Those who digi crop at traditional crops...

[Momma Crystal]

Those of you who have brought your laptops to a crop with mostly traditional scrappers... how were you received?

I ask because I've been on a few other forums in the cyberspace world where I've heard traditional scrappers really don't like digi scrappers. Mostly they feel digi scrappers aren't as social and the computer blocks them off.

I have a group of friends who do both (as do I) so we all get it and are comfortable when we get together. And we do we mostly do digi as it is just easier to cart around. I have another group that is pretty much traditional only (with a dabble in digi) and they don't like it when I card in my laptop.

What are your experiences?

[Darcy Baldwin]

In the couple of crops that I've been to, I spent more time teaching and being social than actually scrapping because they all wanted to see how I did things.

I can see in some cases, if you're digi and have to be by a plug, you might be off in a corner or wall where not a lot of other folks are, so can be considered anti-social because you can't be in the thick of things, and because people can't just glance over at your work, etc. It's theirs to get over, not the digi-scrapper. I just don't get the animosity.

[Jaineparr]

If I were to show up, hide behind my monitor and act annoyed at every interruption, I'd get no love from my fellow scrappers. But my laptop screen is no taller than the shelves many scrappers put up at crops. I can easily look over it and interact with folks. I ask for opinions, just as I used to do with paper cropping. And I'm willing to teach a little about digital cropping to others.

I try to show up early, so running my power cord can be as painless as possible. Folks who are doing things like ironing ribbons, or heat embossing don't mind a bit. I let them plug into my surge protector and they find it much more convenient than standing over near the wall to work. Folks who spread out and occupy a bit more room also like to be seated near me. I don't take up my entire space and I never fuss if their stuff creeps over onto my space a bit.

With those positives, I can't see showing up with a laptop to be a problem at a paper crop. Because I have room, I also carry a small candy dish that I put where it can be shared. I've even been known to show up at a crop with fresh flowers in a vase. Why not?

Some folks put a skin on their laptop, which would be a decorative cover for the back side of the screen. That display makes people feel less like they are blocked out and being shown the back side of something, and more like they are sharing with the laptop user. For example, print out a layout and prop it up against your laptop. Clip a fabric creation there. Do something other than show off what brand of laptop you have.

[tgmousechick (Geeky Diva Designs)]

I haven't ever had a problem when I bring "hybrid island" with me, but I tend to crop with an established group and I worked in paper for long before, so that can play a part in that.

I think our group has more of a problem with paper croppers getting overly obnoxious because they can't get close enough to an outlet to plug in their Cricut, than digicroppers. Digicroppers tend to come prepared with an extension cord.

[myranalis]

I often bring my computer to paper crops - no one ever seems to mind.

[hollygtn]

I brought my laptop and Cricut software to a Cricut crop. I spent all my time showing people how to do stuff and didn't get anything done. I did not note any animosity, just curiosity.

Holly

[Just Plain Kristi]

the only cold reception I ever got at a crop was when I brought my Close To My Heart stamps to a traditional in store crop at a new place without checking first who the other croppers were likely to be. Turns out the whole place was crawling with current and former CM gals and my stamps were definitely not welcome...lol!

The church crops I go to now is a mix and even the stampers and card makers do digi scrapping...they're all pretty much hybrid. Last month they were all working on cards for swaps though.

I love that we have electrical outlets embedded in the floor all over the room so there are big round tables and plenty of power available to all. Wifi too! If you're in N. Texas, come out on the 26th from 6pm to midnight. We're on Renner Rd. just off the 190 tollway in Richardson.

Kristi

[Albums to Remember]

I have taken my laptop to a traditional crop. Here is what I found:

I found it harder to visit with my friends as I cannot concentrate on what I am doing and talk at the same time. I could do that paper scrapping.

Be prepared to possibly get some negative comments. "That isn't real scrapbooking" How could you switch...you aren't a real scrapbooker...yes I have had all of these BUT for the most part people are kind. Some want to see what it looks like printed so bring a sample if you have one. Most are curious.

I say go for it. Just be sure to bring an extension cord.

[Just Plain Kristi]

Hehehe...reminds me of all those people who insist it isn't real if you don't use your own handwriting. I show them my Darcy-made font and explain that I AM using my own handwriting...ROFLMAO! (ok, not mine, either my daughter's or my mom's...or my lefty version I had done when I broke my elbow...lol!)

Kristi

[Lisa Minor]

I take mine to our monthly one at church. I've been doing it for almost 2 years. I realized about 3 months into it, that I really couldn't digiscrap when I went. It's hard to do in a group of women....LOL....and even harder when everyone wants you to show them how you do things. They will spend 45 minutes next to you and YOU KNOW they are never going to buy the program and start, so it's frustrating to be quite honest.

So, I DO take it.....and I spend time "organizing" files, etc. I find that I can still chat and spend time with everyone PLUS have time to move, delete, and organize. It's nice to feel like you've accomplished something!

Next month, I am taking my scanner...(this month I am only taking paperwork/certificates/old photos to organize to scan).....and I will be able to scan and chat with everyone while I am doing it.