Rachel's Ramblings

Scrapfest PIctures

scrapbook pages

more to come....... 

Scrapbooking PAGE KITS -- how to...

I was asked about my page kits today, and how I put them together, so I'm bumping up this post that I wrote last year so that it is view-able again.  Hope it gives you some ideas!

I LOVE making page kits for my scrapbooking -- it makes scrapbooking SO much faster and easier for me!  I wish I had been doing this from the time I started.  If I had, I'd have many more pages completed! 

Here's how I make my Scrapbooking PAGE KITS

I start with large ziplock bags (13in by 15inches).  They perfectly fit a 12x12 sheet of cardstock, and all the accessories :)
First:  I take a set of photos.  I lay them out on my table and decide what kind of layout I want to do for them - how I want to lay it out, etc.  Check my *sources* if I'm stuck.  Once I get into *layout* mode the ideas come easily.  I draw a sketch of what I want the layout to look like, then list on the same paper the things that I need for that layout.  The photos and the sketch/list go into a bag together... 
I then do the same with SEVERAL other sets of photos.  I usually do about 15 at one time.

Second, it's the papers...  The right ones for each set - I only have to pull my papers out once to pick for all the sets I'm working on - talk about a time saver!  If I have suitable papers, they go into the bag with the sketch and list (I cross off each list what I put in the bag). 

Third I tackle embellishments - hopefully I have on-hand what I need.  If not, I just don't cross it off the list!

And finally, journalling.  Each set gets done -- epecially if I'm doing it on the computer (I do most of my journalling on the computer).  I can just GO - each set of journalling gets done, easily and painlessly (and then dh can have the computer for a while)  -  I don't need to come on and off the comptuer as I put together each layout.  

Now I can seperate my kits into two piles -- one pile of "complete" sets (everything ready to put together) and one set of "incomplete" (something is missing!)

And finally, a TRIP TO THE SCRAPBOOKING STORE!

I TAKE my page kits with me, my "needs" list is showing in the front of each kit, so I can easily see what I require for each layout.  (The owners are used to me coming in with a bunch of bags looking for embellishments or paper to match something I already have in the bag)  I don't get in often and I don't have a ton to spend, so I try to use my time and money wisely.  I don't over-buy, I don't stock up (well... maybe a little).  I buy what I need.  I used to stock up, but now I have a TON of stuff I'll NEVER USE!!  I learned my lesson.

I pick up what I need, put it into the bags, (AFTER paying, of course) but generally I lay page kit down and what I need on top of it, then the next page kit and what it needs on top, so when I pay, the papers and embellishments go RIGHT INTO the right bags - no need to sort later when I go home and it saves the store a bag, too!

When my *kits* are assembled, it's a snap to sit down and put them together, or to go to a crop!  I find that this method makes much better use of my time, and I accomplish more, feel better about myself, and become more creative.   I'm also able to go to a crop with ONE BAG over my shoulder instead of taking a "bunch" of things because I'm not sure what I'm going to be working on. 

working on Page Kits

(this post has been bumped up from January 2008 due to some inquiry about kits I make for my own scrapbooking)

I've been putting together scrapbooking page kits over the past few days.  I put pictures into a 13x15 inch ziplock bag, sorted by event.  Then I choose the sketch, papers and embellishments to accompany the photos and include them in the bag.  I also do my computer journalling and include it.  I do several at once. 


WHY do I create PAGE KITS?

1) I don't have a place to keep my scrapbooking stuff out permantly, so sometimes I feel like scrapbooking but feel overwhemed at the idea of getting everything out and then having to put it all away again....  this way, I just grab a kit (already has photos, papers, embellishments, journalling and sketch), and only take out what I need to complete it...  

2) I find it faster - if I'm journalling on the computer I find it faster to do 10 at once then sitting down 10 times to pull up the program, get the paper, etc...  Same with choosing sketches....  As I look through my magazines and I see things I like - I prefer to just look once for 10 layouts rather then skimming through them 10 times....  choosing paper....  pick for all 10 instead of getting out the paper 10 seperate times, then having to put it all away again....

3) I complete my layouts faster - all the elements are already there, I've already done the thinking - now I just have to put it together!  GREAT for crops when I want to chat instead of THINK...  

4) Less to take with me for crops - no taking extra papers, embellisments, stamps, etc, that I'm not going to use!  Just take what's needed for each page kit...  and that's it!  (I can actually go to a crop with ONE BAG that has everything in it!  That was very useful when I had to take a baby and HIS bag, too!)

5)  It helps me use what I have at home before I go to the scrapbooking store (I'm a collector - I tend to buy MORE then get it home and realize I already have something similar....  page kits help!)

6)  Hubby likes that it helps me spend less at the scrapbooking store - no random buying...  I only buy what is needed for each kit (and it goes directly INTO the kit AT THE STORE - yup, take my kits with me to shop)


Ok, enough of my random rambling.....  

Do YOU make page kits for yourself?  WHY or WHY NOT?

If you don't, have I convinced you to try it yet??  

(can you tell I thrive on organization??)

I'm re-wallpapering the house!

A Prince joins the Realm

There's no stopping him now!

He’s been taking steps for a couple of weeks now, but it seems like suddenly he’s just “taken off”!  (And who wouldn’t with a chorus of cheers of cheers going up from his siblings every time he does?)  There’s just no stopping him now! 

My good friend, Laura came down this evening for a “scrappy” evening.  I think my children love her nearly as much as I do! 

We had a delightful time together, and I am pleased by what I accomplished!  Would you like to see some of my layouts?  They’re simple…  but just right.

(the little purse is holding my Mother's Day cards)

Thanks for looking!

Snail Mail

Deck the HALLS!

This evening a good friend of mine (Laura) came over and we finished making all our CHRISTMAS CARDS - something we try to do every August.  She said she wanted them done by the end of the month, so we just squeaked by the deadline by completing them about 11:30pm. 

It's SO nice to get them done early - it really takes off a lot of pressure when the Christmas season begins. 

Have you started to think about CHRISTMAS yet??

mini-books

Back to the Craft

I am pleased to have completed the first of the books!  I am trying to figure out if there is a way to cover the pages to protect them, but so far I haven't come up with any brilliant plans.  At any rate, I am happy with the way it turned out!  It is perfect for a little boy!

scrapbooking with kids!

It always takes longer to do things when the kids are helping out -- and today was no different!  My excitement to spend some time today scrapbooking was joined by the children, and what fun we had!  We visited the local scrapbook store and they were able to help me choose some papers for some layouts of themselves, they also picked out some brads to use and a special gift for a close friend.  At home we spread out our tools and set to work!  I didn't get as much done as I would have alone, but it was certainly a lot more enjoyable to have their help and input!

Planning ahead

croppin'