Behind the Scenes - Part 1

I thought for a change I would give you a little peek behind the curtain to see my process of scrapbooking. I am always curious on how people do it so I thought maybe I would do a post on it which might encourage some others to give a peek too! If you do (or have) leave a link in the comments, I would love to see it!

So I scrapbook in two stages and today's post is all about my first stage. So grab your coffee and sit back as I lead you through the twists and turns of the crazy creative process!

I tend to print my photos in batches when there is a sale on. This time around, I printed all of my Jamaica 2011 photos along with picture for three weddings (I am doing albums for two of the couples) and some ones I have had floating around from last year. So when I get home I have hoards of sorting to do. Normally I plop myself on the couch and sort each photo into piles that will eventually end up on layouts.

 I will then start looking through each group trying to decide what I want to do with the layout. Sometimes I am inspired and this comes easily, other times I go to sketches to help me out. If I am decided on a sketch, I will normally crop my photos at this time.

Next I start flipping through my hoards of paper to find paper to use for each layout. I usually have an idea of what kinds of paper I am looking for and that will usually pair down the amount of paper I have to go through. I try to find at least three to four sheets of paper that go together and match my photos that way I have some leeway when I actually sit down to scrap! I usually take this opportunity to look at what's in my odds and ends box (mostly strips of patterned paper) for stuff I can use.

Once I have all this figured out, I will clip it all together with a bull dog clip and put it in my to be scrapped bin.

The best part is in about the time it took to watch a movie (about 2 hours), I planned about 12 two page layouts! 

I am now ready for whatever comes my way ... a crop, a trip to a friends house, or a 1 am creative, I can't sleep surge. I find it motivates me to scrap more because most of the hard stuff is done and all that is left do is assemble and play!