Living a very full life means you have a lot to scrapbook! But it also probably means you have limited time to spend on making that scrapbook. Between work, kids, travel, and the chaos of everyday life, it can be challenging to find time for creative hobbies. But if you’re as passionate about preserving your precious memories through photos, paper, and embellishments, as I am, please know, it IS possible to carve out space for scrapbooking, no matter how busy you are!
Realistic Ways to Scrapbook Consistently, Even When You’re Busy
-Simplify Your Designs
A scrapbook doesn’t have to be over-the-top extravagant to be wonderful. In fact, sometimes simpler designs are equally appealing – both when you’re creating the designs and when you’re enjoying them afterward. If you’re short on time, don’t be afraid to simplify your page designs.
Remember – a scrapbook is a family heirloom that will be cherished no matter how fancy it is. Be okay with imperfect pages and simple layouts. Done is better than perfect, especially when you’re capturing memories.
-Invest in the Tools You Need to Scrapbook Efficiently
The right tools can revolutionize how you scrapbook. Many scrapbooking tools like speedy tape runners, trimmers, circle and oval cutters, and border-making tools like our border maker system and border punches can help you to complete various tasks more efficiently, which can mean making more progress and gaining more momentum with your scrapbook in shorter periods of time.
These time-saving tools will give you that creative look we all love without adding so much time.
If you’re finding you have less time to invest in working on your scrapbook, it might be time to look into investing in new tools that will help you to work more efficiently. Check out our shop to find some of our favorite tools for efficient scrapbooking.
-Try Power Layouts!
With limited time to dedicate to scrapbooking, it might be time to rethink your strategy.
Power Layouts can be an effective way to keep you moving forward on your scrapbooking goals, even when you have minimal time to invest. To do so, you’ll break your scrapbooking tasks into phases. During one session, order or print all of the photos you’ll need for upcoming pages.
During the next, CROP your photos if needed, to put emphasis where it belongs. Making a few photos 4×4 instead of 4×6 allows you to not only zero in on what you were photographing anyway, but also gives you more space on your page for more photos. More photos on a page, means LESS pages to complete your project. I also love using our cutting system to add a circle or oval for approximately every 7 photos. I LOVE shapes but you can overdo them and they lose their powerful effect.
Next, “layout” your photos on each page of your album.
After this, it’s time to add the decorative element to your liking. Just putting a light designer print in the background may be all you need and a journal box! I like matting at least a few photos for each double page spread for some extra pop and this can be done easily by using our mat packs already cut to size for most photos OR you can stick your cropped photo to any nice accent color and then use a trimmer to allow about 1/8 to 1/4th of an inch of color sticking out on each side.
For more decoration, try adding a laser border strip or sticker strip, or a border created in seconds with your favorite border maker cartridge or border punch.
As far as other stickers and embellishments, I like to add those on last, after the spread is complete and stuck down.
The beauty of power layouts is you can do one step today, come back to it a week later and do step 2, come back a day or two after that and do step 3 , etc .
While you may not have the immediate satisfaction of seeing a page come together all at once, doing power layouts is a great strategy for maintaining your scrapbooking habit, even when you have limited time. Like this idea? You may want to check out our POWER LAYOUT BOX AND GUIDES which allows you to layout an entire album on guides before you actually move it into your album.
-Try Pre-Done pages
I love Fast 2 Fabulous pages the best for knocking out projects fast. These pages come in a pack just like our white pages or black pages but instead, they LOOK like they have already been SCRAPBOOKED! Pretty borders and background papers are already digitally created and waiting for your photos. I love making these my own by adding mats and journal boxes and extra embellishments but if you find the right set of Fast 2 Fab pages to complement your next project, you can complete your vacation or a sweet baby book in just a few hours!
-Try Simple Kits
Simple kits are super amazing for doing fast pages. These kits are as simple as paper dolls to put together because you have a visual idea of what it will look like to copy and all the supplies needed to put it together. This is also a super economical way to scrapbook since these kits are only around $6 and the only tool you’ll need is our straight trimmer! What I love best about these, is they are kind of like a PATTERN to not just do ONE double page spread but MANY future pages by changing the papers, stickers, embellishments and even punches to get a different look every time. These are a must for those that want to be creative but don’t have the time. Here is a great video demonstrating how to use these kits. https://youtube.com/live/Y_vTQoRZEqU?feature=share
-Dedicate 15 Minutes Per Day
I find that if I have a dedicated PLACE to work where I can leave my stuff out instead of packing up each time, that going in to work on a project for just a few minutes is more appealing, say, after I have had my morning cup of tea, or while waiting for my laundry to finish drying.
Spending short, focused bursts of time WORKS to make quickly make headway on completing your project – especially if you use the time to do power layouts, Fast 2 Fab pages or Simple kits.
Book a Scrapbooking Retreat or Workshop
If finding time in your busy schedule to scrapbook just isn’t feasible in your current season of life, don’t fret! While everyday life might be too busy for fitting in scrapbooking, you also have the option of booking a scrapbooking workshop or retreat. Doing so will provide you with sanctioned time to dedicate to YOU and your family photos – and it will hold you accountable to doing so!
Though this strategy may feel like the opposite of doing just 15 minutes a day, you’ll be similarly surprised by how much you can accomplish by setting aside a chunk of time exclusively for scrapbooking. Learn more about scrapbooking retreats and workshops we offer here – and plan to join us for one! Great way to make LIFE LONG friends 😉
Fit More Scrapbooking into Your Busy Life!
Don’t give up your scrapbooking hobby just because you’re busy! A full schedule means lots of precious memories being made – and capturing those memories has never been more important. Your future self will be grateful that you made the time to do so – and these realistic, doable strategies can help you make it happen.
Want to connect with other scrapbookers in our area? Join our Facebook group! Here, you’ll find lots of like-minded crafty friends who have tips and tricks to share and will help keep you feeling inspired and motivated to scrapbook!
Need a commitment to help hold you accountable as you work towards your scrapbooking goals? Check out our events calendar and sign up for an upcoming gathering.
In need of some tools and supplies to keep your scrapbook hobby up and running? Find everything you need to make scrapbooking easy right here!
