Packing for a Crop or Retreat

[nchoney]

I'm trying to create a list of things to think about when packing for attending a crop or retreat. I know I keep reducing the amount of stuff I pack and bring... so I'm going to eventually turn this list into a checklist so I can use it whenever I go away from home to scrapbook. If there's anything else anyone thinks should be added, please let me know. I used several other lists to compile this one and it was funny to see that every one of them left something out that I considered important. That was most likely because the author of the list thought "no one will forget that" and didn't include "that." I'm sure we all forgot something last week... even though we packed for a month. Or... by packing for a month, we had things we just didn't even use. <- that was definitely me!

This is long... I'll fiddle with spacing later

What to pack for a scrapbooking crop/retreat:

Photos and memorabilia
Patterned paper
Cardstock (include black and white, other colors you may want)
Cutters (paper trimmer, extra blade, scissors, etc.)
Scoring tool (especially if you're making cards or working on projects that require folding)
• A paper trimmer like this offers both options in one tool – Fiskars is a good, solid brand and this cutter has two different blades (like they’ve always offered) … one for cutting and one for scoring:

https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-152490-1 ... B072RSM5NM

Be sure to have spare blades packed:
Set of cutting and scoring blades - https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-01-00155 ... ZKSQFNWKRR

Set of two cutting blades - https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-195960-1 ... ZKSQFNWKRR

Embellishments (stickers, diecuts, flowers, ribbon, Washi tape, enamel dots, letter stickers - aka Thickers, Flair buttons, wood veneer, etc.)
Adhesive of choice (tape runners, ATG tape, ATG gun, liquid glue, foam tape, foam dots, glue dots)
Punches (including Crop-a-dile or Corner rounder)
Die-cutting machine (I will bring a spare Big Shot to re-create, some other retreats also provide some tools)
White gel pen
Black journaling pen (other color pens as needed)
Page protectors
Pencil and eraser
Sand eraser for removing ink smudges
Ruler (or T-ruler)
Stamps (acrylic stamp blocks or stamping platform - Misti, or Tim Holtz, etc.)
Dies
Craft pick (pokey tool)
Tweezers or pick-up tool (for dealing with those tiny bits)
Post-it notes (for making notes of things you want to add to pages once you're back home)
Inkpads (basic black and other colors)
Ink applicators (sponges, brushes, etc.)
Heat tool & embossing powder (if you plan on using them)
Stamp cleaner or baby wipes (those are good for cleaning inky fingers, too)
Page kits (those you've made yourself or purchased kits)
Layout sketches (if you rely on them or if you want inspiration)
Paper towels (if you're going to a crop at a public event)
Trash bag (toss a plastic grocery bag into your supplies - then you can tape it to your table if needed)
Any un-used or gently used supplies you no longer want... for the RAK table (if the crop has one)
Table-top folding shelf (to expand your usable surface)
https://www.amazon.com/mDesign-Decorati ... 5&sr=8-140
or
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DN0IPYQ?ps ... 2_t_img_lh

Don't forget:
Phone and charger
Camera and spare batteries or charger
Earbuds or headset
Chair cushion
Table lamp
Desk fan
Extension cord
Water bottle with a lid (or bottled water or drinks)
Snacks
Medicines (including pain killers - lugging supplies is rough)
Label your tools (so you can re-claim any loaned ones and so someone else doesn't pack yours if it looks just like theirs)

If you'll be carrying heavy items, a rolling cart, like this one, is helpful:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0817 ... UTF8&th=1

Online info about packing:

Here is a video about packing a kit... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IT648puY3E

Here are some webpages about packing - keep in mind the time frame they're talking about (weekend or day-long crop or a week-long retreat)
https://scrapbookingbee.com/scrapbook-retreat/
https://stampedtreasures.com/packing-fo ... etreat-wi/
https://craftwarehouse.com/how-to-prepa ... ing-crop/

Retreats/Crops:

This site is the home of the Virginia Scrapbooking Retreats - not just in Virginia.. but also in Delaware, Maryland, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania
https://www.virginiascrapbookretreats.com/

This is another retreat-planning group with multiple retreats.... not sure about 2022 on this one:
http://www.ncscrapbookretreats.com/home.html

[pamcook]

Very thorough list!

[nchoney]

Just remembered.... I need to add - Do die-cutting software updates and operating system updates on your laptop prior to attending a crop. I watched a lady waste an entire day updating her software because she hadn't used her Cricut since the previous year's crop. That was a pricey waste of a day. And it's just one of those weird things you don't think about ahead of time.

And... fully charge your camera batteries. I went to the Beach Apparatus Drill one specifically to get photos and had to use my phone because ALL my camera batteries needed to be charged up.

[pamcook]

I ordered a collapsible wagon today. I am so over making multiple trips to and from the car. Sure, every year I have delusions of taking less. And I think I am taking less but I’m getting older, too! Plus it has nice fat wheels that will work on the sand. Next year, more time on the beach is on my agenda!

[nchoney]

Yay!! The cart is a huge help!! You're also bringing food, so that's at least one of your trips.

[Keitha]

Looks like a comprehensive list, I haven't followed all the links.
Pam, your idea of a wagon is a good one. Too bad it doesn't go up and down stairs, LOL.
My approach to packing for a crop or retreat is very different, possibly because I've occasionally flown to them. I prefer to pack page kits, which does require some advance prep. If I don't prep in advance I pick a subject to scrap, and as I organize everything by theme I can just grab the one file of paper and dump one drawer of embellishments in an Iris box and I'm set. As for tools, I have a portable tool tote (has a handle) with all my basics, so I don't even have to think about bringing scissors or a ruler or my pokey tool - they're all in the tote, always. Depending on the length of the crop, I will bring spare blades for my trimmer and X-acto, spare adhesive, etc. As for tools like stamps or dies, stencils and mixed media, etc. for just a day or weekend I would just pick one category, not try to bring everything. Which might dictate what pages I want to make, so that decision is made early. If I've done my homework, any dies I need to cut are already done and in my page kits. I also make sure to pack a project that is time-consuming but doesn't require a lot of creative brainpower, if I'm tired or just want busywork but don't feel like scrapping. That might also include a stitching project.

[pbp908]

I haven't been to a crop in so long that I'd be lost.

Page kits are a great idea, but I'm not that organized. I change my mind so many times during a LO that I'm not sure if it would work for me. And you guys have seen how Bonnie and I pack! We're basically a rolling scrapbook store.

I think the best packing we did and didn't over do what we took was when we drove the smaller cars. I only brought 2 rolling totes and was much better organized, even though I still ended up "shopping" other people's stash.

All I can say at this point is thank goodness there were always elevators or the crop room was on the ground floor. I don't know how you guys schlepped all of your supplies up stairs!

[pamcook]

Yes - the stairs are brutal! Thank goodness for houses with elevators - especially when they work.

[nchoney]

yep... we switched to a house with an elevator a few years ago... makes ALL the difference in the world.

And... Pam C and I both packed page kits or theme kits... I just carried too many into the house.. and she didn't make enough. LOL

I don't go to enough crops to have a tool tote for just that... I use those tools in my craft room too.. and any new folks wouldn't have duplicates, either. I'm hoping this list will be comprehensive enough to help new scrappers bring what they need... and seasoned scrappers to not bring what they don't need. I had my Silhouette and laptop last year and decided I didn't want to bring either of those (even though I only live a half mile away) ... so I made sure to cut all the cutfiles I thought I "might" want to put on a layout.

When I went to a 4-day crop at a hotel, I did more layouts than I finished this past week... but we didn't have our special projects to do... and we didn't do much socializing. So... keeping in mind what kind of crop you're going to - will help you judge how much you can accomplish.

[Keitha]

The tool tote I carry is the one that lives on my table permanently, it just happens to be a portable variety with a handle. recently I thought about replacing it with something else as I rarely crop elsewhere anymore, but nothing I looked at suited me as well.
What new crafters are you inviting next year?

[nchoney]

No one in particular at this time... but we'd like to have more than just 6 or 7 of us so we're on the lookout for crafting friends who may want to join the group. That will help bring the per-person price down, too.

[pamcook]

The tool tote I carry is the one that lives on my table permanently, it just happens to be a portable variety with a handle. recently I thought about replacing it with something else as I rarely crop elsewhere anymore, but nothing I looked at suited me as well.
What new crafters are you inviting next year?

I ended up leaving my tool tote at home this year. Surprisingly didn’t miss it. My rolling tote has two zipper pouches in it. Everything I normally put in the tool tote fit just fine in them. They are removable but I kept my tote close by. As I make page kits next year, I’m going to try to stick my title letters on waxed paper rather than bring the whole packages. That will save me several inches in a tote! Every little bit of pre-planning helps quite a bit.

[BekiWard@msn.com]

I just happened to think of personal items, particularly for re(create), when the weather permits: hat/visor (which I forgot this year); sunscreen and after sun lotion. The first year we went to Hatteras, I forgot sunscreen; now it’s always in my bag!

[Keitha]

...I’m going to try to stick my title letters on waxed paper rather than bring the whole packages. That will save me several inches in a tote! Every little bit of pre-planning helps quite a bit.

Pam, that's a really smart idea, if you know what your title will be. Even if you just do it for Thickers. I keep seeing people use the Simple Stories thin alpha stickers that come in the books; they say they're really thin, but they do look good on a page. Next time I see some in a store - will stores ever open up again here? - I'm going to buy some.

[pamcook]

I'm not a fan of the thin letter stickers - they look fine online but on my pages, not so much. Maybe my eyes just expect the dimension?

When it comes to page titles, I don't honestly give them much thought. I search through my stash for words that can be used and when that fails, I use letters. I might be kidding myself but I think it's going to work.