As I often do near the beginning of every month, I'm reading the challenges and pondering which one I want to do first. A one photo template -- well, I'm going to be altering another template! . . . Time? Hmmmm, I love making then and now layouts. . . . Scrapping around a circle is something I've almost never done, and sounds creatively awesome . . . Two page layout? Ha! I do those all the time . . . Journaling to include word art or other elements will be fun! . . . Capture what summer means to me . . . I turn to the windows to my right and look outside . . . It has been raining continuously since yesterday, and a lot of the last few weeks. It has gotten hot, but it doesn't feel like summer yet. I'm sure I can find some photos from previous summers though . . . Ooh, and now I'm thinking this post could be the basis of a scrapbook page. What's your routine and/or thought process as you start doing the challenges?
Very similar to yours ... I go through them all and see which appeals to me most and which I think I can pair with some recent photos that need to be scrapped. Then I'll dive into older photos to fit the other challenges I want to do. I love the ones that stretch me creatively!
So I decided to start with the scraplift layout because 1. I didn't do it last month and 2. I thought I'd make a page using my post above. But after scrolling through Lisa's gallery, I ended up doing something completely different, celebrating that I've finished knitting all the squares for my afghan. p.s. It has not stopped raining since my first post above. Great day to hang out inside scrapping!
Mine is very similar to yours too, Michele. @michelepixels. I read through all of the challenges first, including the designer challenges and one of them usually pops out at me, so that's the one I start with. I c/p any details that are pertinent to each challenge so I can refer to them when I start to do each challenge.
Me too! I used to write notes about each challenge in my desk calendar, but I have transitioned to a digital calendar finally. So now I'm using Notepad. I even check them off with the little green check box emoji.
I usually start with BYOC and then see which challenge will work for a creative team layout I have done or need to do. Have 5 done already this month - way ahead of the curve for me.
This is exactly me! I need to get back in to the challenges. It's been such a busy couple of months, I'm just looking for time to breathe.
I also usually start with the BYOC challenge. Being on CTs makes that the easiest one. Then I play it by ear, slowly, and hopefully using CT layouts.
I almost always start with the template challenge especially if I have to convert the pngs to make a page file for Artisan first. After that I just play it by ear saving the most difficult for last.
So what did you get done yesterday as far as the challenges go Michele @michelepixels ? (I haven't been in the gallery yet.) Hope your scrap Sunday was a good one!
First the scraplift, then the template -- which I actually barely altered after all -- and then, finally, the random. I almost wanted to do more, but I was tired so I stopped. It was a good day, thanks!
I make a list of all the challenges, then when I want to do a layout I glance through them and see if any fit - then use the challenge to inspire my page.
I write them all down on a note paper on my desk. I like to 'kill two birds' when doing CT requirements & also get a challenge finished. It doesn't always work out- but I usually look at the supplies I need to use & then find a challenge that works for it. It never fails I'm down to one or two left in the last week that I just buck up & complete to get my coupon!
Last day of school and baseball is Friday, then my granddaughter's dance recital on Saturday. Then I collapse
Dealing with some issues at home, so my intent was to not do the challenges this month. But apparently my intent and reality are not the same, as I've already participated in Scrapping with Liz' MIS challenge, the BYOC, Journaling and Inspiration. And by tonight, I'll have two CT layouts for June done as well. Like you, I do read thru the descriptions of the challenges and then pick one that speaks to me. I try not to think of what I'm going to do for the next challenge until I'm done with what I'm working on. But as soon as the layout is done, I'm on the lookout for the next one. I tend to hold off until the end for template challenges. And if I can incorporate a non-photo page in the mix, I'm happier for it.
I look over the challenges then find ones that will help get photos scrapped that I want to get done. After that I just pick one and go with it. I always aim to get all the challenges done as I enjoy the learning process and well simply because I love to scrap.
My thought when I pull up the challenges is "EEEEEEEEEEEK! I don't have any photos!!" lol. Then I look at each and see what's "easiest" in the terms of "how many photos do I have to have, and do I have that many?" If a challenge LEAPS off the page for me and inspires me right away, I'll usually jump into that. Or if it's a template challenge then I can nail that one down. I have yet to actually finish all of them in a month though.
I don't really have a rhyme or reason to how I do the challenges; but this months Inspiration challenge really caught my eye so I did that one first! I was able to scrap one of my favorite quotes and use a photo of my favorite clock in Flagstaff, even if it's not the best photo.