How to Prepare for a Scrapbooking Crop

Whether you're attending one at a store or another crafter's house, a scrapbooking crop is a great way to work on your family's albums and catch up with your friends at the same time. Make the most of the time you've got by learning to prepare your materials, tools and page ideas before you arrive.

Instructions

1. Pack a single scrapbooking tote bag to take to the crop. Although you think you'll have more options if you take every tool, pen and accent in your stash, you'll actually waste time sifting through your bags to find what you need. Get one bag with enough compartments to organize only essential page materials and tools.

2. Gather materials the day before the crop and prepare page kits so you'll be ready to scrapbook as soon as you arrive. Place photos, cardstock, paper, accents and journaling notes into page protectors and slip the kits into your tote with necessities like a paper trimmer, adhesives and pens.

3. Work on simple projects like handmade cards or a mini album if you tend to spend most of the time at crops socializing. Just pack an assortment of blank cards, paper scraps and simple accents like rubber stamps and ink, stickers and die cuts.

4. Find out what tools the scrapbooking store will have on hand that you can borrow. You may be able to pack lighter by using their paper punches, personal die cut machine and tabletop paper trimmer, for example. You can also coordinate with friends to share tools.

5. Organize mini workshops where you and your friends demonstrate new techniques to one another. Set aside time during the crop to practice altering accents, rubber stamping with different inks and distressing photos, for example.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid bringing expensive tools to a crop at a scrapbook store. Shoplifters and even fellow croppers may enter the crop area and steal items while you're browsing in the store or going to the restroom.