Events/Big Deal pages: ugh!

[LauraBean]

I know we've discussed this a little before--especially the difference between scrapping events and scrapping the everyday. I am so much more comfortable with the everyday, but I can't bring myself to skip the events altogether. And I just finished a page I'd been putting off for a month: my son getting his black belt. It's a huge deal--how could I not scrap it?--but why is it so hard for me to do a page like that that I actually like and enjoy? Is there a trick to having fun with this kind of page?

[Lynn Grieveson]

Use a template LOL!

(Seriously - it makes it so much easier and you can concentrate on the fun stuff like choosing elements and papers and then it's done).

Can't wait to see the page - that is a huge achievement for him.

[iUma]

I love your page. The photos are pure, the page is strong. Just what he is. I think YOU, my charming friend, are just an introvert like those birds the other day. Events are easier for extroverts. Ha!

[MIDA78466]

Try a template. Browse through Debbie Hodge's gallery. She'd great at events.

[ashleygg]

I'm the exact opposite. The event stuff is easy for me, but I have the worst time with the everyday stuff. Lynn is right though... Use a template.

[LauraBean]

Yes--I do use templates for events. Almost always.

But Patricia may well be onto something--I am about as introverted as they come, and I don't really love the events themselves. (Though the karate event was rather a blast.) So maybe that comes out in my scrapping? Big events don't "speak" to me, so I have nothing to say about them?

[champsarahjoy]

I am with you here Laura...I still have Thanksgiving hanging over my head! I think for me it is because I prefer one page layouts. Events almost always have too many photos and are too heavy on journaling to fit onto one page. Grr! I really need to buckle down!

[Kayleigh]

I have problems with event pages as well. I think it is the pure volume of photos that overwhelm me. I have Christmas hanging over my head right now. We had 5 family things plus our own christmas morning. I am thinking of combining it all into a double pager & call it christmas 2009!

[Jen D]

Event scrapping isn't the most enjoyable for me... but I find that I love to go back and view those pages. Since using Lightroom and the ability to rate photos it is much easier for me to tackle lots of photos at once. I find it very rewarding after I complete event projects =)

[MeEmMom]

Funny... I scrap events almost exclusively. That probably comes from having two young dd's that are involved in almost everything under the sun. Our life is just one event after another! LOL! I use templates a lot because it helps me to achieve a balance with multiple photos much quicker than if I was trying to lay them out on my own. Cathy Zielske's DYL Class is currently helping me to move through a lot of my events really quickly. I am so glad to have her suggestions and new templates!

[deanie]

My personal scrapping seems to revolve around events-trips most often. I think that the 365 project helped me see that my ordinary life needs a little more attention! Each stage of life brings with it a different challenge...

[dorah]

I find sometimes when doing events that if you focus on one photo and the story it tells then the rest of the event falls into place and scrapping it becomes fun and not mundane. Think of an event as a highlight in our lives because that is what they are. Something special deserving of a little special treatment.

[anke]

that is really funny Laura, I feel the same way. I don't like to scrap the events, I wasn't even aware of it. I still haven't done Christmas....hmm, I wonder why that is, maybe Kayleigh has a point, partially it's because of the amount of pictures. Interesting thread

[donna goar]

Originally Posted by LauraBean

Yes--I do use templates for events. Almost always.

But Patricia may well be onto something--I am about as introverted as they come, and I don't really love the events themselves. (Though the karate event was rather a blast.) So maybe that comes out in my scrapping? Big events don't "speak" to me, so I have nothing to say about them?

Laura, maybe don't view the page as "The Event." What moment in the event or about the event speaks to you. Maybe just a word or a quote is all that is needed for some photos and some events.

Your pages are beautiful!
Donna

[marnie]

Donna, I like your thinking! In the business of therapy, we call that a reframe! Laura, you are so creative, maybe you feel limited by the 'event' word/concept and could scrap the essence of it in your own way! I always enjoy your pages. In fact, you and a few others have motivated me to do more art journaling this year--thanks for your insight and inspiration!

[Britgirl]

well Laura I could written that first post myself. I'm exactly the same. big deals and event pages are not an easy task for me. they do not flow.
and of course, Patricia is also right about me too. I am uncomfortable in such situations so often, combined with a 'must scrap every picture' kinda pressure I put on myself!
so I have no wise words, other than youre keeping great company in this 'problem'

[arimacias]

...and this is why multi-photo templates are the most wonderful thing in the universe. i actually got all my christmas pictures scrapped about a week after new years. i was done with christmas that i tossed ALL the xmas supply file. but it got done!!!

[esther_a]

I frequently scrap events, not that I'm an extravert. I often get bored at events and occupy myself taking photos (how terrible is that?!). I agree that templates are the way to go. But I think that what makes scrapping events hard is that it is such a mixed bag of photos that don't necessarily work well together, so be prepared to crop them and convert some to b&w so they work harmoniously. Then I use kuler to pick out the color scheme because it's not always obvious. The 365 LOs are good inspiration for how to scrap a mixed bunch of pics.

[Britgirl]

ooo you could have hit the nail on the head there esther... the photos you feel you must scrap together do not go together, or flow... and therefore I would be dragging my heels at that totally. I scrap them, I use a multi photo template and I get it done. then I take my favourites and scrap them in a page of their own, not necessarily in reference to the event.

[dorah]

Maybe the problem is to think of the event as just another day. What is it you want to remember and capture and immortalize about this one day, this one thing that happened on this one day?