What should I expect in a crop?

[mrs_hower726]

I'm fairly new to scrapbooking and saw a flyer for a crop that takes place monthly in NE PA where my DH grew up. It is a 12 hour deal where the registration fee is $30 and includes meals, snacks, and space to scrapbook. What should I expect? It seems like 12 hours is a LONG time to be scrapping but it would be great to pick up some pointers and actually finish my wedding scrapbook (I've only been married 4 1/4 years! ) and start on the scrapbooks from our visit to WDW this past May. The goal is to have the disney scrapbooks done before we go back Christmas 2009.

So what should I expect in one of these crops?

Thanks in advance!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

well it depends on the place, some do prizes for the most pages completed, some do drawings and hourly prizes. Some do nothing but give you the space.

12 hours is great to scrap! I love it!! A bunch of us go to WDW every year to scrap for 3 days. You will get a ton done.

I would go with planned projects, the wedding and Disney is good. It will keep you on task and you will get a lot done.

I kit all my layouts, I gather pics paper and embellishments for each layout and bag them in 2 1/2 gallon ziploc bags. Round up all the tools you use daily and put those in a tote.

And if you don't want to be bothered or need background noise to scrap, I suggest bringing headphones and a CD player/iPod/MP3 etc.

 

[LindaBabe]

12 hours is a little long for this old lady, but you young uns should be able to handle it fine! Take bottled water and keep hydrated! Likewise, asprin, tissues, handwipes.

Plan your pages before you go and make page kits. For example - your wedding - divide your photos prewedding - ceremony - reception - then think about the "story" for each segment. That will give you a rough idea of the pages - ie. any showers, rehearsal dinner, getting dressed, at the hairdresser, whatever. put each set into a page protector or big ziplock along with whatever paper, embellies etc. for that page. For a 12 hour crop, I'd make at least 20-30 page kits. You'll get more done than you think, if you plan well.

Then, plan your tool bag - don't take too much stuff - if you're working on wedding, you don't need your disney stuff. I have a short crop list - sharp scissors, paper trimmer, adhesives both wet and dry, paper piercer & mat, container of brads /ribbon in relevant colors (NOT every one I own), black, gold and silver gel pens, big square punch (which I used to crop my photos.) pencil. ruler.

I've seen people take their XXXXL bag and another bag on top and another bag on top of that. They seem to spend more time fiddling with their stuff than making pages! imo, planning is KEY!

Have fun!

 

[Disney Ontario]

hi. These hints are helpful for me also, but I am going to an all weekend crop @ Circle Square Ranch here in Ontario. All meals, prizes, shopping, dorm rooms-4 to a room plus washroom and best of all- in my pjs. From Fri @ 4 till Sun afternoon. I have no clue what to take but my shopping and packing list keeps getting longer, thank got I have till Nov.14

 

[rlovew]

Planning is the key- I had all my pages ready to go at our Disney crop and completed 125 pages in 3 days.

I put each set of photos with the background paper, matting paper, and embellishments as described above and then i just kept working.

Rebecca

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

and don't over pack, you can get overwhelmed with stuff.

Bring a notebook and pencil to jot things down if you forget something at home.

 

[mrs_hower726]

well it depends on the place, some do prizes for the most pages completed, some do drawings and hourly prizes. Some do nothing but give you the space..

It says on the flyer that they do prizes and giveaways as well as free make and takes (i'm not quite sure what that means) and vendors will be available for shopping.

My wedding was Disney-themed so combining tools and stuff for both scrapbooks shouldn't be a problem...I recently purchased the Cricut machine...should I think about bringing that or leave that at home?

I think the goal for me if I did do this is to get at least 12 pages done. Right now the going rate is an hour per page. That might be less though without the cat interruptions and I would get to know some other people who share this hobby, none of my friends are interested.

Thanks for all the info! Now to convince DH that spending 12 hours with his parents is a good investment of a Saturday...

 

[Bikergranny]

Like the ladies have said, they are all different and it depends on who's hosting it. If it's being hosted by a CM consultant, it's likely to be similar to those I've gone to in the past. I just attended an 'all day' (9 hour) crop last weekend, and might be attending another one (hosted by a wonderful scrapbooking store about an hour from my house) this weekend.

The CM consultants usually have all their supplies there for folks to use (punches, cutters, tearing tools, etc), along with any products they are selling. They do hourly drawings for door prizes, they offer periodic Demos and "Make and Take" projects, etc.

Plus, it's a great way to meet new friends who share the scrapbooking bug, and you can get some wonderful ideas by walking around and looking at other people's layouts. I took a couple of pics with my cell phone at the last crop (I asked the ladies if they minded, of course...but they were "honored" that I liked their layouts enough to photograph them).

I'm sure you'll have a great time...be sure to tell us all about it when you get home!

 

[rlovew]

My suggestion is to leave the cricut home- if you have something ou need for a page cut it out ahead of time. Many crop have tools you can use there (check your flyer and see).

A Make and take is a demonstration of how to do something using a product (the point is to teach you to use it and convince you to buy it). I enjoy them especially when they are free because I learn something new and get a little project. Sometimes the things they use are added to my wishlist.

Rebecca

 

[nikkistevej]

I would definately get pictures organized with backgrounds, maybe layout ideas, and embellishments- just make kits for each layout. I went on a scrapbook cruise, and there was limited packing, and that is what I did. It made things easier. Enjoy your crop!!

 

[mrs_hower726]

My suggestion is to leave the cricut home- if you have something ou need for a page cut it out ahead of time. Many crop have tools you can use there (check your flyer and see).

A Make and take is a demonstration of how to do something using a product (the point is to teach you to use it and convince you to buy it). I enjoy them especially when they are free because I learn something new and get a little project. Sometimes the things they use are added to my wishlist.

Rebecca

The flyer doesn't say anything about it but it sounds easier not to take it. A make and take sounds fun, I could use any ideas.

Ok, A few of you have mentioned a CM consultant. Forgive my ignorance, what is a CM?

 

[Bikergranny]

The flyer doesn't say anything about it but it sounds easier not to take it. A make and take sounds fun, I could use any ideas.

Ok, A few of you have mentioned a CM consultant. Forgive my ignorance, what is a CM?

Oops, sorry. CM = Creative Memories

If you don't already know of someone, you can go to their website, and look for a consultant near you. It's great to get hooked up with one because they usually have monthly crops/workshops to keep you 'motivated'.

Go to www.creativememories.com and click on Find a Consultant, I think it's somewhere near the very top of the page.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I would definately get pictures organized with backgrounds, maybe layout ideas, and embellishments- just make kits for each layout. I went on a scrapbook cruise, and there was limited packing, and that is what I did. It made things easier. Enjoy your crop!!

Can I just say how jealous I am!!!! I wanna go on a scrap cruise!!!!!

Maybe we can talk the people at SDV into booking a Disney cruise ship for a scrap retreat!!!

 

[nikkistevej]

Can I just say how jealous I am!!!! I wanna go on a scrap cruise!!!!!

Maybe we can talk the people at SDV into booking a Disney cruise ship for a scrap retreat!!!

It was so awesome!!! I don't think I would go on a Disney scrapbook cruise- too much to do!! The one I went on was an older ship Grandeur of the Seas- my sister and I went(without kids and husbands), it was sponsored from the local scrapbook store(150 scrapbookers went, plus some of their families), and the port it left from was 20 minutes from my house!! It went to Bermuda- 5 days, in November- too cold for the pool really. It was the best time!!! We had 2 conference rooms- and we could leave our stuff out- as the rooms got locked if no one was in there. We would scrapbook until 4 in the morning!!!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

OMGoodness, I really need a scrap cruise. I know Creating Keepsakes did one to the Mediterranean, I would want to bring my kids for the Med part but I'd rather be with friends for the scrap part. Decisions decisions! LOL

 

[UP Disney]

How long does it take you to put the "kits" together? Once again, I put things off until the last minute and I have less than a week to get prepared.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

It should only take a few days of your pictures are printed.
I gather all the pics first for layouts, that doesn't take to long. Sort them into layouts, I typically do 2 pages at a time.

Then find my paper and embellishments, sometimes I do the embellies first then find the paper that matches those. Cardstock and patterned paper. Then stack everything in ziploc bags or the Creative Memories power layout box. When I kit my pics and embellies go on top and the paper on the bottom, the paper acts as the divider for the next set.

then I pack a bead container for doodads like eyelets, brads, and buttons. I never know if I'm going to use those until the last minute.

 

[ilovemickeymost]

I kit all my layouts, I gather pics paper and embellishments for each layout and bag them in 2 1/2 gallon ziploc bags. Round up all the tools you use daily and put those in a tote. .

Where do you get them? I can't find them around here. I was always looking for the measurements 12x12 etc, so glad to finally know that they are 2 1/2 gallon might make it easier to find. I've just started doing this, sorta...but, didn't have the bags, so it made it kinda difficult. I keep all the albulm boxes I get & use those to store my projects in. It goes so much faster.

 

[ilovemickeymost]

It says on the flyer that they do prizes and giveaways as well as free make and takes (i'm not quite sure what that means) I would get to know some other people who share this hobby, none of my friends are interested. :

When i started going to crops I didn't know anyone, so I just started talking to people. I've only had 1x that the ladies were in their little circles & weren't interested in talking to an outsider. All the other times, I've met nothing but extremly nice people. And especialy if you tell them this is your 1st crop, they will be all the more nice. make & take is a small class that teaches you a technique. You do a card or book mark or something you can use in your albulm. Biggest piece of advice, leave your wallet in your car. LOL I always spend a bunch b/c I love to shop for scrap stuff & when I need a break from scrapping, I go visit the vendors. have a great time.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Where do you get them? I can't find them around here. I was always looking for the measurements 12x12 etc, so glad to finally know that they are 2 1/2 gallon might make it easier to find. I've just started doing this, sorta...but, didn't have the bags, so it made it kinda difficult. I keep all the albulm boxes I get & use those to store my projects in. It goes so much faster.

Walmart and Target mostly. Sometimes the grocery store has them too. They are by Hefty and I think it's a red or reddish orange box.

Other people will ask their local pizza place for a clean pizza box.