• Take some time to organize your supplies.

Having a clutter-free workspace is a crucial element in creating a great layout.  If you don’t have your supplies available to you, you spend a lot of wasted time looking for that one special element that would work perfectly on the page.

• Have your photos organized and ready to use.

Even if that means taking some time to file, label and crop them before hand.  Try doing this a few minutes a day while watching a TV Program or just before bed.

• Make a Sketch of the layout you plan to create.

This also can help cut down on the time you spend trying to decide where you want your items for your page to go.

• Have notebook handy for ideas and lists of the things you need to get done.

 

• Having a calendar handy is a must also.

I am the first one to say I never have time to scrap book, but every month I seem to do it! I meet my goals scrap booking and wonder how I did it. Then they’re those who actually say" I don’t have time," and they are right. They don’t. The reason is because they haven’t made a conscious decision to do so.

I have found that the best way to manage my time is to make a list of things that need to be done and stick to it. I have numerous notebooks with lists for everything from what to cook for dinner to which embellishment to use on a layout. I also have a calendar in most of the rooms that I spend a lot of time in. I have a large calendar in the kitchen hall to list the weekly activities of the kids and my husband’s business trips and I have a calendar in my scrap area for my appointments and due dates for things. I carry a calendar/list in my purse to keep me up to date on the things that have to be done out side of the home, such as dry cleaning and pharmacy drop offs and grocery lists..

I know you are probably saying" yes, that is all fine and dandy, but I still don’t have time." The lists and calendars are just a part of the managing process. Besides those, you have to set a specific time for your self to do the things you want to accomplish when it comes to the creative process of scrap booking. One thing that I have found is that I have older children who are perfectly capable of doing some things for themselves. They can help in setting aside time for me. By that I mean that they are able to make their own snacks, pick up the living room or even clean up the kitchen. It is far from perfect, but it does give me some time to create when I am in the mood. Another tip that I have found that works great is a timer! I set the timer on my stove for certain time increments in order to spend time on one task exclusively. When the timer goes off, I stop, set the timer again and go to another task. Usually 15-30 minute increments are perfect for getting that dreaded load of laundry folded and put away or dusting the inch of dust that has piled up on the furniture. I like to spend a lot of time scrap booking, so I tend to set the timer for longer periods in that area, but it still has made such a difference in getting things done around the house, versus not having anything done at all when my husband walks through the door after work.

Beyond the lists, calendars and timers is a thing called life. Life doesn’t stop for us just because we want to do something. The kids still need to be fed, the laundry still needs to be done, and there is that wonderful thing called work. Whether you are a SAHM or you work outside of the home, finding time to scrap book can be trying, but it can be done.