How to stay on top of challenge deadlines?

[Laura R.]

Hello! I have never been good at being able to keep up with these big scrapping challenges and all of the deadlines. I recently completed the Summer Scrap-A-Thon warm up challenges. I want to do the summer double feature challenge.

So how are you able to stay on top of all the different deadlines and challenges? Do you have a system? Have the deadlines and challenge themes written down?

Any suggestions would be great.
Thank you!

 

[Meliora]

My biggest one is to put the perfectionist down If I find myself fiddling a lot and moving things around and never being satisfied, I have to just call it "good enough" and move on. Nor sure if that's what you were thinking, but I can't be the only one that spends sooo much time like that.

 

[CathQuillScrap]

Thankfully most of the deadlines are for the end of the month... so I have a spreadsheet in which I list the challenges and then I add my layout name next to it to know it's done... like a tracker.... and so long as I am done by the last day of the month then I know I am sorted.

It it's a shorter turnaround then I try to do the layout as quickly as possible after seeing the challenge... procrastination is not good for me.

 

[Brendazzle]

I like to write the challenges in my planner and then highlight or check them off as I complete them. I think it helps that I also do similar for my CT duties so it's an ongoing system for me, whether I'm doing challenges or not.

(I'm always good about this for Summer Scrap-a-Thon but have been doing terribly with the Connect & Create challenges, probably because it's not the "do this and then check it off" approach)

 

[3BluEyedBabies]

I have a notebook right by my computer to write down the challenges and my list of supplies for credit in the gallery.

 

[AmieN1]

I'm a list girl too- something so satisfying about marking it completed (sometimes I check off when I'm done and other times I like to cross it all the way out!) Also when you have a bunch that you can tackle, I try to do the easiest first- either easy as in challenge itself easy, or easily inspired. That way the scrapping juices get flowing & I then tackle the harder challenges.

 

[Romajo]

For SSAT I try to create my layout as soon as possible, the tracker in the main thread helps me to see what needs to be finished. Good thing the only deadline is the end of the month.
If deadlines are shorter, like for the warming-up challenges, I try to create them within the week.
The C&C challenges (and this has happened with other monthly challenges before as well) I seem to do most of them at the end of the month.
I think I work best when the deadline is closer...
Sometimes I do write things down, sometimes I just use the tracker here in the forum.

 

[helptheold]

My biggest one is to put the perfectionist down If I find myself fiddling a lot and moving things around and never being satisfied, I have to just call it "good enough" and move on. Nor sure if that's what you were thinking, but I can't be the only one that spends sooo much time like that.

I feel the same way, its why I have bursts of productivity when I can beat the perfectionist side down!

 

[aussiegirl]

Like some of the others, I physically write things down! I have a notebook that I keep next to my computer. I put any rules or guidelines for the challenges, the date or prompt of the challenge. Then I write down any and all kits, templates etc that I used for that challenge. I will write ideas for pages or the title of the layout when finished in the margin of the notebook. Then I put a check mark so that I know it is finished! I do this for monthly challenges, special challenges and CT work. If it's an ongoing one that I know will take up a few pages, I will put the month or challenge title at the very top of the page. Sometimes I will put the due date or amount of challenges I need to finish in order to win % off or price.

It's a system. You have to find what works for you! Some like the spreadsheet on the computer, but I am old school and prefer pen and paper!

It also helps to put your thread where you post your challenges, into a new tab on your computer. I pull it up every time I post a layout, and then post my layout there also. Helps me keep on track of posting. If it needs to be posted in 2 places, find the other place in the forum at the same time you are posting.

 

[jagruti patel]

Same here. I have it all listed down and I mark along as I do. For connect and create, I list everything in two column and draw lines connecting each side as I make the layout. If I get an idea, I note it down in pencil.

Paper and pen, highlighers...lol!

 

[karlimarie]

I have lots of systems, I wrote about them in more detail here, but for the scrap-a-thon the best way for me was to write them all down on a printable that I made.

I would put the date & then the choice & my page idea/topic, and cross them off as I go.

So like:
July 2 - Barbie - ballet recital
July 4 - XYZ - abc
July 6 - Lorem ipsum - Dolor Sit Amet

I also had a few square spaces for doodling layout ideas as they came to me.

But the best system is the one that works for you!

 

[lizziej]

My biggest one is to put the perfectionist down If I find myself fiddling a lot and moving things around and never being satisfied, I have to just call it "good enough" and move on. Nor sure if that's what you were thinking, but I can't be the only one that spends sooo much time like that.

@Meliora you are definitely not alone! I'm just like that. I'm a slow scrapper. Because of my work schedule, I haven't been able to do a layout yet, but the challenges thus far seem "easy" to me. So, why can't I take 30 minutes to just whip out a layout? I'm going to work hard at making it simpler. I'm thankful for the flexibility that this Summer Scrap-A-Thon offers.

@Laura R. I don't have a system. Maybe that's my problem. In the past, I have tried to do them in order. If I'm behind, like I am now, I may start several layouts when I get a moment. That's worked for me. Take it one layout at a time. You can do it!

 

[AshleyMilfd]

I scrap on my phone and my husband always drives plus I have an empty nest. That's the only way it would ever happen and sometimes i still don't make them

 

[anneofalamo]

I scrap on my phone and my husband always drives plus I have an empty nest. That's the only way it would ever happen and sometimes i still don't make them

You just made my head explode ! You scrap on your phone?! Wow
I have two huge screens and zoom in on things with my shadows.
How do you do this?

 

[AshleyMilfd]

You just made my head explode ! You scrap on your phone?! Wow
I have two huge screens and zoom in on things with my shadows.
How do you do this?

Very primitivaly, it's an app meant for putting text on photos. It's got its positive and negative. I'm not happy with my current phone's quality even though this one is supposed to be better than the one I used to scrap on- it really affects my mojo knowing that my shadows won't look as nice and the final upload wont be as sharp as it should be. I am limited in some ways :using templates can be tedious (adding each layer via png) and I can't have too many layers but I am a template junky anyway, my shadows aren't as realistic and I don't have a lot of the features that I would with a laptop/iPad set up and seeing details can be a challenge (staples are almost not worth using lol) I want to eventually move up to an iPad or laptop when I can afford to do so. But then I get overwhelmed at the idea of learning Photoshop, like I'm brand new again and really just want a phone that has better graphics. I love being able to scrap literally anywhere at anytime I want - Dr's office, in the car, etc

 

[angiekey]

Very primitivaly, it's an app meant for putting text on photos. It's got its positive and negative. I'm not happy with my current phone's quality even though this one is supposed to be better than the one I used to scrap on- it really affects my mojo knowing that my shadows won't look as nice and the final upload wont be as sharp as it should be. I am limited in some ways :using templates can be tedious (adding each layer via png) and I can't have too many layers but I am a template junky anyway, my shadows aren't as realistic and I don't have a lot of the features that I would with a laptop/iPad set up and seeing details can be a challenge (staples are almost not worth using lol) I want to eventually move up to an iPad or laptop when I can afford to do so. But then I get overwhelmed at the idea of learning Photoshop, like I'm brand new again and really just want a phone that has better graphics. I love being able to scrap literally anywhere at anytime I want - Dr's office, in the car, etc

Ashley, I'm curious - what app(s) are you using on your phone? I'm supposed to put together tutorials on how to scrap on mobile devices, but I'm struggling with where to begin...

 

[angiekey]

Hello! I have never been good at being able to keep up with these big scrapping challenges and all of the deadlines. I recently completed the Summer Scrap-A-Thon warm up challenges. I want to do the summer double feature challenge.

So how are you able to stay on top of all the different deadlines and challenges? Do you have a system? Have the deadlines and challenge themes written down?

Any suggestions would be great.
Thank you!

First of all, Laura, we're so glad you're here at the Sweet Shoppe and participating in our community!

The only times I've been successful with keeping up with challenges and getting them done on a deadline are when I've used a home-grown organization system to break it into little chunks.

First, I pull up a word-processing or page layout application - it changes from year to year, which ones I'm using, but right now I live and breathe in Evernote ... you could also use OneNote if you're a Microsoft girl or Word or Pages or Google Docs works as well.

Then I set up a table - nothing fancy - just start with 3 rows and 4 columns. For the July Summer Scrap-A-Thon, it looks something like this:

Date	Challenge	Layout/Notes	Deadline

Then I fill it in as the month progresses and the challenges are released.

Date	Challenge	Layout/Notes	Deadline
July 2nd	Clueless (July 1995) – As if! Create a page with “yeah right,” “no chance,” “in your dreams,” and “absolutely not” vibes. Bonus points if you include classic Clueless yellow plaid.		July 31st
July 4th	Independence Day (July 1996) - Alien Invasion! Add at least 3 elements that feel like they've landed on your page from another creative universe.		July 31st
July 6th	The Devil Wears Prada (June 2006) - Make a graphic design / magazine inspired page with a focus on stylish typography and trends.		July 31st

You get the idea.

As I complete layouts, I drag-and-drop the completed layout into the Layout/Notes column. I like being able to see that I'm making progress ... it makes my brain happy and helps me stay motivated.

Then what I'll do is when I'm feeling creative, even if I'm not ready to scrap yet, I'll brainstorm up specifics about each layout. What will my topic be? What photos do I need? What kit(s) or template do I want to use? Those notes go in the Layout/Notes column, and when the page is done, I delete them and put the page thumbnail in instead.

Date	Challenge	Layout/Notes	Deadline
July 2nd	Clueless (July 1995) – As if! Create a page with “yeah right,” “no chance,” “in your dreams,” and “absolutely not” vibes. Bonus points if you include classic Clueless yellow plaid.		July 31st
July 4th	Independence Day (July 1996) - Alien Invasion! Add at least 3 elements that feel like they've landed on your page from another creative universe.		July 31st
July 6th	The Devil Wears Prada (June 2006) - Make a graphic design / magazine inspired page with a focus on stylish typography and trends.		July 31st
July 8th	Dirty Dancing (August 1987) - “Nobody puts baby in a corner…” but we’re asking you to keep your entire page design concentrated in one corner.	Photos of Eleanor's hilarious "Surprised" reaction Quirky Kit by Soco & Allison Pennington

That's it - just a table where I can see what I need to create and what I've already created at a glance. If you want to get fancy, you can include links to the URLs where each challenge is posted so you can quickly go back to the post to add your finished layout, or link to your layout in the gallery. Just depends on how much time you want to spend on your table.

The other thing that really helps me a lot is to put together a running list of layouts I want/need to create. My biggest struggle tends to be "what am I going to scrap?" when I get a challenge. Sometimes the challenge has a topic that guides me, but a lot of times I feel overwhelmed by the two decades of photos sitting on my drive that are only, like, 15% scrapbooked.

Anyway, I hope that helps you a bit. I love reading about the tools and systems other scrapbookers use! It's helped me to refine what I've done over the years, little tweaks at a time, until I've landed on something that works for me.

Good luck, and once again, we're so glad you're here at SSD!