At the Crop...

is where Theresa and I were yesterday!

The lone "true" scrapbook store we have left

in Myrtle Beach

about an 1 1/2 hr. drive

give or take!

I prepped 4 "kits" to do while we were there

and ran out!

So I bought another layout kit

and finished it

with time to spare!
Let me tell ya---

preparing "kits" to take with you to a crop

REALLY maximizes what you are able to accomplish!

How'd I do it?

I first selected the photos I wanted to crop--

this was easy as I have organized the photos into groups

in ziplock bags

with an index card noting the details...

Once I pulled out the baggies of the pics I wanted to work with

I went to the paper and embellishment stash I have

just for this project

(my goddaughters scrapbook--she's going to be 12...

i am behind...but jumping in anyway!)

and put those with the pics.

Then I did whatever stamping, cutting, etc. had to be done

along with taking a photo of the layout so I would remember what I planned to do in the first place---!---

and put all that in the 13x13 ziplock bags CTMH has

(I LOVE THESE BAGS--just for this reasoN!)

Then yesterday

all I did was pull out a bag, assemble my layout,

put it in a page protector and presto!

I was done!

I went to the crop with one book--

and came home with two!

Ok--

I confess...

I didn't get THAT much done--

(about 3 layouts and a few single pages as well...not too shabby!!!)

we got to the crop early-she hadn't opened yet

so we hit Michaels

and with my 40% off coupon

I got another scrapbook

as the first one was overflowing

(ah-hmmm...Theresa blames my addiction to pop dots!)

and so I  broke out the pages into the two books...

(and that will even change as I finish scrapping the photos I have!)

I am getting close---so close---

to being caught up!

I can't wait!

I think maybe I will take her and her mom out for tea at our tea room

and surprise her with the books.

For now, she (they) get to just look---

when I die-they become hers!

I promise photos tomorrow

of some of my handiwork!

For today, I hope the "tips" on how to prepare for a crop helped.

It also cut down on the tons of STUFF I had to SCHLEP to the crop! ; )

Now--it's off to work-

at least my boss is on vacation!!!

Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping!