In This Issue
April Scrapbooking Tip
Silent Auction for Jeannette Swain
April Crop Sold Out!
Hotel for April Crop
April Attendee Gifts
April Crop Food Drive
April Grand Prize
Crops Plus App
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Greetings!


Despite what the weather is doing outside, we are warming up here at Crops Plus! Every day, we are working with vendors, stores, teachers, the hotel and the chef to provide the best possible crop for you (in just two weeks!)

April is my favorite month and I am really looking forward to the crop. There will be so much going on and many opportunities to win special prizes (more info below).

See you soon!

The Crops Plus Team

PO Box 2041

Arlington, VA 22202

703-260-6105

April Scrapbooking Tip
A BIG Review of Adhesives (Again!)

One question that we get asked a lot (both at Scrapbooks Plus and at the crops) is what kind of adhesives we use, what we prefer, what is good for the type of material, etc...

Last year, we posted this  and thought it would be helpful to post again. Enjoy!

Adhesives are essential to any scrapbooker, but there are so many types it can be a bit confusing. Let's take a look at the different types of adhesives and their uses, good points and bad points. 

Photo Corners 

Photo corners are self-adhesive corners that attach to your layout. Photographs are held securely underneath the photo corners.

Examples: Fiskars, 3L, Pioneer, Xyron, Chatterbox, Stickopotamus, Making Memories, Heidi Swapp

Pros: The adhesive never touches the photographs, scrapbook companies now sell decorative photo corners

Cons: Some may find photo corners difficult to attach correctly and occasionally photographs can pop out of the corners.

 

Adhesive Dispensers 

Handheld roll-on dispensers of adhesive are available in two types. One dispenser type applies a continuous film of adhesive, often sold in "permanent" or "repositionable." The other dispenser type applies tabs of two-sided tape. Some companies feature refillable dispensers. Adhesive dispensers adhere photographs, cardstock, paper and other lightweight, flat items.

Examples: Duck Easy Stick Double Stick Adhesive, Hermafix Vario, Dotto by EK Success, Creative Memories, Xyron, Tombow Mono Adhesive, Adhesive Tech, Scrapbook Adhesives by E-Z Runner, ATG by Scotch 

Pros: Both varieties of dispensers are very good for photographs, paper and cardstock. Tabs can be applied more judiciously and can be used for small, lightweight embellishments like buttons. The glue from many roll-on dispensers is repositionable until you press down firmly on your layout.   

Cons: The biggest downfall of both types is that it is easy to use more than necessary and quickly empty the dispenser.Some people experience problems with refilling their dispensers.  

  

Mounting Squares 

Mounting squares are double-sided tabs of adhesive with peel-off backing, dispensed from a box. They typically are used to adhere photographs, cardstock and other lightweight, flat items.

Examples: 3L (Scrapbook Adhesives), Fiskars, Creative Memories, Canson, 3M (Scotch), Century

Pros: Mounting squares are removed individually, making it easy to place them exactly where they are desired and not use more than necessary.  

Cons: The tabs are easy to remove but leave little pieces of backing to clean up.

  

Adhesive Dots 

Adhesive dots are small double-sided pressure-sensitive sticky dots available in various sizes and are often used to adhere bulkier embellishments.

Examples: Glue Dots International, Zots

Pros: Adhesive dots are the perfect adhesive for embellishments such as metal, buttons, flowers, and ribbon. Adhesive dots come in many sizes and are very strong and sticky. Thicker glue dots add a three-dimensional element.

Cons: They are so sticky that they tend to stick to your fingers. To avoid this apply them directly to the item from the paper backing. Glue dots are not repositionable so place them with care! In some cases, adhesive dots leave a lump where they are adhered.  

  

Mounting Foam 

Mounting foam is double-sided raised foam which adheres an item completely, after the backing is removed. Foam adheres to most items including embellishments and paper.

Examples: Mrs. Grossman's, All Night Media (Pop Dots), Therm O Web

Pros: Mounting foam gives a wonderful three-dimensional effect. Large pieces of mounting foam can be cut to the desired length, but most mounting foam is sold in convenient pre-cut circles, squares and rectangles.

Cons: Mounting foam is a little sticky while getting it off the paper and leaves little tabs of paper backing to clean up afterwards. Some foam is colored and, thus, more useful with items that are not transparent.  

  

Mounting Glue 

Mounting glue is a clear strong adhesive stored in a bottle. Mounting glue adheres paper, ribbon, beads, glitter, powders and many embellishments including acrylic, metal, plastic, and wood.

Examples: Scrappy Glue by Magic Scraps, KI Memories GLOO, Fiber scraps, Making Memories Metal Glue, Tombow Multi Glue, Zip Dry 

Pros: The versatile mounting glue adheres many embellishments and small items while drying clear and quickly. These glues are easy to use: just apply a small amount to your embellishment or paper. Bottles of mounting glues tend to last a long time, making them cost effective.  

Cons: Sometimes the tips gets clogged but can be unclogged by inserting a needle inside the tip. The Making Memories glue is thicker than the other glues and exceptionally secure, working on things no other glue could handle, but the dispenser tube is hard to use and messy.  


Glue Sticks  

Washable all-purpose glue sticks are stored in a tube and spread directly on to the paper from the tube. Glue sticks adhere flat objects such as paper and photographs.

Examples: Scotch, UHU Stic, Avery

Pros: Glue sticks are easy to use and cheap.  

Cons: They can wrinkle the paper and can be messy when working with small items. The biggest drawback to glue sticks is that many of them lose their adhesion over time.  

  

Glue Pens  

Glue pens are tubes with "pen" tips that squeeze out a liquid glue, available in temporary or permanent bond. Glue pens adhere small items and decorative trims.

Examples: Sailor, Zig 2-way glue 

Pros: A glue pen provides a layer of glue and does a moderate job of adhering items. It is especially nice for very small items.  

Cons: Glue pens can be messy, dry up and are sometimes hard to use.  

 

Adhesive Sheets

Adhesive sheets come in two styles. One style is sold as a sheet where the front and back layers are peeled away to reveal the adhesion. The second style is a roll of adhesion that is placed in the Xyron sticker maker machine. When an item is placed in the sticker maker, it applies adhesion to one side. The other side is peeled away. Refills are available for the sticker maker. Adhesive sheets adhere cardstock and other flat materials, especially larger items that need wide adhesion coverage.

Examples: Xyron Adhesive Dot Transfer Sheets, Provo Craft Art Accentz Terrifically Tacky Tape Sheet, Xyron sticker makers

Pros: Adhesive sheets provide coverage for large flat areas. The larger Xyron sticker maker allows items up to 5 inches wide and works well for large, flat items. The smaller Xyron 150 maker allows items up to 1.5 inches wide and works well for small items like punches and letters.  

Cons: The Xyron sticker makers may leave adhesive around the edges, but rubbing the item before peeling away the top plastic sheet can minimize it. The Xyron sticker maker will only accept flat items. Adhesive sheets work well for larger items that need lots of adhesive coverage.

  

Glue Tape 

Double-sided glue tape comes off a roll to the desired length. Place the tape on the item and, if necessary, remove the backing. Many glue tapes come in a dispenser with a cutting edge. Others need to be cut to the desired length with scissors. Glue tape adheres photographs, paper, small embellishments, glitter, beads and ribbon.

Examples: 3M double-stick tape, 3M vellum tape, Duck, Scotch, Xyron, Magic Scraps, Terrifically Tacky Tape from Art Accentz, Wacky Tac, Scor-tape 

Pros: Glue tape does its job very well, adhering items strongly. Thin glue tape work especially well for adhering thin or small items such as ribbon, glitter and beads.  

Cons: Some may experience problems with getting the glue tape stuck on their fingers. It is easy to use more than necessary and can quickly empty the dispenser.  

 

Adhesive Sprays
An adhesive spray comes in a can with a spray top. Spray adheres vellum, transparencies, cardstock and paper.

Examples: 3M, Scrapper's Spray by Creative Imagination, Krylon

Pros: Adhesive sprays are completely invisible when dry. The biggest advantages of these sprays are that they are temporarily repositionable and they are able to adhere vellum or transparencies without leaving marks. For the best look, let the spray settle for a minute before adhering it to minimize any showing of the wet adhesive. The can is expensive but long lasting. Cons: Some find the spray messy to adhere. Spraying should be done in a well-ventilated area.

Silent Auction for Jeannette Swain! 

Thank you for your support!  


Many of you know that our beloved vendor, Jeannette Swain of Stampin' Up! fame recently had brain surgery to address an aneurysm that was found behind her right eye.

She is recovering very well and is itching to get back out and stamping again. However, the expenses have mounted up. To help out, we will be having a silent auction at the April crop with all proceeds going to Jeannette. The vendors will put together baskets of their products for you to bid on! This will be a lot of fun!

If you aren't coming to the April crop, but still would like to help, you can do so here

April Crop - Sold Out! 

Thank you for your support!  


Thanks to the excitement of the new location, we sold out the April crop just a few minutes after the last newsletter went out. We can't say we are surprised. Crops Plus is moving to bigger and better things!

We have created a wait list for the event. If you are interested in joining us, simply register for it here:    http://www.ourcropsplus.com/registration.html

If you are already on the wait list, we will contact you AS SOON as there is an opening. Keep in mind, it could be the NIGHT BEFORE!

Our following event, September 20-22nd, has a limited number of spots available. Registration will be open to the public on May 20th. So mark your calendars and be ready!
Hotel for April Crop     

Deadline is Friday, April 5th!         

   

If you have not already, the hotel has extended the window during which you can book your hotel rooms. You have just one more day to do so. You can book them here.

The hotel rooms are really nice! If you are mulling over whether or not to splurge on a night away, we can't recommend it enough! And at just $89/night, it's well worth it!
April Attendee Gifts!    

We Know How To Take Good Care Of You!       

 
mystery prize The attendee gifts for the April crop have been ordered and we are very excited!

They are recently released page kits from a very popular manufacturer.
12 sheets of double sided paper, 2 sheets of specialty paper, elements sticker sheet, multiple kinds of letters sticker sheet, border stickers, label stickers and die cuts!
April Crop Food Drive    

Give Back To Those In Need      

  Food drive prizeWe have been truly blessed to enjoy a hobby we love and friends (new and old) to share it with. To give a little bit back, we will be holding a food drive at the April Crop. You can win special tickets for every item that you bring! Those raffle tickets will put you in the running to win this cute embellishment and tool storage tote - a $40 value. Or you can also win a 36-piece marker set - a $20 value.

We will be donating the food to Link, INC, a charity that exists to provide emergency food to people in need in the Herndon, Sterling, and Ashburn, Virginia communities.


More information on what items Link, INC is looking for will be sent to each registered cropper with details.
Here is a picture of some of the food we were able to donate when we last did the food drive, over 400 pounds!
April food drive
April Grand Prize!    

Think Of What You Can Buy! 

 
gift certificate The April Grand Prize will be a $150 gift certificate from Scrapbook.com, the #1 internet site for all of your scrapbooking supply needs!

$150! Think of all the papers, tools, embellishments and adhesive you can buy with that!

Certificates are good on ANY ITEMS IN THE SUPERSTORE and can be redeemed any time within 12 months of purchase
Crops Plus App!    

Constantly Offering the Best Crop Experience! 

 
Thanks to the great efforts of our wonderful web designer extraordinaire, Stephanie Dempsey, Crops Plus unveiled a new app for your smart phone at the February crop!

From this app, you can view the schedule and menus of the crop, find directions to the hotel. register for future crops, book your hotel rooms, look at this week's coupons for Michaels, AC Moore, Joann's and more! It works on both Android and iPhone.

To download to your phone, simply point your phone's browser to: http://ourcropsplus.com/mobile/ and then save it to your home screen. Email us at [email protected] if you have any questions. Always happy to help!
 
Save 10%
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SAVE 10% ON YOUR PURCHASE AT SCRAPBOOKS PLUS!

 

This coupon is only valid for current Crops Plus Newsletter subscribers. You must print the newsletter with your name in the greeting line, as well as the coupon and present it in person for your discount

 

Offer Expires: April 30, 2013