Layout Notes

Do you make a big mess when scrapping or creating paper projects?  I definitely do.  I used to just pull everything out and then start working on a layout and pull even more stuff out trying to find what worked and didn’t.  Thanks to my friend, Jackie, and her tutelage, I now just pull out a limited variety of supplies and then put EVERYTHING else away while I work on my layout.  I may still pull out some extra embellishments or something, but I don’t have everything out all at once any more.  

I keep trying to find ways to create my projects and layouts more efficiently and I’ve also been looking at submitting a few of my layouts to different places.  In the process, I have found that I definitely need to take better notes of the supplies and/or techniques used when creating a layout.  This may be old news for many of you gals, but I’m hoping this little tip might help some of my readers.  

Now, when I start a layout and I’ve narrowed down my paper and main embellishment selection, I take out a collapsible drawer divider (found these at IKEA) to store the supplies I actually use as I am working.   See beginning picture above. 

As I create my page, I place my paper strips with manufacturing info as well as any embellie packaging in the little box as I work on my layout.   When I am done, it looks something like this.

Then I flip my layout over and using an archival safe pen that won’t bleed through my paper, I first sign my piece of art with date completed.   I’ve been doing this for a little while now.   It’s nice to be able to look through my layouts and see how and when my style has evolved.   Then, I start taking out the supplies (starting with paper) and list each item used on the back of my paper.   If you happen to have a light, thin background piece, write somewhere it won’t show through like behind a picture or journaling block.  With thicker cardstock, it doesn’t matter as it won’t show through with most pens.  I usually use a fine Sharpie pen (not marker) for this.  I also remember to include any special tools or techniques I might have used i.e. Distress-It-All, embossing notes, etc.  I was trying to write this all on a journaling card and then attach to my pages, but found that I needed more room sometimes, so I just started writing on the back of the page itself.  (You can check back on the 28th to see this completed layout for my Sassy Lil’ Sketches design) 

Now, if I decided to submit this layout, I have everything already written down on this particular layout.  If not, I still have the notes for myself if I want to recreate a technique, or find more of a certain paper or embellie.    On a mini-album, I might hide this information in a hidden journaling spot on the inside back cover. 

Do you have any other ideas or suggestions for keeping organized WHILE creating a layout or project?   Do you have any suggestions for keeping a record of supplies used on each project?  I’d love to hear about some other ideas. 

Thanks for stopping by,