Prepping for a Crop Weekend

I had plans to write a witty entry tonight, full of all the wonderful things I've learned about getting ready for my latest weekend crop.

I've learned that I have TOO. MUCH. STUFF. LOL

Let me back up a bit... I don't have a craft room or any sort of dedicated craft space at home. Yet. (I have a plan. Honest.) Right now, I have piles of stuff that occasionally reach out and tug at me, saying "Organize us so you can USE us, Human!" Every now and then, I pack the piles of stuff into my car and drive them to a hotel for a weekend event. Because the stuff isn't well-organized at home, it takes me forever to figure out what needs to go and what needs to stay, and to get it all packed into the car. I then drive to the event tired, sweaty, and cranky/frustrated with myself.

When I get to the event, I schlep all the stuff to my table and spend way too much time trying to organize it so it can be used. Eventually, I get around to playing with all my fun things, but it takes awhile for me to get to that point.

Knowing I was going to It's a Diva Crop this weekend, I was determined that things would be DIFFERENT this time! At the beginning of the month, I made a little calendar and decided I'd do a little something every day--just 10 or 15 minutes--to prepare for the weekend. For the most part, I've kept to my schedule. This past Monday was Labor Day, a holiday from my day job, so I got quite a bit accomplished. I even started schlepping stuff out to the car on Monday. And here I am, just about 12 hours from the time I hope to leave for the crop (it opens at 12 noon on Friday), and I still have a lot to do. I'm miles ahead of where I usually am at this point in the game, but not as far along as I'd hoped.

I searched for YouTube videos on preparing/packing for crops. I'm impressed with a few of the women who really seem to have really streamlined the process. They decide exactly what they're going to work on, prepare page kits at home, and seem to pack very little. I wish my brain were wired that way. I have a bit of adult ADD, and I can't be certain what I'll want to work on at any given moment. Unfortunately, this contributes to my need to pack all the stuff. I take so much that I often have very little room for my legs to fit under the table...

For now, this packing thing is still a work in progress. I think I'm moving in the right direction, but I'm taking baby steps. Eventually, maybe I'll be able to write an article offering tips and wisdom for others who are preparing to go to a weekend crop!

Until then, I need to make a decision on whether a few sets of stamps are joining me or staying behind. ;-)

Yay! It's another crafting blog!

Hi, I'm Willie! I live in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. I've always been interested in various types of crafts projects. My mother crocheted and taught me some basic stitches when I was in grade school. I also had a knitting nancy and one of those little looms that use cotton loops to make pot holders.

 

I made a LOT of pot holders in my day. :)

 

I've always had a thing for paper and writing implements. Okay, and office supplies in general. I've never been good at drawing. Never. I liked coloring, though. ;)

 

I admit that I have a bit of Attention Deficit Disorder and I happily admit to having Hobby-of-the-Week Syndrome. I love trying different things. Of course, this means I'm a dabbler and rarely master any one particular craft. It also means I'm growing many different stashes. I'm okay with that, though!

 

Currently, my interests include scrapbooking, stamping/card-making, bead-stringing (with a particular interest in making rosaries and paternosters, the medieval precursor of rosaries), embroidery, and kumihimo. I took a short tablet weaving (also known as card weaving) class over the summer and have a loom on order, so I look forward to exploring that craft more in the near future. I learned basic knitting a few years ago and LOVE it, but I've developed a condition called "trigger finger" in both thumbs, so I haven't been able to knit or crochet much at all during the past year. I hope to get back to both crafts some day.

 

Hopefully you'll see all of these crafts covered in future blog posts. And who knows? I DO have ADD/Hobby-of-the-Week Syndrome, you know. There may be more!!!

 

PS: I love hearing about other people's crafts, too! Feel free to drop me a comment about YOUR blog!