My Scrapbook Evolution-Blog: Keeping the Creative Momentum Going After iNSD

Saturday was pretty awesome. As I chatted away with friends( new and old) at the Get It Scrapped online crop, I managed to create four layouts. I didn't take the time to work on iNSD challenges this year. Instead, I opted to work ahead on some of my creative team projects. My goal is to get ahead so that I can submit them early and get the blog posts written and scheduled. After which, I will have tons of time to work on a few other challenges around the web.

Normally, I might share my iNSD pages the week after, but since these were CT projects, you will have to wait until the release date. Instead, I am going to share with you a few of my layouts from Simple Scrapper. I didn't want them to get lost in the bustle of pre-iNSD last week. Also, they are a great reminder for me that I can still keep the excitement of iNSD going.

Is This a Mess or a Hint of Independence by Christy Strickler |Supplies Cardstock: Bazzill ; Fancy Pants, Little Yellow Bicycle; Project Life Cards: 5th and Frolic; Letters; Ruby Rock-it, Twine and Ink, Basic Grey; Ink: VersaMark; Mist: Heidi Swapp; Flowers; Prima, Sassafrass; Pen: Sharpie;Inspired by a Sketch and Story Starter from Simple Scrapper Premium Membership

I avoided the allure of shopping this year on iNSD. Sure, I was tempted. There were a lot of great sales. However, I am currently in a place in which my budget doesn't like spending.( Everything moves in cycles.) I am also in the process of culling some of my supplies. Two areas that challenge me are using my large stash of Project Life cards and using up scraps. While I don't feel as though I am challenged when it comes to layering, I am not great about using messy stacks of scraps. Some of this month's sketches in the Simple Scrapper Premium membership afforded me the ability to practice using those messy stacks. I managed to slip in lots of paper bits and a few Project Life cards.To add to the messy feel of the page, I use a distressed alphabet and some messy stitching.

Wonder and Create by Christy Strickler |Supplies Patterned Paper: American Crafts, Heidi Swapp; Letters: American Crafts; Stickers: Heidi Swapp, PinkFresh Studio; Chipboard: Echo Park; Transparency: Die Cuts: Heidi Swapp; Inspired by a Sketch and Story Starter from Simple Scrapper Premium Membership

What's the point of owning something if you don't use it? I found a 12x12 text background and then used a mini kit which consisted of a 6x6 paper pad with matching embellishments to create this layout which compares my childhood hobbies to my son's.

While I was happy with my iNSD results, I still felt that at time, I was struggling.I have a tendency to walk into a crop and just start to play around with supplies. There isn't necessarily anything bad about that, except , I find I am more productive with a kit or a starting point. The first layout had a story to guide my product choices clearly. I wanted kitchen themed supplies which consisted of matching scraps. The second layout began with a photo and a coordinating kit.It seems that my process always needs a clear starting point rather than just randomly choosing supplies.

There is a simple solution for me to keep creating effectively throughout the rest of this month. Something that is especially important if I am going to be successful with my personal Layout a Day challenge. I need to have mini kits ready to go. Some might even have a photo or two inside them with some notes for stories. I can either search my photos or search the Simple Scrapper Membership story prompts for starting points and then build the kit around the story I want to tell. I still plan to use my monthly kits from Cocoa Daisy and Pinkfresh Studio, but I also want to use older supplies. Making kits from older products will save me some time and.I am far more likely to grab a kit than I am to grab single stored products.

Knowing your process is defintiely important when it comes to keeping creative momentum going. Finding simple solutions to support that process always leads to more productivity. The bonus to being more productive in creative work is that creativity breeds more creativity. A good recipe for success when it comes down to carrying on our excitement from a recent project.

May is going to be a busy month. Not only do I plan to scrapbook a layout a day, I also have plans for more supply and photos organization. I will be participating in Photo Crush with Simple Scrapper. We have more shows to record for the DigiScrap Geek Podcast. I have lots of blogging to do. All of this can only be done with a bit of creative mojo and good organizational skills.

How did you do for iNSD? Did you scrapbook the amount of layouts you had hoped to? Or are you looking to find a better way to streamline you productivity?

Additional Resources
This posts contains affiliate links when possible.I am both a member of the Simple Scrapper Creative team and an affiliate.Thank you for supporting MSE by clicking on affiliate links around this website.

I have been a part of the Simple Scrapper membership even before I was part of their creative team.Simple Scrapper provides tools to help you create an efficient memory keeping process.The best way to experience the community for yourself is at the upcoming Photo Crush event. During this 7-day challenge, Jennifer Wilson will help you streamline your photo library so that memory keeping is even easier. Best of all, this event is free. Would you like to join me? Click here to sign up.