15 minutes - what can you do?

I have to do lots of 15 minute steps as I have so little time to scrap (work 10 1/2 hours a day 5 days a week), but I am to much of a planner to do it randomly by picking out a stick. Here are some things I do to keep me working on something throughout the work week.

Since I pre-plan and usually know what I need to construct the layout, if any of those things can be done in short bursts I do them, so that they are ready for when I have more time to assemble

    For instance I do the ink splatters before I put a page together, so if I am going to do that on a page I can do that, added bonus, i don't have to worry about drying     time.

    Die cutting, punching or fussy cutting any element that I might be using on the page, this would include cutting any borders, photo mats or pattern paper for messy     layers.


    I rarely journal right on the page, so I can often use this 15 minutes to either computer journal or use a journal card and write my journaling


I also use this time to start planning my pages

Make embellishments from my scraps to use on future pages

Right now since my scraps have become unmanageable I am cutting them into neat pieces and sorting them by color

I can work on my cataloging system (inspired by Totally Tiffany) of my dies, stamps, inks, glitter glue, etc.

Make up bows using my bow it all

I also use this time to make my schedule for my scrapping days that way I can stay on task on those days that I do get to devote to scrapping.


I am anxious to see some other ideas too.







    

    

I love this idea.  Not necessarily choosing a stick to decide what to do.  Just the idea that each task to complete a layout could possibly only take 15 minutes each.  It made me wonder why I can't get more layouts done in an hour or less.  Also, with this kind of planning there's no reason why I can't complete at least one layout a week.  
In 15 minutes I could find a sketch, choose papers/cardstock/, cut or border punch papers, cut a title or embellishment on my Silhouette, type and print journaling, mat photos, or edit/upload several pictures.

Ok I'll admit, I can't do anything scrap related in 15 minutes

I could maybe get my scrap table cleaned off. I could also see the week's new Silhouette designs. I do like the idea though, every day when I get home from work, I do seven things to clean or straighten the house. In total, they probably take me 15-25 minutes. That way on Saturday, I am down 35 things to do to clean.

I've worked for years with bits of time. I used to be in the sub-basement with the washer/dryer. I never loved being early for the cycles so much!!! It helped me learn to batch process my layouts. Although I spend a longer time choosing and editing photos. I may choose 1 set and pick just the papers in 15 minutes. And continue to do so until they are all stacked up. If I was lucky enough to get more time and get the paper chosen all at once. In 15 minutes, I'd pick my first set up and start journaling (which may or may not lead to choosing different paper depending upon if the mood/theme changed). The next set of time, I'd start probably just layout out the papers and photos and decide on the design. Maybe cutting and actually getting in all into the right arrangement. Next, pulling embellishments. Next, actually playing with the embellishments. Then adhering everything. - then clean up or playing with scraps (cards, punches, dies, etc.). Then the next layout. (or like lately, I get sidetracked in the art journal instead of scrapbooking. but art journaling is so, so nicely suited to small time increments, because I usually have to wait for it to dry anyway.)

One of the things I do before I leave a project is make a note of what my next step is. That way, when I go back to it, I can immediately get to work without wondering, "Let's see, where was I?" On a scrapbook page or an album, I'll put a little sticky note of things to do.