All Those Pictures, and No Ideas!

You have an afternoon to yourself, the house isconsultant's house where you can get ideas from
quiet, the family is out, and you have all yourfriends and fellow scrappers when you simply
photos spread out on the kitchen table beforecannot think of anything to do. A similar
you, ready to create the most fantasticsuggestion would be to take the troubling pictures
scrapbook ever. There's only one problem withto a scrapbooking class. Have an instructor show
your hobby-time; you're drawing a creative blank.you the best way to arrange them. You just
Could it be true? Has the unthinkable happened?might learn a new technique while dealing with the
Yes, you have scrapper's block. Now don't panic;pictures that are causing you frustration.
this condition of lacking imagination is onlyKeeping your scrapbooking supplies organized is
temporary. Lots of people have been through ahelpful in avoiding scrapper's block. When you
block before and here are some tips to help youknow where to find your paper and stickers
through yours.without having to sort through huge piles of
One of the most common reasons for scrapper'sclutter, you are more likely to have fresh ideas. If
block is option paralysis. There are so many ideasyou can, have an area in your home set aside for
to choose from that you just can't settle on theyour scrapbooking supplies.
one that might be best. Maybe you're so farHave scrapbooking idea books and magazines on
behind on your scrapbooking that everything hashand. When you start to suffer from scrapper's
had a chance to pile up and now the size of yourblock, try thumbing through a magazine. You will
project looks rather daunting. You have so muchmost likely find that there is a layout in the
to do that you have no idea where to start.magazine that will work for you! When scrapper's
Often times, it is much easier to put things awayblock hits, try something new. Getting your
again and avoid scrapbooking altogether, but ifcreative juices flowing is one of the best ways to
you do that, the photos will continue to multiply.start scrapping again!
When this happens to you, start small. OrganizeShould any of these ideas fail to stir up some
your photographs into album ideas. Think aboutcreativity, there is still one thing left that you can
the people or events that would work well in onetry: Take the day off. Go outside, take a walk,
album. Start with a small stack rather than anget some coffee at the local cafe and
entire attic full of photos. The best tip is to startpeople-watch, or spend time with your kids. Some
with the most current pictures and work yourplaytime and a break away from your hobby can
way back. While this might make you feel as ifdo wonders to get the creative juices flowing.
you are getting nowhere, it is more important toOut there in the world, you will find plenty of
start with fresh memories and then make timeinspiration or just be able to relax enough to take
later for older ones, rather then letting even moreanother shot at that scrapbook. After all, those
pictures and memories get stale and becomingpictures will still be there tomorrow. Taking a
even more frustrated.break might be exactly what the doctor ordered
Another way to deal with scrapper's block is toto help you approach your project with a fresh
scrapbook with other people. Attend crops at aeye and mind.