Not a day goes by and I don't do some kind of scrap related task.
I am now also on my Local Scrapping Shop design team so that is extra pages I wouldn't necessarily have done, every other month. Fun though, I get free stuff....
Ok, well, I am not a chronological scrapper... I buy the paper and then find the perfect shots to match the theme/colour/feel of the project. The ONLY thing I scrap right away is Christmas... not sure why, probably because there are just so many to scrap.
So, I can only give you advice from where I scrap from.
For instance, this Christmas I loved the Websters Pages range, and because I am spreading it over 6 pages, have bought all the papers from the one range so co ordination is a breeze and I don't have to think about the colours being a bit off or the patterns fighting each other. I only buy the 'add ons' if I can think of a way to use them while I am standing in the store.. otherwise I never use them. Invest in stamps ( Ask Sandie about Stampin Up stamps, they have some lovely ones) I am a HUGE fan of stamping because it is an economical way to add a flourish or different touch without it costing you $8 for a one off... its reusable and the vast range of inks are astounding. I also am a huge fan of the Tim Holtz inks, ( both alcohol and distress - my current obession) I quite seriously use them on every page.
If you want to speed-scrap through certain events that have a large number of photos ( birthdays etc) then choose a colour scheme and stick to it for the whole album... you can either use the same LO for the whole album ( which cuts down of think time) or you can use the same papers or cardstock but in different configurations. I tend to do each page completely different so it costs me considerably more in both time and money. I am not a speed scrapper by any stretch. And if it makes you feel better, I've been scrapping for 10 years now and I am yet to scrap A SINGLE baby photos and my kids are 15 and 18....
I have SO much to scrap that I plan a set of pages and don't deviate from them till I plan another set. ( 1 for each kid, 1 family, 1 USA trip, 1 Disneyland, 1 'old' occasion, then I start the whole rotation again) I choose, print and file all the photos in separate 12 x 12 zip lock bags for each project and then first check my stash for appropriate papers/accents/stamps/stickers. Then I make a list of what else I need for the whole rotation. Then when I finish all those LO's I start the whole thing again, that way, each album gets added to regularly. I'm not sure I'll ever catch up because my kids were half grown when i started, but I scrap A LOT, so who knows.
Oh, and when those inspirations strike, draw them or write down what you were thinking straight away cos I guarantee, when you are standing there looking for paper and bits and bobs, the whole thing will be a blank in you head.
My scrapping is the ONLY thing I organise to this extent
Hope that helps,.... Sandie, I'm sure will have lot of different tips as well, she is way way more organised than me, so she is sure to have some great system in place to tackle a 'catch up'.
Lisa. */
