What's a 'Crop' and What do I Bring???

I remember asking that very question. I had no idea what a 'crop' was.  I knew what the word crop meant, but how did it pertain to Scrapbooking? 

First things first 

Crop --  

• (noun) 1. A scrapbooking party hosted by an expert who shares techniques, products and information with the group.  

• (verb) 2. To cut or trim a photograph, to highlight a certain area, or cut out unwanted activity, or simply changing the photograph's shape.  

So with that out of the way,

What do I bring to a Crop?

No!

As recommended by Michaels craft store, your basic Scrapbooking kit includes:

• a good paper trimmer
• scissors
• liquid glue
• dry adhesives
• Craft knife
• Fine line Marker 
• adhesive remover

That's it.  And now for the extras...

A crop is a wonderful opportunity to socialize; think of it as a 'sewing circle for scrapbookers'.

To have a successful crop you need to plan ahead.  The more you prepare at home, the more fun you will have at the crop.  

Decide ahead of time:

• What photos you want to work with
• What papers you will use
• What embellishments you will use
• Make sure you have all your information about your photos and if you are going to journal, either make notes or write out what you want to say and attach it to the back of the photo(s) with a sticky note.

Place each 'page' in a 'baggie' - i.e. put the papers, embellishments and photos you have selected together in one bag.

You may be able to find out ahead of time what the specific challenges and contests will be, and plan for those too.

The next thing you want to consider is:

• Which stamps, inks, sprays, and/or paints you might want to use
• Markers, punches, coloured pencils
• Any 'fancy' scissors ( like Fiskars)
• Will you want to emboss your papers? Do you want to bring your Cuttlebug or Sizzix? 

I have seen croppers bring Cricuts, full-size sewing machines --- you name it! 

I would think that you could 'leave that fancy stuff' for later when you return home.

Having access to electrical outlets is always limited and may not be possible or be very inconvenient.

Some croppers bring huge 'storage towers' to house all their ink pads, stamps, embossing powders, gadgets...  That says to me that they didn't plan ahead as well as they could have. They need to use 'dollies' to transport all their stuff from their car to the crop room. They have A LOT of stuff!

Important things to pack:

• wet wipes
• bottled water or juices - keep hydrated
• lipstick, gloss or Chapstick - rooms tend to be really dry
• a snack/meal if you will be there all day
• snacks to share (optional, of course) - always nice and a great way to make friends!! :)
• use a bag on wheels
• leave your purse at home - carry your cash and a credit card on you. If you get a 'badge' for the crop to wear around your neck you can put your cash/credit card in there. 

I think that's it.  Please add your own tips and I will update the post.

I hope this helps

~Roberta

Decorables

Guest appearance on Cynchronicity Live

Thank you to Cyn Gagen for having me on her show again! As usual I had a wonderful time. I shared a great project that I found on the Michaels website.  Here is the link to watch the replay:

Roberta on Cynchronicity Live March 7

This is the Michael's project I based my demonstration on.


I showed several ways to adapt this flower: for school children, medium skills and more advanced skills. 


Please watch the show for all the details:)


Thank you for stopping by,
~Roberta
Decorables

My Birthday Wish

Another year has come around and I guess that means in a little over one week I will be one year older.  Funny how I don't feel any older but according to the calendar I have, in fact, aged one year.   

4 yrs old

Birthday Party list for my 7th birthday

13th Birthday

33rd Birthday

I look forward to my birthday.  There was a period in my life when I didn't, but one of my therapists (years ago) strongly suggested that I learn how to CELEBRATE MYSELF! (What a novel concept!)


It was an odd concept, but it was a very wise suggestion.  I believe it was about ten years ago and I was rather depressed and I certainly did not want to acknowledge my upcoming birthday.  She actually commanded me to "'go forth and celebrate'!"
This is what she 'made' me do.  I had to go out on my birthday and run my usual errands, but the catch was that I had to TELL every person I came in contact with, that it was my birthday.


Of course I thought she was nuttier than a fruit cake, but she had never lead me astray and I knew she was right.  My first stop was a local bagel store where you get a free dozen bagels on your birthday. It was not hard at all to tell them about my special day because I HAD to, or I wouldn't get my precious free bagels.
During the next few hours I stopped at the drugstore, the bank, a speciality food store and a clothing store.  I entered each place and proclaimed, "Hi! I'm Roberta and today is my birthday"!


Each and every time I was showered with 'Happy Birthday' and 'How wonderful' and twice I heard, 'Well, if it's your birthday you deserve something special'! Unfortunately that didn't happen at the bank! :) 


It was such a wonderful day! Everyone smiled and sincerely wished me a happy birthday.  I smiled.  I felt happy and realized that I deserved to celebrate 'me'.  I mattered.  If I didn't 'love me' then no one could truly love me. 

I learned a lot in that first half century of my life. 

I love the wisdom I have acquired and the insight and self-awareness I now posses. 
I learned that I have a finite amount of energy and I need to wisely choose how I want to expend it. 
I learned how to 'pick my battles' and not sweat the small stuff.  
I have learned to ask myself, 'Is this really important?', or "If this was my last day on earth, is THIS how I would want to be spending/wasting my time?"
I know that I have 'made a difference' in the world and that I matter.

50th Birthday

I believe I learned 'the meaning of life' and this gives me great peace and comfort.

So, I have a wish. 

My wish is that when YOUR birthday comes around that you celebrate YOU! Please do this because it's the best gift you could give yourself.  Please let me know how wonderful your day was. 

~Roberta

The Best Exercise Ever!

"There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up."      

~ Unknown    

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

~Roberta :)

Scrapbooking 101 - Learn How to Scrap

I am loving the Spotted Canary School course I am teaching. My students are wonderful and I really look forward to teaching them.

I know there are many of you who have been scrapbooking, card-making and crafting for years, but what I think really sets the Spotted Canary School program apart from others is that although it is promoted as 'Learn how to Scrapbook', it is a fantastic course laying out the basic fundamentals for every craft.
When I looked over the training course outline before I started my certification, my initial response was, 'Oh boy - I am going to be SO bored. I already KNOW all of this.'
I couldn't have been more wrong.

Although we have been 'crafting for years' many of us never learned 'the basics'. Some of us have, but we tend to forget many things or fall into certain habits.

What does SCS teach (in a very fun way, too)?
Organizational skills
Planning
Understanding elements of design
The right tools for the job
Colour Theory
Setting Mood, focal point, flow..
Writing
Journalling
Pen techniques
Prompts
Photography basics
Time-saving tips
...and more

For only $25 for 8 hours of instruction it is the best value of any course I know of. The classes are 2 hours each week for 4 weeks.

I teach at Michaels Markham, Ontario (Hwy 7 and Woodbine Ave) and I have many classes scheduled through the end of May - Scrapbooking AND paper crafts.

CHECK OUT THE CLASS SCHEDULE

Please email me at michaelsinstructor@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Thank you for stopping by,
~Roberta
Decorables