Write. Click. Scrapbook.

Scrapbook: Conquering Scrapper's Block

Hi there! This is Amy Sorensen, and today I want to write about something serious and dreadful. Seriously dreadful:

Scrapper’s block.

It’s a lot like writer’s block, except instead of not having words, you don’t have any creative spark. You look at your supplies and nothing seems exciting. Your photos seem uninspiring and sort of blah.

And I’ve been suffering from a pretty intense bout of it.

You know what finally got me out of it?

Working with my favorite supplies. Favorite colors, favorite motifs, favorite shapes.

I finally decided just to dig in and find some things I loved, and then just make a layout with them. First off, I love alphabet stickers. And I didn’t use just any alphas, but my all-time favorites, a set from Basic Grey's Picadilly line that I bought five of, so I could use them with abandon. I found a floral paper and an organic one—some of my favorite patterns, but these papers are newer—in a color scheme I love. Then I used a font I have been in love with since I bought it a few weeks ago, Rushitly, to cut out a word on my Silhouette.

And then I scrapbooked!

I didn’t worry about design. I didn’t worry about using the latest and greatest.(In fact, those favorite alphas of mine are at least four years old, and the ones I used to spell “a” and “is” are even older.) I just played with my favorite supplies. I did some fussy cutting and some rambling lines with my favorite grey pen. No pressure, just a story I’ve been thinking about telling, and some photos I love (the 6x8 size is a current favorite!), and some familiar supplies.

I’m not sure my scrapper’s block is entirely gone. But just making myself make a page with some favorite supplies went a long way in getting me back in my groove. Here’s the layout I made:

 

What do you do when you’ve got a case of scrapper’s block?

click | formally informal

Happy February and happy family! I am excited for the theme this month and wan't wait to be inspired by my teammates and their wonderful ideas.

To kick things off, I thought I thought I might nudge you to schedule a photoshoot with your parents. I know I know. It's scary to ask them, and they may say no, but maybe they will say yes??? :)

A few years ago, my parents came for a visit. They don't come often (maybe every other year?) so I asked if we might take some shots with the kids in a more formal setting (meaning with a white sheet on the wall). They agreed and we got some. Then I asked if I could get a couple with just them. They say sure. The first one was posed and lovely.

But then my dad, who is a bit of a prankster, couldn't help himself, and the next couple were magic.

I love these. I really do. I have so few shots of them being themselves. And fewer of the two of them without distracting backgrounds, or piled high with other people. And while I do love those photos, too, I am so glad to have these pictures. Grandpa in a blue golf shirt. Grandma in a button down and sweater. Nothing fancy, but perfectly as they live in my mind's eye. 

As we capture the love of our families this month, I hope you might take a moment to get a picture of your parents, too!

Happy snapping!