• First and foremost…  Don’t forget your photos.  Believe it or not, I’ve done it myself and I’ve seen others do it as well.   Before you leave for the retreat, double check to make sure you have your photos with you.  Plan your layouts in advance and bring what you’ll need for the pages you plan to create. Choose your pictures, colors and embellishments ahead of time   The ASR store is available at every event in case you forget some supplies; however, we can’t help you if you forget your photos.  Also, planning a layout ahead of time helps you get started and starts the weekend on  a positive note.

• Almost as important on the list of necessaries is comfortable clothing. The crop room is kept on the cool side so you may want to consider bringing along a sweater to wear in the crop room if you tend to be cold natured.  Also, don’t forget your slippers and comfortable PJ’s for those late-night marathon-cropping sessions (don’t forget the crop room is open the entire weekend for those that just can’t stop).

• Bring along your Tag-A-Long Cup/Scrap holder.  Please do not have open drinks at the crop table without one.  These items are an essential investment.

• Take a pillow or cushion for your chair.  You may not need it, but I find that it helps MY seat to have one, usually  by the 2nd day.

• Just pack what you’ll really use and spare yourself (or your husband) unnecessary baggage to lug.   If you cropping with your friends, you can plan ahead and decide who will bring which tools and share with each other and each bring fewer tools.

• Don’t forget your favorite snacks.  We provide cookies, chips, and candies throughout the weekend, but if you have a snack you just can’t live without, make sure to bring it along.  Keep in mind that not all snacks are scrap friendly, you’ll want to reconsider the nachos and cheese.

• Bring your camera and extra film. You can snap shots of your friends to remember the weekend (or blackmail).  You can even take pictures of great layouts and ideas you see during your classes and throughout the weekend.  I know…  Every respectable scrapbooker always has their camera, but I’m often guilty of forgetting mine if not reminded.

• Bring your favorite music CD’s to play and share with the group.

• If you plan to bring electric appliances (ie. Additional lighting, etc.), make sure you bring an extension cord and an outlet strip (as needed).

• One neat idea I’ve seen is to bring a piece of plain poster board with you  to use as a table map.  It will help define your space, keeping you from creeping into your neighbors’ area and vice versa.  You can also use it to jot down names and phone numbers of new friends you make, neat quotes you see, and make notes of anything else you may want to remember from the weekend.  After you get home, you can transfer the information to their appropriate places and toss the poster board.

• Overnight accommodations are usually based on double, triple or quadruple occupancy. Since you will be sharing a room with your friend whose night time noises you may not be accustomed to, consider bringing along ear plugs or a sound machine in the event you may try to catch a few minutes of sleep.

 In the end… remember this… The better prepared you are, the more fun you’ll have!