MUST have Kmart Storage for Craft Retreats | How I Pack for Crops to get more done, tips and tricks.

[@CreatedByGwen]

A fun video all about how to pack for scrapbook retreat! I hope this is super helpful creative friends.

[@dsebby404]

I love your storage but unfortunately KMarts have closed in the USA. I love the 12x12 storage for paper packs. Very nice job of organization.

[@CreatedByGwen]

Thanks for stopping by the channel today Donna.... when I recorded this I had no idea that Kmarts in the US were all closing. That actually blows my mind because here in Australia they are the bees knees! Everyone loves them and we all shop there A LOT! I don't know what we would do if they closed 😱

[@CreatedByGwen]

I think you might be able to find some of the things in similar versions on Amazon. I didn't look too much there because we don't have access to everything, we can only use Amazon AU, which has a much smaller selection that Amazon USA. I'm sure you'd be able to find some similar things.

[@lynnebrown-hardy1566]

Great ideas for setting up your space at a retreat. Most packing videos only show what they are packing but not how to set up once you get there. I know you and your daughter had tons of fun and made lots of wonderful memories.

[@CreatedByGwen]

Thanks for popping by today Lynne, yes, I wanted to include how best to set up your space, you are right, most packing vids only share what they are taking. I found this set up to be excellent and will happily use it again. We did have such a special time, I loved having her come along with me.

[@emileysteinbruegge3171]

My process for getting ready for retreats is a lot like yours! I definitely need a plan or I will spend my whole weekend chatting!

[@CreatedByGwen]

I am so so glad I'm not the only one... it feels a little over the top sometimes to plan like this, but it makes such a difference for me... Clearly I am way way too easily distracted. Thanks so much for watching and sharing your thoughts xo

[@consolw]

Stage fright is exactly the right word! I know that feeling and have gone home sad and frazzled because I didn’t get much achieved. Somehow all the noise and the frenzy of activity around me just seems to paralyse my brain cells and I find that if haven’t planned my pages, I don’t get much done. So for me, planning is the key. Thanks for sharing and for the packing list which will be very helpful.😊

[@CreatedByGwen]

Thank you so much for sharing this here, to be honest, I wasn't sure if I was the only one who really felt this. I'm the same, planning helps so so much. Thanks for popping by the channel today.

[@sheenamartin5350]

OMG I take about 20 times this amount of stuff and get overwhelmed! I do need to organise before I go as I think it's beneficial but I'm a classic procrastinator. I hope your daughter accomplished a bit and loved her retreat with you.

[@CreatedByGwen]

I am a BIG procrastinator too especially at retreat and this system worked a treat for me, it helped so so much! I know it's a bit of work before you go, but it was absolutely worth it. My daughter had a great time, it was so nice to be able to travel with her :) xo Thanks for popping by today. 🌸

[@lisastevens3822]

This is the most impressive crop setup I have ever seen! I want all of the things! 😅❤❤❤ I saved your video for future reference!

[@CreatedByGwen]

Thanks so much Lisa! It's so good, helps you to be productive AND have fun at the crop 💗 Glad you found this video helpful.

[@kimk8255]

Love all the ideas you shared! I usually take everything I own and still end up buying paper, etc and don’t know what to work on! I am hoping I can plan out as you have suggested for my next crop in 3 weeks! I also liked your organization supplies!

[@CreatedByGwen]

Thanks Kim! I used to do the same thing, pack everything, get overwhelmed and do nothing.... I found this works so so well. In fact, I just returned from retreat and didn't get a chance to pack this way and I regretted it. Got there, didn't know where to start and didn't really get that much done.

[@sama.scraps]

Thanks Gwen!

[@CreatedByGwen]

My pleasure 🥰

[@gloriannerusate9726]

Going to a long weekend crop in a couple weeks! I loved the tall fridge bin idea and bought myself one. At my last crop I came home with a backache from twisting and bending for my page kits in my bag on the floor. This time I’ll be able to have more on the table and spend less time bending. Thanks for sharing.

[@CreatedByGwen]

I love those fridge bins, they are the best! Glad this was helpful, this set up really works well for me :)

[@patarmstrong2304]

I grab an extra chair & set mine on that!

[@createwithkarren5373]

I haven't been to a retreat for about 15 years i have no clue what id take anymore So thanks for the tips

[@CreatedByGwen]

Ohh I hope you get to one soon, they are so so fun!

[@gloriannerusate9726]

After watching, I looked and found the bin that’s on the side for page kits on Amazon, (no more Kmarts in the states) it’s going to be so helpful for my weekend crop coming up. Thanks for sharing!

[@CreatedByGwen]

Oh wow, thanks for the info, so glad you were able to find one on Amazon, they are great! It's so strange to hear that Kmarts in USA are all gone now, they are super popular here and we have so many of them. Thanks for the extra info I'm sure a lot of people will find that useful.

[@marthamalone9791]

Great information

[@CreatedByGwen]

Glad you liked it 🌷🌷🌷

[@ChelleBeeby]

💜💜💜tfs💜💜💜 I would love to go on a retreat, maybe one day!

[@CreatedByGwen]

I hope you can get on retreat soon, it is so so much fun!

[@suemorgan5966]

Great ideas Gwen thanks for sharing

[@CreatedByGwen]

You are so welcome, glad you found this one helpful :)

[@stampbooker]

This is the best video I have ever seen about preparing for a retreat! Seriously! You talked about getting overwhelmed when seeing what everyone else is working on and that so happens to me! I have been to several retreats and always take too much! And sometimes without much of a plan. Since I stamp, I take a bunch of stamps and inks, and metal dies and my laptop and my Cricut. And, and, and! Ha!! So do you precut your cut files and not bring your die cut machine? Thanks for all the tips! I hope you and your daughter (I also have a daughter named Kaitlyn) have an awesome time!

[@CreatedByGwen]

Thanks so much for your kind words Michele... yes! I pre-cut the designs I want to use, I choose these when I'm planning out my page. I find that it is better to have them all pre-done so I'm not travelling with my machine (I'm not sure moving it around like that is super good for it) and often space is an issue, so for me it is easier to just plan the cuts out when I plan the page out. Same reason I don't take my sewing machine any more. It's just easier to keep them at home. We had a lovely time away, it was really special mum and daughter time, I loved it!

[@joannepanagopoulos2013]

Thank you for sharing I really love this video and it's very helpful . Thank you

[@CreatedByGwen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@joannepanagopoulos2013]

@@CreatedByGwen Very helpful thank you

[@marciahodder1141]

Thank you so much for the tips!! Like others, I tend to get carried away and take more than I need. Quick question: where did you get your tote? The one on the floor.

[@CreatedByGwen]

You're so welcome! My rolling tote is from We Are Memory Keepers WRMK - I don't think they have this particular design any more, but they do still sell them. I have the coordinating Shoulder Bag, I didn't use it this time but I have in the past.

[@debkolar494]

Gwen which craft mat do you use? Looking for a silicone mat with measurements

[@CreatedByGwen]

Hey Deb... I don't do a lot of mixed media so I use a self healing one, I'm not entirely sure if this is what you're after. But, it is the one I use: amzn.to/3qozSFg It's by American Crafts and it get's extra points because it is pink! 🎀 If I need to do mixed media, I just have one of those thin boring brown ones but it doesn't have any measurements on it at all.

[@jennymay3665]

I always pack too much! I try to match photos to collections but it’s the mixed media and embellishments that are my undoing! I like to go to crops with a work in progress, just to get me going, or else I waste a lot of time just starting!

[@CreatedByGwen]

Ohhh I like the idea of starting with a WIP - starting is always the hardest part. I'm lucky I'm not that into the mixed media stuff so I don't have to pack that.

[@elamtabernacle1385]

Did you show how it all packs up to travel?

[@CreatedByGwen]

For this trip I was travelling by car so I wasn't too concerned about it being too compact. I've done this a few times now and it's not a lot of work to pack up.

[@stampbooker]

Also, do you mostly use collection kits or do you also make some kits out of your various supplies?

[@CreatedByGwen]

I mostly use collection kits these days in my regular scrapping and I only take collection kits to retreats. I don't even bother making up kits from various supplies in my stash, I just use what comes in a collection. I figure American Crafts have spent a lot of time and money co-ordinating supplies, I don't need to worry about that. 🤣