What do I need to take to a crop at my LSS (local scrapbook store)?  This is a dilemma often posed by scrapbookers and frequently asked on message boards.  I, for one, can never really give any good advice to this question because I usually don’t attend crops.  Not because I don’t want to, but because I’m not a planner.  I never know what I’m going to use on a page until I sit down to do it.  So, I asked some of the girls on a design team whom I know go to crops how they prepare for them.

   Colleen Fennessey likes to have a tote ready that has her duplicate supplies packed in it just for crops.  This saves her time having to pack before she goes.  She also mentions to take into consideration the tools and supplies the crop will already have there for you to use.  She and her crop buddies always have a plan to bring certain tools so they don’t duplicate and they can all share, such as one person brings the Crop-a-dile and someone else brings the QuicKutz.

   Carmen Lovell pre-plans her pages with pictures, paper and embellishments and puts them all in one Cropper Hopper page kit holder.  She also found some portable storage that she can put some handfuls of Primas in so that she doesn’t have to haul every glass jar with her.

   Liz Goldhawk keeps her All My Memories tote on her scrap table that she stores her every day use items in such as inks, acrylic blocks, scissors, extra adhesive runner and pens so that when she gets ready for a crop, all she has to do is grab her trimmer, her essential PSX Antique stamps, a few sets of acrylic stamps, her small photo organization box and the paper tote with her CB kits and she’s ready to go!

   So when preparing for a crop, think simple yet efficient! Better yet, pair up with a buddy who is going and have her bring some goodies you don’t have and vice versa! There are so many great totes and carriers on the market, search for one that matches your needs & style, and get packing!