Magazines ~ How to Get the Most Out of Them For Your Layout Ideas
<div>Scrapbookers love magazines, and most of us would say that some of our best layouts have been inspired by something that we’ve seen in a magazine. The problem, however, is that there is usually a gap in time between the moment we are flipping pages, and the opportunity we have to actually sit down and make “that great idea” happen on a layout. So how do you get back to that incredible, inspirational page in the magazine after it has been sitting for a week, or two, or more, in the stack of other magazines that are equally stimulating? Well, here’s a few ideas that we’ve put into practice that might help you get off to an easy start when the urge to scrap comes upon you.</div>
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<div>First of all, there’s nothing more annoying than having to look through piles of magazines in order to find the right title, and the right issue. If you invest in several magazine boxes, you will simplify your life! Organize your magazines by title, and then by date. Often you can fit several years of one title into one box, unless of course you are a long-time subscriber and have years and years of issues. Make sure to label each of your boxes on the front so that you can determine, with a quick glance, which box contains the exact magazine you want.</div>
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<div>Another tip for “keeping tabs” on those magazine pages that inspire your creative side is to literally put “tabs” on those pages. At any office supply store you can purchase brightly colored “Post-It” tabs. You can even put a color system in place where a hot pink tab indicates a page layout that you like, and a yellow tab points to a card design you think will work. Use the florescent green tab for products that you want to consider buying, and a blue tab for journaling or design tips that you want to make sure and implement. Make sure to adhere the tabs to the tops of the pages, so that your magazines will not be damaged when being taken in and out of the storage boxes. </div>
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<div>Now if you follow the 6 Secrets, and you don’t like to keep magazines hanging around once you’ve read through them, you still may want to reference those few pages you come across that really stand out to you. If this is the case for you, then a 3-ring binder will come in very handy. Once you’ve purchased a binder, you can add some divider pages and several clear page protectors. Put the name of a given magazine or publication on each divider page. Then, as you find ideas in your magazines, carefully tear, or cut out, the pages you like and place each of them into individual protector sheets. For easy reference, place your protected idea sheets in the section that indicates the magazine from which you took the page. </div>
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<div>NOTE:</div>
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<div>With the Christmas season upon us, time is of the essense, so be sure to utilize the ideas you find from magazines, etc to make the creative process simplier, so you complete the projects you have planned. There is no crime in Scrap-lifting! </div>
