HELP!! What do YOU bring to crops?

What type of organizer(s) do YOU bring to crops and why? I will be attending my first crop soon and it will be a big one. Any advice on what it will be like or what types of tools/ materials I should use will be greatly appreciated.

The crop party will be about 5 hours long.

I have a Sizzix Big Shot and maybe 5 or 6 dies to go with it.
A total of about 15 scissors and hole punchers.
About 30 markers.
About 1.5 cases worth of paper
A bunch of buttons, chipboard, adhesives, and about 7 spools of ribbon.

Just FYI. Might help in answering my question.

I occasionally attend crops at my LSS. I prefer to travel light but sometimes I end up not having exactly what I need. That's when I end up having to buy something or leave a blank spot on my page and finish it when I get home.

I own a Crop In Style XXL but it's too big for my liking. It holds a ton but if you fill it it's very heavy to get in and out of the car. I have to go up several stairs to get to my LSS and the XXL isn't very practical for that reason. I use my Crop In Style Jr. a lot. It's big enough to hold 12x12 paper and other stuff. If I need more room I also have a CIS backpack. I haven't used the backpack in quite a while though. A friend of mine passed on a great storage caddy for my basic tools. I keep it on my scrap table at home and when I pack for a crop I just have to grab it and go.

I always make page kits in advance so my patterned paper , cardstock, embellishments and photos are ready to use.

I usually bring my NaNavigator because it has ALL of my tools in it. I think you're supposed to be able to put an album in there, too, but it's too full!

As for what to bring, it depends on where the crop is being held. Is it at a store or someone's house? If it's at an LSS (local scrapbook store ) then you might not need too many tools as they usually have quite a selection; if it's at someone's house, you may want to plan out your layouts beforehand to determine which tools to take with you. or call the hostess to see what she has that you can use.

HTH!

I usually bring my rolling tote, which contains my basics - cutters, cutting mats, paper, kits I've made up, and embellishments I might need. I also bring a smaller tabletop tote that has my adhesives and small tools.

You can choose what else to bring depending on where the crop is and what tools they will have available. I crop at a church hall, not an LSS, so unless somebody brings their Cricut to share, we all provide our own tools. We do share with each other, but the crop host doesn't provide anything like a LSS would.

Have fun!

-Mary

I regularly go to Friday night, 6-midnight crops. I take my NA Navigator tote and my AMM toolbag. I don't have them crammed full, either. When I first started going to crops, I packed a lot of stuff. The more I went to, the less I packed.

I also created a list of things that I need to take with me. That makes packing for a crop really fast.

It's actually going to be at the Rubber Stamp and Scrapbook Expo at the Hartford Civic Center.

Yeah, my biggest fear is not having enough with me, but at the same time I don't want to roll in looking like a dorkus

Oh okay, so it is okay to show up with more than one thing in your hand.

Does anybody ever NOT show up with a rolling tote?? In that case, how do you pack your stuff?

I use the rolling tote, why would you want to have to physically carry all your stuff?

I usually have the tool tote shown and it has a spinning carousel, and then a rolling tote. Make it easier on yourself.

I've seen people bring those plastic storage boxes stacked on a luggage cart-type thing. And I've seen people just bring a tote bag! I find it easier to make up page kits before I go, and then all I have to bring is the page kits and a few extra embellishments in case I don't like what I put with the kits. After you go to a couple crops, you'll find what works best for you. For your first one, you'll find that you've either over packed or didn't bring enough!!

-Mary

I carry my paper and embellies in the Crop In Style below. It's not a rolling tote.

I carry my tools in the pink bag sitting on my desk. It stays packed all of the time to save time and space. The only thing that doesn't stay packed in it is the rotary part of my trimmer. When I'm home that attaches back to the guillotine part.


My Scrap Space
By Miracles_momma

I was the same way earlier this year. I found I brought way to much. And didn't need it.

I would say pre plan what you are going to do. Then pre pack from there.

I pre cut things, so I could shop and well a visit with others. So it cut down on my time.

However, make sure you have your everyday scrappin things. Scissors, glue, pens, cutter etc. These are must. Some LSS have thing you can use, such as die cuts, Cricuts, deco scissors. So find out what they have.

But make sure you bring, water, favorite snack to share, and comfy clothing, and your wonderful self. Don't stress if you don't get done what you want. You will be there to share lots of stuff. Have fun.

first off make sure all of the tools you take are labeled or marked...that way if someone borrows it you'll know it's yours when you leave.

I use to carry tons of stuff but cut back to just a couple of shoulder totes for the 4 hour or less crops (I'll put every thing in the XXL if it's an 8 hr crop). One tote for planners, and the other one for tools I'll use.

Pre-plan as much as possible...I use the Cropper Hopper page planners...I also have decorated my planners so I know they are mine...I had two to disappear at a crop...I fill each planner with all the things I might use on the LO. I have a small box for brads and the little bulky stuff that will damage the page planner.

I really don't think people just take things to be taking them, but when we stop chatting so much and start srapping we tend to lose track of time and have to clean up rather quickly...

If you plan to go to crops often I would invest in two sets of hand tools that you use often (like adhesives, tape runners, scissors, etc...one set for the house and one set to keep in you bag...gosh it saves a lot of time packing and unpacking...You will only have to unpack your LO's and stuff you didn't use.

Good Luck and have fun!!

everything i own...

I am a huge planner when it comes to crops because it is usually the only time I get to scrapbook (no DH, no kiddos). I agree with the above poster that said about the Cropper Hopper organizer. I dont use that but I bought 12x12 plastic craft storage envelopes that are about the same thing. They are 1.99 a piece at Michaels. So I put all the photos, journaling, embellishments and paper I think I want to use on that particular LO and then when I get to the crop I am already organized and ready to go. FYI last time I took 12 envelopes to a 9 hour crop and finished all but one. It really helps to have a good game plan.

• JaineParr Said:

I use these same things, except I also take a second Nanavagator, cause I never know what I am scrapping, so I figure I will have lots of stuff with me. I usually have two or three projects in mind when I go.
(I CANNOT do the power cropping thing. If you put most of it together at home, then why not stay home and finish?)

• DawnInAZ Said:

PLUS I take a plastic container with flowers in it and a small plastic container with ribbons.
I know, I am crazy girl!

I have a rolling tote from Scrap, Paper, Scissors that I use.
- I pull papers for the pages I want to do, and put the cardstock/pp/pictures all together. I do this for with several sets -- and actually prefer to scrap one "theme" so I only bring those pics, those papers, those embellies.
- I have bead boxes for brads, buttons, etc. which I pack.
- I only have a small number of flowers, so I bring them.

I also have a small hand-held tote from Scrap, Paper, Scissors which I keep my ribbons, deco-scissors, and other tools in all the time at home, and which have room that I can toss my pens, markers, etc. in.

I also bring either a binder I have with sketches I've printed off the internet, or the PageMaps book for ideas.

I do NOT bring stamps or ink pads. Or anything that can create a mess like that.

Oh, and definitely remember your paper cutter, a good set of scissors and notepad (or sticky notes to attach to your LOs) for you to write down what you may need to add to the LO, etc.

in addition to packing for the crop, I also prepare for the crop but picking out the project(s) I plan on working on. I pick out the photos, papers, couple embellishments, ink stamps, etc. and may even have a basic layout. That way I am not dragging every photo, all of my pattern paper, embellishments, etc.

AND don't forget to pack drinks, snacks, tissues, and a little garbage bag.

PS Gelidy's CROP Packing List

• DawnInAZ Said:

I will occasionally go cropping on my motorcycle. When you do that, you have to cut down to the essentials. I used to do the, "If I feel like working on it..." type of packing. One or two crops by motorcycle where I had one project and got a lot done taught me that if I have one thing to do, I do that one thing. If I have a lot of choices, I spend time choosing and get very little done.

I drive a 4 X 4 truck when I'm not riding. It's tall. Lifting my NA tote up into my truck is no big deal. Lifting a larger tote or lifting two totes would be a bother and too much effort. With a full sized pickup, I could pack my entire crop room, including tables. But each week?

• DawnInAZ Said:

In addition to using the time to scrapbook, I also use it to socialize with other scrapbookers. I could probably get a lot more done if I only scrapped at home, but it wouldn't be as much fun. I put kits together because it takes me a long time to pick out paper and embellies and to plan the page. I don't want to waste that time doing it at the crop. If I did that, I'd spend about 4 hours just choosing my paper and not get anything else done! Also, since I can't possibly take all my supplies to a crop, page kits are the best way to pare it down to a usable amount to take. Works for me!

-Mary

i have a tote i put my stuff into. as for what i put in it all depends on what kind of layout i'm doing...just bring the stuff you couldn't scrap without and then add in embelishments, paper, etc based on what projects you plan on getting done.

Do you mean leave everything I need in my scraproom and actually socialize while I scrap???
That would mean I would have to be organized and NOT make a mess.
You girls are awesome!

Thanks for your perspective Ms Jackie and I really appreciate all the advice I'm getting from everyone else as well.

I'm getting so stressed about this. I have to decide between purchasing an organizer(s) or buying new goods at the expo.

Wow...Thieves at the crop party lol.

Yes, Dawn ... that is crazy, but I'm like you.
The other day I went to scrap for about 4 hours at my friends house and she has not too much "stuff" for me to work with so I took everything I could think of packaged like this:

My laptop in my laptop bookbag - because I might need to print some pictures. However, I never printed anything!!

Inside of a large duffle bag lol - my sizzix big shot (heavy and never actually used), all of my about 5 dies, my stamps (about 6) and 3 acrylic blocks, my long paper trimmer, a clear storage box loaded to the max with papers in the most disorganized fashion you could think of, and in individual small plastic boxes were my chipboard pieces, my embellies, and my stickers.

In that duffle bag I also willy nilly threw in some cardstock stacks.

Nope that duffle bag had NO compartments and by the time I was done I couldn't even zip it up.
:smile :
I also carried a make shift basket of doodle tools, scissors, and punchers!

Needless to say my back was killing me, my arm was about to fall off, and my leg was bruised from the duffle bag bumping me with its many bulging edges from all the boxes I stuffed in it.

I refuse to go to the crop looking ridiculous. It's bad enuf that none of my friends will come with me.

Okay...

After years and years of trying to figure it out this is what I came up with...

I bring my CM tote (with the over the shoulder strap) packed with:

Black and White bazzil cs, a couple pieces of chipboard a couple of templates, cutting mat and a couple of containers of metal (eyelets, brads, etc...) Also a stacking (snaping) container (from tarjay or M's) with rub-ons in one compartment, distress inks in another, flowers and other small embellies in another, etc... I can snap together up to 5 compartments and still fit it into the bag. In the outer pockets of the bag: MM tool kit, chalks, watercolor pencils, & cork. Also a few locking boxes for metals and small embellies (brads, eyelets, photo turns, etc...) I also bring my ribbon rings in my tote (layed across the top.)

Then I bring a large tool box that has scissors, all my adhesives (liquid, tape runner and refills, photo splits, pop dots, Glue Dots , foam squarts, etc..), my trimmer, rotary cutter, craft knife, ZIG markers, gold/silver pens, red eye corrector, black ink, chamios, pick up square, trimmer blade refills, etc... all the tool type stuff that you always need.

In a large ArtBin I carry my projects in envelopes. One layout per envelope including pictures, pp, cs, and any embellies to match.

In another large ArtBin I carry extra like sheets of rub-ons, chipboard letter sets, sets of clear stamps, etc...

If I'm going on a weekend crop I'll bring my whole clip-it up. Otherwise, I've learned to pare it down.

LOL, if this is whittled down, imagine what I used to bring!

i pack my XXL tote with my ZIG s, two PSB with my embellishments (i even store my flowers in the PSB) i also manage to squeeze in a art bin plastic box filled with PP that i'm currently into. inside the side pockets and in the LITTLE space left inside the tote, i stash glitter, extra adhesive, punches, chipboard, stencils, and other misc junk i can squeeze in there.

in my CIS JR tote, i have all of my current pages organized with photos and PPs for each project in page planner pocket. i also keep spares of my scissors, small tape runner and pens in a self standing case in this tote in case i need it when i use this tote for my classes.

in my TOTEally Cool thingie, i have all my everyday tools. different pairs of scissors, glues, tape gun, ruler, extra black and white pens, paper trimmer, cropadile, black and brown ink pads, etc...

i also have another tote, the amy butler tool caddy they sell at M's for my stamps. i have my inks in a schoolbox like container and my acrylic blocks and stamps in there too.

i dont typically bring any solid CS with me. i almost always crop at a LSS so i just buy whatever CS i need there. if i'm going to a crop at someone's house/church, then i'll bring another artbin container of CS.

I think it is important to spend a moment with the photos you will be scrapping. Think about what you want the finished layouts to look like. Then pack that stuff. I use the Cropper Hopper page planners, as mentioned earlier. They are wonderful for holding paper, stickers, and photos. If you don't finish the project, it is ready for next time. I take 6 sheets of each color of solid paper (I keep it ready in a large Cropper Hopper paper holder). I also have the pink totes that everyone else has mentioned for keeping the supplies handy on the table. I do take my embossing/stamping kit, but I leave it in the car; it is for just in case. If I know I will use a certain ink pad, I toss it in my handy dandy pink tool caddy. I don't take my book or magazines or any tools that the place would have to offer, except of course my cutter, scissors and coluzzle. I crop once a month and have my rolling bag pretty well planned!

I used to only scrap at crops in the past so my stuff was always packed.

Since I now have a baby...I tend to crop more at home. As well, my CM consultant stopped selling so I lost my cropping buddy.

However, I just met a fantastic CTMH rep that I am going to start scrapping with...

Anyways...I have a CM tote and another rolling scrapbook bag that I use.

Now, I am going to start trying to plan pages a bit better.

But I bring all my paper, most of my stickers, and some stamps that I will use.

I always have my picutres sorted in the CM sorting box so I bring that as well.
I also have a small little bag from CM that I use for my tape runners. I will bring pens as well...

I guess I mostly bring it all....because I never like to be without...I can fit it all in two bags though...

Where are you going to crop? I need to find somewhere other than my house? LOL

Unfortunatly, I think the answer for what to pack is based on trial and error. After one or two crops, you will get a feel for how you like to do it and what you will need. I agree that it does help to plan your pages in advace, if you are comfortable with sticking to the plan...I have serious issues with that...I just can't seem to do it!! Anyway, The one item that is always in my bag or rolling tote when I go to a crop is my special scrappy notebook. I put sketches in there, shopping lists, ideas...you name it. There is a lot of inspiration to be had at a crop!! It would also be a great place to make a list of what you want to bring on your next crop!

This gets asked alot.

What to take to crops

Power Cropping

I really don't like any premade tote made for scrappers. I find them difficult to load and unload. I did most of my scrapping away from home, maybe I'd like them more but since I scrap equally as much from home as away I prefer these totes:


Folding Rolling Cart

I preplan layouts into 2 gallon ziplock bags. Everything goes in those for the layout. I put any small buttons, brads etc in a smaller ziplock so they don't get lost. If I can't decide on paper before the crop, I put a couple of options in the bag and seal it up. I pack one tote with basic tools and any I think I might want to use. I also add in any I know my friends don't have so we can share. They do the same.

I have a craft robo that I cut a lot of titles for so I also pack post it notes so I can add notes on my layouts as to what I need to finish when I get home. I can usually sit down for one evening and cut out whatever I need to finish layouts up. I try to make as many layout kits as I have ziplock bags. If I run out of kits while at a multi day crop, I run home and make more.

Hey BK.
I'm going to the Saturday night crop party at the CT Rubber Stamp & Scrapbook Expo this weekend.

But, if you send me your email address in a PM then I'll add you to the evites that I send out for our monthly crop that I hold. It's free and usually at someone's house. There are on average about 4 or 5 of us.

I don't have a rolling tote, so I....

- Pre-organize my layouts and take the papers I need plus some extras. I use the big 13x13 plastic envelopes. I can also store my embellishments in here. This is where I over pack

- cropodile

- brads

- stamp book (80% of my stamps are in one book)

- chalk/ink

- paper cutter

- book for inspiration

I throw all these into one of those canvas bags, the kind you use for grocery shoping.

Figured I might as well answer here as well....

I store my clear stamps in a binder on a sheet of acrylic I had cut down at the craft store. I simply used a 3-hole punch and placed them in the binder. I can fit 8 sheets per 1" inch binder. I try to store them by theme/type/ style. I keep all the orginal films that came with the stamps for reference.

Clear Stamp Storage By Scrills

Thanks Scrills.
As an update, I took a rather small to medium size rolling tote that I got from Joann fabrics with my 40% coupon. A plastic storage box packed with every piece of paper I owned. I strapped my Big Shot to the top of the rolling tote.

What I neglected to bring:
A jacket for the air conditioning
The photos I planned to scrap

• Dr.Scrappy Said:

I have pre-planned LO's with the pix, papers, embellies etc I want, put them in protective sleeves and then actually assemble at the crops.
I have also packed up everything and taken it with me-- I have to say I prefer the pre-planned method. If I get to the crop w/o something, I leave space for it on the LO and add it when I get home--

LOL...how'd scrapping with no photos work out?

• Dr.Scrappy Said:

Did you have a good time? Are you now more comfortable with what to take next time?

Every single time I've ever gone, I've forgotten at least one item that I wanted to use while there. I rarely ever finish completely any layouts but may get dozens of pages pretty well started.