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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jun 28, 2014 20:06:12 GMT
I think I was happier when all my stuff fit in a tote and I went to crops. I never followed what was in though or specific people. I still scrap pretty old school. I've purged a lot in the last couple years and have only a closet full now and I'm happier scrapping again. Same for me. I never really did get into the designers and all the latest crap though. The exception to that is my very expensive Genesis paper cutter that I waited almost 3 years for!  Got my start using Creative Memories and going to crops through that (though I was never the die hard never use another brand type). I just preferred the simplicity of it. I've recently purged after a move and a major remodel and find that I am enjoying the thought of scrapping again. I don't feel overwhelmed like I did before. |
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Post by DawnMcD on Jun 28, 2014 20:10:02 GMT
I think I was more free in my decision making before. There was a time when I was working on DT for companies and message boards that I let it all overwhelm me and steal some of the fun. I stepped backed and decided to go back to scrapping just for me and I do fins myself much happier now.
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Post by anonrefugee on Jun 28, 2014 20:32:13 GMT
Hard to tell, I think I was just fine. But love there's been more supplies the last decade.
There's a group gets together here and they're totally in the know. PIA to crop with cause they show or shop and talk about the industry. They think they're the cool girls though, so to each their own.
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SuPeaNatural
Full Member
AUSTRALIA
Posts: 424
Jun 27, 2014 8:49:11 GMT
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Post by SuPeaNatural on Jun 28, 2014 21:09:32 GMT
I ditto pretty much everything Sherry C said.
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,622 
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Post by kitbop on Jun 28, 2014 21:17:31 GMT
I love all the inspiration and all the supplies! I need choice, otherwise I know I am "missing" that something that could make the layout better. I don't find the designers to be a distraction - there are lots that I can say, "DON'T like that" and then avoid the same mistake  |
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beth44
Junior Member
Refupea #328
Posts: 70
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Post by beth44 on Jun 29, 2014 1:39:15 GMT
I love having all the choices and options, but sometimes I do feel so overwhelmed by all my stuff I just don't know where to start. It's hard for me to scrap randomly; when I have a project to work on like a vacation with a theme I find it easier.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 22, 2024 8:45:32 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2014 9:52:14 GMT
When I was really into papercrafting and scrapping I had a rubbermaid container full of items. I was so content. I had my art background. I always thought that was all I needed. I took a few years off from papercrafting to study needlework. I get back into papercrafting during the height of popularity. It was so confusing to me. Why can't I just use what I had? Now, I need a scoreboard? A Cinch & Bind-it-All and eight die cutters. It was way too overwhelming. I am back to my old way again. I am proud of my work.
The one thing I do love about papercrafting now is the paper lines. It's like fashion lines. I love fashion. I do like how paper lines are like fashion. I do look forward to the new seasons.
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Post by myboysnme on Jun 29, 2014 13:19:17 GMT
I was happier, but at the same time my layouts were crappy and have since been redone and my available product was pretty sparse. I am a theme scrapper and all the wonderful theme items have made me so happy when I can use them on my pages.
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Post by whipea on Jun 29, 2014 14:53:07 GMT
Yes and just a tad no. With the product and information overload and the "need" to be stylish and trendy my creativity would be frozen. I rarely finished a layout and if I did was not satisfied with the result. In the past with all my supplies in a tote, I found the process less complicated and I finished layouts and was satisfied.
Then came the entire room dedicated to the hobby, scrap stars and videos playing on the computer screen, I lost myself and my style. But now I am in recovery. I have a renewed interest, when inspired I learn techniques that appeal to me and use them in my own way. Though I keep it in perspective, it is nice to have such a selection of resources, but it is not the end all and they are resources, not rules.
Now I just grab photos, a pile of paper and let it flow. No more page maps, kits, matching embellishments, I just do what I like and have been much happier with the results.
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Post by Merge on Jun 29, 2014 15:12:06 GMT
Yes - I started with CM and was perfectly happy with plain white pages with corner triangles or borders, and a few cute stickers. Honestly if I'd stayed with that I probably wouldn't have stopped scrapping - it was much easier!
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doglover
Full Member
Posts: 237
Jun 27, 2014 14:50:33 GMT
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Post by doglover on Jun 29, 2014 16:16:45 GMT
I know exactly what Tracie means and can relate to it. I think a lot of people stopped scrapping when the industry started turning its nose up at sticker sneeze. Too much emphasis was put on the art of scrapbooking for the majority of people who are not particularly artistic. In this way, I think the industry killed itself.
Even now, the industry applies pressure to create masterpieces. Lisa Bearnson, who I love BTW, sells pre made kits on QVC or HSN. In my mind, these kits are complete as is. But the samples shown are layouts that contain the kit, plus customized titles made on an electronic die cutter, and a lot of other embellishments not sold in the kit, or even the shopping channel. So basically the message is that just making the pre-made kit is to good enough.
I've never seen another person's layout and not liked it. They all have their own charm. I love pages with sticker sneeze and paperkins. I like my older layouts now much more than I did at the time I finished them. Sometimes I look at them and just really appreciate how the photos stand out.
For a while I felt a lot of pressure to improve. I've recently been able to move away from that. I've always loved my supplies and like having my own little shop.
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tiffanytwisted
Pearl Clutcher
you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave
Posts: 4,538
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Post by tiffanytwisted on Jun 29, 2014 17:54:18 GMT
Overall, no. But I admit I used to avoid the gallery because I felt that my pages don't measure up to the ones that were there. While sometimes having SO. MUCH. STUFF.  can be overwhelming, I do love my stash! |
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Post by cmpeter on Jun 29, 2014 17:58:17 GMT
I think I was more stressed about it early on when there were more magazines and publications. I was on a kick to get published in as many of them as I could. Now, I just scrap for me and keep it simple. I am not trying to keep up on the latest and greatest trends.
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Jun 29, 2014 18:12:22 GMT
I've been scrapbooking for many years.
The first year or so, was diecuts, deco scissors, and Mrs Grossman stickers.
I was happy to learn about scrapbook stores, and the variety of products. Then segue into message boards, magazines, and galleries.
I'm not a follower, I just use whatever products and styles that I like.
Personally, I love using stickers. I tend to be more "old school" as far as style....colorful, stickers, mat my photos, 8.5 x 11, chronological order.
I'm a believer of "to each, their own". I do what makes me happy, and don't care what others think.
I am very happy with my scrapbooks.....even the first one, oh my! deco scissors on most of the photos. LOL!
It's nice to look back, and see how much my style and creativeness has evolved.
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Post by chlerbie on Jun 29, 2014 19:16:22 GMT
I have a good friend that felt that way and was always comparing herself to the magazines, etc. and it sucked a lot of enjoyment out of it for her in a long time. I always just liked all the inspiration, etc. and because I never was trying to get published or anything, I always just enjoyed scrapping for what it was. Sure, I always try to make fabulous pages, but I'm OK when some aren't, and just turn out to be a nice page in my album.
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Post by LovMelrose on Jun 29, 2014 19:53:09 GMT
I get what you mean.
I'd have to say yes and no.
I love having so many more choices. All the beautiful, fun stuff we have now compared to back then. I'm hoarding it all.
I hate having so many more choices. Takes too much time organizing, searching, deciding on the right this or that. I'm hoarding it all.
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Post by anniefb on Jun 29, 2014 20:21:52 GMT
Yes and no. Like some others have said I do love having access to so much information and so many products. But at the same time it can be overwhelming. But now that I've seen it all I don’t think I can go back to the old days of stickers and scissors. I do want my layouts and cards to look, well if not amazing at least half decent, and I do love learning some of the techniques to help get them there.
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Post by TracieClaiborne on Jun 29, 2014 20:33:33 GMT
Yes and no. Like some others have said I do love having access to so much information and so many products. But at the same time it can be overwhelming. But now that I've seen it all I don’t think I can go back to the old days of stickers and scissors. I do want my layouts and cards to look, well if not amazing at least half decent, and I do love learning some of the techniques to help get them there. You hit the nail on the head! "Now that I've seen it all" I could never go back. So true!! But I just took it way less seriously in the beginning and I believe I had more fun! I know I did! |
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caronpea
Shy Member
Posts: 18
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Post by caronpea on Jun 29, 2014 22:09:27 GMT
I can relate to what you are saying, Tracie. I have been blessed to work in the industry for many years now. I worked at the first LSS in our area, then managed another, eventually bought the store with a partner. We sold the store and I worked for and still help out on occasion at a wholesale paper company. I have had the opportunity to see all aspects of the industry. It amazes me how fast it grew and how it has evolved and now how it is reshaping and shrinking. I remember going on a trip with my husband to a small town in northern Michigan one Summer. One day when he went on a fishing charter, he dropped me off at the LSS in the small town to hang for the day. The store I worked at in my home town was large and carried current and trendy items. The store in Michigan was small. It carried maybe 12 colors of cardstock, some themed patterned papers and some Making Memories metal items. I wasn't disappointed that there were not many things to choose from, rather fascinated that the wonderful croppers that I met that day were content with what was available to them in the store. And I felt myself yearning for that feeling of content. But at the same time, I love keeping up with what's new in the industry and I love quality product. And I have a room of product that reflects that love! |
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cricutgirlg
Shy Member
Posts: 18
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Post by cricutgirlg on Jun 29, 2014 22:12:13 GMT
No, I love knowing the names from the beginning and couldn't wait to build my stash. I love scrapping it hasn't died for me, I just can't now because of arthritis in my right hand. Casualty of growing old.
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Post by momof3pits on Jun 30, 2014 4:45:42 GMT
I agree with you! When I first started scrapping, I had only 3 Jetmax cubes worth of supplies and always stayed caught up making pages that were simple and focused on the picture. Now, I have a room full of crap, am so far behind on getting pictures into albums that I could cry, and so focused on the artistic layout that sometimes when I look at a completed page I do not even see a picture! I have really been thinking a lot about getting back to basics and how to make that happen for myself.
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Post by birdgate on Jun 30, 2014 10:29:35 GMT
When I look back at all my old scrapbooks before I discovered scrapbooking I notice they're more photo heavy filled with more souvenirs. Scrapbook shopping consisted of picking out a cute album and matching stickers at Hallmark and getting film developed. I could fit an entire year of events in one album. They're still fun to look thru. When I discovered the 'world of scrapbooking' in 2004 by googling memorial album I entered the world of 2Peas and scrapbook shoppping. My albums became more embellishment heavy, and harder to close but the experience of scrapbooking became more fun, more social, and artistic. If I have to pick a time when I was happier I would have to go with my latter crazy obsessed scrapbook lady years. 2peas also became sort of an addicting soap opera to watch.
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Post by LisaDV on Jun 30, 2014 12:57:36 GMT
Nope! I wasn't! I was very design-conscious when I started scrapbooking, so that's always been a major part of making pages, for me. I love the inspiration from other scrapbookers gives me. Though it makes no difference to me whether they are a "name" or just have a name... we're all the same to me. This! Many of my first scrap-lifts were just regular peas pages that I loved. I love that I know more design principles. I started with stamping and was a huge technique junkie when I started, and loved knowing the latest and greatest technique. I love having lots of supplies! I find it easier to create. I guess the two biggest things for me are to not over think something (Get it and Go!) and every page doesn't have to be spectacular. Although I've also only come to these revelations within the few years and only within the last year have I really internalized the knowledge. |
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loco coco
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,662
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Post by loco coco on Jun 30, 2014 16:20:34 GMT
LOL totally get what you are saying! when I joined these forums I was shocked there were so many new techniques, products, and designer names I didnt know! It was very overwhelming... I remember telling my husband "wow, people ask me to make invitations and I thought I was good but compared to these people... I suck!"
Now I mainly look at sketches and template ideas rather than done pages
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Post by Linda on Jun 30, 2014 16:53:18 GMT
yes and no...there was a time when I was very intimidated by all the fabulous artsy layouts online and in the magazines and I felt like my layouts weren't good enough. There was a time when I had accumulated too big a stash and felt overwhelmed and unable to create also.
But over time (and I've been scrapping 12 years now), I've settled into my style and purged my stash down to the essentials that work for me and I'm content and happy again.
I'm a simple, linear scrapper - multiple photos, often 2-page layouts that are heavy on cardstock and light on embellishments. My current stash reflects that.
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Post by LisaDV on Jun 30, 2014 16:53:36 GMT
LOL totally get what you are saying! when I joined these forums I was shocked there were so many new techniques, products, and designer names I didnt know! It was very overwhelming... I remember telling my husband "wow, people ask me to make invitations and I thought I was good but compared to these people... I suck!" Now I mainly look at sketches and template ideas rather than done pages Totally - People would rave over my cards or layouts and then I saw the world open before my eyes. Hubs would look at the on-line images and say mine were just as good - knew I married him for a reason - lol. I still like looking at other people's layouts. I love the inspiration it gives, even if the overall style might not be my own. |
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Post by cynipidae17 on Jun 30, 2014 17:00:18 GMT
I am not sure if I am happier now, I think I am pretty happy just in general now and then. I started scrapping in the early 2000's and I loved all of the magazines that I could look thru, all of the stores selling scrapping stuff, and all the other events that were popping up everywhere. I loved that I actually recognized people's kids in the magazines, but I didn't love the catty responses about some layouts and when people would rip apart the styles of other scrappers. I will also admit I can't remember a time my scrapbook stuff ever fit into a single bag and I consider scrapbook supply purchasing to be a hobby as well. It is kind of funny but when me and my husband struggled with infertility it was scrapbook supply collecting that helped me the most  I think now that many of the stores have closed it makes me sad, I know that I am really going to miss Scrapfest at the MOA. I only went a few times, but always had a blast. |
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Post by Laura in OK on Jun 30, 2014 18:32:37 GMT
I sometimes get caught up in the comparison trap... My stuff is never as good as what I see from design teams. Before I saw the stuff they produce, I thought I was pretty hot stuff. Now sometimes, I just feel defeated. But I'm learning to appreciate my own style now. This exactly! I've learned that I don't like the "messy" scrapbooking, like paint, mists, inks, ect. I'm happier now that I don't compare my pages with others online. |
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Post by scraps2treasures on Jun 30, 2014 19:01:04 GMT
I am much happier now that I switched to Project Life. Don't get me wrong, I still love looking at all the designers' layouts. However I know that I don't have the time to scrapbook like that anymore and I am ok with that. What is most important for me is that the memories are documented.
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Kath
Full Member
Posts: 446
Jun 26, 2014 12:15:31 GMT
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Post by Kath on Jun 30, 2014 22:39:00 GMT
I was very happy at first "before" the widespread internet and magazines. I had a little $4.95 kit that came in the mail every month with 8 pages and I had those filled before the day was done with beautiful cut-up and amazingly-shaped pictures. Zig-zags, suns, flowers. No picture (from film) that I set my eyes on escaped the cut. Then came my discovery of Creative Memories and then stationary and sticker shops, then magazines, then real-live scrapbook stores and conventions in the Bay Area.
It was an amazing world filled with excitement and celebrities, hotels, classes, lots of fun. But I was never as good as the designers. Couldn't quite get there and as the years passed, I became more despondent with my inability to keep up with the fast pace of scrapbook design.
Finally, lured over to the dark side of NSBR and spending 15 hours a day reading and posting, I resolved, "Why bother? I suck at scrapbooking," so I quit. For several years. I stored my stuff away. Until one day, my eyes caught sight of a beautiful class online with kits to go with it. I signed up for just this one class and that's how I got to here.
One thing I resolved when I came back (maybe the attitude was inspired from NSBR?) was never again was I going to follow designers and their works religiously. I wasn't going to scrapbook chronologically anymore. I would do whatever I felt like doing and buy what appealed to me and nobody knew better than me what I liked.
I never understood the old versus new. To me, if I liked it once, I'm pretty much guaranteed I will still like it. I like all my stuff and don't purge. I don't buy bulk packs usually of anything, no paper pads hardly ever. Not an impulse buyer. My stash is controllable and I don't get tired of it. My organizational style is pile, hunt, and dig.
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can be overwhelming, I do love my stash!
