Last week, I organized my albums and got caught up on putting my layouts away.  This week, I sorted, organized and planned more layouts to do.  I have 3 crops in the next 3 weeks, so by getting my stuff together, I hope to get a lot accomplished.

Everyone has a different system for getting ready for a crop.  I start by sorting my photos and finding a layout that inspires me and fits those photos.  These layouts can come from magazines, website sketches, challenge blogs, or how-to books like CTMH's Cherish, Imagine and Magic.  I write down the reference info for the layout I want to use on a slip of paper.

Then I choose the papers I want to use.  I always add extra, including White Daisy or Colonial White as background or support paper.

Then I sort through my collection of embellishments and pull out those goodies that go with the layout.  This also includes the stamps I want to use.

Here's what my supplies could look like:


Then I bundle it all together.  I have special folders that I use, but you can also use 12x12 ziploc baggies that your CTMH papers used to come in, or that you can get at Zellers.