My New Scrap System!

Sometimes I've had the problem where I sit down to scrap for a couple of hours or even just 30 minutes and I struggle to come up with something to scrap about. Or, I scrap a layout that I love and in order to finish in the time I have, I force the journaling. These wasted scrap sessions (nap times!) and layouts that didn't sound like me have always frustrated me.

So, the other day when I sat down to scrap and found myself aimlessly pushing photos around, I decided to do something about it! I've always loved the layouts that I've made that I've thought about for a bit ahead of time. Or the ones that I jot down a sketch or notes for in a burst of inspiration. But, spending a day or two thinking about a layout isn't a very good way to get lots done. ;) And, those notes get lost!

Here's what I came up with. I took one of the 12x12 Modern albums from American Crafts and filled it with a bunch of the divided page protectors that hold 4x6 albums. I left the full size 12x12 protectors in the back.

I also grabbed a 4x6 photo album that I'd picked up at the Dollar Store.

Nothing special just a one up album I'd grabbed to alter at some point.

Then, I made them pretty! So fun! The little words under the house say "lives here". The mini album says "scrap on the go". (I used my Dixie Pieces May kit because I adore the colors!)

Then came the work. I grabbed a stack of photos and sorted them into groups. Some of the groups consist of only one photo and others almost a dozen. These may get made into more than one layout. Then, each group goes into it's own section. I try to keep a photo that's really representative of the group both topic and color wise on top.

After that, I pulled out each group, one at a time, laid them out in front of me as if I were going to scrap them right away. But, instead of getting down to business, I grabbed a 3x5 card and wrote down a title or two, some journaling and any other info (like product lines I want to use) on the lined side. If I have any ideas about the design, they go on the back, unlined side. Then I just tucked them back in their slot with the info card at the back.

I just stashed the unused 3x5 cards in one of the slots, too. I may add a pocket for them and a pen to the inside front cover.

The full size 12x12 pages are for when I take this to crops with me, I can just stash the completed layouts in them until I get home! I'm also thinking of creating a section for just ideas sketched onto the 3x5 cards. I chose 3x5 cards because I can get them for soooooo cheap! I have a bunch in my scrap room, by the computer and in my night stand and they are where I scratch down all my ideas. (Seriously, don't zoom in on the cards. My handwriting is atrocious when I'm trying to get ideas down on paper!)

The little mini album is for the same sort of thing except it's alot more portable. I can grab it (with the blank 3x5's already in there), a pack of photos from Costco, a pen (I may have to attach one to the album) and I can "scrap" while I'm waiting to pick up Mickey from school or when Andrew, the kids and I take a road trip. I'm thinking this will get a ton of use in a few years once the kids get into sports and stuff.

Now, whenever I have some time to scrap, I can just grab my Inspiration binder and flip through until I find photos that make me want to scrap or ones that go with the products I'm trying to use. Pull them out and all the ideas are right there with the photos.

I'm so excited about my new system and I hope you all like it and it gives you some ideas, too!