October 2011 Challenge list

Challenge #4

 

So hopefully you have done the challenges either one at a time or all at once but at this point you should have your photos, a plan (or sketch), the paper you want to use and a bit of an idea for the journaling. Now I want you to go to your embellishment stash and gather THREE of something. Three buttons, three brads, three flowers. etc. Something in threes to match your layout. Then grab three of something else. Pick embelies based on colors, style or topic. Place all embelies that you want to use or think you might use in a sandwich size bag and put BACK into the storage system you have created to hold your layout supplies.

 

I also like to pick some sort of journaling block or have some sort of idea in my head how to add journaling to the page. If you type your journaling do that now and have it ready to go. If you are following a sketch you should have the basic idea where and how big your journaling needs to be.

 

This is also a good time to think about your title or what you want to use for a title. If you plan on sticker letters make sure you have them stored with your “kit”. If you want to use die cut letters be sure to either cut them or make notes on which cartridge you want to use.

 

Optional challenge:

 

Pick fall themed embellishments for one layout. Use leaves, pumpkins, etc.

 

Challenge #3

 

Ok so the title is really not too indicative of what the challenge really is this week. But this week’s challenge will probably be the hardest of all, but really it’s not that hard, just a little more time-consuming. This challenge will however HELP you be more productive in the long run.  So roll up those sleeves.

 

When I have all my photos sorted into my bags, or my cropper hopper 12×12 files I can easily find the photos I want to scrap. I can pick them out in chronological order or just find the photos I WANT to scrap. I like to take it one step further. I love to scour the internet and my scrapbook magazines for sketches that I can use with the photos I have. I tend to order all sizes of prints. I will do a lot of 5×7′s for my favorite pics so I try to find sketches that CAN accommodate all sizes.

 

Your Challenge this week is:

 

 A.   Pick one (or all three) if you are feeling adventurous of the sketches below, and select one of your sets of photos that you have printed to use on  the layout. Remember that you do NOT have to copy the sketch exactly. You can alter it to fit what you want. A sketch is a good stepping off point to get you going.

 

 

B.  Gather paper to go with the pictures. At least a few pieces of Card Stock, and patterned paper.

 

Optional Challenge:

 

Use Fall colors for at least one layout.  Rusty oranges, dark greens, deep purples etc.

 

Place the photos, the journaling (if you have already done it), and the paper BACK into the storage system you have chosen to use.

 

DO NOT completely put this challenge away. You will need to get it out next week!

 

IF you are not a scrapper and prefer to make cards this step can still be followed!! Pick a sketch and adapt it for cards, gather your cardstock and patterned paper you wish to use. Put all in a ziplock bag or storage of your choice and wait till next weeks challenge!

 

ALL SKETCHES WERE FOUND HERE!!! This is a fantastic blog to find sketch ideas and also inspiration!!!

 

Here are some other places to find sketches:

 

http://www.stickersnfun.com/sketches.asp

 

http://www.wittyliving.com/crafts/scrapbooking/layouts/scrapbooking-sketch.html

 

http://www.pagemaps.com/

 

 

Challenge #2

Life  is busy. It seems to trap us in a undending circle and cut a hole in that circle anywhere and all heck breaks loose. You don’t have time to breathe much less scrap so let’s get our 20 minutes on this week and go one step more toward not letting our scrapping “Fall through the cracks”.

Remember that stack of photos you developed? You did develop them right? Find a clean surface and start sorting them by layouts you want to scrap. Remember just because you took a fabulous photo of a family member at a birthday party means that it HAS to go in with the rest of the birthday photos. Don’t be afraid to use one photo to tell a story.

After you have sorted the photos you have decide HOW you want to KEEP them that way. Why go to all the trouble of sorting when they will just end up in a pile again somewhere in your scrapbook mess? Some ways of keeping them sorted is to put them in Ziploc bags, recipe boxes,  or even in the page protectors IN your scrapbooks. I use 12×12 cropper hopper sleeves that I found years ago.

You will know EXACTLY what you want to scrap and in what order if you wish. Use a sticky note or scratch paper to jot down memories or even your journaling or title ideas. Put them WITH your photos.

Now find a spot to put all the sorted photos. Whether it be in an accordion file or just in a bigger bag or basket. Just don’t lose them!!

 

 

Challenge No. 1 (Aug 1, 2011)

This challenge is a way to manage your scrapbook time so that when you do have more than just a few moments to your self you can use that time to scrap instead of using precious time to organize and gather. We will be doing this for 10 weeks and at the end it will even help you prepare for a more productive retreat!

So on to the first challenge. As you can gather by the title this challenge is called PRINT IT OUT! Take 15 - 20 minutes of your week to download, organize and print out photos from your camera. If you are anything like me you may have photos that have been on your card for a year. You can’t know WHAT you want to scrap if you can’t SEE it. So download them and organize them the way you wish. I download all my photos into a main “pictures” file on computer. I then sub file in the year (2009, 2010 etc) then I go one step further and file by month. Some download by category (birthdays, vacations, holidays, dog, cat, nose picking…..just seeing if you are still reading). You don’t have to do ALLLLL your photos right now. Download a good portion and start there. If you don’t have many on a memory card then take the time to get them all off,  then DELETE the card so that you will be all set to go the next time you want that great shot! A good way and easy way to delete your photos is to format the card. It can also prolong the life of your card. Check your camera’s manual to find out how to do that.

Now that your photos are downloaded take ten minutes and order some prints. DON’T forget to pick them up! I don’t care if you order all of them at once or pick and choose. I pick and choose before I order. I don’t want to pay for a print that may be fuzzy or under exposed. Get a good pile of them so you have them in YOUR hands when you are ready. If you print on your home computer you can print exactly what you want for the project. BUT GET THEM ON PAPER!!

When you get them home don’t hide them. By “hide” I mean don’t throw them in a drawer, your purse, or on a desk that never gets sat at. Put them in a designated “I need to sort through this pile” Someplace you can always find them such as a basket on the counter, because you will need them next week!