getting out of a scrapbooking rut

Ashley, I can't imagine you getting in a rut! Your pages are always so beautiful.

Great blog post!

Sometimes I have to create something ugly before I can make something cute, so whenever I create for the first time after a hiatus, I make something like a card or do a little PL that either takes little creativity - or that I don't care if it doesn't turn out well.

Listening to PRT and browsing pretty LOs and ideas on Pinterest, and chatting on forums gets scrapbooking on my mind and gets me motivated to start again.

I start organizing my space (which I'm currently doing) and it helps me a lot.

I'm not creative, so using a sketch gets me going.

Shopping also helps! I want to use my new thing on a page.

When I'm becoming overwhelmed with all the possibilities, I pick one thing (use stickles, a die cut, ribbon, a stamp) and that will get me going on using other things.

I think the biggest obstacle is being organized. I have to work in short bursts. I can't leave my stuff out. So, it's key to have something ready to go (a page kit made up) and no kids bugging me.

This is probably weird, but I have to be in a good mood to scrap. Watching reruns of the Golden Girls makes me happy! I have no desire to do it when I'm angry. I might make a page I regret!

I create a relaxing atmosphere. Burn my favorite candle and put on a good movie or tv show. I find I get stuck when I overthink things. This helps me just play and have fun.

My rut-busters include purging my stash (too much product overwhelms me and then I can't create) and then creating a card. The process of cutting, gluing and stamping really help my get those creative juices flowing.

99.9% of my pages are scraplifted, so that would never help me get out of a rut, lol.  

My go-to's have already been listed but I'll chime in with my list.

One of the things that almost always works for me is shopping - or at least browsing in a store.  LSS preferred, but any big box will do in a pinch.

Organizing my stash is another one.  Seeing all my pretties, touching all my lovelies always gets me back in the mood.

Watching YouTube videos of other peoples scrappy spaces always seems to make me want to get back in mine.  You would think process or haul videos would do it, but nope.  Gotta be the craft rooms.  Don't ask me why . . .

And lastly, watching Project Runway always makes me want to get crafty.  Again, can't explain it.  It just always works, lol.

I am out of pictures. I've been using some leftover pics that I've already scrapped and challenging myself use new sketches and leftover scraps and supplies. These are 2 sketches I've done. 
This one is from a sketch using 6x6 papers but I made it from scraps much smaller.


I also have gone back through some pages and added some embellishments. I normally don't use a lot, but if I really try, I can seriously put a dent in my stash.

I know you are waiting anxiously to see my self assigned challenge of the day.  I found this old b&w pic and wanted to try a black and white page.  I found some on Pintrest and lifted.

I make cards or I make something for someone else. Or, I pull out a project in process or an incomplete kit and work on finishing it. I've also gone through my pictures until something inspires me and I really want to tell the story or memorialize those pictures.