How do you find the time!!

Angie - posted on 10/31/2008

I have been making cards for about 10 years and started scrapping about 2 years ago. I have gotten caught up with all of our vacations and have started scrapping my kids school stuff now which is TOTALLY scary because I have trouble remembering what happened yesterday!! My daughter is in 6th grade and my son is in 3rd. I have boxes of stuff for every year of school! If I think too much about it I get overwhelmed but I think the key to my sanity is organization. I became a scrapper after the kids started school so now I am DILIGENT about making sure I have a file folder for each child that is labeled and I print pics and store their important stuff in the folder. I have some of the organizing boxes from CM and I think those are a LIFE saver!! As I am putting the stuff in the box, I can make notes of the stuff I need to find or print and then I have everything ready when I have time to scrap them. We get together once a month and I also scrap in my home on weekends. Since my kids are older, it is a bit easier but I have a home daycare so my stuff has to be put away when I am done. Good luck to everyone and don't worry about being behind. My kids each have one school year book done and even my son gets excited about showing his friends his book so I KNOW these are going to be treasures to them forever!!

Erin - posted on 10/31/2008

I know that its hard, but just think of the memories that you are preserving. So its just a matter of making it a priority. If you have a spot that you can set up in your home, even a small corner, you set it up to scrap when the girls are sleeping. I do that. And then I try to make an effort to go to scraps. That way I get to socialize and get new ideas from other women who share my passion. Someone else pointed out the preprinted pages. Thats a great way to start. I am a Close to My Heart consultant and we have those kits for every paper packet we offer. I know a lot of busy moms really like those. It helps them scrap without having to stress over every single layout. Hope this helps!

Amanda - posted on 10/31/2008

I personally go through spurts where I'm in the mood to scrapbook. To me if I'm not feeling creative then I won't come up with anything and I won't want to do it. I have my own area right now in my dining room since it doesn't get used. My friends and I try to get together to do a "craft night" but it doesn't always work with my schedule.

Heather - posted on 10/30/2008

I have a 5.5 yo and an 18mo and the only way I have found time is by scheduling ScrapMania at Archivers with 3 of my friends once a month. We all try to make sure it fits with all of our schedules but it doesn't always and so we may have 2 or 3. Yes I have to take it with me but it helps to have others around to admire and to bounce ideas off of.
Alternatively I like the ideas of having your own space. My house is too crowded for that so I have my cabinet that holds my supplies with my books that I have made or working on on top. If you do leave things out I had seen a suggestion to get some plastic to put over your work when you are not there...no little fingers to catch hold of something or something getting spilled. I always thought that would be a great idea if I ever get a space I can leave stuff out.

Wendy - posted on 10/30/2008

It's hard to find the right balance between all the things that need doing and the things I want to do. I'm happy if I do a layout a month. Sometimes setting aside a certain time can help as you get everything else done so you have the time to scrap.

Crystal - posted on 10/30/2008

Twice a year I go on a "scrapbooking weekend retreat" hosted by CM consultants. This really is the only time I get to put my albums together. Its a weekend of little sleep, but lots of fun!

Kasey - posted on 10/30/2008

Thank you guys so much! those are all great ideas, we just bought a house so i am thinking i will definitely designate a spot to put my stuff, that way i can leave it out. Also, to the CM Consultants, can I just get on the website to find a consultant in my area? do they all have monthly crops and is there a fee? i went to a big convention last year and loved it, my friend was a consultant, but unfortunately i just moved!! thanks!!

RichardandChrystal - posted on 10/30/2008

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I usually scrapbook at night when both girls are sleeping. The only thing is, I have to choose if I want to sleep or if I want to scrapbook. Otherwise I won't have time to do it right now since my girls are so little and demand so much of my time.

Sara - posted on 10/30/2008

I've got 3 girls and it's impossible for me to keep up too, but I try! I've started to scrapbook on Thursday nights-I try to treat it just like a standing appointment with me and my scrap stuff! Sometimes I feel so tired I just want to lay on the couch, but if I get the pictures out during the day that I want to work on, I start thinking about how I want to scrap them and I'm usually excited about getting to them by the evening. I also have started to scrap two or three pages at the same time by using the same layout, just different colors of paper and embellishments for each of my daughters.

Tami - posted on 10/30/2008

I crop about once a month. I am a CM Consultant as well...so find one in your area and go to a monthly crop. Then you have it on your calendar, you get to mingle with other women who like to scrap as well....It really is good for the soul!!!

Lisa - posted on 10/30/2008

It's not "finding" the time but MAKING time! :) You schedule just about everything that's important in your life, right? Scrapping is healthy for you and is a great service to your family. Your kids will LOVE seeing themselves in books and hearing their stories retold. As the mom of three boys with special needs, I get where you're coming from! Trust me, time is a precious commodity around here, but if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy! You need this time for you! As a consultant, I have created a room in my lower level and invite people over at least once a month. Depending on the scrap, I either feed you all day or at least provide snacks, beverages and there is always music, candles and all my tools to use. I also have found that women love the weekend retreats I host at various locations. I do one in Jan and one in Apr - perfect times to get away for a bit and let daddy bond with the kiddos! Other products that have helped my customers get more done, faster are Power Palettes, Quick Kits (predone pages), Picfolios (slide in pockets), and digital (which is the quickest and cheapest way to get your photos in a book - plus you can order mutiple copies as gifts! So designate a day that's YOUR day and have the products available to you that will speed things along! You'll be amazed at how much you can get done in a day...let alone a weekend! Hope this info helps and inspires you!

Jen - posted on 10/30/2008

Joalyn had the right idea - it really helps to have a place you can keep your things out and not have to put them away. I started with a card table in the basement and now have my own scrapbook room nine years later. It makes a huge difference. I have learned to be a night-owl and sneak time in after the kids have gone to bed. It helps that my kids are in bed by 8:30, and it also helps that they are older and more independant. My kids learned right away they don't touch mommy's scrapbooking stuff, and now they have become interested in scrapbooking, so they have some of their own supplies and like to scrapbook with me!

Crystal - posted on 10/30/2008

I also love to scrapbook, but NO TIME!! Can anyone help us?????

Joalyn - posted on 10/29/2008

Have a designated place, room, desk etc for your stuff. Then when you have a few minutes, you can plan a layout, pick out pictures etc. It may take you a week to do a page but by being able to leave it layed out in one spot makes it easier the next time you can get to it. I find just 15 minutes can completely change my mood.

Ceci - posted on 10/29/2008

When I went to a MOPS meeting there was a Creative Memories Consultant there. She said something that stuck with me forever. She had young children, one girl and then a set of twins. She told us to make an effort to print and scrapbook your pictures every 3 months. That has worked well for me. Although since we have adopted our 2nd child, it has been a bit different. I now have an area downstairs when I can go and scrapbook while the kids play. I am not caught up yet, but hope to be in the future. I consider my scrapbooking, me time. And we all need "me" time. Also get together with friends and scrapbook. That way you are doing it more often.

Jennifer - posted on 10/29/2008

I think that premade pages are easier to do- and you can dress them up yourself. You just put the pictures on- and add whatever flair to it yourself!

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