Lab Exercise 31: Fast and Fabulous Scrapbook Layouts with Blocks and Layers – scrapbook sketch

I know I am not the only person to struggle with creative block or to struggle with finding creative time. It seems to be an issue we all struggle with on a regular basis. It’s a hurdle to just sit down and start. When I do sit down to work, I find I work best with a simple design choice that allows me to make good use of the products in my stash, while working quickly. Scrapbook layouts with blocks and layers give me both while at the same time helping me to find creative energy to put towards the next project. A lot of that energy is provided just from the simple joy of a completed project. If you are short on time, making a layout in less than an hour can really fuel that energy.

Tips for making fast scrapbook layouts with blocks and layers:

• Choose a few papers that coordinate well. If you have a kit, grab that. Otherwise, choose 1 dot print, 1 stripe and a few blocks of papers that have colors that all work together. If the papers feel to busy, matte them with scraps of solid cardstock.
• Keep the embellishments minimal. Limiting the choices helps for you to work faster. If your papers are a loud mix of prints, you really don’t want a whole lot of embellishments anyway.
• Choose the letter stickers before you start. The paper choices and embellishments can guide you toward a font that will work best. If you have a title in mind, choose a package of letter stickers that is creatively unused. It will save you time when it comes to searching for the letters to spell the title.
• Embellishing may be minimal, but the story doesn’t have to be. Use journal blocks or journal strips for your journaling. It will add to layers and also helps “quiet” down the pages a bit if the patterns are a busy mix. In many ways, your journaling will take the place of the embellishments.

Let’s take a look at how I created a quick and easy scrapbook layout with blocks and layers in about 30 minutes( with the magic of sped up video editing, of course).

You can try a design of your own, but it does also help to have a sketch in mind. I have created this one for you to give you an additional jumpstart. While I did create my layout in around 30 minutes, I don’t want you to focus on the time you send making it. Just start to work and allow yourself to enjoy the creative process as it unfolds.

Foster Friendship by Christy Strickler |Supplies Patterned Paper: Seven Paper Company; Digital Kit: Sgt. Silly Pants by Traci Reed Designs; Letters: American Crafts, Evalicious; Wood Veneer: Studio Calico; Sequins: My Mind’s Eye; Button: Crate Paper; Cameo: Webster’s Pages; originally created for Get It Scrapped

If you create a layout based on this sketch, I would love to see. Share a link to your page in the comments below.