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Being completely overwhelmed by scrapbooking is a very common feeling. I have spoken to person after person proclaiming how daunted they are to even get started because they frankly don’t know how. Honestly, I can tell you that most scrapbookers have had this feeling at one point or another, but there is always hope for getting unstuck and getting books together, one page at a time! Check out my tips on how to beat the overwhelm and get pages done this year, starting with how to organize your scrapbook stuff!
Organize Your Scrapbook Stuff!
This is probably the hardest part for everyone. When it comes to scrapbooking, there are so many things to keep track of and have on hand. That is why to feel less overwhelmed, it helps immensely to get those things in order and organize your scrapbook stuff.
Start with your photos.
At least, that’s what I do. Get some of these amazing Power Sort Boxes from Creative Memories and start putting your photos in order. It is up to you what that order is.
You can sort them by year, by content, by album you want to create…whatever helps you and your brain. Some ladies I know scrapbook a Christmas album, which is literally a documentation of every Christmas they have had in one album. Some have made an album per kid for every so many years. Many, like myself, scrapbook each year at a time. That is just what works for me.
Sort your tools.
Do you have tools and punches all over the place? Sort those next. They are less daunting than paper and embellishments, so that will really keep your momentum going.
Creative Memories has so many fun options for storing tools, and I use pretty much all of them. See what you have and then see what you need to get them organized. This Tools Organizer is what I use for my punches, as it is sturdy and can hold a lot!
This Flex POD is what I am using for things like my pens, scissors, glue pens, and more. All I have to do is zip it up and go if I’m taking my scrapping elsewhere.
Whatever you have to do to get those tools in one spot, do it. You can even wander the stores and check out storage solutions for other home areas that could work for your tools. I actually use some small shelves for my Border Maker Cartridges that I found at B2 Outlets that used to be a Target product.
Even when I land on one storage solution for my tools, sometimes I revamp and find a better one. It is ongoing and you just do what works best for you to organize your scrapbook stuff!
Sort your papers and embellishments as you go.
If you are completely overwhelmed, sort your photos and tools first, then pick out the photos you want to start making a page for first. In fact, just start with the first photos in your box. Are they Christmas themed? Is there a certain color you see that you could work with? Are they tied to some sort of event or holiday? Is it for heritage or ancestry? Is it just a simple, family picture or an everyday life sort of setting?
Establish what the theme of those photos are, even if it is vague, and start looking through your papers. This is where it can be completely scary, but once you start, you will be glad you did.
Get to an area with quite a bit of space, so you can even start sorting out your papers on the floor by themes if you have to. I know when I sort my papers, my room looks crazy with piles. But once I have those sorted, I can breathe again.
It all depends on what you have, but sort by themes like wedding, Christmas, summer, winter, fall, spring, baby, school, everyday (these tend to be papers that don’t really carry a theme), etc. Just sort by your gut and your first instinct. Once you have your piles, put them into labeled folders. Use a label maker or use the tabs that come with the Power Project Folders.
You can sort out just what you think would work for those photos you are working with, or if you feel motivated, do it all. Sort all of your papers into piles. I tend to arrange my papers by themes, labeled in Creative Memories Power Project Folders, which have become so life-giving for me.
The reason you start by looking at some photos in doing this, is to help you get your mindset. It will help you come up with your themes. You can even look further into your already sorted photos and see what sorts of themes you tend to have, so you know how to sort your papers.
The embellishments and stickers follow suite. Once you know your paper themes, you can sort your other items. The beauty of those Power Project Folders is that they have extra little pockets to fit those items so all of your themes are together!
If your folder is getting full, have 2 folders for one theme. There is no rule against that. Maybe as you get further into scrapbooking, you’ll figure out a new way to sort those. It is an ongoing process that will revitalize over and over as you get more photos.
Don’t Overthink It
When it comes to getting motivated to organize your scrapbook stuff, don’t overthink it. There is no right or wrong way to organize your stuff. Do what makes sense for you! Just start somewhere and use these tips to help you along your way!
I’m excited to continue offering you tips as we go to get you unstuck and getting you scrapbooking! What organizing hacks do you have to organize your scrapbook stuff?
Download this free page completion tracker here to keep you motivated!
Create a Festive Advent Layout and learn how to by clicking the image above!
Learn how to make this fun sliced circle scrapbooking page next by clicking the image above!
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