One thing someone suggested (which I think is a fabulous idea) to me, was a sealable cup. Kind of like a sippy cup so you dont spill all over your project. If your clutsy like me, this is bound to happen and I would feel terrible LOL...

Have fun and let us know how you make out

• Dasha Said:

Do that BEFORE you go, so you can spend time creating and socializing, rather than planning.

Also, we have an unwritten rule NO FOOD OR DRINKS on the table! Take a water bottle with a lid, so no spilling.

I always take a ton of paper -- I've never figured out how to do that kit thing. I leave home the stickles and embossing powders -- too messy to use at a crop.

And I hope Rebecca (byondbzr) doesn't read this -- I also leave home the paints. Not enough time to dry. I really like to take my most frequently used items.

I get a ziploc for my ribbons. I don't take full spools. I keep a bag of cut ribbon (about 18 inches) to take.

Look at your completed pages -- take what you use the most frequently. If there's an item you used 2 or 3 times a year -- Leave it home.

• Bxr-Linda Said:

I'm like you, it can take me hours to choose papers for a page-so the evenings leading up to a crop I sit and make page kits with several options for pps and cs. If I know of embellies that I know for sure I want to try I add those to the kits, but I usually avoid bringing my embellies and do that latter after the crop.

I always overestimate how much work I can get done in a day just in case. I try to plan designs out in advance so I can do any die cutting in advance and can avoid hauling my cricut, but my big shot usually comes along anyway.

I bring my tool tote with me, and I usually end up hauling most of my distress inks along to use on the pps. I also bring any shape cutters that I use a lot (mainly circles). And then of course extra adhesive, that way any shopping I do is for fun stuff and not for adhesive!

Ok, ladies, I'm conviced. The thought of having my designs already planned out and my papers/embellies picked out is soooooo nice!!

I will have to do some serious thinking tonight and tomorrow night and only bring the stuff I truly need. My friend is bringing her Cricut and I'm bringing the Gypsy, I will definitely bring my tote full of inks, tools and stickles and some extra solid CS but that's IT!

the person running my crop is the one who told me to bring the sealable cup...so that rule doesnt apply to my LSS crop...thank goodness...I drink ALOT!!! (i think i sound like a lush HAHA)

• newtoscrapping2011 Said:

We crop at someone's house. It's always been OUR rule --no drinks ON THE TABLE (unless they are in drink holders).

Whether the hostess said it's okay or not, I would voluntarily ask everyone to do that. If SOMEONE else knocked their drink over on your layout .... ???

my two tips...

Tip #1 leave it in the car
Bring it...but leave it in the car.
Example: If you just can't part with bringing EVERY piece of pattern paper you own...bring them but leave them in the car.

Tip #2 leave it home
There are just certain things that require too many supplies to do at crops or you have too many supplies. Example: I have too many stamping supplies so I leave them all at home. I just resign myself to the fact that I can't bring it all so I pick & choose.

Good tips Gelidy!

Some things I just wouldn't try to do at a crop --- anything requiring long drying time; heat embossing; computer journaling.

Those things I do ahead of time, or later.

If I HAD a diecutting machine, I would definitely NOT take it to a crop.

and then there is the embellishment box. Even though I can take to a crop who wants to risk dumping ALL of their embellishments....

• Gelidy Gelato Said:

Well, I DO take mine. My brads and eyelets are in the little tic-tac style boxes, tucked inside my tote. I really like that, because they DON'T spill, and travel easily.

I have it down to a science (for me, that is). I bring one rolling tote and one tool caddy. One trip in, one trip out.

If I'm going to a lss, I will just bring my tools, my container of brads/eyelets/flowers, and photos. I will buy everything else at the store. The last time I did this I got 7 layouts done and spent $20.

If I'm not at an lss, I will also bring a stack of cardstock, coordinating patterned papers and embellies that I pick out ahead of time to go with my photos. My fav thing to do is work on themed albums or projects. It makes the packing easier.

I also don't fret about leaving anything at home. I can always add finishing touches at home.

As for drinks....I once saw a woman knock a large coffee all over another woman's layouts, photos, everything. So much was ruined!

It took me quite a while to learn to pack light for crops. Each time I went it got easier. Now I make page kits and bring the tools I use the most and can just carry a small tote with it all and have enough to stay busy. Some of my most creative LO's have been done at crops because I am forced to use my brain and the limited supplies I have with me. If there is something you don't have with you, bring some sticky notes to remind you of what you want to add when you get home. Now I look at the croppers who bring their entire room with them for a weekend crop and am so glad I don't do that any more. It also makes it easier to unpack after a crop too!!

I pack to go to a crop like I pack for vacation....way too much for the amount of time I will be there. One day I will become organized.

you and me both.. I try to organize my stuff and it doesnt always work. I try to make page kits but when I think I got it I get a whole new idea.
The same thing happens with my craft room I try to organize it and then I hate how it looks so I tear it all out and reorganize it the way that I want.
I am the host this Saturday for a crop so I have to take my cricut, my cricut expression, my sizzix my cardstock.. I get to pack like a vacation since I am the host.. this is going to be fun. This is the first crop that I have ever done. I know that a lot of people that are coming to my crop are a bunch of newbies to the scrapbooking world. I can't wait this is going to be so exciting.

I choose sketches first, print pictures for the sketches, then put them together in kits of coordinating paper.

I stare at the sketches and try to predict which way I want to go with each one and pack stuff like paint, stickles, ink, stamps, embossing powder, that goes with the general plan.

Then I pack my making memories tool kit, adhesives, thread, a paper trimmer, & my brads/buttons/flower box.

I may or may not pack the laptop, gypsy, cricut, even a photo printer based on length of crop and availability of stuff onsite.

I tend to rather enjoy doing some messy and crazy stuff at a crop. Almost every time there are people there who want to see techniques that aren't straight cuts, tape and paper.

I'd rather over pack in the tools (and items not available for sale at the crop) department and under pack in the paper and other stuff that will be available on site department.

Hello!
I always have my tote with basic tools ready-to-go. For the kits: choose my pictures and then papers depending on style (my mood lol) and picture colors. So I go to ribbons and embellies with all colors in mind - or else I'd take everything along... I love buttons, ribbons, rub-ons and chips and that's why I pick them in the end. So my tip is 1. pictures, 2. colors, 3. pps, 4. embellishments.
Oh, and try to know earlier what tools will be available, so you can organize your own. Try not to take big or too heavy tools.
Let us know how was your crop!
Have a nive weekend.

I try and keep a small notebook w/ me to draw layouts I think of or things I want to remember to scrap later. I hate when I get to a crop and forget what I want to work on.

Hope you enjoyed yourself at your crop!