Scrapbooking Tip - 2010/4/22

I have too many photos to fit on this layout!

This is for everyone who has a hard time "whittling down" the number of photos on a layout. I think we all take too many photos, and then have to decide which ones to scrapbook and which ones to 'scrap.'

Think about the theme and topic of your layout. Think about the story you want it to tell. Before you do anything else, write a rough draft of the journaling. It is about your cousin's wedding, or is it about what happened at your cousin's wedding? Now look through that stack of photos and choose the ones that BEST illustrate the story you want to tell. Use only the best photos and leave the rest.

But what about the rest of the photos?

Use them on a different layout. Yes, you can do another layout of that wedding. There is no rule about "one layout per event". Who were the guests at the wedding? Who was in the wedding party and what did they wear? What did the decorations look like? What did you kids do at or like about the wedding? Were there any 'bloopers?'

Sometimes an event is more than just a short story. There may be several chapters, or a subplot that needs exploring.

Your personal style.

Once again, Stacy Julian hits the nail on the head. In this video she talks about exploring, defining and embracing your personal style. Don't think you have a style? Think again!




I love introducing people to scrapbooking, and I'm always happy to help with colour and product selection, and pass on a few tips and tricks. I advocate scraplifting when you're feeling creatively timid. But after that I really encourage you to jump in and not be afraid to put your own finishing touches on it. It's what makes your layout uniquely yours.

And please. Avoid perfection at all costs. There's not enough time in this life to make perfect layouts every time. Instead, focus on making entertaining layouts, satisfying layouts, and finished layouts.

Can you name 3 or 4 elements that define your personal style? Feel free to post in the comments section!

Been thinking about...

...the whole "being caught up" thing.

And let me just say, this week of all weeks I have NO business spending time blogging, but this seemed like the time and place to empty my brain of these thoughts.

I gave up "being caught up" ages ago. And I'm really alright with it. I scrap what inspires, not "what's next" on the calendar. Its much more fun to match up the photos with my current favourite products, than to be forced to dig thru my stash to come up with stuff to go with photos that just ain't movin' me at the moment.

So is the "caught up" trend over? I see so many people doing extremely time consuming one-photo layouts (not that there's anything wrong with that!) and creating altered items, home decor, mini albums, cards...none of these are getting photos into albums anytime soon.

And let me tell one one reason why "being caught up" isn't so daunting for me anymore. I TAKE WAYYYY LESS PHOTOS THAN I USED TO. Less photos = fewer pages. If you ever want to be caught up, try this. You'll be up to date in no time.

I still scrap what is meaningful -- just with less photos on fewer pages. Last summer I gave some thought what matters, and enjoying the moments while they happen seemed more important than trying to photograph the moments without me in them.

BC Scrapbooking Crop For Kids

If you attended the crop for kids last year, then you know how great the NEXT event is going to be!

Here is the info available now about the upcoming 2008 event. Be sure to bookmark the blog and check back often for updates!

bccropforkids.blogspot.com

CROP NIGHT!

It's Crop Night in the Workshop!

It's been almost 2 months since the last Crop Night, due to a hefty traveling roadshow of retreats and crops this fall. I'm so happy! It's great to be back home and have the store put back on the shelves and racks.

If you're not on the guest list yet, it's not too late. Email me if you want to come and hang out from 6-midnight tonight. Crop Nights are FREE and potluck. Just bring a snack or dish to share and the cold drinks are on me :)

Well, it's pretty much December, which means the holidays are right around the corner. Are you prepared? Is your shopping done?

Hot Topic:
Do you shop on Christmas Eve or Boxing Day? Add your reply in the comments for a chance to win some festive scrappy treats from me. If 10 or more people respond, I'll do a draw for over $20 worth of Christmas themed paper crafting goodies!! Reply deadline is December 5.

Previous Draw:
Unfortunately, there weren't enough responses to the last Hot Topic about recipes, so there was no draw. THANK YOU to everyone who shared their recipes, because they are all awesome! I have a weakness for home made holiday goodies and I know I'm going to be trying out a few of them very soon (but not too soon...I DO NOT need a head start on the holiday binge eating!)

And remember...if there's a prize draw attached to a blog post, you can't win if you don't play!!

Sandra

HOT TOPIC - Merry Christmas to ME....

Studies show that women (who do the bulk of the family Christmas shopping) will spend about $50 on themselves during the shopping season...maybe because they deserve it for all their hard work spent shopping, or maybe because they know their significant other will drop the ball in the gift-getting department.



I think this is especially true when it comes to scrapbooking supplies. Scrappers either give their family a specific list of scrapbook stuff to buy, or they ask them NOT to buy them anything scrappy because they know they'll have no clue what to get.



So what about you? Do you often find yourself getting "a little something" for yourself during your holiday gift hunt?



And if you do ask for scrappy stuff for Christmas, do you give your S.O. a specific list? (feel free to provide me with your wish list, then send hubby or family my way. I'll even gift wrap it for them!)

Can't live without it??? Top Tool Picks

Hot Topic:

What scrapbooking tool -- right now -- can you not live without?

Post your Top Tool Pick here. If 10 or more people post a reply, I'll do a draw for a sheet of Thickers. (have you seen the new felt and vinyl Thickers???). Posting deadline is midnight Saturday, November 17.