Though you wouldn't be able to tell from the chaos of my home office/scraproom, I am actually pretty anti-clutter as a rule. Which is why I don't like to have a ton of magazines lying all over the place. So I always remove what I want from a magazine and file it away ~ whether it's recipes, or layouts, or whatever.
I started keeping an "Inspiration" book for anything I saved that was scrapbook-related because I wanted to have something to easily toss into a crop bag. So I basically covered just a cheap old composition book with patterned paper and then I cut out the layouts that inspire me from the magazines and paste them into the book.
You'll notice that I write on the pages as well. I learned the hard way that I would often not remember exactly what it was about a particular layout that caught my eye, so I started making notes to myself about why I saved it. Sometimes it's because I have a particular product and liked what they did with it, sometimes it's a font or photo placement, or a color scheme ~ there are lots of different ways something can inspire me.
I just finished this book, so it's time to start another one. When I decorate the cover, I'll be sure to do a little video for you to see.
I can fit at least a year's worth of magazine inspiration into just one of these little books, so it really cuts down on the clutter for me, and it keeps all my inspiration in one place!
Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
P.S. Be sure to check out this post for more information about a new scrapbook web community I started to complement this blog ~ it's been a lot of fun so far & I hope you enjoy it!
Great idea Kathryn. I have manila file folders all over the place. I can never find the one I am looking for. I have some random notebooks that I jot things in and when I go back to look at it, I ask myself "what language was that written in" I am ALWAYS in a hurry. I need to slow down and organize a book like yours. Thanks for the tip. ~Brenda
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. Especially being able to make notes. I guess I will be lifting that idea too. LOL
ReplyDeleteI have one just like it! It does help. I use it for all internet finds. Most magazines are too full with great stuff it would mean cutting out every page. I plan to have a bookcase with my magazines on it in my new scraproom. I do put post-its in those magazines when I find something great and I have them sticking up a bit so I can flip to the page. if it gets too big I will chagne and cut out just like I do with internet stuff!
ReplyDeleteHi, Brenda! I know what you mean about having magazine tear-outs filed here, there and everywhere. That's pretty much how mine used to be, so now I use this book. I also have a moleskine I keep with me for ideas that just pop into my head.
ReplyDeleteLOL, Maritza! Flipping through this book is like flipping through the best magazine or idea book ever, because know I like everything in it already! The notes are a very important part for me because I used to forget why I had saved them & some clippings would go to "waste" and just end up in the recycle bin.
Amy, I didn't start keeping a book like this until I was already kind of settled in my style and in my scrapping. Once I figured that out, I noticed I was keeping less from the magazines, which made this project more reasonable than keeping the magazines themselves. Goodluck with your scrapping and your new move!
Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
this is a great idea. I have so many magazines. I have creating keepsakes mags dating back 2005 because I never want to throw them away. I like this idea better! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreat process! I use a 3 ring binder system that is basically the same thing except that I can toss out the stuff that either I've already learned or used the inspiration. So rather than having one for each year, it revolves and evolves into what it is today and will nothing like it a year from now!! lol
ReplyDeleteIt's also the binder where I keep all of the "papers" from tools I've bought, receipts, templates that have 3 holes and just "stuff" that needs a home. It amazes me how often I go to that binder in the corse of a project.
Have a great day,
~Jill
Great idea! I have loads of clippings laying around - this reminds me just how much I need to reorganize! thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a "neat" idea Kathryn! hehe! :-) I too require organization in my scraproom. I cannot handle "not" being able to find something. But I still have to figure out a workable filing system to stash away my "inspirations" too... I might just try this! Thanks for sharing. :-)
ReplyDeleteJill, that's a more elegant system than mine in terms of staying current!
ReplyDeleteRenee, good luck with organizing! Have you see this blog: Organize Your Stuff Challenge Blog
Arlene, I'm with you. I must know where everything is or I will lose my mind! I like this because it is portable and compact, but I also like Jill's idea, too.
Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
This is exactly what I do and I totally love this system. Needless to say, I'm a little behind tearing things out and need to get on the ball!
ReplyDeletegreat idea ..thank you for sharing !!:)
ReplyDeleteI just bought some of those comp books ..hee .50 deals!
:) off to get started on mine inspiration journal!
with a grin,
steffogal1
http://withagrin.blogspot.com/
Jennifer, I am always a little behind on updating my composition book! :D I tend to wait and do a bunch at one time while I am watching TV or a movie.
ReplyDeleteHi, Steff! You're welcome ~ glad you like the idea! I love using composition books for this because they are so cheap! :D
Kathryn
Life's abeach. Scrapbook it.
Got one, too, but smaller so I can have it in my purse for those unplanned trips to the LSS or Archivers. Also, will sometimes get an idea from nowhere and easy to jot it down. I'm not a big scrap magazine buyer, but I did have quite a pile of pages I've torn out from the few I've bought the last year or so. And printouts from the Internet!? Oh gosh, I had loads of them as well. Great way to organize and focus on what's really appealing to one's tastes.
ReplyDeleteGot a quick question, Kathryn. I'm so behind on watching your latest vids but caught the one with the meandering flowers cut-out (I think). You had given it the UTEE treatment if I'm not mistaken. Was that a purchased cut-out or did you just cut it out from patterned paper as a whole? Love that look and I've got an idea to use it on my next mini. Thanks!!
-Liz
Hi, Liz! I keep a moleskine notebook with me at all time to jot down any ideas that pop into my head while I'm on the go. This one is jus for visual things. I think of it like the best scrapbook magazine/idea book ever, since everything in it is exactly my style.
ReplyDeleteThose flowers are cut from a page in the K & Company "Black & Ivory Fusion" Designer Paper Pad which I got at Michael's. I did not use UTEE, although UTEE would give the same look.
I covered it with Ranger Glossy Accents because some parts of it were so thin they were about to tear. I didn't want to put it through stamping & heat embossing, etc. The Glossy Accents gave it some extra strength so it is holding together just fine now!
I loved how it turned out ~ like a giant piece of epoxy ~ and I will definitely be using it again on another project, although possible with a less spindly image! :D
Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
Super! You're the tops, K. I'm, therefore, "borrowing" your idea (but pls don't count on me returning it...lol). I've got some patterned paper with very nice florals that'll be perfect. (I'm crazy about Glossy Accents, and that small bottle lasts me a long time.)
ReplyDeleteThanks again and HEY, aren't you supposed to be on vacation? Or did you return from it already? Anyhoo, great time either way I hope and best regards.
-Liz
I was on vacation from August 8th through 21st, but I pre-loaded a bunch of blog posts s you gguys wouldn't notice! :D I am also addicted to Glossy Accent ~ love the look and strength of it!
ReplyDeleteKathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
I can't wait to see the video on how to do this, I think I might have an idea but it would save me sooo much money on journals. I constantly carry one and I am spending 15-30.00 on journals at BnN! I would suit my personality to have something customized...
ReplyDeleteSandra, I will try to do a tutorial on this relatively soon as it has been a popular post with a lot of readers. It is not complicated, but there are a couple tips/techniques that make it a little easier. I think it would be a great idea for a customized journal!
ReplyDeleteKathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
Well you have inspired me to give this idea a try ;-) I have plenty of magazines around that I've kept just because there was something particular that caught my eye or interest. Great idea and love your videos.
ReplyDelete