Recently I got an email entitled “Help! I’m stuck.” I love the question in the email because it really sums up one of the goals Wendy and I had when writing “The Organized & Inspired Scrapbooker”—preventing scrapbookers from getting stuck — especially the kind of stuck that comes from too much scrapbook product. There are so many fabulous products on the market today, it’s really easy to get overwhelmed. But, when you have the right things in your scrapbook stash, those that help you create scrapbook projects that are in sync with your reasons for scrapbooking, and when those things are organized in ways that support your scrapbooking process, well, that’s what being an organized and inspired scrapbooker is all about.
Here’s the question:
“I love scrapbooking, card making, rubber stamping and photography. But over the past few years I have accumulated a lot of product. Now, my productivity is nearly zero. My passion has taken a backseat, leaving me stuck in neutral and unable to move forward. I want to get back in the driver’s seat creatively, and I know I need to pare down my resources. But I don’t know where to start.
Which supplies should I keep on hand, and what do I need to get rid of or put away “in the trunk” for later? I have an ample supply of basic and specialty tools; paper, vellum and cardstock; kits and albums; die-cutting systems and equipment; computer, printer, and software (scrapbooking and photo arts); books, magazines, DVDs, videos and other resource materials.
Thank you for any guidance you can give to help me reclaim my creative drive. I know there are many others out there who, like me, find themselves at a standstill.”
This is one of those questions that doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer … and therefore is a bit tough to answer concretely in a blog post. Each scrapbooker has her own reasons for scrapbooking — from telling her stories, to showcasing favorite photos, to creating things and playing with product. Getting clear about your goals for scrapbooking and what you want to create can help you decipher what tools in your tool box — from alphabet stickers to Xyron machines — will best help you accomplish your goals.
But here are some ideas to help you get un-stuck, and then let’s see what ideas all you great bloggers have tucked up your sleeve (right up there with your fabulous crock-pot recipes!)
1. Get back to basics. What are your real reasons for scrapbooking? What do you want to create? And then, what tools and supplies are needed for this?
2. Flip through some of your completed scrapbook projects looking for your favorite pages. Just flip through your books and put a post-it flag on some of your favorite layouts. Then, go back and list the supplies you used.
3. Think back to a time when you were in the driver’s seat creatively. What were you doing then? What supplies and tools were you using?
4. Clear out the clutter. I love the analogy of putting some things in the trunk for a while. It’s a great concept. By eliminating some of your choices you’ll get back to stretching your creativity. Pare down to just basic items. Here’s what Simple Scrapbooks Magazine recommends for a basic tool kit.
5. Scrap-lift! I’m a huge fan of scrap-lifting to get out of a scrapbook rut. One of my favorite new resources is Album Shortcuts. It’s loaded with simple scrapbook projects that you can finish in a snap…which does wonders for lifting your creative spirits.
OK…so what ideas do all of you have for our stuck scrapbooking friend? What do you do when you get in a scrapbook rut? And what about basic tools and supplies…what are your can’t-live-with-out-em-scrapbook-basics? I can’t wait to hear what you all come up with!
My #1 thing for getting out of a rut is scraplifting or using sketches. When I eliminate the pressure of coming up with my own design, I find it so much easier to scrapbook a page. I often find that as I’m scraplifting, I make changes, so the page ends up being more of my own rather than a straight copy.
My second thing is reorganizing. As I go through my supplies, I can (1) eliminate the supplies I know I will never use, and (2) discover those hidden gems. I often come up with creative ideas when I find something – either paper, or embellishments – that I had forgotten about.
As for my basic supplies I can’t live without: my Fiskars rotary trimmer, black Close to My Heart marker, Close to My Heart scissors, Tombow adhesive, mini glue dots and textured cardstock.
Aby,
Thanks as always for the reminders about really getting back to why I started scrapbooking to begin with. I just wanted to remember the dates things happened,the really cute things my kids said, and the way I felt and the things we did when my kids were little. It’s these little reminders from you that help me get back to my “authentic scrapbooker”.
I remember you told me once that too many ideas and too much product seem to sometimes get in the way instead of making me more productive, and you were exactly right. Looks like I need to go through my stash again…just waiting to get my copy of your book to start working through it all!
Thanks as always for the great ideas!
Lisa
P.S. We LOVE Chicken Pot Pie too. It’s what my mom always makes for us when we come home for a visit! My version…not quite as good, but it’s getting there! Love the smiley face! It’s the best!
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I saw your videos with the finished book. I’ve had mine on order for months now! When will they start shipping? My scrapping space needs help!!!
Great post! I’ve added it to my blog under the “Check it Out” section!
Veronica
Thanks for this. I’m stuck too – because of too much stuff but also from reading too many magazines – the pages that used to make me happy don’t seem ‘good enough’ anymore. It’s the feeling of having to create these perfectly designed pages and being overwhelmed at the thought. I need to gather some simple sketches and just do it! Of course, my pictures are all in a tither because I’m still in the midst of the LOM process! Good grief! Anyway, thanks Aby – I love your blog and your great ideas!
Beth
I am a shop-a-holic, supply hoarder, and a collector of stuff. One idea that I have for myself to use up my stash is to make an itemized list by category of the supplies that I have – alpha stickers, flowers, buttons, metal hearts, eyelets, etc.- and then cut each item listed into strips and put them in a cute container. I will then pull two or three (or more!) strips and make sure to use those items on my layout. It’s sort of like making your own supply kit.
Sue in Alexandria VA
I tend to get a bit overwhelmed when I haven’t scrapped in a while, so I just pick one picture, ONE, and focus on doing that page. If I’m ready to stop when it’s finished, I don’t beat myself up. Then there’s no pressure but I find that once I get the ball rolling, it’s a lot easier to keep going.
Also, even though I love my home scrap space, sometimes a change of scenery can help. If I’m really stumped, I’ll go to my local scrapbook store and crop there, either during the day (which is usually free) or for a midnight crop. It’s amazing what you can come up with when you’re surrounded by other’s people’s great ideas and have an endless product supply at your fingertips.
I have lots of scrapbook projects I “should” start, finish, etc. But when I am stuck, I remember Stacy Julian’s advice to remember a story and use photos to illustrate it. If I can’t think of a story to tell, then I look for a few great photos. When I stop the flow of all that guilt about what I should scrapbook and just get to what I want to scrapbook, the creativity is there. That said I am having a VERY hard time paring down my overabundant supplies! I realized the difference between my scrapspace and the ones I see in the magazines isn’t decor, or organization…I just have double the stuff!
I would love just to start scrapbooking. I have all the stuff but its so intimidating. I swear, as soon as the kids go to school, this will be my project for the fall. Thanks for the list of basics…didn’t have a few of the things listed. Bye for now, I’m off to the craft store.
I’ve had this happen to me too. What helped me get back to loving scrapbooking was:
1. I’ve decided on what products I WON’T use and I never buy them. I don’t like 3-D/bulky items, so no buttons(gasp! 🙂 ), no metals except eyelets/brads, no chipboard (double gasp!!! LOL).
2. I chucked out the idea of scrapping for others. I don’t scrap with the thought of getting published anymore. Before, I would enter contests/calls, and generally try to make pages that are “good enough”. Now, I scrap for myself, and I’ve found that I like each and every page I make. And I honestly think my pages are better now. But I still will not scrap for publication.
3. I don’t scrap consecutively anymore. Even though I haven’t taken the LOM class, I have an idea of its concept, and I have adapted it.
4. I make page kits, just pulling out photos I want to scrap, and choosing papers for them. So when I’m stuck, I just take a kit out.
5. I’ve become selective in the papers I buy. When I know it’s not my style, I don’t buy it, even though it’s the latest thing.
oh, I forgot this one:
6. I set a timer to finish an LO in 30 minutes. There’s something about a deadline that gets me moving. 🙂