How do YOU think out of the box?

[maslex]

I have a Disney cruise coming up in April and I'm starting to gather supplies together so when I get my pics back I can get scrapping right away.

My problem is this.....I seem to get in the pattern of using the same types of papers/embellishments for each subject. Meaning...I use blue papers for beach or pool, red/green for the holidays, primary colors for school. But when I look at all my books and magazines, I notice that they use all different kinds and colors of papers and such.

I love the look and would love to do that myself, but when I'm standing in the aisle of the store trying to decide which papers I want, I always seem to buy the same stuff.

How can I get to the point of picking something different?

 

[Fran98765]

If you know you want to try a different color scheme, plan ahead (if you are shopping prior to trip) or after you get your pics back. Instead of pale blue for the beach, why not bright pinks and yellows and other very fun summery colors? I went on DCL back in 2000 and when we stopped at Nassau, I still remember the pink roofs on all the houses, so maybe if you do a Nassau LO, use some pinks and teals.

It's easy to get into a rut with the character LOs... donald red white and blue, mickey black red and yellow... maybe instead of the main color you usually use for their LOs, pick a different main color, change that up a bit, it will still be new to you!

One thing I have learned since switching to digital and not having the accessibility of all the Disney "stuff" to use, is that you are not limited by the "normal". Use your imagination. I did a DTD layout with my son in front of the buzz statue at the toy store in oranges and yellows. It may sound odd, but it looks great.

If you shop after you see your pictures, pull out a simple color from a picture and use that as your main color. Does your DD (if you have one) have a cute pink swim suit? That pink can be the primary color, instead of the blue beach or pool that you normally do.

If you plan in advance, make a list of places you will scrap and think about different color options you can use.

 

[Raenstoirm]

Buy some paper frames. I am not sure who makes them but they are sold in a slab. They tend to take an unconventional approach at colors (brown for Christmas, purple for Halloween, primary colors for babies) Even if I don't use a frame I steal the "theme" of them. The one-a-day scrap calendars are similar.

I tend to use this method as well, first chose your "center" image or favorite and pick out a color from it. For example, for your son's school play, there is a pic of your husband and son and your husband has on a green tie. Green is now your main color for the page.

 

[Spinning]

I think part of the problem is buying the paper and items before you actually have the pictures in hand to scrap.....The colors you are currently using are usually colors we think of when we think of these places so naturally we gravitate to them......
I am a paper hog....I have bought way more paper and supplies with the intention that when I have my pictures back I will use what I have purchased....Wrong! I find I don't like the paper I have or it doesn't match the pictures or it drowns out my pictures....So I have stopped buying supplies before I actually see my pictures....granted I still purchase stuff I just love and feel i must have! But that is my impulse talking and buying! But I no longer purchase large amounts of stuff before I have pictures in hand......sigh...if only I did this years ago....I saw some lady in a scrap store walking around with her pictures. Matching them up...then saw her books...BEAUTIFUL! and out of the box!

Now I have the dreaded task to use up my stuff....it is actually entertaining! And my layouts are different and to my surprise I like them. My kids school books are now filled with no school paper and colors!

 

[toverly]

If I wanted to switch colors, I wouldn't prethink the cruise book too much. It's hard to switch colors from the ones we're used to using.I do have an idea, when you go on the cruise, take some decor shots of the colors on the boat. You can pick those off the photos and end up with something unique to your style and coordinating to the photos.

 

[LindaBabe]

I planned two cruise albums in advance. The first one I used light green cardstock and really WILD tropical colors printed paper for the handcut lettering (Picked the wild paper first and chose one of the milder colors for the cardstock.) The second one I used black pages, black and white sticker letter titles, and diagonally cut paper halves from the papers in the Cruise album I bought on the ship. Happy with both of them, although the first one is 'funky' and second one is more sophisticated.

Just now have done a premade album for a several week long road trip we are about to take. I saw one of those premade pages that you need only put your photos on and used that for inspiration. NOT my normal colors at all - very dark teal, 3 shades of herbal garden green, and brown! But, I'll be able to add the photos on the road, and it will be done by the time I get home.

I think if you pick the colors for your album in advance, choosing something outside your normal realm, it forces you to be creative and think out of the box as you strive to make your choices work.