4 Scrapbooking Challenges to Extend Yourself as a Scrapbooker

Do you feel like you are stuck in a scrapbooking rut? If all your scrapbook layouts are starting to look the same, break out of your rut by trying one of these challenges. Whether trying something new or working differently with what you have, these scrapbook challenges can be applied to any theme or layout.

Scrapbooking Challenge #1: Use colors that aren't "you." Look through some old layouts you've created and you'll likely see the same color combinations over and over. Why? Because once we find what works for us, we stick with it. Branch out by using colors you've never considered before: navy and forest green for a layout of your girls, or pink and lime green for a Christmas layout. Or try a new color combination such as pink and navy or yellow and brown. Pick up something you don't think you can work with and use it anyway.

Scrapbooking Challenge #2: Think outside the box. Create a layout that doesn't fit on the page. Extend the elements of your page beyond the border. Use a shaped paper, or a piece of cardstock with a decorative edge for your background. If you want your layout to fit in your book properly, create your layout on, and extending off of, a large, cut out circle. Then frame your circle with a piece of plain cardstock to fit your scrapbook.

Scrapbooking Challenge #3: Use a paper line you haven't tried or don't care for. Often we stick with the same scrapbooking product manufacturers whose products we always love. Branch out by trying a new manufacturer, or one whose product lines haven't appealed to you before. Just buy a few pieces of patterned paper and some coordinating embellishments and try making just one layout with your new products. Even if you don't end up loving the new scrapbooking line you tried, at least you got out of your rut.

Scrapbooking Challenge #4: Change what you scrapbook. If you generally use just 1 photo on a scrapbook layout, try using as many as you can possibly fit. If you like to use a lot of pictures on each layout, try focusing on just one. Mixing up the focus of your layouts is a good way to challenge yourself to scrapbook in a new way. Another way to do this challenge is to look for a new subject for a layout. See my article on Things to Include in Your Scrapbook for some fun layout ideas. Or, if most of your scrapbook layouts focus on events, create a layout about a feeling, a look, or a moment.