Last night was a blast!

I loved scrapbooking with gals from around the world. Scrapbook Improv is a great way to connect with other scrappers and catch up on some scrapbooking! In just under two hours I was able to complete 2 layouts, a traditional 12×12 layout and a two-page pocket layout. I used two kits, both from Gossamer Blue, the November main kit and life pages kit.

Here’s the replay of the video. I’d suggest pulling out your scrappy supplies and scrapping along with me as you watch the replay.

Notable chat:

We talked about reasons and excuses for not scrapbooking. I will be creating a series of blog posts that specifically deal with some of these!

Here’s the layout I created using the main kit from Gossamer Blue:

I LOVE this gorgeous barn board paper from Jen Hadfield’s Warm and Cozy line. As I looked through the kit I knew that I’d be using this paper for sure. Then I saw the cut-apart pocket card that said, “Take Me To The Mountains” and I knew I’d found the perfect embellishment for my page. 🙂  Don’t you love it when that happens?

I love to use words as embellishments on my layouts. With a few pieces of wood veneer this page was almost done. Did you notice that I used the cut-away strip on the layout? It has the paper identification on one side and a fun deer head pattern on the other side.

Using the life pages kit from Gossamer Blue:

(left hand page)

After printing photos I still had a few spots for pocket cards. I try to keep my pocket layouts fairly simple, but still like to embellish a bit.

I love that the Gossamer Blue life pages kit included a stamp set and found the perfect sentiment to stamp on my page.

(right hand pocket page)

I put all of the journaling for this two-page spread on the right-hand layout. There were two stories I wanted to tell, so I wrote them on separate cards.

I have one more photo I’d like to add to this layout. I might replace the “HAPPY” card, or I might add a flip flap instead so I can keep the cute card. 😉

Want to join me next month? Sign up for the Scrapbook Wonderland email list so you’ll receive info about the next Scrapbook Improv.

Hope to see you next time and happy scrapping!

Alice.

Hi! It’s almost time for the November edition of Scrapbook Improv. YAY!!

I’ll be scrapbooking live, online November 20/16 at 5pm Pacific/8pm Eastern.

Join the Scrapbook Wonderland email list to join in the fun! (fill out one of the pink and blue boxes with your name and email… don’t forget to check your mail and confirm!)

I’ll be using the November Gossamer Blue main kit and the life pages kit. Gossamer Blue was very generous and has donated a Life Page kit for one lucky winner… you have to attend the live session to be eligible!

I hope you’ll join me!

Alice.

Hi!

Did you make it to the October LIVE session of Scrapbook Improv?

No?

Here’s the video replay. Grab your scrappy supplies and scrap alongside me.

TRADITIONAL PAGE

For the first layout I used the October Main Kit from Gossamer Blue.

I really loved the travel-themed words on the glitter foam Thickers.

I backed the clear sticker strip with white cardstock so the words would pop off the background.

Isn’t that little bow adorable? (It’s from the Maggie Holmes “Gather” collection.)

POCKET PAGE

For the second layout I used the October Life Pages Kit from Gossamer Blue.

I only had the one photo of my son holding the pretzel and I really wanted to have photos in at least two pockets. Hmmm… what to do?

I duplicated the photo and printed a cropped version of the photo that focused only on the pretzel.

Smart, eh? (Yes, I’m Canadian!)

Yeah, I’m still quite proud of this idea.

Ever wonder where inspiration for a scrapbook page comes from?

EVERYWHERE!

When I was looking at the Gossamer Blue kit I saw this little puffy pretzel sticker. I KNEW I would eventually scrapbook this awesome pic of my hubby and son hamming it up for the camera, but suddenly I had the perfect little embellishment and this page made it to the top of the list.

Inspiration is truly everywhere!

When I was nearly done this page I realized I had a whole stash of Disney scrapbooking supplies. How could I forget that?

I pulled them out and found a perfect little embellishment… a Mickey ears brad.

Thank you Gossamer Blue!

I hope you had fun scrapping with me. If you’d like to join me next month be sure to sign up for the Scrapbook Wonderland email list. (You can do that HERE.)

Happy scrapping!

Alice.

Let’s be real. Sometimes even though you love scrapbooking you just don’t feel like doing it.

When you go through a dry spell and you are not inspired to scrapbook there are some things you can do to get your scrappy mojo back.

These tips actually work. You probably won’t need all ten tips at once, but something will spark your interest and get you back on the path to telling your stories.

1. Don’t. Just don’t scrapbook. Sure, this sounds pretty contrary to helping you get back on track, but there’s a good reason for this advice! If you’re not into scrapbooking right now just allow yourself to be like that for a while. Maybe you scrapbook in cycles like MANY other scrapbookers. Maybe it’s just a seasonal thing and you’ll be back at it when the weather changes.
2. Try something creative. Do something totally unrelated to scrapbooking. Make a card, a tag, a piece of jewelry, doing something creative will spark your excitement for crafting and before you know it you’ll be back into the groove of scrapbooking again.
3. Play! Practicing related skills will help you get ready for scrapbooking. Practice watercolouring, learn a new photoshop skill, learn how to create the perfect splatter effect.
4. Try out a new format. Side-step your usual format of scrapbooking to try something new. If you normally scrap 12×12 try:
   • a traveller’s notebook
   • an art journal
   • a pocket page
   • a mini album
   • a digital or hybrid layout
5. Get inspired. Find someone’s work you absolutely love and scraplift them. Go on Instagram or Pinterest and find an inspiring scrapbooker. Use their style to kick-start your own pages. WARNING: Don’t look too long! Pinterest can become a pacifier, instead of doing something you end up looking at what others are creating.
6. Take a class. This can help you do new things or learn something you’d love to try. Need ideas? Lettering, art techniques, journaling prompts are a great place to start.
7. Participate in a challenge. Whether it’s 30 Days of Lists, iCAD (index card a day) or LOAD (layout a day), taking on a specific challenge really helps. It’s also great that by doing a challenge there’s an extra layer of accountability involved.
8. Immerse yourself in it. Listen to scrapbooking podcasts (like the ScrapGals podcast), watch scrapbooking videos, chat with others about scrappy news, read magazines… there’s still a few out there! (Try Creative Scrapbooker Magazine.)
9. Join a community of like-minded people. Hanging out with others that also love scrapbooking is a great way to get motivated again. Try the ScrapGals Community on Facebook or join the ScrapHappy family. It’s a membership group for scrapbookers that want to do more scrapbooking and have fun while doing it!
10. When you’re ready to scrapbook…
    • use products you truly LOVE and
    • start with a story you can’t wait to tell.
    • Make it easy on yourself, use a sketch or design you love.

Remember your why. Why do you WANT to scrapbook?

Just by thinking about why you want to scrapbook you will be more likely to want to sit down and get scrapping!

Bonus Idea:

11. Start doing laundry. You’ll quickly realize scrapbooking is MUCH MORE FUN that laundry and you’ll be motivated to play with your scrapbooks instead!

Still need a bit more motivation? I chat about all of these ideas and more with Tracie Claiborne on the Live Inspired podcast. Click HERE.

If you have a tip for what to do when you are not motivated to scrapbook please leave it in the comments! I’m always looking for more ways to be inspired.

Happy scrapping!

Alice.