Scrappin' on the Road, Part One: Tools

As most of you know, I've been out of town for the past few days. No biggie, if we weren't right at the tail end of the fabulous Layout A Day (LOAD) challenge! That meant I had to keep scrapping on the road, from a  hotel room, with all sorts of challenges and obstacles. But I did it!

For my next few posts, I thought I'd review some tips and ideas for taking your favorite hobby on the road. 

First off, WHY? Why would you want to scrapbook on vacation, instead of taking a little break? Well, breaks are fine for NORMAL people, but as one of the initiated, you know that scrapbooking is part and parcel of your life. Would you take a break from brushing your teeth while on vacation? From taking a shower? No way! Vacations are breaks from things you DON'T enjoy, like cooking, cleaning, and getting up at the crack of dawn to make lunches for three ungrateful children who will only turn around and tell you how much they hate tuna fish/turkey/salami/roast beef. Vacations are times for more of what you DO love, like shoe shopping, catching up on your reading and movie-watching, and of course SCRAPBOOKING.

The challenge is, how to scrapbook when you are away from your scrap room? (You notice, I said "YOUR scrap room," because as you already know I DON'T HAVE ONE!).

Here are a few of the products I pack up when I  want to take my favorite hobby with me. 

A paper trimmer. This is the one I like:

Don't try to carry it on, though, because the airport security folk are not too up on the latest scrapbooking tools and may decide this poses a threat to national security and take it away from you. There, now, doesn't everyone feel safer?

Adhesive. Bring plenty! This last trip, I ran out and had to make an emergency run to Staples, which ended up costing me $40 because I couldn't possibly go to an office supply store and come out only with a pack of adhesive. I threw a few others things into my cart. ;) 

Here's my favorite adhesive:, Duck Permanent from Henkel.

Not only is there an adorable duck on the label, it also goes on really really smoothly, and they have FANTASTIC customer service. I got a pack of four where one didn't dispense right. After I emailed them, they sent me a whole new 4-pack right away. That's taking care of the customer!

Glue dots. I bring glue dots AND adhesive because even the best roll-on adhesive has a tough time with buttons, ribbon, and chipboard (even that of the self-adhesive persuasion). I travel with the small size because that's sufficient for the pared-down scrapping I do on the road, but the medium is great, too, and these roller dispensers are really convenient. 

Scissors. Why do you need scissors and a paper trimmer? Well, I like to cut out page elements and poke holes with mine. Oh, and it's nice to be able to trim ribbon without gnawing on it like an Eskimo working the whale blubber. 

Here's the ones I bring:

They're Honey Bees! How can you resist? They're super-sharp, non-stick, and pointy enough to take the place of a paper piercer when you're placing brads, etc. 

Storage. I pack everything up (paper, tools except the trimmer, photos, embellishments) into one of those 12x12 plastic storage envelopes (I think they're Avery, but I couldn't find a pic on Amazon). It's perfect for keeping finished layouts in, too! I'm all about the multi-purpose, friends. 

Next time: Choosing products and embellishments. 

Comments

[Kristin]

Great to know Lain that others scrap on vaction too. I am about to head to Australia for 3 weeks and just can't imagine not scrapping for that long. So am planning on a little tool box to go with me. Even have some plans for the 20+ hours i will be spending on a plane (but that will have to be without my trimmer etc. so just plain old adhesive, cardstock, a mini album and phots (and a bit of planning) or maybe just some cards.
Having a blast with LOAD and looking forward to the next installment of scrapping on the road!

[Kyla]

Whohoo! You're an inspiration to us all! I do a little scrappin' on the road every now and again, too. Scrapping in a moving vehicle is HIGHLY overrated, though. It'd be fine, if hubby could drive more like me, instead of jerking all over the road. ;)

[Lisa]

Hi Lain! Nice to see you on Twitter! May I provide a shameless plug for one of our books - Scrapbooks on the Go.... :-D
http://www.ctpub.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=1019

[melita]

hope you are having success in your travels! ;) when you are back in town, let me know! and yes, i do need a vacation from the packing lunches for ungrateful children who wrinkle up their noses at everything you put in their lunch box! maybe i can join you on your next road trip! lol!

[canadacole]

I love this series! Thanks for blogging from the road. I hope the house hunting is going well and that your new home has everything you need...like a scrap room!

PS I'm trying really hard to be sad for you because you have to leave CA, but I'm secretly happy for ME because you'll be so much closer. How bad of a friend does that make me?

[Katherine McKamey]

Thanks for sharing what you travel with - I always pack way too much and end up with DH being upset about my using his suitcase for my clothes! LOL! Where do you find the Duck 4 packs? Our WalMart used to carry them (I would buy them out) but now not one store within 50 miles carries them. I love that stuff! Sniff..

Lovin' LOAD! Only 4 more days & I won't know what to do during these crafty moments! : )

[Holly A. Moss]

Ah, it's so good to know I am not the only one who does this! However, thanks for sharing your travel tips - I always pack way too much & end up forgetting something essential (usually adhesive!). Can't wait to see your tips on products & embellishments. :-)

[Denise]

Oh, how perfect. We're about to head off to Florida and I keep waffling on what to bring and even if I should bother. Mom scraps, too, so I can always borrow what I forget or just don't have. It would be fun to crop with her late one night when the kids are asleep! ;)

[TracyBzz]

"Vacations are breaks from things you DON'T enjoy,"
I never thought of it like that. I guess for us vacations mean been seriously busy. Going, seeing, doing then collapsing into bed. No time for catching up on books or movies. I don't know when I'd ever squeeze it in, because I barely do the teeth brushing ;)

[Lee]

I have to say I'm incredibly impressed with your ability to continue with the LOAD challenge. Very inspirational! I do hope your house hunt proved fruitful and the whole move is smooth for you and your family :)

I to want to know about the duck adhesive. I've never seen it before - could be 'cuz I'm in Canada - but I'm always up to try something, once, anyway.

See you on Flickr!