When it’s just not working…

karlimarie

karlimarie

Sweet Shoppe SugarBabe
What do you do when you think you have a vision for a layout but it’s just not working??

I tend to either junk the whole thing and start over or just push through until it either gets better or worse. This week I tried a different approach (not sure it’s working hahahaha but I’m trying it) where I keep chipping away at the original in little bursts, but also start a new page with a totally different approach. Work on them both a little at a time and see which one pans out. It’s definitely the longer way around, but it’s been interesting seeing a page with the same topic/photos being scrapped in totally different ways.

I’d love to hear how you get through this road block!
 
I hate half assing a page so most times I trash it and start again. I'm pretty hard on myself when it comes to published pages. Once in awhile I can find away to salvage it by having a second eye on it to point out where I'm going wrong. But 9 out of 10 times I'm starting over. I've been known to trash 5 pages in one sitting.

Sending you lots of mojo. :)
 
I'm in the crowd of trashing & starting over too. Sometimes with a new template or new photos or something to 'change it up.' I kinda like the idea of working on something else at the same time though. I'll have to try that next time!
 
I am a push through type person! I have too many photos to scrap still, to trash any layout I start and restart again. I will change things up a bit if I'm not liking it (different papers, changing the location of the papers, adding a few more elements or removing some.) If I am struggling with clusters or I want to add some more fun non- floral cluster elements, I will create the cluster in a separate blank canvas. I work on the whole cluster there- flowers, leaves, string, extra fun themed elements. I get it how I want it. Then I select it all and move it onto my layout. Sometimes I have to change the size or the angle to get it to fit where I wanted it, but it flows better! Than I go back to the cluster canvas, shadow and flatten and save it as a png (just so I can use it as a quick cluster another time I use that kit) This helps me if I am struggling to get my clusters to work right or look right!
 
I tend to just push through. But I've also been known to put that layout "on hold" and scrap something else, then go back to the original. Almost always, I can see it with fresh eyes and can make changes that make me feel positive about my layout.
 
I usually push for awhile but if hit the wall completely, I save it and come back to it in the morning. I usually can salvage it from there. I rarely trash it because I realized that the original layout usually wasn't that bad. It's the repeated changes that end up twisting and turning me and getting me all confused and after a good rest, my brain is clear to create again!
 
I usually trash it and start fresh. If your first try was freestyle, I'd try a template for the next attempt, or vice versa.
 
I usually wrestle with it until I get what I want. Sometimes I leave it overnight and come back the next day with fresh eyes and get something I like. The only times I have trashed a page and started over is when I started with a template and it wasn't working. For most people, it's the other way around!
 
I usually save what I have & walk away from my computer (or depending on time, give up for the night & go to bed). Then I try again the next day - if I'm still not feeling it, I either start a new page or duplicate the original & change a bunch of things & compare them side by side to see if it's any better. I also do this with my previews, LOL! Sometimes the new one is better, sometimes the old one is & sometimes I have to try a third time from scratch. If everything looks the worst, I give up & delete it all and maybe circle back in a year... :D
 
I usually push through it and try my best to make it work. Once it's done, it's done. I'll leave it at that and move on. I don't like leaving a page half way done, unless something urgent comes up, it gives me anxiety.
 
I save and walk away for the day. Come back the next day and look at it. Then, I can decide if it's the colors - am I forcing a kit? the template - am I forcing a design? Or am I being overly critical? I can change the kit or template, or let it go if I'm being overly critical.
And if I'm really not sure what's not working? I throw it into a pocket style page and move on. Memory documented, stress gone, and no more fiddling.
 
I have pushed through a less than inspired page. However I have noticed that after letting them sit for a while, I'll go back and redo it.

Sometimes I just need the another session with a different perspective or a different kit. Much like writing with rough drafts and revisions.
 
I love hearing everyone’s process. So interesting to see how differently everyone approaches the road blocks we all hit.

This time around I just couldn’t get it right and didn’t want to give up on the concept, so I put it on the back burner and am trying a different take on the challenge. I’m sure I’ll come back to it at some point and give it the energy it deserves.
 
Usually I save, and start a new project, sometimes I come back to all those "unfinished" projects that I have save in a different folder and I see the things with new eyes and I can continue working on it. And the good thing about letting things go for a while is that during the time you're not working on it, you can find new ideas or inspiration, so when you get back to the project, everything turns out better than you expected.
One of those projects I saved and then returned to, even won a GSO, and I couldn't even believe it.
 
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It definitely depends on my mood, how much effort I've already put in, and how close my deadline is (if I'm trying to get a page ready for a release, challenge, etc). I am a SLOOOOWW scrapper, so it's very common for me to have a page open in PS for days working on it in spurts. Sometimes I can just tell the page isn't going to recover to my satiscation and I quickly abandon ship. It's always so lovely when things just come together quickly!
 
I usually trash it and start over because there are reasons I feel like the layout isn’t working well together. I’d rather get a fresh new start and, often, a different approach and vision.
 
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