With the NJ Crop Weekends Winter Crop 2013 just 2 weeks away, I am in full swing prep mode. I want to make sure I have everything I need for a fun, productive weekend without bringing everything from my crop room. I know your shaking your head right now in agreement – you bring everything to a crop don’t you?? When I first started going to crops I’d bring everything I own. I think most people do. They bring in a full car load of stuff and really maybe use 20% of it (and that is being generous). I know why we bring all those supplies – because it’s easier. With how hectic life is the assumption is that it is just easier to bring everything.
But bringing all that stuff just isn’t practical. And I found it to be inefficient as well. I wasn’t getting as much done as I hoped because I was spending too much time searching and looking for what I needed. I found this process to work for me. I hope you find it helpful too!
This is a 6 step process and yes it takes a little time and preplanning but in the end it’s worth it. Will you still over pack? I bet you will take some extra stuff, but it would be less than if you brought everything and just like everything else, the more you use this process the better you will get at it.
Ok so I’m going to give you the highlights here. And at the end of this post is a link to my Ezine Article that has all the details.
Step 1: About 6 weeks from the crop date – plan a cropping to do list
This list is a rough draft list of projects, scrapbook layouts, cards, etc you would like to work on such as your son’s baby book or your sister’s birthday invitations. Just jot down anything you would like to do while at the crop. You may want to purchase a simple notebook to jot down your ideas, etc.
Step 2: about 4 weeks from crop date: narrow down your project list
Narrow down your list from Step 1 to what you think you can realistically get done while at the event.
Step 3: about 3-4 weeks from crop date: start planning out your projects
Ok this is the hardest step because you need to stop yourself from crafting. There is no scrapping in this step but planning only. By planning out your projects now, you will be able to scrapbook and craft more efficiently while at the scrapbooking crop event. This step is really the key to the entire process. And because it is so important I am going to give you the details from my Ezine Article.
Take your time with this step. Think about the projects on your “to do” list from step 2. Sketch out your projects. Think about the papers, photos, and embellishments you would like to use. Consider if you will type or handwrite your journaling. Once you have a rough game plan for your projects then:
- Order any reprints or enlargements that you may need
- Order/purchase any supplies that you need such as paper, embellishments, extra adhesive, etc
Step 4: about 10 days from crop date: create project kits
After planning all of the projects on the “to do” list and purchasing any supplies that you need the next step is to create a project kit for each item on your “to do” list. Gather all of the items needed for a given project (paper, photos, and embellishments) and put them together.
Step 5: the days leading up to the crop date: the finishing touches
Continue to put your project kits together. If you do a little bit here and there you won’t be scrambling at the last minute to pack everything.
Step 6: the day before the crop: packing
It’s finally here – the crop is tomorrow and it’s time to pack! Whooo hooo! Here’s one of my YouTube Videos. This one shows how I typically pack for a scrapbooking weekend. You will see my project kits and how I pack. For this particular crop I did bring some extra items because I was teaching a class but whenever possible I try not to bring my punches, dies, and die cutting cartridges. And as you know those items take up a lot of room so my advice is don’t bring them unless you absolutelty need to.
Thanks for sticking with me to the end! Here is the link for the Ezine Article: How to Have a Productive Scrapbooking Crop Weekend – a Six Step Check List
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