I have to admit I am a creature of habit as may have been illustrated by my last post (ok, maybe the fact that whenever I eat at Subway I always order the EXACT same sub says a little something too??) Is that sad? Boring? I don't think so...I just like to think that I know what I like, I know what works for me and I'm sticking with it! That's not to say I don't venture from my standard list of scrapbook supplies once in a while or my usual way of creating every now and then because there always needs to be room for variety. But when it comes right down to it I've been scrapbooking long enough now that I feel like I've kindof found my niche and a system that works well for me. Because I've got my little 'system' (I'm using that term fairly loosely here) down it means I spend less time trying to find myself and more time finding that darn pair of scissors!
Here is how I tend to work:
1. select a group of photos & pull out a trusty piece of white cardstock to use as my blank canvas
2. select a piece (or two) of coordinating cardstock and possibly some pattern paper or embellishments
3. next I start arranging photos & elements on my white cardstock, maybe eliminating 1 or 2 photos in the process and on a scrap piece of paper sketching out some possible design ideas
4. once I have a design worked out I begin cropping, placing (unglued) the elements on my page leaving room for my journaling
5. once i know the size of my journaling space I'll open up microsoft word, create a textbox the size I need and work on my journaling
6. when my journaling is complete I am then ready to stick everything down on my page & finish up
Sound similar to the way you work? Once in a while I'll start with some fun paper I've been dying to use or start with a sketch and find photos to go with it but for the most part this is the way I create and I'm comfortable with it. Because I know how I work best it makes the scrapbooking process a whole lot faster (and who doesn't need to save a minute or two?) and less stressful because it comes more naturally.
As I've looked through my scrapbooks I've also notice tiny similarities between some of my layouts, ways of placing embellishments, certain fonts and colors I'm drawn too. I like to think I have a few little 'signature' scrapbook moves and so do each one of us! I'm not kidding! It's true. Don't believe me...well that leads me right into this weeks challenge.
The challenge is this:
Have a look through some of your recent scrapbook pages - notice any similarities? Any certain scrappy quirks that are uniquely you? Maybe you don't even need to look at any of your pages to list some things that make your style...well...your style! This week create a layout simply sticking with what you do best and share your layout in the flikr group. Show off some of those killer scrapbook moves! Come on! It'll be fun!
But wait, if you're a scrapper who likes to start with a sketch, then here's a few to get the creative juices flowing:
Or if you're a scrapper who must think color first then here's a few fun color combos just for you:
Embrace who you are as a scrapbooker...where your strengths lie, what you do best and don't be afraid to just stick with it! Let go of some of that pressure to create this way or that and I guarantee you'll LOVE the results!
Now tell us, what are some of your killer scrapbook moves or a funny scrapbook quirk uniquely you? Me, I obviously have a thing for white cardstock backgrounds and garamond font but I also have a thing for straight lines...I'm just not really a tilt your photos kind of person. I have forced myself to try it a few times but for the most part I like things straight. Makes me breath easier.
