This is a guest post from team member Sara Case Strickland.
I’m known in my group of scrapping friends as being pretty slow at getting a layout done – and it’s true. I can move and tweak and fiddle for hours. It doesn’t help me get many memories scrapped, let me tell you!
I’ve come up with a system that works for me when I just want to get the memories down – and really, isn’t that what we’re really trying to do with our pictures? For me, fast and easy scrapbooking boils down to 3 simple steps:
- Templates or sketches (this can include scraplifting as well)
- Kits (either subscription club kits or collection packs from a specific manufacturer)
- Favourite finishing touches (wood veneer and flair at the moment, along with a bit of mist)
First, I gather the photos I want to get scrapped and then grab a template to use. I find the easiest way to find a sketch or template that works for me is to head to the Simple Scrapper Members Area and search for either the size or number of photos I want to use. (Editor’s Note: This is one of our special features for Premium Members.) I also scraplift from my own favourite layouts – my theory is that if I still love them, they must be good.
Second, I grab a kit.
Credit: Eclectic Love by The Paperie
Collection kits used to be my go-to for coordinating product but now I use kits from companies like Studio Calico, or the one my local scrapbook store puts together each month. I get new product, several different lines, and the knowledge that everything goes – it takes the stress out of trying to coordinate it all myself. I also normally grab my newest kit, regardless of colour or theme. Somehow, I make it work and come on, I think we’re all more motivated when we play with new stuff!
I then use the template and kit products and put together the main layout – pictures, papers, and title.
Finally, I finish off the layout with a bit of mist and some of my favourite embellishments.
Since I have my wood veneer organized in one container, they’re easy to find and poke through. Also they, along with my mist, are always right in front of me so I don’t waste time looking for bits and pieces. Trust me, that in itself saves lots of time!
When I follow these three steps, I can normally get photos printed, on the page, and memories scrapped within an hour. And that is nothing short of miraculous for me! This process also makes mini albums a snap – I simply use one template for all the pages, just rotate it for photo orientation and interest. The common template and kit products ensure a good flow through the pages.
We all scrapbook in different ways but we can all do it faster and easier – and that leaves us more time to make the memories we want to keep and document.
I’d love to know if you have a step-by-step process and what it is. Feel free to leave a comment or link and give us all a few more ideas – I know I’ll take all the helpful hints I can get!
Great job and so clearly laid out – thanks for the inspiration!
Great layout Sara. Love M’s happy face. Love how you hi-lighted the wood veneers on the paper squares. Really makes them stand out. I will have to give your method a try …. I belong in the slow scrapbooker department as well.
Love the layout, Sara! Great job using the kit – sketches and templates are definitely the way to go to make a quick and attractive layout. I love using sketches that show examples so that I can see how to worked out for somebody else – gives me more confidence that I can do it too! 🙂
I love this layout! You did a great job with the misting and the embelishments! Love the blocks with the flair and wood veneers. Great use of the twine. Love the “first mate, second mate” titles. Great job with the layering. Thanks for the inspiration!