As part of our Simple Tip Saturday series, we’re inviting fresh voices into the mix. Today we’re hearing from Iska Wire with her simple tip.
What is one way you simplify scrapbooking?
My crafting time is late in the evenings and I find I don’t have much “left” after a long day. I know that if I can just get started working on a project, the act of creating really energizes me. So I have worked out a system that takes advantage of my “reverse energy cycle.” After finishing a layout and before going to bed, I gather or print photos and then find supplies and lay it out on my desk. Often I find that since my creative brain has been at work, the ideas come together quickly and since I am limited on time (I need to get to bed) I make faster decisions about choices and can even put together the basic idea of the design. I head to bed and the layout stays in my mind – I sometimes even think of a title or the journaling before I get home the next evening.
What problem does it solve for you?
Walking into my scrap space, usually worn out from a day that starts before 5am, and starting from scratch made me feel overwhelmed. With little mental energy, the thought of turning on the computer and photo printer, searching through pics, then picking paper, embellishments and alphas sounded incredibly daunting so I would just turn off the light and not do anything. This “prepped and ready” cycle works best for me as I have a jump start on the process and can ease into the project since the most challenging part (for me) is already done.
Why do you think it works so well?
This process plays to my strengths and my personality and sets me up for success each evening since I don’t have to start at the beginning. I even find this process speeds up my evening routine as I have been thinking about the layout during the day and I am excited to get started. And the best part is that it creates a sort of “quick win” for me and I almost always finish a page every time I start this way.
How can others get started with it?
Figure out what your creative or energy cycle is and think about how it helps or hurts your creative process. I find I need the most energy when making selections and first starting off on a layout and that I have the most energy when I complete something – so I try to put those two pieces together. Maybe it is the “kit your stash” approach to lessen your choices or batch prepping several page kits so you can just pick up and go. I think it is important to find a process that works for you that feels natural versus forced. This process creates a great rhythm for me and I hope that sharing this idea helps others find something that works for them.
Simple Tip Saturdays are for sharing easy ideas to grab and go. Would you like to be featured? Complete this form to submit a tip for consideration.
Leaving the next project pieces laid out is a great idea – ready to go the next time!
What a fantastic approach – this makes so much sense, how has no one ever thought of this before. I can totally relate to lack of mojo at the end of the day. Thanks so much for sharing.