The first thing I would remind my scrapbooking friends is that scrapping is meant to be fun! Don't stress yourself about feeling "behind." Every single layout you create is a gift for your family to treasure in the years to come. If you only create 24 layouts a year, that is 48 pages per year for your loved ones to look back on. It is not necessary to scrapbook everything - instead you could tuck pieces of paper in between the layouts (so they aren't seen) with written descriptions of things that occurred during a certain time frame and only scrapbook some of the photos. I also think it is just as important to scrap the everyday moments as it is to preserve the more momentous ones. The key is balance and not overwhelming yourself with thinking you need to put every photo and every event into a scrapbook.
Next I would say schedule a day for yourself each month to simply scrap. If you have young children it can seem impossible because as soon as you get your supplies out, it is time to feed them or put them down for a nap or change a diaper or referee. Plan easy meals ahead of time, or hire an assistant for that one day...maybe you even have a helpful hubby, a friend, niece or nephew who would be willing to take over child care duties just 'cause they love ya! OR swap days with another scrapping friend. Also, decided ahead of time what photos you want to work with. If you set aside an entire day each month and complete just 2 layouts (4 pages) you will have 48 pages at the end of the year!
I know that I am fortunate to have a craft room so finding a space isn't an issue for me. For the majority of folks, however, that isn't the case. I would suggest setting up a card table or using your dining room table (plan meals that can be eaten "picnic style" somewhere other than at the table. Keep the layouts reasonably simple and you won't need a lot of space. I'm all about clean and simple pages with the emphasis on the photos, titles and journaling. I tend to cringe when I look back over my first couple of scrapbooks, because I seemed to feel the need to put everything and anything on my pages. They are pretty grotesque compared to the simpler layouts I now create. My children love to look through the scrapbooks and they aren't so concerned with the layouts as the memories they evoke. In fact, I was surprised by a comment my sixteen year old son made the other day that made me realize even he pays a lot more attention to the scrapbooks than I ever would have guessed! I cannot emphasize enough the journaling. That is one of the main purposes for scrapbooking! If you'd like to keep the journaling hidden, see Close To My Heart's Flip Flaps.
Of course simple solutions to the time and space dilemma would be to contact me about one of my monthly scrapbook workshops. The cost is $35.95 each month ($29.95 plus S & H and tax) and includes an exclusive set of stamps, coordinating papers, card stock, embellishments and a How-To guide for creating one layout and several cards plus a second layout idea. The retail value is $32.95 before S & H and tax - a savings of $3. At my first workshop/club, each of the girls completed 4 pages plus AT LEAST one card. There will be lots of scraps left over for additional cards. I also supply many additional stamps - including large letters for titles, such as the one Naomi created, punches, circle cutters and dozens of die cuts for your use while here. All you need to provide is your own paper cutter, adhesive, scissors...and photos. The December kit has some gorgeous Christmas papers and card stock. (I like it so much I got TWO sets of it...)
Some folks struggle with the whole choosing paper, layouts etc. aspect. I'll write about that next time. For now, here's one of brand new scrapbooker Naomi's layouts:
Grrrr...I can't figure out how to flip some of the photos so they show up the right way. They are right side up in my picture album but mysteriously flip when I post them. Anyone know what's going on?
Naomi created her very first page six days ago. In the past five days she created eleven more pages for a total of 12 pages in one week! This is a busy girl who is a senior in high school, a part time student at a nearby university, a cheerleader and and one of the editors of the school newspaper. Now she can add prolific scrapbooker to that list!
And here are a few layouts that my fourteen year old daughter created (she created seven pages herself this week!):
Another flippin' photo :/
And a reminder...all profits from my Close To My Heart business during the month of October and the month of November will go to support Alyssa's YWAM outreach mssions trip. She's currently attending the lecture phase in Germany, but will find out at the end of next week whether she heads to Africa or Asia after that.
Thanks for stopping by,
Marie with a : )
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