Scrapbook & Cards Today Blog: Tackle a creative block...and one more!

Good Monday morning! Design team member Sheri Reguly is joining us with a great way to combat the dreaded "scrapper's block"...

"From time to time, we've all suffered a case of what we know as "scrappers block." We're arranged and rearranged papers, photos and embellishments, unable to achieve a desired effect. Suddenly, you find that your beloved hobby is stressing you out just a little. Sometimes you just have to give in and create a page, while telling yourself that it's OK if you don't love it, and that not every page has to be a masterpiece.

One of my favorite cures for getting over a case of scrappers block though, is to find a layout that inspires me, and create my own version of it. By doing so, the hardest part is essentially already done for me. All I have to do now, is pull out those photos I've been wanting to scrapbook, along with some favorite supplies that I've been just waiting for the chance to use. Sometimes I follow the inspiration piece right down to the very last detail, while on other occasions, I have found that once I got started, the design seemed to take on a life all of it's own. All I really needed was that extra little nudge to get me started.

My favorite places to turn for creative inspiration include scrapbooking magazines, blogs, websites, or my very own scrapbook albums from days gone by. I recently turned to the gorgeous Fall issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today to be inspired (you can view the magazine in its entirety here). Becky Fleck's layout featured on page 5, entitled "One Fall Day" instantly captured my attention. I was drawn to the wonderful large strips of patterned paper, as well as it's clean lines, which very much resemble my own personal scrapbooking style.

Aside from lowering the placement of my photos, and opting for a single decorative edge, as opposed to three, I followed Becky's design very closely.

Even though I'm unable to take credit for the actual design of my layout, it's one that I'm excited to add to my album, and it did just the trick to get me creating on my own again.

We'd all love to see your takes on layouts that have inspired you from the Fall issue. Be sure to link us to them under the comment section below. Join me again on Wednesday, for some more wonderful inspiration from the Fall issue.

Have a Happy Monday, everyone! :) ~ Sheri Reguly

And, exciting news...

Classes for Crop & Create Winnipeg go live on our website for viewing TONIGHT at 7:00 p.m.! Mark your calendars (hopefully your new 2012 PageMaps calendar!) as registration opens for Crop & Create Winnipeg one week from today on December 5th at 7:00 p.m. EST! Winnipeg, we are coming to town with some fabulous classes, a full marketplace that will be open to the public and guess who else is joining us? Caroline Lau from Maya Road for an exclusive class and fabulous make n' takes. Learn more at 7:00 pm tonight right HERE!

Comments

That same layout inspired me, and I love the way mine turned out. Wish I had a way to show you here. Love your variation!

Posted by: Adele | November 28, 2011 at 10:43 AM

Sheri that's beautiful!! Wonderful inspiration from Becky, of course :) And yay Crop and Create Winnipeg!

Posted by: KathyT | November 28, 2011 at 10:52 AM

Love both those layouts!!!!

I had just the same issue last night. No "mojo" to scrap but found a layout I really liked on a website and the next thing I knew, I had a page done based on the inspiration from that layout!!!

Posted by: Heather Guy | November 28, 2011 at 11:16 AM

Love using other scrappers layouts or sketches as the base for my layouts. It really inspires me to get things done with the little time I have to crop.

Posted by: JustAPacRat | November 28, 2011 at 12:18 PM