Where/How do you Get Your Ideas

[Pachimac]

of what you're going to do with a page? I think that one of my weaknesses as a scrapper is that I have a hard time being creative in how I make a page. I see some of the pages that people do and I think "I would never even have thought to do that - what a great idea!!"

How do you stretch that creative muscle?? I'm in a rut! Challenges like Survivor and Month of Challenges where they tell me to do something helps, but it doesn't seem to ever creep into my regular pages!

Like this - I absolutely adore this layout. However, I would NEVER have thought to put the paper pile on the right like it is and just put a sprig of leaves on top. I wouldn't have though to use washi tape any other way than holding a picture or element down. Same with the stitches UNDER the photo. This is a scraplift of mine of a lady named ArmyGirl over at another forum.

 

[snickels]

This is definitely a weakness of mine, too. I typically grab a template (delete most of the stuff off of it) and do the same types of clusters and papers on every layout! I've tried pinning layouts in pinterest and scraplifting a favorite from the GS gallery...but even then, somehow they always look just like every other layout I create!

 

[A-M]

Scraplifting is a good way to get inspiration. Using templates definitely helps.
In the early days I rarely used templates but now I use them quite often. Even if it is just to use it for where to position my photos.
I did do a digi course on page layouts which has helped me with how to create a cluster and also the rule of doing things in odd numbers - for example.... use the pink from a photo in two elements and/or papers on the page making the pink to be used 3 times.

 

[Route66]

Wonderful scraplift, Susan! I get inspiration from Pinterest and not just with scrapbooks but I am also a card maker and there are litterally TONS of designs out there. I often take a little from each and mix them together. Of course the deigns of our such talented scrappers here and a couple of other forums I follow, are my also my inspiration. I also love when there is a challenge to get me creative that 's why I can't wait for the Survivor challenges.

 

[mywisecrafts]

I think we all struggle with that from time to time. I get I nspiration from different areas. Sometimes it's a walk in nature, sometimes something catches my eye in a store (pattern, design, etc), scrolling through galleries, IG, Pinterest! I am a huge fan of paper crafting and scrapping, sometimes I challenge myself to take a paper layout off of Pinterest and make it digitally. I recently made my own digital fringe….I find myself looking at more things in a creative mindset vs everyday mindset (don’t know if that makes sense).

 

[Yvonne55]

I know your struggle, it is mine too. I have a certain style and it is hard to change that. Sometimes I have an idea in my head and in my head it looks gorgeous but when I'm trying it out it always disappoint me. I too have pages I like on Pinterest, but that's not always a help.

 

[Firstoscartgrouch]

Challenges are my greatest inspiration.

 

[FormbyGirl]

If I get stuck, it is usually a new technique that inspires me, or something I have seen that really strikes my fancy.

Like on this one - I saw a template where the letters around the title were cut out. I worked out how to do it and then did a ton of layouts using that technique..

Or this, which is similar, but slightly different, using the words as a divider. There are loads done like this, not all of them posted. I was on a binge!!

Or this torn paper - I loved the look of this somewhere I had seen it and adapted it for my own. I have used it quite a few times.

This is one of my absolute favourite techniques, but takes forever. It is connecting words and lines and using them as dividers. I have a few more done like this, but I have not posted them.

Shifted papers, too...

And my sketch technique phase (oh my!)

 

[Kristi Martin]

Pinterest is my number one place for inspiration. I have tons of sketches and layouts saved there and often find myself going there as a starting place for my layouts. I love, love the challenges here too, so go through those deciding which one I will do and then I am off to Pinterest to find a sketch that will work to fulfil the goals of the challenge. Often the challenges push me to do things I never would have tried and this was very true for some of the Scrappin' Survivor challenges this year.
I just recently started using Affinity for my scrapping (switching from using the Over app on my phone.) which has allowed me to start using some of the wonderful pre-made templates too, but so far, I find that I am loving being able to create my own templates using the sketches found on Pinterest as my inspiration. I am learning so much now using Affinity and I am loving it.
I do feel like sometimes my style isn't really current though as it seems that many are into more artsy layouts or using tiny photos with either tons of elements or mostly white space and that really isn't my style at all. I prefer to focus on the photos so if the sketch or challenge isn't photo focused then I will look elsewhere most of the time.

 

[breoni]

Scraplifts and challenges are great. Sometimes I let my photos lead the page. But sometimes I find a really cute kit and just start playing... then I'll find photos to go with the finished layout afterward. Or I will challenge myself to take a "girl kit" and use it for a boy's page. Or take a winter kit and use it for a summer layout.

 

[Pachimac]

Thank you everyone!! I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to this thread - this last month has been crazy!!!