by Jessica on March 6, 2009
If you’re like me creating is a part of life. It allows you to explore and express yourself. It’s like a little haven. It’s an outlet. A retreat from the rest of the world.
Oftentimes we don’t have the time we’d like to dedicate to our hobby. Our days are filled with work, taking care of others, cooking meals, and in general just trying to get things done or simply get by. Scrapbooking gets put on the back burner until there’s a slot open in the schedule.
But what are some ways we can get more creating in our days?
- Schedule it. Set aside 20-minutes a day or a few hours one night a week as your scrapbooking time. If you’re consistent in meeting your scheduled scrapping time it’ll be part of your regular routine before you know it. No more frustrations that there’s never enough time to scrapbook–it’s right there in your day planner!
- Break your project into smaller chunks. Many times scrapbooking seems impossible to fit in our days because we’re setting out to do too much before we’ve even started. Instead of trying to scrapbook all of last months photos in one sitting break them up into smaller pieces.
If you’re planning a mini-album or set of layouts, break the project into three segments:
1. Get your photos together in and order, then if you have time write down your journaling.
2. Gather your supplies. Cut paper that needs to be cut, paint chipboard, make embellishments, cut ribbon, etc. This is the step to prep.
3. Put it together and add finishing touches.
- Involve your kids. Have your kids do their own art project while you do yours. This may involve some involvement on your part depending on the ages and abilities of your children.
- Take pictures. If you don’t have time to dig out all your supplies and project, how about trying to get some shots you’ve been meaning to get. This works best with still life.
- Print pictures. Upload and order prints for your next project.
- Keep your supplies within reach. Keep the essentials (adhesive, scissors, paper trimmer, etc) in a tote/basket for easy transporting or a desk drawer with your current project (in a folder with your materials) nearby. This is helpful when you have just a few minutes. You’re still able to get something done even if you only have 5 minutes.
- Make realistic goals. Don’t set yourself up for failure. You’re likely to get more done when you working in smaller, more focused chunks of time than attempting to scrapbook the last 6 months in one epic sitting.
by Jessica on February 17, 2009
Creating Keepsakes has a few articles out now on organizing your scrap space, supplies, and your process. Here are a few that stood out to me:
- Go through your scrap supplies regularly, ever six months or so. This will help you purge unwanted and unneeded items, as well as allow you to see what good things you still have but may have forgotten about.
- Sort your photos. Do this as you pick-up your prints. It will make for easier scrapping since you know where pictures are filed and will keep the picture pile small.
- Store embellishments out of their packaging by color, manufacturer, or type. This will save a lot of space.
- Organize little by little. Organizing your scrap space may seem daunting, so start small. Pick one drawer, box, etc. and begin there. Do one per day, week, or whatever fits your schedule. Before you know it you’ll have a completely organized scrap space!
- Put your most used items closest to you. I do this and it saves a lot of time. I keep my scissors, adhesives, and pens in a box on top of my desk and my tool kit in a drawer beside me.
- Label, label, label. It makes putting away supplies after a layout and filing new products so much easier. Why? Because everything has a place and you know exactly where it goes.
- Prepare for a crop. Instead of taking all or most of your supplies and potential layouts with you, how about compiling files for layouts you know you’re going to work. In the file put your paper, pictures, notes to journal, stickers, etc and bring your basic tools. You’re set and you’ll be more focused, rather than spending time at the crop figuring out what you’re going to scrap.
- Hang them up. You spend your time creating beautiful layouts while most of them will spend their time closed in an album. Use your scrap space (or your kitchen, hallway, etc.) to display your work. It will feel good to see all your hard work displayed, you’ll be able to share your accomplishments with visitors, and your family will enjoy seeing and remembering the good times.
To see all the tips visit 10 Organizational Tips and 31 Tips for Getting Organized Now! at Creating Keepsakes.
by Jessica on January 15, 2009
I was flipping through an old Creating Keepsakes mag (June 2008) the other day and came across an article by Ali Edwards on “creating a happy scrap space.” It fits with our scrapbook organizing theme and she’s got some great tips.
Be open. Be as creative in how you store your supplies as you are when you’re creating your pages and putting together projects.
Ali’s Five Ingredients for a happy scrap space:
- Find an organization system that works for you.
- Establish zones.
- Make room for work.
- Get thrifty.
- Get inspired.
