100 in 10, Day 1.

I’m safely in Chicago, ready to hit CHA for the weekend! :) 

So I had this idea.

I thought it would be fun to list 10 ideas for digital techniques, random inspirations, and other miscellaneous stuff (still related, of course, to scrapbooking…). 10 things a day for 10 days. I just want to make a cool list of things to refer back to, perhaps when our well is feeling a little dry. :) 

But to make this idea even weirder (cue Twilight Zone music), I stumbled on an awesome book at Borders today, called Caffeine for the Creative Mind. The subtitle is “250 exercises to wake up your brain”. I bought it. :D I read many of the 250 challenges on the plane. And it fit PERFECTLY with the idea I had to create a list of ideas and challenges. It’s so cool when little things come together like that.

The book opens with this quote:

“Ideas are the real currency in our business. Without a good idea, all the technical proficiency in the world is just window dressing.” …

In its purest form, a “creative” is anyone who creates. Anything. If you make something, you are a creative. If nothing existed, and then you appeared, and then something existed, you created it… 

Idea generation [ed. note: yes, even in scrapbooking] is paramount to success…the question is, “Where do we find ideas?”

The answer is in yourself.”

 This fits so perfectly with this list of 100 things I wanted to create - providing a jumping-off place for generating ALL KINDS of ideas. Some of them will be about WHAT to scrap. Some of them will be about HOW. Some of them will be completely random and a little nonsensical, but that’s ok too. :).

BUT.

Post a Challenge, Technique, or Idea 

Here’s the 2nd part - I would love for this to be a collective effort. Scrapping is all about sharing - not only sharing our stories and our experiences, but also sharing ideas and inspiration, I think, and I’m hoping that if I go first we can create some cool ideas together. :) So post a challenge, technique, or idea in the comments. If you are reading this, here is a little pang of guilt for you for lurking and not posting. ;) hehe. So post! Let’s gather up a pile of great ideas and challenges! If you have a link to an example in your gallery, that is awesome as well! I hope you’ll participate in this list, and we’ll see how many ideas we can add to the original 100 we’ll have 10 days from now.

NOTE: I know this will cross the minds of at least a few people who read this… so I’ll come right out and say it. :) Nobody is trying to steal your ideas. I think that almost every good idea started because of another idea, and that most ideas are a synthesis of lots of good ideas. Get the idea? ;) Creativity is a well that you can dip from forever, not a loaf of bread that’s only eaten once. :)

Okay, I’ll start:

The First Ten Ideas 

1. Place a photo and a patterned paper side by side, about 1/4 inch apart on a sheet of cardstock. Round the corners where the photo and the paper touch. Like so:

Click for Larger

2. Create accent text by opening a digital patterned paper and typing, then print on photo paper and punch or cut. Like so:

Click for Larger

3. Create a layout that’s called, “I have this picture in my head…” The layout can have a photo or not. Up to you.

4. Scrap a layout that has 8 photos: 1 big, 3 medium, 4 small.

5. Go to your ribbon stash, pick three ribbons, and use them on your next project.

6. Try drawing and stroking a frame just to the inside of a block of photos. Create a new layer and draw a rectangle with your Rectangular Marquee tool. Then go to Edit > Stroke, choose about 10 pixels of white, and click OK. Like so:

7. Scrap a layout with some black and white and some color photos. Also like above…

8. Think about something you’ve been meaning to do (scrapwise). Go and do it. Be brave! You can!

9. Type on a photo. See #6.

10. Stand up, right where you are, close your eyes, spin around three times, and point your finger. Whatever you’re pointing at must be incorporated into a layout. This could be a layout about the thing (a book? the story behind your dish set? your computer?), or incorporating the design of the thing, etc.

As you read this, please add one challenge to the list in the comments. Let’s make a collaborative list!

And if you use one, come back and post it! We’d love to see what you make!

-J 

Comments

[Lauie]

Ok, here's one: take an inventory of your closet. I found that I have many different personalities!

here's the page I made: http://creatingkeepsakes.com/gallery/details.ihtml?idx=63231

[Maria]

Hi.

I just found your blog & it's great! I will definitely be a repeat visitor. Thanks for all the brilliant advice! I've spotlighted your blog on my digital scrapbook freebies search engine blog today @ http://digifree.blogspot.com/

Thanks!
Maria

[Pam]

Oh this is such a wonderful idea. I mean it. I would love to have this list. I hope a book is lurking around the corner!
My idea for today is to use one picture as a backbround and crop smaller bits of that same picture to use in frames around it. Or use the cropped picture as background.
This is digital. The idea begin to focus on hands, fingers toes noses ears etc.
I will be thinking for you and try to post each week.
OHHH I am so excited. I love those you have posted so far.

[laurakaye]

I'm loving this list and can't wait to come back later to read the entire post.

My idea is to use ONE piece of paper as your background and cut holes through it to place your accent behind the paper.

Like this:
http://creatingkeepsakes.com/gallery/details.ihtml?idx=54871

[Meghan Epperly]

Participate in a "swap" (like the ones found on the message boards over at twopeasinabucket)! Use whatever you get in the swap on a layout the day you get it. You could even make your layout about the swap or the things you swapped :)

[Sinead Turner]

Love all of the ideas so far! Here's one...go to your favorite digiscrap site (or paper site if you're a paper gal) and complete at least one challenge. If you're looking for somewhere to start, try The DigiChick (http://www.thedigichick.com). :)

[Liz]

Flip through any magazine (scrapping or non-scrapping) and randomly stop at any page. Find something on that two page spread to inspire your next layout (colour scheme, design element, title placement, etc.).

[Pam]

LOVE this idea. I run a challenge group for a bunch of scrapping friends, so I will be dipping into these lists often. Thanks!

Here are two for you:

1) Scrapbook the quote, "Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are." Mary Jean Irvin

2) Get together with a few friend. Draw names and set a price limit. Secretly purchase enough supplies for the person whose name you drew to be able to make a page . Get together as a group and present the goodies. It is fun to wrap them as a gift. Then everyone makes a page for their own scrapbook using at least one of everything they received from their gifter. We had a blast when we did this because we got things we never would have chosen for ourselves and we pushed each other's scrapping abilities. Here is my page from that challenge: http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/5883/2606531140101673212S600x600Q85.jpg Hey! I also used a technique from Computer Tips for Scrapbookers on that page too!

[Michelle Filo]

AWESOME Jessica!

Challenge: Scrap a double page layout!!! (this is specially for digiscrappers that have been resistant to the idea lately hehehe) Like so:
http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=129228&cat=all&ppuser=6118

Technique: Mix fonts to create a unique title, like so:
http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=119108&cat=all&ppuser=6118

Idea: Use a lyric to inspire you/as your journaling, like so:
http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=139080&cat=all&ppuser=6118

Cheers,
Me
collaborating lurker

[Steph]

Soo cool!!! And I love the drawing and stroking a white frame inside your photos - that's been my go-to frame for the past few weeks!

Challenge: Scrap a page based on an ad or a magazine layout. I lifted the Table of Contents of your book while on vacation.

http://twopeasinabucket.kaboose.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=1195966

Technique: Use a digital overlay or a transparency on your background paper.

http://www.designerdigitals.com/ddgallery/showphoto.php?photo=32161&ppuser=2188

[KarenB]

Use offcuts of patterned paper from your stash to create the background of a layout. Tie ribbons around each piece to embellish. This is my example:
http://beingkaren.blogspot.com/2007_07_01_archive.html#1099149125859954536

[quilter422]

re-color a digital element and use it to create a page (digi or hybrid). Mine is here:

http://scrapstreet.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=12476&cat=500&ppuser=42

[JB]

Enroll in a local or online digital photography class.

[Jill]

Jessica ~ I have that book (Caffeine for the Creative Mind) and love it too!! I did a couple post on it in my own blog a while back.

http://jillmarie7276.blogspot.com/2007/02/caffeine-for-creative-mind-by-stefan.html

http://jillmarie7276.blogspot.com/2007/04/sunday-spur-for-scrapbookers-14.html

[ChrissyW]

i LOVE that every-sing layoiut LOVE it - my little guy says that too - perfect page!

[Jeannie]

use a texture on your photo

[Dedra]

Jessica, You are always so successfully industrious..I have three little ones and often I can just keep up....you inspire me. Love the ideas and the book suggestions (although I haven't done anything more than skim a mag in weeks).
Have a happy day!

[RBH]

I was thinking about dinner the other day and let my mind wander to childhood memories of food. I decided to do a page about some of the little memories of meals as a child. Try letting your mind roam about simple words like 'food' or 'toys'. Record those memories on a page!

[Trude]

Oooo what a GREAT idea! Love all the tips from everybody so far. Lots and lots of inspiration to be had. Here's mine:

Use a "location" photo and convert it into a pencil sketch (I love the tutorial from EScrappers: http://www.escrappers.com/pencilsketch.htm) and then use it as your background, and place normal photos you took while you were there.

Here's an example of how I did it (one of my early digiscrap pages, but I still like it): http://www.designerdigitals.com/ddgallery/showphoto.php?photo=12441&ppuser=1474&sl=t

[Michelle Filo]

So, you said I should come back with a layout if I was inspired by something on the list...

8. Think about something you’ve been meaning to do (scrapwise). Go and do it. Be brave! You can!

I promissed you I would create a World of Warcraft related page, so here it is (just did it now):

http://www.designerdigitals.com/ddgallery/showphoto.php?photo=35509&limit=recent

THANK you for the inspiration :) this list will be AWESOME :) I see so many cool things already!

Cheers
Michelle

[Bianca]

Here's an idea:

Scrap a page all in black and white with one accent color. I've never tried it, but it sounds fun.

[tonya]

I have one for ya. Pick a photo (or group that have a theme) that you wouldn't normally scrapbook. For me these were old ones stuck in some old musty album from 1988. SCRAP THEM. Right now. Do not put them in a pile "to do later". Right now, sit down and ask yourself "what do I want to say about this photo?" and say it. outloud. Here is mine: http://twopeasinabucket.kaboose.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=1195256

[Chris]

My idea is something that I have been doing quit a bit of and really like the result. Try making a selection,pasting your photo in and sliding it around to focus on an area that you usually wouldn't. Sometimes you find an area that you never noticed before that tells a different story.
Chris

[Mary B]

Here is my suggestion why not do an LO using just fabric the embelishments being made of wool, embroidery silk or ribbon, crochet or knitted bits and pieces all put together on a fabric bkgd (not done that yet but am thinking of it)

[Mary Ann]

Know all those sunset photos you have taken over the years? Well, once upon a time I put all of mine together and what do you know? They all fit nicely with a certain Pink Floyd song that had been running around my head. One or two photos for each lyrical line and I soon had two 2-page layouts for six photos. So, compile photos and the song should follow.

M...

[Liz Ness]

Fun game, Jessica!

Let's see...print a word on a piece of cardstock (in a larger font size, like 48), then stamp around it for a cool title (for a little more interest, use different colors of ink for the printout/stamps). Finally, cut out around the title and stamping and place your title on your next page.

[Stephi D]

Great ideas Jessica, here is mine, find your favorite one photo digi LO and print it out 8x8 on a transperancy. Then re-print out photo on photo paper and add to LO. Layer this new LO over a blank sheet of c/s or a new PP that meshes with old LO. You can get some interesting looks.

[K]

Very cool idea!!!! I wish I was clever enough to think of one too. Seems like there ought to be cool you could do with cute sayings your kids say or like funny quirks of your pets or something? anyway, thanks for doing this! Love it! :)

[Jaynezascrapper]

Hi!
I want everyone to do a page starting with, "If I never wake up in the Morning"...
I think that brings a little different perspective into our books, cuz lots of the time we are scrapping happy, fun pages... (you know, ;) maybe get a little sentimental)..I know that it brings out a different side in me that not many people see...

And maybe do a page on something that makes you cry..

Thanks Jessica... Love You!

[Jane]

Create a LO with photos or not using the word BE + another word. Example: be happy, be strong, be brave, be bold, be me, be nice, be quiet