What exactly is a Crop at a local Scrapbook store?

[katyblue04]

Hello!

I go to a nearby Scrapbook Island store every once in a while to pick up some goodies, and I joined the mailing list. I just got an email that said this:


Are you ready to scrapbook your summer photos...or maybe catch up after taking the summer off? Well, now is the time. Call your friends, or make some new ones, at our All Day Mega Crop on Saturday, 9/22 from 10am-11pm. Settle in, spread out and enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in our large crop space for only $41.50! Hostess: Debbie Vaccaro. Sign up soon as space is limited! Doors open at 10am in the large crop space across the breezeway. Cancellations must be made by Wed., Sept. 19 to receive a refund.

I've never been to a crop before, but I picture a bunch of people sitting around and working on their scrapbooks...is that what it's all about? Has anyone done an all day crop at a store like that? Do you have to provide your own supplies? Is there any instruction? What would be expected of me?

I guess my real question would be, is this worth attending? I wouldn't know anyone there, and I would assume everyone else is a "regular." I've made a couple of scrapbooks, and have a few more in mind that I've slowly been collecting supplies for. The idea of hanging out all day with new people who like to scrapbook and being fed does sound appealing!

Any input is geatly appreciated!!

-Katy

 

[lovetoscrap]

Oooooo, I love going to crops! In fact that is about the only time I ever get any scrapbooking done. Conversely, sometimes I go and get NO scrapbooking done

They give you a space to spread out your stuff. You need to bring your materials, especially all your disposable items like glue, paper etc... and your scissors and other items you use regularly. Since it is a store they often will give you access to items they have like a die cut machine (with your own paper), punches, special cutters etc...

I love being at a store because if I need an item I can just get up and get it--like a special embellishment or color of paper. Where I used to go they just ran a tab for us all day.

But the best part is meeting new people, seeing what they are working on, looking at their albums, getting input on things you might be stuck on etc... That is why I say sometimes I get nothing done. I have sometimes spent the entire time chatting and looking at other albums and really not done much of my own work. Other times I have done 20+ pages in just a few hours.

Sometimes there are groups that have been to a particular store crop forever and have their own "clique", it just depends on the place and the people. Usually I see a group of regulars and then a few individuals. I have been to some where no one talked to me, and some where I there were very welcoming of newcomers.

Sometimes a crop will also have classes but usually they list that on the description. But also often you will see someone doing something new and if you ask they will be happy to show you how to do it. I have seen, and given, lots of mini demos that way.

It is nice to just get away, have someone take care of lunch, have space to spread out in, new tools to use, access to materials if you need them, and time to work with out the pressures of home like the phone, laundry, etc..

I say go for it! If you really enjoy it then you will find out about weekend getaway--the ultimate in fun!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Crops are awesome!!!!

I go to them all the time, or at least when DH says ok. I bring all my supplies and pre kit my pages. I get all my paper, embellishments and pics together before hand ( I get more done this way). Then away I go. I get more done at my crops then I do for the rest of the month.

 

[LindaBabe]

If you want to actually accomplish something at the crop, I suggest making page kits - that is for each one, select a few photos, put in a page protector with the cardstock, paper,embellishments, maybe a sketch you want to use to do the page, and a stickynote listing journalling ideas, special tools needed (like a square punch, for example, or your eyelet setter) and anything that you need to acquire to do the page.

I usually do double page spreads so I put the stuff for both pages together in the protector. I usually plan 30 kits for a 12 hour crop, although I never finish that many.

I usually select all my photos first and divy them out among pages, then next time I get out my papers and select all those and so forth, piling the finished kits into a papertaker or two gallon ziplock.

Then, you're going to want your basic tool kit and any tools you've listed on your sticky notes. Some people bring everything but the kitchen sink. I prefer to plan ahead and lug less. You don't always get a lot of room. If you have a rolling tote, pack all stuff all in there. It can sit by your chair and be useful as an extra shelf.

I like to bring a bag of small wrapped chocolates to share - makes a great ice breaker.

 

[123SA]

$41.50????? That is super expensive compared to my LSS. Crops are a lot of fun. None of my friends scrap, so crops are my only time to talk to other scrappers and see what techniques and tools others are using. I definitely recommend going to at least one.

 

[vanyel]

If you want to actually accomplish something at the crop, I suggest making page kits - that is for each one, select a few photos, put in a page protector with the cardstock, paper,embellishments, maybe a sketch you want to use to do the page, and a stickynote listing journalling ideas, special tools needed (like a square punch, for example, or your eyelet setter) and anything that you need to acquire to do the page.

I usually do double page spreads so I put the stuff for both pages together in the protector. I usually plan 30 kits for a 12 hour crop, although I never finish that many.

I usually select all my photos first and divy them out among pages, then next time I get out my papers and select all those and so forth, piling the finished kits into a papertaker or two gallon ziplock.

Then, you're going to want your basic tool kit and any tools you've listed on your sticky notes. Some people bring everything but the kitchen sink. I prefer to plan ahead and lug less. You don't always get a lot of room. If you have a rolling tote, pack all stuff all in there. It can sit by your chair and be useful as an extra shelf.

I like to bring a bag of small wrapped chocolates to share - makes a great ice breaker.

I've never been to a crop but as it seems to me that making page kits could also be a great way to organize and accomplish at home. I always feel like I'm all over the place when I scrap. I just started using project boxes but I like this idea better.

 

[ddavis860]

I would love to go to more crops. I haven't been able to go because they are usually when I have to work.

I did go at CKC, and took a swap with me to work on. One lady was doing her xmas cards, lots of others were working on pages.

I would say, even if there are cliques, scrappers tend to be a friendly bunch...and you always learn something from going where others are scrapping. So get some page kits together, and go have fun and enjoy being away from the stuff at your house that always calls to you when you want to do crafty things (like kids, laundry, fixing dinner, homework, DH, pets, phone, DISing... ykwim?)

 

[DisneyJan]

Some people bring everything but the kitchen sink.

This is why I have not attended a crop yet. I have seen people walking in with THREE rolling carts. I have a nice set up at home, LOTS of space, etc. so I did not think a crop was for me but this thread has me thinking that I would get a lot more done. Thanks everyone for the tips. I really like the idea of page kits. Any more tips?

 

[lovetoscrap]

$41.50????? That is super expensive compared to my LSS. Crops are a lot of fun. None of my friends scrap, so crops are my only time to talk to other scrappers and see what techniques and tools others are using. I definitely recommend going to at least one.

I thought it seemed like a lot also, but it does include Breakfast, lunch and dinner plus snacks so it seems reasonable. I usually pay about $10 for a bare bones crop where I just get a space and have to bring a snack to share, and ones that include lunch are usually $15-20 so that price doesn't seem out of line.


One of the coolest things about crops is getting to see and use tools that you don't have. I sometimes go knowing that the shop or others have die cuts that I need and will just spend hours using them for various pages--particularly if I know I want lettering cut out for pages. I have also borrowed tools from others that I was thinking about buying and decided that that they weren't for me-- or confirmed that I couldn't live without it. So think of the crop money as an investment in product research! I have also been known to sell things that I bought and then decided I really didn't like

They really are a lot of fun, and depending on your personality/shyness level you can usually just jump right in. In real life I am just like I am here--I show up and start chatting so I usually have no problems making a few friends. Some are shyer and just like to sit back and watch. I have also tried to talk to some that are there, only to realize they are only there to work--no socializing. You figure it out pretty quick!

 

[LindaBabe]

I would call $41.50 for three meals and snacks and cropping space (and probably door prizes or contests or goodie bags) very reasonable. At this point, I just wish I had a place to go crop AT. (our LSS closed the end of May. I'm still in mourning!)