Tip of the Month

How do you stay motivated when scrapping? What do you do when you've lost your motivation to scrap?

kathy m from san jose writes...
When I\'m really stumped, I start a short project (a theme album) something with a beginning and a end. Having a specific project, gets me excited about putting things together for it. I also surf message boards for new ideas. Reading magazines is also good. A participating in a challenge is a good thing to get you going too.

GBS from Baton Rouge, LA writes...
When I have lost motivation, I look through my photos. I normally find something there that I just HAVE to scrap. That helps me get going again.

Dayna in ME writes...
This may sound odd, but I do other scrapbooking related things - for example, yesterday I had some time but wasn\'t really motivated to get all my scrapbooking stuff out, so I did the next best thing and got a whole bunch of negatives organized into my Neg File - a project I have been setting aside for about a year now. Other times when I don\'t have enough time to scrapbook or are less motivated, I try to organize things. One time it was going through and organizing/weeding out stickers, another time the years of magazines I had accumulated. I find in this way just by \"touching\" my scrapbook stuff, I get more motivated to scrabbook another time, as the projects that are needing to get done are already done, making it easier to progress and find things!

Dorthy writes...
I\'ve found that making a card helps. I decide what type of card to make and go through my stash looking for stickers, die cuts, vellum, metals, etc to use on my card. In doing so, I\'m finding items to use on my SB pages. This gets me in the mood and sometimes I end up putting a page together instead of finishing my card.

Phyllis in IL writes...
Organize your supplies! When I hit a rut, instead of scrapbooking I re-organize my supplies. When I see all the different things I own, I get the urge to use them. Whether it\'s because I\'m embarrassed I have so much or I find some really cool stuff I brought that got buried away.

Phyllis in IL writes...
Organize your supplies! When I hit a rut, instead of scrapbooking I re-organize my supplies. When I see all the different things I own, I get the urge to use them. Whether it\'s because I\'m embarrassed I have so much or I find some really cool stuff I brought that got buried away.

JaneL writes...
I find motivation by looking through the albums that I have done; I enjoy this so much it makes me anxious to complete more pages. I sometimes pick up a new scrapbooking magazine or even look through some of the ones I already own. I especially like the magazines which demontrate a new technique (like PK Tips & Techniques) - makes me want to try something new myself!

Gale in AZ writes...
always comes to me if I stop thinking about it. Start another page project...it will come to you.

bernie from Washington, PA writes...
I do a couple pages in my Girl scout album. I show these to my parents and since 95% of them do not scrap they do not know that the pages are scraplifted from magazines and idea books. After doing a few page then I am ready to complete some pafes in other albums. The good side is that I am getting a lot done on my Girl Scout album that I would not be doing otherwise.

Carla in NC from Triad - North Carolina writes...
The best motivation for me is a combination of things.... **** SBA!!!! * Browse through magazines & layout galleries online * Go to the LSS, crops, or SB events!

Chris in IN from Schererville, IN writes...
What I do is print a calander page (monthly) and tack it on the wall above me. I keep a tally of how many pages I do a day/week then a final total at the months end. By doing this allows me to see when I start to slack. And when Im on a roll, this calander helps me to keep going. Also, my sister scraps and we set weekly goals for us. Something small like 5 pgs just to keep us going. Our reward is showing each other what we have accomplished. Works for me. Hope I helped someone here on SBA!

Judy from AK writes...
Opening a newly processed envelope of photos, especially if there are 1 or more really \"wow\" shots, just rejuvinates me and I start feeling real creative again.

scrapper in indy writes...
I usually browse online galleries of pages to get ideas or treat myself to a new idea book. Once, I even had to take a class to get me going again. I have scrapped since 1996, and there was about a year where I didn\'t do much at all. Online sites like this one really got me going again. I really like the tip I read about reorganizing supplies, I think I will try that during my next rut... that is a great idea!

Chris in IN from Schererville, IN writes...
GO SHOPPING!!!! I go to my LSS and buy a new tool, embellishment, and/or papers. This always helps. Nothing wrong with a little retail therapy. Right?! This ALWAYS works for me. HTH

scraparr (Linda) from Maine writes...
I pick out some embellishments or paper or stickers or things that match my photos\' theme or color scheme. Then I leave them on my table where I can see them and kind of stew over them for a couple of days. Usually I end up with some kind of idea, and once I get back in the groove, I\'m all set.

Karen from Texas writes...
The best thing to knock me out of a rut is a PARTY! So I get myself to a crop with some friends ASAP. The process of pre-planning a few pages sometimes gets me juiced again, but if that doesn\'t work, being with other creative people always does! Having someone to bounce ideas off of or get suggestions from really helps. Even helping a begining scrapper with her dilemas will get me going. Cropping with my gal pals always energizes and challenges me!

Shelly S from Urbana, IL writes...
A change in projects always helps me. I will either start editing my new pictures and get them ready to print, or I switch the album I\'m working on. I find I get in a rut easily when I am on the third page of \"fall pictures\" or christmas pictures, etc. If I work on someone else\'s book (I made a gift album for my MIL) and change it up for a while, I\'m usually pumped to work on my own after a break. If that fails, I clean my desk! Having a clean surface always motivates me! The club scrap pizza box every month doesn\'t hurt either. I find that the more I scrap regularly, even just a little each day, the more I get accomplished. I also scrap with friends once a week. We all try to encourage each other to finish at LEAST one two-page spread.

Billie writes...
I either look through idea books, or in past albums. I see pages I can\'t even remember doing, or I look at them and think \"Wow! I did that?!\" It works every time!

Sheila writes...
I agree with staying organized! A couple of times a year, I\'ll clean out my scrap area, and I\'ll get rid of the stuff that I know that I will never use! ELIMINATION---patterned paper...stick people...and etc. The key to staying into scrapbooking would be to MAKE TIME for it! Try new things, and different techniques. I look through magazines for pieces of ideas that I can use instead of copying the whole layout.

Rinda from El Granada writes...
Pre-plan some layouts! Or work on those that I have already preplanned. Other things already mentioned are: clean my desk, plan to crop with others, look through sketches book and peruse my embellishments psb. Rinda

Kerry from Fort Worth TX writes...
I do ALOT to keep me going. I always set a goal for the year. A page a day for the year. Then I get a calendar and a bunch of yucky small stickers. If on Jan 1, I do 12 pages, I put stickers on Jan 1 through 12. On Jan 2, I do 3 more pages, so I put stickers on Jan 13, 14, 15, etc. This gives me a good visual of my progress. My next goal is to complete last year before next year. I like to be about a year behind, so my goal of 2003 in 2004 makes sense to me. This gives me time to think about journaling and ideas. I also try to do something scrap related each day. This could be something as small as the map that I picked up at Staples yesterday for an album that I need to do for DH or I can haul everything into the living room and scrap and watch cartoons with my son for the day. When I get stuck, yes this happens to the best of us, I try to find a way to work through it. I have yet to start my 2003 albums because I have no motivation. So I spent time creating a scrap space, I organized all my stuff, I sold some stuff on Ebay. I did a swap. I attended an all night crop. I\'ve stopped by every crop my CMC has held this year, just to keep in touch with everyone. I read mags and searched idea galleries. I finished a small project. I did a bunch of pages for Make A Wish foundation. Actually, that project helped me alot. I rediscovered the joy of scrapping and I used a lot of stuff that was in my stash but not my style. I spent 3 days working on a coin folder. I\'ve done a little shopping, but not much. Finally, I was ready to scrap something, but not quite ready for the family albums and my DH told me his parents were going to visit. I\'ve spent the last 2 weeks working on our cruise album, just to show it off to them when they arrive tomorrow. I still have some work to do, but I\'m home all day today and the house is clean, so I should get it done on time. This has been really helpful, because there is a start and a finish. It has been going fast, because I am only using SEI Scenery paper and matching embellishments. I admit that there is no journalling at this point, but I wanted to see what DH said to his parents when they view the album before I do any writing. I also have started planning projects again. I have 4 winter coin folders and a world traveler coin folder that I want to do and I have to get all the stuff from DH most recent trip organized and put into an album before he comes back from his next one. But I\'m going to an all day crop next week and I really need to do some page planning for that. But this is some of the stuff that I do to keep me going. PS. Last night I put stickers in August, so I know that I\'m getting a lot done.

Maria in Columbus from Ohio writes...
When I need motivation, I participate in things like the monthly or weekly challenges here on SBA. Also, I will look through my embellishments and choose something out to challenge myself to put it on a page. It will get the juices flowing. Other times, I will cruise MB looking for inspiration from other people\'s layouts.

Kari in WA writes...
As hokey as it sounds, a meeting with fellow consultants (I am a CMC) perks me right up. Somebody always has an inspirational story, layout idea or somesuch. When I get home afterwards, it is all I can do not to pull everything onto the table and work until the wee hours!

Kathyy from IL writes...
I get away. Usually when I lose my motivation it is because I have a million other things I am worrying about. So I go get something else done so that I am less stressed out about it, then I can focus on scrapping.

Tricia MacQueen from London Ontario, Canada writes...
I know that I have lost my motivation when everything seems to take alot of effort (like a chore) and I am frustrated with the results. I remember why I started scraping in the first place, ENJOYMENT! I take a break to recharge, sometimes for days or weeks and do other activities I enjoy. This seems to lead me to my scrapbooking and stamping magazine collection which I browse through and this is usually enough to recharge my creative spirit.......so off I go for another page or 20!

abbey55417 from MN writes...
I go take a bunch of photos!!!!

Karlee Prehm from Las Vegas writes...
When I lose my motivation to get scrappin\' I look at all of my completed pages and then look through all my photots waiting to be scrapped and usually find that one great photo that is just screaming to be scrapped. That or I eat some brownies and organize all my supplies, once I start seeing all the stuff I have an idea for a layout will come.

Jill in Chicago from Roselle, IL writes...
Organize! Tidy up your work space. Go through your stuff and find different/better ways to store things. I\'ve also found that working on \"just okay\" photos, or even bad photos, gives you a ton of creative freedom. There isn\'t so much pressure. Ironically, these pages usually turn out great. LOL!

Kristina Moyer writes...
The projects i\'ve been working on lately are for other people. When i\'m not feeling motivated i just think about what the person\'s reaction might be when they open their gift. When i picture the smile on my mom\'s face or the tears in her eyes it makes me want to sit right down and start scrappin!

Tracy *SBA* from Wisconsin writes...
When I am blocked I buy something new to use something different that I don\'t have then I can\'t wait to use it. Or I look thought the pile of Mag\'s I have to find a cute page that I could borrow from. Or I call my friend up to come and scrapbook with me then I have someone to chat with and bounce ideas off.

Gail in NJ writes...
I\'ve been scrapbooking for 4 years now and the only thing that has ever kept me from scrapping was a messy desk. That would make me procrastinate even if I really want to scrap. Something else that helps me is to do a very simple layout with maybe some pre-made embellishments. Just having one done quickly will get me going.

Carin from North Texas writes...
I usually start with making some cards or finishing up any LOs that I may need to add final touches too. If that doesn\'t work, I start organizing my supplies. Then, I turn to my mags and online idea sources.

colleen from Alaska writes...
When feeling unmotivated I either browse through idea books or I browse through my completed albums. Usually going through my albums is enough to get me motivated again. This is especially true if I look through them with my kids - they always ask, \"Where are photos of _____?\" And the blank is usually the event I am working on.

Holly from Upstate New York writes...
I will get on the computer and talk with the ladies on scrapbooking sites or I will read some of my many scrapping magazines. Usually one or the other always works.

Stephanie in VA writes...
I like to browse through my memorabilia. For example, I might pick up my Niagara Falls folder and the memories will get me excited.

lana from Delaware, Ohio writes...
I often get stumped - I think I get tired of doing the same kinds of things - so I switch gears entirely. I just scrapped my bridal shower and our first apartment - I\'m talking 1974 here! If that doesn\'t work, then I go through magazines and look for pages that appeal - and I just scraplift - the good feeling I get from a page well done is very motivational to keep on going! If all else fails, I organize (or reorganize) - seeing and handling things I may have forgotten often gets the creative juice flowing again!

Barb from PA writes...
I start looking through my photos and crop them. This usually gets me in the mood to scrap again.

Barb from PA writes...
Forgot I wanted to add something else. You can also get motivated again by taking photo\'s from different angle\'s. Like for instance go to a playground and lay on the ground and take a photo looking up through the spiril toy they have there. (sorry don\'t know correct name for it). Stand on top of something and take a photo looking down on it. Use you imagination with different angles instead of taking them straight on. This gives variety and will put you in a new scrapping mood. Just to do a different page to get you started again.

lana from delaware, ohio writes...
I usually find that I need a change of pace. I am eithier bored by the topic I have been scrapping or bored withthe techniques I am using. Going through pics and magazines will usually spark something I am excited about doing.

Pammy R. from NC writes...
I go back and reread some of my old journals. There is usually some part that I want to include on a scrapbook page so I try to build a page around the journaling, looking for a photo that will \"go\" with the journaling or decorating the page without a photo.