To veteran scrappers the word crop is just common scrap lingo. However, when you announce in front of non-scrappers that you are going to a “crop” they look at you like you are nuts! So what exactly is a crop?

Dictionary.com defines the word crop as-

Crop: 1.a. Cultivated plants or agricultural produce, such as grain, vegetables, or fruit, considered as a group: Wheat is a common crop. 1. b. The total yield of such produce in a particular season or place: an orchard that produced a huge crop of apples last year. 2. A group, quantity, or supply appearing at one time: a crop of new ideas.

The scrapbookers definition of the word crop-

To Crop: 1. a. To cultivate boxes of photos so that they leave a lasting legacy for future generations. 1.b. to trim your photos to improve the composition. 2. a. A gathering of women to enjoy company of friends and work on their scrapbooks 2.b. a ploy to get out of the house and gather with friends 3. Spousal stress reliever (as in "Honey, I'm going to crop") this in turn relieves stress in the spouse knowing the loved one will be occupied for at least 5-6 hours (min). 4. sim. To stay away, back off. (as in "Kids, I'm going to crop") meaning stay away and ask Dad (or Mom) if you want anything.


As you can see from the scrapbookers definition of crop we use the word in several different ways! The two most common uses are cropping/trimming your photos or a scrapbook gathering.

Crops are designed to allow you to meet new friends in a group setting while working on your scrapbooks. Many women go to crops dragging along several rolling totes. Others come pushing Iris carts while others carry in boxes and bags! It doesn’t matter how they arrive or how much stuff they take with them…the crop is sure to provide several hours of scrapbooking and socialization! A crop will also give you a great place to share scrapbook tools and idea books! Not to mention the inspiration of fellow scrapbookers.

The underlying reason that most people attend crops is to get out of the house and gather with friends. Crops have been compared to the quilting bees of the past. Quilting bees were a social outing for women to gather and work on their quilts. Scrapbookers may not be quilting with fabric but they are weaving their families memories into storybooks that will share their life with future generations.

Some people attend crops merely for the socialization while others go to complete as many scrapbook pages as possible. No matter what your intent is, you will surely benefit from a fun gathering with like minded scrapbookers! Find a crop near you and maybe even a weekend gathering! You will love the friendships and inspiration that you will find at these fun social gatherings!