Back to Basics

None of us ever have enough time.  Many days we want to crop, but it just seems overwhelming. Before you accumulate even more pictures and get frustrated, try going back to basics.  Below are some tips to stay ahead or catch up with the pile of pictures.

1. Goes without saying…but use kits to speed up the scrapping process. Colors are already coordinated for you!

2. Challenge yourself to use nothing but paper to create the layout. Not only will this keep you from having to search for that perfect embellishment, but you will also go through some of your scraps.

3. Stick to a color scheme. Put together some of your favorite colors and then switch them around for various layouts.

4. Use layout sketches. I love Scrap Maps for layout sketches in many sizes. It’s much easier to use a map than to create something from scratch. Once you’ve found a map you like you can also use it over and over with slight variations. There’s no need to reinvent every page.

5. Only use the best photos. Get your focal point and a journal block started, then expand from there with other photos or some slight embellishments.

By sticking to the basics you should be able to do many pages in a sitting. Don’t forget this is about the fun and story of it. Not about what kind of award you win with every layout.

~ Val Selby www.littlescrapbookshop.com