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ladybug4233
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 248,678
February 2006
Posts: 2,337
Layouts: 0
Loc: Colorado
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biochemipea
likes shiny things
PeaNut 114,614
November 2003
Posts: 19,365
Layouts: 444
Loc: Ontario, Canada
 |  Posted: 12/22/2012 4:51:02 PM
I have many of the same struggles and opinions you do. I love scrapbooking. I love paper. I love a detailed, finished page. I NEVER get anything done at group crops -- I am too easily distracted and chatty!
But I don't get too bothered if a page takes me a long time. I am OK if I take a couple of days working on a page. I find I spend about 1.5-2 hours actually working on each page, the rest is just thinking or drying time.
I find when I rush a page or make myself call it down, I'm usually not happy with that page in my album.
I love paper. It's at least a third of the reason I scrapbook.  But, I almost always use the more subtle patterned side. And that's ok!!
You could try incorporating larger, busier patterns in smaller strips or pieces. Or use these patterns to cover chipboard, make die cuts,
Or other embellishments with. You could also try buying 6x6 pads and using the busier patterns in the smaller scale size. Sometimes a pattern that is just too BG for me on a full size 12x12 sheet is my favourite from the collection in the smaller format.
I'm also totally ok with not being caught up or scrapping every photo. Part of scrapping or me is just enjoying putting the page together and playing with fun supplies and stuff that I LOVE! If I felt stressed out and bothered about part of scrapbooking, I know I wouldn't enjoy it so much.
So, what can you do to make it better for you?
Do you need to let go of the pressure you put on yourself to get pages done quickly? (I did).
Do you need to let go of wanting your pages to look a certain way?
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VexedAngel
Cold Pea on a Cracked Plate
PeaNut 156,343
July 2004
Posts: 5,092
Layouts: 46
 | Posted: 12/22/2012 4:59:45 PM
You could also just set aside a scrap day to play with all the mists, veneers, diecuts, etc to make your own embellishments. That way you get to play with no pressure of 'getting something done' and in your next scrap day, you'll have a bunch of premade embellishments to just be able to use and not have to fuss over when 'in the moment.' |
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NativeNewYorker
black eyed pea with soul!
PeaNut 15,878
May 2001
Posts: 24,962
Layouts: 70
Loc: LI, NY
 | Posted: 12/22/2012 6:41:49 PM
I only allow myself three sheets of a particular patterned paper. Two works for a double layout and the third is for if I mess one up or want to cut accents out of the paper. |
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tinkgumby
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 281,136
October 2006
Posts: 2,262
Layouts: 6
Loc: DFW, TX
 | Posted: 12/22/2012 7:28:57 PM
I struggle with the same thing. I actually made a pro/con list a couple of years ago while trying to decide to do more elaborate pages (colorful, creative, satisfying but SLOW) or more simple pages (cleaner, faster, but can be boring or unsatisfying).
I ended up just sort of compromising - sometimes I take a lot longer and use more products/techniques, and sometimes I go fast and simple (like divided page protectors). That way I feel like I get the best of both worlds - the creative outlet I need but still getting stuff done.  |
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voltagain
OklaPhoma
PeaNut 18,334
July 2001
Posts: 35,123
Layouts: 15
Loc: State of cultural confusion. Yeehaw and Aloha have collided!
| Posted: 12/22/2012 7:30:57 PM
1. Buy paper as I need it. This is hard since I like to shop online.
2. Do one page Layouts and put remainder photos in sleeves.
3. Do the Simple Stories way of scrapbooking.
4. Give myself a certain amount of time to complete a LO.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
5. Give yourself permission to not be fast. Slow down, enjoy the *process* as much as the end result. Savor the time spent making decisions.
and when I host a crop I am never ever as productive as my friends. A large percentage of my time is taken up with hostessing to make sure they are comfortable and having a good time. |
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JannyGirl
BucketHead
PeaNut 58,996
December 2002
Posts: 686
Layouts: 11
Loc: The City That Never Sleeps
 | Posted: 12/22/2012 8:45:33 PM
People approach scrapbooking in different ways. Some start with the photos, some with the story, some with the design, and others with products. It sounds like you enjoy the shopping/product aspect of scrapbooking, so that is where you should begin. Play with your products and supplies, and create a nice layout and some embellishments. Then add photos that work with your design.
I start with the photos and story, and then go from there. There is no right or wrong way to scrapbook. It's all about what you like to do, and how you like to do it. Allow yourself to not be "caught up" or be a speedy scrapper. Enjoy the process, and have fun. |
Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right. - Henry Ford
My Crafty Life
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aJerseyGirl
[insert clever title here]
PeaNut 246,022
January 2006
Posts: 6,404
Layouts: 97
Loc: New Jersey
| Posted: 12/22/2012 8:53:35 PM
I have some of the same issues, but I don't get to scrap as often as I'd like to. I'm hoping to scrap this week since schools are closed (I'm a teacher) but I have so much other catching up to do that I'm not sure how much time I'll have.
So, I'm never caught up. But that's really ok with me. I don't think I'd want to be completely caught up because then if I feel like scrapping, but I'm out of pictures, then what?
But, with that said, I know that I'm sometimes in the mood to scrap pictures that I just had printed rather than pictures that are a year or more old. And so I do it. I scrap out of order and use 3-ring albums so it's easy to put them in the albums in loosely-chronological order.
I do get frustrated sometimes because although I really enjoy the process of scrapbooking, I'm not creative at all. I'm much more happy with my layouts if I've used a sketch or scraplifted something. But since I like the "cutting and pasting", I don't really want to use photo sleeves, etc. right now. That may change in the future, but for now, I'm looking forward to some crafty time.
I hope you find what works for you! | |
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*Delphinium Twinkle*
I'm just a pea:)
PeaNut 163,613
August 2004
Posts: 68,230
Layouts: 236
Loc: *Sunny Southern California*
| Posted: 12/22/2012 9:11:23 PM
I used to worry I wasn't getting enough done at a crop or in a day. I also would get worried about 'not being caught up'
I've given up the 'caught up' thing and I no longer care how long it takes to complete a layout.
It's so liberating to just do what you love with no rules or expectations except a good time creating. |
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ladybug4233
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 248,678
February 2006
Posts: 2,337
Layouts: 0
Loc: Colorado
| Posted: 12/23/2012 10:10:00 AM
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and feelings. I will have to give this more thought. |
Candie
 
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StreetScrapper
AncestralPea
PeaNut 251,919
March 2006
Posts: 4,838
Layouts: 18
Loc: Toronto, Ontario
| Posted: 12/23/2012 10:14:32 AM
If you want to talk about slow scrapping, I'm it. It takes me forever to complete a page. I'm exactly like you though... once it's done I love everything about it. I have found in the past that if I hurried to finish a layout, when looking through my albums those were the ones that stuck out like a sore thumb... maybe there was something missing... or I should have used a different font for the title or the journalling instead of the one I used ... or the embellishments looked out of place... Those always ended up being the pages I have re-done. So now I take my time and I don't think about how long it takes. And as for being behind, well, I doubt I'll ever know what being caught up is! |
Canon Rebel XTi w/grip
Canon 50mm f/1.8
Canon 85mm f/1.8
Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 SP Di Macro
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Photoshop Elements 10 | |
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*kaleidoscope*
Leader of the Banned
PeaNut 52,171
October 2002
Posts: 17,509
Layouts: 105
Loc: Froogville
| Posted: 12/23/2012 10:32:16 AM
I am really slow. Which is pretty sad considering my pages look rather simple. I even start out with a sketch a lot of the time. WTH?!?!?
Um... so no solution for you there.  Maybe some of us are just slow no matter what. |
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BedsandBorders
PeaNut
PeaNut 326,513
July 2007
Posts: 499
Layouts: 7
Loc: New England
 | Posted: 12/23/2012 11:00:04 AM
I understand your way of thinking completely, ladybug4233.
biochempea and *Delphinium Twinkle* are so on the money, so eloquent on this and many other scrapping philosophies that I can't add much more. Asking yourself questions about what is important is good advice for all of us.
Except to say: that this art of scrapping requires you to not only collect supplies and think about how to use them, but more importantly to LIVE LIFE in order to have memories to record. I can't create and socialize at a crop or get together either...
I am a recent empty nester and life has finally given me time to use all my lovely supplies.
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Sophikins
PeaAddict
PeaNut 62,725
January 2003
Posts: 1,507
Layouts: 27
Loc: Pacific NW
| Posted: 12/23/2012 11:19:08 AM
Totally agree with the idea of just enjoying the process. Don't worry about getting caught up. Enjoy all your stash. I too love the idea of using all products and tools to create embellishments, titles etc. Don't even think about how long it takes to do a layout. If you are not on a deadline for a particular project, it does not matter one bit. Enjoy the process and the final result of your pages.
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Bingcherry
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 198,489
March 2005
Posts: 2,992
Layouts: 5
Loc: Sunny Orlando, FL
| Posted: 12/23/2012 11:30:57 AM
I'm in the same boat as you are. I take forever to finish a LO, sometimes a day or two. I'm just not a fast scrapper and I've come to accept it.
Scrapping for me boils down to two things. It allows me to preserve my memories and be creative.
These are some things that have helped me come to terms with being severely behind.
When I buy patterned paper, I purchase most of the collection including all the embellishments. Expensive? Yes, but I usually don't need to add anything else from my stash. I can get 7 to 10 LO's from one complete collection.
Since I don't scrap chronologically, it doesn't matter that they all look similar.
Also this year I did Project Life. While its not a project for everyone, it's definitely helped me shift my focus from this year to prior years. Now I won't feel guilty about not having a single LO this year. My stories are all recorded, just not in a 12x12 format.
I've just come to accept the fact that I will always be behind. I have definitely been more productive this year, even while keeping up with my project life.
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kiwifarmer
PeaNut
PeaNut 77,643
March 2003
Posts: 110
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 12/23/2012 1:07:38 PM
Maybe try a different starting point?
I found a year or so ago, that a lot of my dithering around was related to the photos.
Now I pull out products and create a page without a photo in mind. It. Has been very liberating. ESP for while at crops. I find thati can always find a suitable photo to put on the page when I get home.
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princesspaperlover
PeaAddict
PeaNut 361,297
February 2008
Posts: 1,467
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 12/23/2012 1:22:13 PM
I would suggest not stressing so much. if u "love" all things scrappy. Just embrace it! Therer no rules and no one will come to ur house and tell u not to paint, mist,or glitter the heck out of a wood veneer! Do u feel u should be faster or? Do u feel u buy more than u use ? I have those concerns sometimes too, but at the end of the day I try not to compare myself to others-I scrap slowly most of the time and that's ok. I enjoy the journey/process. Try not to b too hard on yourself. |
Donna/Gigi/Missuslucky
Silhouette Cameo lover!! | |
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lynner5996
PeaNut
PeaNut 181,484
December 2004
Posts: 304
Layouts: 2
Loc: North of WDW
| Posted: 12/23/2012 2:21:21 PM
I used to stress about never being caught up, but after thinking about this and trying different solutions over the years, I decided not to do this anymore. After all, I took an 18 year break from scrap booking, and even then, I had only scrapped my children's first few years. So now I plan on a certain number of "heritage" layouts every month(2 or a 2-page spread) and if I end up doing more, well, yay!
As to the struggle between simple and elaborate, I, too, have lots of products I like to play with. What I usually end up doing is planning out kits with more elaborate techniques in mind and simple pages that will tell the rest of the story. As someone already mentioned, giving yourself a play day to use the mists and cut cricut titles for the layouts that you have kitted. I work from kits a lot and Shimelle has helped me to understand how to coordinate products from different manufacturers into kits. Good luck! |
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scrapea&happy
BucketHead
PeaNut 224,490
September 2005
Posts: 633
Layouts: 22
Loc: Port Coquitlam, B.C. Canada
| Posted: 12/28/2012 8:25:23 PM
What is the part you enjoy the most about Scrapbooking? What I read from your thinking is the creative process...that it is what you enjoy! So you need to embrace that and measure your success by the fun your having rather than the completed pages!
Speaking from experience...it is no fun catching up and then not being inspired by the same pictures you take all the time!
So, I say just have fun and don't stress enjoy the hobby in the moment for what you are doing! |
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I am Jen
PinkKitchenStudio
PeaNut 14,286
April 2001
Posts: 15,207
Layouts: 244
Loc: Louisville, Ky
 | Posted: 12/28/2012 8:30:42 PM
2. Do one page Layouts and put remainder photos in sleeves.
I guess that's how I scrapbook.
I enjoy scrapbooking, because I don't have expectations that overwhelm me or worry about "having" to get it done a certain way. I quit trying to scrapbook in chronological order years ago. I don't need to scrapbook every single photo.
I scrapbook what I want & that makes me feel more creative. I print all my photos out & put them into pocket albums. It's a huge feeling of accomplishment, getting my photos printed & into a safe place so we can look at them.
Then I can have fun creating & doing all that other fun stuff I love about the hobby! |
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serenitysmom
PeaAddict
PeaNut 193,655
February 2005
Posts: 1,329
Layouts: 40
Loc: Alabama
| Posted: 12/28/2012 9:08:50 PM
I have only done about 3 months of PL and 4 LOs this year... sometimes it is what it is. I have learned to embrace my slowness and I'll get it done when I get it done. I have no idea what this concept of "caught up"is and probably never will
Give yourself permission to be slow, take your time, and have fun.
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dalayney
Shut the PEA UP! Yer gettin me all twitterpaited!
PeaNut 123,471
January 2004
Posts: 16,356
Layouts: 165
Loc: Husker by Heart in WI
| Posted: 12/28/2012 9:21:27 PM
I am a slow scrapper, as I love to paper piece, and dry emboss. Very time consuming techniques. But when I would get hung up on a page, or just felt tired of scrapbooking pages, I would do one of 2 things.
1. Scraplift. Yep. Scraplift layout formations. Love to do this in my personal scrapbooks. Go to pinterest and there are tons of black and white page placement pages.
2. Make a mini album ( 6x6 or 8x8) or a bunch of cards or tags. I found when I had a smaller space to scrap with, I got alot more accomplished. Sometimes that big ol' 12 x 12 can be daunting. 
Sometimes you need to just change it up a bit. Or, if you're really wanting to practice one technique, instead of doing it for one layout... utilize that technique in a layout, 3 cards, and 4 tags. That way you get one mess but have more to show for it. Helps you use up scraps too.
Good luck! |
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Cindy March
BucketHead
PeaNut 487,105
November 2010
Posts: 761
Layouts: 0
Loc: Long Island, New York
 | Posted: 12/28/2012 9:27:58 PM
Try to remember it is not a race. Enjoy the process. |
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