What are your tips for fitting scrapping into daily life?

[DogwoodMama]

I've been digi-scrapping since 2005 (I think, I know my oldest was a year old when I started) and one issue that I have is that I will do it for a year or so and then I just feel like my life is too hectic or crazy or that I just don't have time to do it, and I will stop scrapping for a year. Really, this has happened 3 different times for me! (The most recent time was more a computer issue than anything- dh just bought us a new desktop and that has fixed that issue. )

I know that everyone here is busy, but obviously you manage to fit scrapping into your daily life. I'm just curious what works for you, how do you do it? My particular challenge is that I homeschool, so my children are around always. I find it easier to participate in things that take a couple of minutes (checking a messageboard, FB or email- especially things I can do from my phone so I'm not even on the computer). But when I scrapbook I get REALLY sucked in and want to sit and do it for 2-3 hours. And I'm having a hard time finding chunks of time that big when I can do it... at night my dh likes to be on our desk top, for example. (We both have laptops but are really liking our new desktop b/c it doesn't overheat or flake out like the laptops tend to do!)

Anyway, would really love to hear how you make it work for you, maybe there's an approach I haven't thought of!

[nikkiARNGwife]

Now that my kids are older I don't have as much time as I used to...that's weird to me b/c you'd think they were more of a handful when they were babies..but I guess mine are just getting wilder lol..anyway. I usually get 3-4 layouts done a week on an average week..less if it's super busy..more if I have extra time.

I scrap in the morning mostly...after dropping DS at school I come home and get household chores done and run any errands I need to and then usually DD will play and entertain herself for a while and I'm able to scrap...if it's a really good day I can get 2 layouts done...yesterday I did 4! lol

Once DS gets home from school it gets crazy around here and I've never been a nighttime scrapper for some reason. I like to shut down my computer and just watch TV or read when the house is finally quiet. When DH is home nights are time for us to just hang out.

I've been scrapping since 2005 also. I've only ever taken a break and it was for about 4 months when I was having horrible all day sickness when I was pregnant.

Not sure if any of that helped..but it's my routine lol

[MamaBee]

For me, scrapping is mostly during the evening once hubby gets home and he is spending time with kiddo. If I have a deadline or I'm working on hybrid and need the daylight... then the art supplies come out for kiddo to work on as I'm scrapping... also when he is working on his school work (homeschool too, but he is 5, so it's really informal right now), i have my computer near him and scrap as he is reading or working in his workbooks. He does help me at times with scrapping... he will pick out the papers and the pictures...

HTH!

[seatrout]

My tip would be to NOT follow what I do.

DH suffers from post cancer fatigue syndrome and sleeps .. a lot !!

I, on the other hand, only seem to be able to manage about 5 hours sleep a night.

This generally means that I have time in the morning and some time at night when I am wide awake and DH is asleep. I try to be quiet so I don't disturb him - scrapping is the ultimate quiet occupation

Of course - we don;t have little kids here to deal with

[nesser1981]

I can go months without scrapping a page since Keira was diagnosed with cancer, but when I sit down to scrap, I make it count. I'm a chronological scrapper, and I honestly think that helps me, because I can set goals.

I'm a fast scrapper, 30 minutes or less for a page usually, I've learned to scrap for myself & my family to preserve our memories rather than trying to something amazing! LOL! I do take longer on CT specific layouts or if I take a great picture, I'll take the time to scrap that, out of my chronological order.

I just feel better about getting the pages done, yes, they have flaws and aren't perfect, but my kids will appreciate their memories.

I'm actually caught up to December 19, 2011. I started scrapping in August 2006. I do lots of multi photo pages, that also helps cut down on time.

I tend to scrap after the kids go to bed, or if they're playing, my computer is in their playroom

[britaneejean]

it's tough but i'm happy if i can make a few pages a week...ecstatic if i manage to create more. my DH works & goes to school so he's gone alot. when he's home, i try to have it be family time...unless i have a deadline. i usually scrap during my baby's naptime. when she's taking a nap, it's quiet time for my 3 yr old. that's when she gets to watch a movie/netflix and then i'll scrap while sitting next to her.

[sarahbhb]

I stay up way too late and don't get enough sleep.
Also I homeschool so I'll work on a layout while DD is doing her schoolwork in the morning (she's mostly independent on the morning stuff, reading, writing and arithmetic...i'm more present in the science and social studies of it all), but there's a huge chance of multiple interruptions, so I don't do deep thoughtful journaling type pages at this time..I save those for my late night scrap binges.

[webseitler]

We homeschool and on Fridays we take it easy by just doing a few things in the morning. So I told myself that Fridays are my crafty days--and that would be the day I could be totally free to scrap! I really look forward to the end of the week... more than ever before! LOL!

[SmallMoments]

I set one night a week for scrapping- Thursdays. My family knows this is my night and to not bother me or make plans for me. If I fit it in during other times in the week, great. But Thursdays is for sure.

[Gemma]

My scrappy time is usually straight after I've dropped the kids at school and OH is still out at work, so usually between 9am and 10am, or I'll sit down after I've cooked dinner and scrap for a few hours between 6pm and 8pm.

If I have lots to scrap I usually have a few hours during the day 2-3 times a week as long as all the housework is done! I'm lucky that both kids are at school and OH does split shifts at work so he's out from 4am until 10am then goes to bed for a few hours then goes back at 3.30pm until 8pm, lots of scrappy time if I need it LOL.

[YepBrook]

My situation is exactly like yours: homeschooling, DH and I having to share the desktop, etc. I also have a laptop but it's slow compared to the desktop... and I have dual monitors on the desktop which has spoiled me! We both fight over the desktop because I scrap on it and he animates. So, we have set up an agreement for sharing it which works most of the time.

I occasionally find time to scrap during the kids nap time. Of course, this means I'm not folding the laundry or mopping, or other chores I usually reserve for nap time. My 3 year old sleeps for 1-2 hours and my 5 year old will rest on my bed with books to look at for 30 minutes-1 hour. So, I'll scrap maybe 30 minutes and then squeeze in responsibilities. Then, I'll sometimes find a little time to scrap after they go to bed and before DH gets home from work. He has a long commute and doesn't get home until 8:30 or later. Finally, if it's my turn on the desktop I can scrap until midnight. I can usually eek an hour or two out of the day this way.

Some days, the kids are playing peacefully and get absorbed in crafts or toys during their play time and I can sit on the computer a little. Our computer is in the corner of our family room, so I can pop on and off of it whenever they are playing nicely and aren't needing me for something. I have had to adjust my hobby to NOT have big chunks of time. I hardly ever scrap uninterrupted. It's usually 10 minutes here or there.

[rach3975]

During the day I don't get much time "off" from the kids and house stuff, so after they're asleep is my time. I scrap then. It helps that DH is a morning person and usually in bed by 10, and I'm a night person and am up 2-3 hours later than he is. If you and your DH both want to be on the desktop, maybe switch off nights?

Normally I'll let my DD watch tv for an hour during the morning while I get some housework done. On days when I want to squeeze in some daytime scrapping (usually only if I have a last minute CT kit to work with), I spend that hour scrapping and then put in some housework time after the kids go to sleep. When all 3 kids are home and awake, forget it. Someone always needs me or I'm busy with something that can't be put off, like making dinner.

I can't scrap in short intervals. Even with bigger chunks, a page takes me 2 or 3 nights. Although I've been bad about this the last few weeks because I've been stuck home with sick kids, I try not to hop on the computer during the day for a few minutes of internet time. I end up doing it too often or for too long, then nothing else gets done and I don't get to my scrapping time in the evening.

[heathergw]

I also am a homeschooling mama and the older my kids get the less time I have... I basically keep my browser off and photoshop open all day and scrap whenever I get a chance... I tend to chunk my time anyways... But I only am on the Internet when I'm nursing or on the nursery putting the babe down for his naps... Having photoshop pen all day means doing bits here and there as time permits... Now that it's nicer outside though, we're outside more so I'm slowing down on production since I'm not on my computer... So scrapping first thing in the morning before we head out, or after the kiddos go to bed... If I stay off the Internet, I can usually get 3 pages done a night... but, we don't have a TV, and I don't read much and scrapping is therapy for me so I need to do it to keep me sane LOL

[mariewilcox]

Now that my daughter is older (6th grade) I am able to scrap in the evenings and on weekends. I do work between 50 and 60 hours a week but I'm always done by 4 p.m.

I never designate specific scrapping time, but I'll scrap when DD is gone for a practice or to a dance or a party/get-together, etc. At night I'll scrap while we watch TV or while she's in her room doing homework. At her age she's self-sufficient and entertains herself so I get much more "me" time than I used to. I have my desk top in the family room so I can scrap while she does her thing at night.

Sometimes I'll go a week or 2 and not scrap (this happens a lot during basketball season) but I don't let it bother me - I just scrap when I can.

[mrshobbes]

I don't have kids, but my schedule is a little whack depending on what assignments I have going at a time. Sometimes i can do one layout a day, other times I don't scrap for two weeks then knock out four layouts in a day.

I think one thing that helped me was just really WANTING to scrap--that let me really think about making time for it. I found that I scrapped the fastest really early in the morning, so I try to knock out a layout or two in that time.

[kristijoy]

I only scrap on my laptop primarily because it's mobile! I scrap alot when my kid is watching a little kid movie on his computer...like Curious George or Winnie the Pooh. We snuggle on the couch with our computers. It's really fun. He's happy, I'm happy and we get some cuddle time. I also scrap for an hour or so after he's in bed most nights. Then I fill in little bits. Sitting on airplanes for example. I did that last week!

I'm sure if I had to sit at a desk and work on a desktop, I wouldn't scrap at all. That's what happened when I was doing paper. Never enough time or space to drag it all out.

[Paula]

My tip is to make the time every day. Now that my kids are teenagers and one is living on his own, it's easier.

[FireWolf]

Originally Posted by heathergw

I basically keep my browser off and photoshop open all day and scrap whenever I get a chance...

This is pretty much what I do but I also paper/hybrid scrap so I setup for a project first thing in the morning and work on it or a digi page off an on all day. Just before DH gets home the table gets cleared since my scrap table doubles as our dining table and the PC is his once he gets here.

I just started doing this the past month because, like you, I was taking a really LONG break from scrapping. Almost two years except for a page here or there. It really helps. I may not get a page a day done but I am getting some creative time in every single day.

[nun69]

luckily we have our own desktops because we both like our "own" computer time. I don't homeshcool, but work full time and have 4 kids, so usually I scrap right after I get off and after dinner. The kids usually do their homework right after I get home so that is all done befor edinner so after dinner they have their "own" time to play, draw, watch cartoons, play the Wii or whatever makes them happy until bathtime/bedtime/storytime which is normally before 9 pm. So I can scrap after they go to bed as well. And the weekends here are really laid back, so I ususally manage to catch up on housework and find some more scrappy time there as well.

[Kjersti]

I work full time and try to scrap from 8:30 - 9:30pm when the kids are in bed.

[Kara]

Sometimes, I scrap during naptime (now that my DD is back to napping!) Other times, it'll be in the morning before everyone else wakes up. I'm finding that I'm getting less and less computer time because the kids are getting older and want to use it, and we're also using it for Netflix. Once this baby's born and I'm nursing again, I expect to be scrapping a lot more -- that seems to be a time when I get a lot of scrapping and photo editing done.

[LeeAndra]

I can't 'chunk' things like the other ladies can. My brain doesn't work that way, unfortunately. I tend to do housework/play online/watch TV while DD is napping, and then I get to actually scrap at night (10 pm) once she's in bed. Sharing a computer with DH is the pits, but since he is a morning person and I'm a night owl, he tends to get up early to use it before work and I tend to stay up after he's gone to bed to use it.

It's my ONE 'me' thing (I lump photography + scrapping together), and DH knows that if I don't get to do it, I become crabby, not fun, and moody. It's much cheaper than booze or drugs! He also does realize its value and sees it as being more than a hobby since it is preserving our legacy.

[Gemma]

Originally Posted by heathergw

I basically keep my browser off and photoshop open all day and scrap whenever I get a chance

I did this yesterday as my Internet was down for 1 whole day(!!!) and I managed to do 3 and a half pages, my to use folder is now empty!

[DogwoodMama]

Thanks for all the responses! Still trying to brainstorm about what works for me. I think that maybe one afternoon a week I could designate "mommy crafty time" and maybe work it out with dh to claim the desktop 1-2 times a week. I just feel bad b/c he doesn't watch TV at all (unless it's sports) so if I'm on the desktop I feel like I'm depriving him. But he DOES have a laptop!

I have no rhyme or reason to my scrapping, I'm so impressed that some of you do. I need to look into this project life thing or figure out what my scrapping goals are, generally speaking!

[LJSDesigns]

I've digitally scrapping for about 5 years now, but I have never been a prolific scrapper. Finding time is hard for me as well, I work totally insane hours, and deciding what to scrap is even harder. I set a goal this year to scrap more, but since my time crunch wasn't going to change, I needed to find other ways to get it done.

The first thing I did was start participating in the monthly challenge because it helps inspire me while giving me focus. I also became a kit scrapper, so I don't waste time looking for little odds and end; the SSD designers have already done that work for me. Those two small changes have helped me tremendously.

Also having the washer and dryer in my craft room is a plus. I can do laundry and scrap at the same time and because it gets a little loud with the washer and dryer both going, I don't hear all the mom calls.

[kristijoy]

Originally Posted by Loriebug66

Also having the washer and dryer in my craft room is a plus. I can do laundry and scrap at the same time and because it gets a little loud with the washer and dryer both going, I don't hear all the mom calls.

This is just wonderful! Made me laugh!

[Sherri Tierney]

I started digiscrapping in 2004 (paper scrapped for years before that). I've went back and forth with how often/much I scrap. I think its common for that to happen with hobbies. That's why they are hobbies

I have never went more than a few months without doing a layout or two but it feels like I NEVER scrap. In my early scrappy days I scrapped at least one layout a day PLUS designed at least a kit a week. I did most of it while my little one was nursing (and he nursed all the time!!) and life was simpler. These days you would think I had more time but, yikes, nope.

I was so excited about school starting this year. DS was finally going to kindergarten which meant I had ALL day to myself. Woot! Well, 2 weeks in to the school year and I went to a PTO meeting and left with a job. Its part time so I'm home before noon most days. However, it seems like at least 3x a week I'm running back and forth between my son's school and my daughter's school for some reason. One forgot their lunch, another forgot their violin, or I have business there for a reason unrelated to kids. I am a very active PTO member and I do the yearbook for the elementary schools and that stuff all keeps me busy. Then there's things like cleaning house and going grocery shopping, etc. I definitely don't have any time for myself like I had planned.

We have 3 desktops and a laptop for our family of 4 (4 desktops really but one is super old and in a room we don't use) so no fighting over the computer at least. No one touches MY computer. The kids will use DH's desktop when he's not on it. I can leave photoshop open and just make sure I've saved my work and that helps.

What helps most is to plan layouts in my head. Seriously. I mentally run through the kits I have, match them up with pictures and get an idea of how I'd like it to look (white space, clustering, etc.). Templates also help.

[sigmakap95]

I work full time and usually leave the house by 6:30 and don't get home until about 5 after picking up all three boys - then it's dinner, etc. Not much time in the evenings - unless I wait until after they're in bed - but sometimes I beat them to bed so.... I wake up at 4:20, shower, get ready for work, then have 5-6 am for my 'me' time, which is when I scrap.... it's not much, but it's better than nothing! On the weekends, it's usually during the youngest 2's nap time.

[Mye]

i usually do mine when the girls are out to school. so i guess, that's an advantage. when they are home, nothing seems to get done - they are just plain noisy and keeps on calling me all the time! after they are in bed, im back to work