Packed
Let me tell ya. There’s packing for a crop, and there’s packing for a crop that requires a plane trip. Packing for a crop that requires a plane trip is a different beast altogether.
I’m about to reveal a feat that will amaze every scrapbooker on the planet.
276 photos and everything needed to make crazy-fun layouts, PLUS 3 days’ worth of clothes, in these two bags:
The bag on top - my CM album tote - is packed with a Cropper Hopper vertical paper holder stuffed to its gills on one side… and the other side is stuffed with my clothing. In the middle compartment is a folder full of embellishments.
The suitcase is the real star of the show, though. It took math genius and spacial magician Darren several tries to figure out how to pack it all in. I’m gonna need a photo tutorial to get it all packed for the journey home, I’m afraid. Here’s the bottom layer:
The white wire thingie is a shelf I bought in the kitchen section of Walmart. It’ll sit on my scrap table and hold all the things I want to keep within easy reach. My blue trimmer, foam stamps, rubber stamps, pens, goodie bag contributions, alphabet file, and two Creative Memories’ Memory Mate cases fill out the bottom. Actually, there’s something underneath the foam stamps, but I can’t remember what. LOL!
I loaded the two Memory Mate cases with adhesives, brads, paints, inkpads and the like. On top of the paints, I stashed a small paint tray and a small toothbrush (for cleaning my foam stamps.)
The nice thing about scrapbookers is, they’ll let you borrow their tools. With that in mind, I’m only bringing the bare necessities: my personal trimmer, whose little compartment is filled with two pair of scissors (including my CutterBees), a paper piercer, a white eraser, a pencil, a stylus, and my CutterBee retractable blade.
On top of the tools, I crammed in a tape runner and three refills (taken out of their packaging to conserve space).
The top layer in the suitcase is comprised of a very, very full 12×12 album box, with 276 photos sorted and stacked with their appropriate papers. I’ve printed off several blog entries to jog my memory for journaling, and those are in there too, along with some page sketches I want to try. I filled all the nooks and crannies with rub-on stacks and various other things that I’ve forgotten already.
Still to pack is my personal stuff: makeup, toiletries, etc. I have no idea where it will go. I suppose there’s still a bit of room on top of my clothes. 
Whew! My plane takes off in less than 5 hours.
I can’t wait to crop with friends that I only get to see once a year or so!
And while I’m gone, a challenge for you: guess how many pages I’ll complete while in Wisconsin, and I’ll reward you with a fabulous prize. It’ll probably be a box full of stuff that I can’t figure out how to fit back in my suitcase! LOL! Happy weekend!
March 22nd, 2007 at 7:13 am
Wow I really AM impressed! Just…..wow!
March 22nd, 2007 at 7:30 am
Have a fabulous time! Don’t forget to wave when you cross the St. Croix for me! lol!
I’ll get in on the guessing….hmmmm. Let’s see. I will guess that you will complete 117 pages. (My 11/7 birthday!)
March 22nd, 2007 at 7:40 am
WOW! You are a packing marvel. I just love how when scrapbookers go somewhere they only need a tiny little corner for clothes
Have a fab time!! I’m going to guess 68 pages.
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:16 am
I think you’ll get 75 pages done. You are a packing whiz! I’d never, ever be able to repack that though! And another thing we have in common, I have the exact same luggage you have! Have a wonderful, marvelous, relaxing, fun time! I’m calling Darren when I go on my next vacation. My problem isn’t the packing, it’s that darn 50 pound weight limit! Gets me every time!
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:18 am
Have fun. I hope your bag’s don’t explode!
Susan
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:35 am
I hope let you get on the plane with those sharp objects! HeeHee
You seriously have a gift of packing the most items in a small area.
I guess 125 pages!!
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:59 am
Wow! Let’s hope security doesn’t do a baggage check — you might not fit it all in the same way! LOL! What a great job you and DH did on the packing! Have a GREAT time in Wisconsin. Hmmmm — wiht all the socializing going on, I’ll say 20 pages!
Lori
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:12 am
Wow! See ya tomorrow!
And I’m guessing you’ll do 88 pages.
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:13 am
Have fun, Stacy. Could you snap a photo of your scrapbooking stuff once it’s been released from it’s constraints? I’d love to see what you take with you and also how it’s arranged around your space.
My guess … 42 pages (cuz there probably will be some shopping, eating, socializing, etc. to be done too).
sue
March 22nd, 2007 at 11:16 am
I’m pressive bags! I’m guessing 63 pages…have a great time!
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Wow…you need to come pack for me the next time I get to go on a crop. I’m going to guess 53 pages…have a blast!
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Hmmm, how many hours is this retreat. I’m guessing 46 pages. have fun!
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Thirteen.
13.
With all of “those people” that you’ll be spending the weekend with, I’m betting y’all will be jawin’ more than scrappin’.
Just sayin’.
(and no, I’m not jealous at all, so stop saying that…ahem!!!)
March 22nd, 2007 at 2:40 pm
WOW—how impressive! Have a great time and I am guessing 85 pages. See ya soon!
March 22nd, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Wow! You are very organized. Because you are so organized and because you seem very determined, I’m going to guess 54 pages.
WAAAY more then I’ve ever completed but I’ve never been that organized either.
~Heidi
March 23rd, 2007 at 6:47 am
WOW way better than I ever could. Never flown to a crop but that is impressive. I will guess….60.
March 23rd, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Wow Stacy! I say you will get 26 pages done. I think you will be having too much fun to do much more! LOL
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:49 pm
I’m thinking you’ll get 48 pages done. I know you have enough stuff to do lots more than that but I know the talking and laughing will slow you down.
March 24th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
I’m guessing 49 pages.
Have fun!
March 24th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
I’m going to guess 32 pages. That will still allow you loads of talk time
March 24th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Wow. I will be expecting you to come and help me pack for the Texas Spring Thing in April because I know I will never be able to do it. I have never been to a retreat that was for more than one day and where I couldn’t run home so…gonna need a little help.
I am guessing you will get 31 pages done.
Hope you have a great time.
March 25th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Hope you’re having a great time.
I guess 34 pages… to omuch talking going on!
Post em when you get back!
amy
March 25th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
I’m guessing 66. Hope you have (had) a great time!
March 26th, 2007 at 5:03 am
I’ve been reading your site for a while (all of them really)….I saw your link on Elaine’s website and look in every now and then to see what you’ve been doing. I’m impressed with the suitcase! Ok…My guess is 88. :o)
I hope you have fun! :o)
March 26th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Ha!! Love the way you packed! The last time I traveled by plane to a crop, I barely packed clothes at all — 1 change of undies, 1 clean shirt, jammies, toothbrush and makeup and rollers. I wore the same pants for 3 days. My guess on your page total is 75!! Let me know what I win!
Denise! *Ü*
April 5th, 2007 at 2:55 am
Excuse, and what you think concerning forthcoming elections?
April 9th, 2007 at 4:43 am
cool blog!
April 18th, 2007 at 2:06 am
nice photos of this blog