Why is my scrapping so slow? What am I doing wrong?

[pjlla]

I have figured out in the past that it takes me an average of almost an hour to complete a 12 x 12 page (not including any shopping time, or picture printing time). This was for my kids baby scrapbooks and a gardening book I am working on for my Dad (actually, his book is 8 1/2 x 11).

My average has actually slowed down lately to about two hours or more for two 12 x 12 page layouts together for the Disney scrapbook I am working on. It seems to take me a looooong time to decide on which background paper (I don't use the CM all white background method I have seen other use.... just not my style), and then what coordinating papers. I've never done any paper piecing as it seems like it would be EXTREMELY time consuming. I don't have a SIZZIX so I am not spending my time making die cuts. My pages aren't super fancy or complicated. Most use only two to three different papers, one or two basic shapes. I have only begun to use eyelets and brads. I do very little rubberstamping and I've never used any fabrics or fibers. I have a somewhat organized, dedicated scrapping table in my bedroom, so I don't even have to clean up or set up every time I work.

WHY AM I SO SLOW? .........................P

 

[DonaldDuckFan]

It seems to take me a long time to do my pages lately also. I recently did a Disney album for a friend of mine for Christmas, I just did all the pages up for her and then she can add the photos. I noticed this seemed to go a lot faster for me. I made a list of all the pages that I knew I wanted to do and made up some borders, paper piecings, squares and got some other embelishments that I knew I wanted to use and after I had all that together than I did the pages. This seem to be a lot faster, that way I wasn't searching around for what I needed, I put it all together in a basket and kept all the card stock to the same colors. The album looked great when it was done and my friend loved it. When I start doing my own stuff again I'm going to try it this way and see if it seems to be any faster...

HTH, Amy

 

[mcnuss]

Don't be so hard on yourself - why not think of yourself as careful, thoughtful and precise instead of "slow".

If you want to see slow, come to my house. I haven't touched my books since November. Now that's slow!

 

[Spinning]

This is what happened to me! When I first started scrapping I knew nothing...knew no one who scrapped and would crank out the pages...they were simple and ok (well not the first 25 pages YUCK! those decorative sissors....)
any way then I put it away for several years....started up again with the same simple but nice straight edges but I also got into web sites, classes crops etc...and my pages were taking FOREVER So I just recently re-eval. my style and found I still like simple but I like a lot of color and textures...but speed is important...Haven't solved my problem for speed but at least I am happy with the look!
hang in there! 2 page spread in an hour isn't that bad!

 

[Twigs]

I've only been scrapping since this past June and I feel the same way, it takes a long time for me to pick out what coordinating papers etc. to use. I guess I want it to look good and so I angst over it all.

 

[Swan]

Sometimes it takes me days for one page. I think about the best way to do it and of coarse I don't have something I need. Then I go to several stores trying to find what I want. After I can not find it I come up with another plan. By the time I get home the kids have to go some where. So I have to start the next day if I do not have to work. The important thing is I am having fun no matter how long it takes.

 

[Mamu]

I think the answer is very simple "Taking Pride in each Page"

Most of my pages take an hour or more. I'm not just taping a picture in a album. I'm trying to design a page, blend the right papers together, arrange photo and add embellishments to enhance that page.

I take a 2 1/2 hour class weekly, some nights all I get to do is decide on what paper I'm going to use. The first half hour is usually instructions on creating a page. That leaves me with 2 hours of scrapping time. I do the CM style crop, but add my own style to it. I try to use only 3 colors per layout with the white background. When I journey I add another hour to the layout. Thats about 3 hours per-layout.

I'm very proud of the albums I've done, I take pride in each and every page.

 

[Suzi Q]

I have the same problem so I don't have an answer for you. I am thinking the whole time, "This is for future generations to see so I want it to be something that I am proud of." And then it takes me forever to make a decision!! I have so many pictures that need to be scrapbooked that it will take me forever. I enjoy it though so I guess that is what is important.

 

[paulinewdw]

I cannot complete a page in an hour. More like 3 or 4 hours per page. I used to be much faster, now it seems to take an hour to pick out paper, etc. If I have pre-made page kits that just need assembling, I MIGHT be able to complete each layout in a hour.

I am REAL SLOW!

 

[SplshMtn99]

OK, first of all, let's get this straight... I AM THE WORLD'S SLOWEST SCRAPPER! (Tag Fairy --- are you paying attention? LOL)

I learned something not too long ago...and it was backed up in this past Sunday's Parade section of the newspaper.

It is: the more choices you have.... the more unhappy you will be.

Remember when you only knew a few techniques? You scrapped at an ok speed - and were somewhat happy with your results. But now that you "know alot" about scrapping, you have to decide what technique, what color, design layout..... and then you get more critical....and then more unhappy.

This is so true in LOTS of areas in life.
So....try to remember............... K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid)

Just kidding! LOL
(From someone who has spent 3 YEARS working on her 2000 WDW trip --- among other things. LOL)

 

[chessie]

Count me in as one of those slow scrappers.

I mount each photo and sometimes I double mount the focal photo. I even mount my journaling box. Once I add a border and a few embellishments, that an hour, easy. When you think about it, all those cuts and peeling off all those tiny adhesive papers, time adds up.

 

[craftyscrappinqt]

It is quite normal to take a long time on each page. i have found that i get more done when i go and work in a room at a scrap store. try to pick one that has idea books and die cut machines on hand for you to use. this certainly aids in picking out what layouts or colors you like best. dont be afraid to ask to trade albums with another person there too. chances are, they get stuck sometimes too!