Crops; Inspiration or distraction?

[HunnyPots]

OK - in all my years of scrapbooking I've never attended a crop, mostly because I consider myself a solitary scrapper and prefer to work alone late at night. But lately it's just not working for me. I just can't seem to finish much of what I start and I'm not crazy about the stuff I do finish! So I'm thinking it may be time to take it on the road, so to speak. My question is, do you actually get more done at a crop because you are surrounded by other creative scrappers and are inspired to greatness or do you get distracted by all the chit-chat and actually get very little done?
Just curious...

 

[ddavis860]

I haven't been to too many crops, mostly because they are on weekends, and I work weekends. The ones that I have been to are pretty fun though. I like being able to talk with others (social butterfly), and I have gotten a lot finished I did find that if I take all the things I want for a LO in a page protector, then I am able to scrap pretty well and guilt free...unlike at home where there are many interruptions, and always something else that needs my attention.

The part that I don't like is that I take so much with me...but I would hate to be almost finished and then need something that I forgot...But it makes for new friends when you have your tools and loan them out to others...

Anyway, that's my take on it. I would love to be able to take a weekend and go away like some people do...maybe next spring...but right now, I'm the solitary scrapper in my craft room...with WAY too many swaps pending, and loving every minute of it...

 

[Mickster]

I totally know what you mean! I usually love to go to a crop. If I'm in a creative mood, then I can get a lot done. I really like to see what other people are doing, what colors, what embellishments. You get the idea. I'm not so good at remembering everything. I once went to a crop and forgot my pictures. Not the brightest thing. Anyway, I recommend a crop if you plan ahead. Get your paper and other stuff together ahead of time. Make sure you have adhesive! Now, I always end up bringing too much stuff! Have fun!

 

[Lisa]

I hold a crop once a month which is usually well attended. I generally demonstrate a new technique but honestly, the ladies aren't really interested, they are there to work. Yes, they talk, but it's in spurts, usually around the time we break for lunch.

This past month we only had five women the first hour, the rest of the ladies came later, but the five that were there compared albums. A lot of tips and new ideas were shared during that first hour. It was fun.

Give a crop a try, you may find it spurs on your creativity with some new ideas.

 

[cobbler]

I find I will actually do more at a crop. I just don't work on my books at home as much as I would like to, there is always something that comes up.

I wish there were more crops around that I could attend. My friends and I try to get together but its tough with schedules.

 

[scraptoons]

When I went to a crop as a paying customer, I got TONS done. I also learned great techniques and tips from other croppers. I only talked to others when I was taking a break. I got in an out of way spot so that I was not distracted by traffic and conversation.

As a crop hostess and "consultant", I never got anything done!!!! Even now that I am not a consultant I am interrupted for advice and help. So don't ever sign up, unless you have all the time in the world to crop at home by yourself, AND host crops for others and sell. I found I couldn't do it all, especially when surprise baby #3 came along.

 

[scrapcreator]

A scrapping friend tries to hold a monthly crop in her community room. I don't get to go that often but when I do get to go, I get a lot done! I get even more done when I have some pre-planned idea of what I want to do and I don't pack at the last minute.

At home, I get distracted by - well, you name it, lol!

Jeanne

 

[Kitty347]

I'm a solitary scrapper and don't attend crops. I need quiet to think out my page and envision how it will look. I often get inspired in the middle of a page and change elements, like matting colors, ribbons, embellishments, etc. ( I never glue anything together until I like the look of the page). This means that I need to have all my supplies handy for an quick change. I get inspiration, ideas and new techniques from TV programs, magazines, and scrapbook stores that have great pages on display. In the evening I go on line to many sites I've bookmarked as having great ideas and "galleries" of other scrappers' work. I also subscribe to newsletters from a number of these sites and get layout ideas and updates on new products. I'm lucky because I'm retired and am alone for most of the day. I put things away when I start getting dinner ready for my husband. A new scrapbook store has opened in my area and a friend is urging me to attend a crop with her. I plan on going to a one or two just to see what it's like.

 

[PigletFairy]

I have been to a couple of crops. There are days when I can finish so many pages and there are days when I'll be lucky to finish one I like. I love the way you can take ideas from people or just their input on something. If you get stuck you can just ask for ideas and they will flow. I go to a Creative Memories crop once a month. I really enjoy the company and my consultant is great. She makes sure we are not just chatting but getting stuff done. It helps too that I can use her tools without having to buy some of my own. I have also been to my LSS but the interaction was less. I would try a free crop or a class. Hope you get many pages done

 

[RealMickeysGirl]

It depends on what i need to work on. IF I have already organized my stuff and know what pages I plan to work on and how much I expect to get accomplished at the crop, I can get a lot done - I think I did 10 - 11 pages at the last crop I went to (cropping photos, matting, journaling, adding embellishments, etc.) for the sorority scrapbook - we do one each year as a gift to that year's president.

The crop that I went to before that one, a sorority sister and I spent the entire crop sorting out things for the sorority book and only got 4 calendar pages actually completed.

The next one I am going to - June 3 - I will continue to work on the sorority book and hope to get at least as many done as the last crop I went to - hopefully more. It has a borders theme and i like borders so I will take some time to copy the borders available at the crop.

 

[justjulie]

I have yet to make it to a crop but I understand they are very resourceful. Not only do you get "me" time but you can be inspired by others. Sometimes I just need an idea to scraplift because I sort of know what I want to do but if I see something I like, the lightbulb goes on!

I also like the idea I can use the cut out machines for titles while I'm there. Sometimes I just write down all the titles I need in what colours and spend the time cutting out the letters. I don't have a Cricut or Xyron cutter so I rely on the tools at the crop.

 

[JandJ]

Inspiration or distraction? Both, actually. I haven't been to a crop in at least 2 years but I used to get between 5-10 pages done (photos cropped, embellishments, journaling - I do LOTS of journaling) and sometimes I would "steal" ideas from others, which is always helpful. But sometimes I would just snack and talk. I had to be in the right mood to get work done at a crop. Now I'm pretty solitary and I get a lot done, but I'm going to a couple crops this summer so we'll see.

 

[scrapperjill]

Crops....I LOVE crops. For me...I'm able to get a TON of stuff done at a weekend crop (even a good amount for a all day crop). Inspration or distraction??? I guess you could say it all depends on what moves you. Myself I don't get alot of "inspriation" at the crops...unless you consider my drive to get alot done during the crop as inspriation...but I always get a TON of stuff done. Biggest help is going to the crop prepaired...Having your photos picked and your supplies ready.

I use to be one of those who would pack close to all of my scrap supples/papers and embellishments...but I've found that if I take less...I still get stuff done and I use up more of the supplies that I wouldn't have used if I'd taken it ALL....(You work with what you have)....I've also learned that if I need to add a couple things to a page once I get home...it's alot easer and faster than doing the WHOLE layout at home.

Anyhow.....

One thing I should add is...I'd also consider myself a solitary scrapper and prefer to work alone late at night...But I find that having the crop atmosphere and the other croppers around can really get you moving. At a crop I'll tend to sit off to the end by a wall to have more solitude....and for the most part attend the crops solo...however the times I've taken or gone with a friend I've had a BLAST.

You should at least give it a try and see how it suite you.

 

[isyne4u]

I love crops. I like the chance to actually work on my stuff (my two sons make it difficult for me to get anything done!). I usually go one friday a month with some girlfriends and I usually get quite a bit done. But more than that I get adult interaction, dinner without the children, and a chance to work in peace. I don't find it a distraction at all!!

tara

 

[4greatboys]

I love crops. Its fun chatting while getting my pages done and if you get stuck someone there always has a great idea for your page and vise versa. I really like helping others out with their pages too.

 

[Spinning]

I would have to say it is both for me. If I have to finish something for a gift and I am at a crop I work like crazy and seem to get it done. But if I am just out for the day..well I socialize, shop, eat, look, eat, scrap a little come home totally beat but had a great time.
I do find the more crops I go to the more productive I am. But lately I have only been able to get to one or 2 a year...then to be honest it is social hour for me!

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

My friends and I from church, about 20 of us, rent a beach house that sleeps 20 in Virginia Beach twice a year and we go for a 4 day weekend, and crop all weekend. On average, most of us get approximately 50 pages done in a weekend. It is a great way to get ideas and we have a CM rep. who goes with us and a Stampin Up Rep. who goes too! Go find a crop and give it a try. You might make some new friends and get a bunch done. Happy Croppin!!

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

I'm either REALLY in the mood to scrap or NOT AT ALL.

Since the scraps are scheduled, sometimes I'm in the mood and sometimes not. Sometimes I get a lot done and sometimes nothing.

Sorry - I know that's not much help.