(aka how to actually get something done!)

By Michele

Take a grouping of photos that you would like to scrapbook.  Look at the pictures and get a rough idea in your head of what you would like to use - colours, patterns, whatever pops into your head.  Then bring your photos to your paper supply at home, or to the paper towers in a scrapbook store and match up your photos.  My suggestion especially when you are starting, is to first find a background colour of cardstock to go with your photos. Take at least 3 sheets of that colour.

Then add 2-3 more accent colours that can be used for matting, die cutting, punches etc.  Add in 1-3 patterned sheets of paper that co-ordinate.  Now you have your paper chosen.  The trick here, is to not get wrapped up in "perfection". The first papers that you choose that look good with the photos are the ones you use. Yes, if you spent another hour, you may find some paper that matches just a little bit better, but no one is going to notice that and you are wasting time you could be making more page kits or scrapbooking or doing something else you enjoy.

Next, go thru your stash (or a store's stash) and add in any embellishments, stickers, ribbon etc, that you think you might use with this layout. Remember, less is more, just a few well placed accents is all you need.  If you have any journaling thoughts, jot them down on a sticky and add them to your kit.

If you have a rough idea of the layout you want to use, or a sketch you'd like to follow, add that in also. Now take your photos, papers and embellishments and place them into a page planner (from Cropper Hopper) or other storage bag and create another kit. Another great option is to use manufacturer kits that are all coordinated or PE's exclusive Getting It Done Kits or Photos To Memories Kits.

Budget for about a layout per hour of a crop plus bring a few extras just in case. 

By planning ahead what you are going to do, you will only need to bring what you are going to use (less stressful packing and much easier to put away when you get home).  If you find you left something at home that would add to the layout, just add a sticky note to your page and add it on when you get home.

I use this system all the time both for going to a crop and just for cropping at home. I regularly have 10-12 kits ready to go at a moments notice when I get a few minutes to scrapbook.  All of us at PE would be more than happy to help you preplan a kit so that you get the idea of how to create one.