Let's Talk About Scrapbooking Goals
Scrapbooking goals are like New Year’s resolutions – full of good intentions, enthusiasm, and a touch of wishful thinking. The trick is trying to figure out how to actually finish those albums instead of just stacking them neatly on a shelf (looking pretty, but oh-so-empty). Today I thought I would evaluate some of my scrapbooking goals, share a few tips, and show you how I used this month’s sketch to keep myself accountable. Spoiler alert: yes, my December Daily is on this list again!
Setting Realistic Scrapbooking Goals
Let’s be honest, scrapbookers are dreamers. We see a sparkly new kit and immediately imagine all the layouts we must create. But when it comes to goals, realistic is better that dreams. For me, that means focusing on:
- My 2023 December Daily – because Holiday stories deserve to be told before next Christmas sneaks up.
- My Daughter’s Wedding Album – because those photos are too precious to live in a box.
- Trip Albums (NYC, Cruise, 2 Cross Country Trips – because travel stories fade faster than you realize.
Tip: Choose 2-3 that are priorities. The rest will wait in your “someday” pile.
Let’s take a look at some of my works in progress. First up is my 2023 December Daily.
Next, my daughter’s wedding album.
I have even completed layouts for the Cruise we took this past March.
Using a Sketch to Stay on Track
The sketch I started with had a clean, organized look with 2 main photo blocks and a row of smaller supporting photos. I waned to capture my in-progress projects.
Here’s where my goals evaluation came in handy; instead of just listing projects, I photographed them and numbered them on the page which provides instant accountability!
Let’s take a look at the sketch Misty created for us this month.
How I Changed the Sketch (Because I Can't Follow Rules Exactly)
The sketch provided for two portrait photos, but I used one landscape photo of my shelf of December Dailys. Notice it only goes up to 2022. Yes! I’m 2 years behind! I placed tilted photos along the left side instead of the bottom like the sketch suggests.
I added embellishments and labels like “Important” and “On the Bucket List” to remind myself that these aren’t just unfinished projects, they are stories worth telling. Now let’s take a look at my layout.
Tips for Achieving Your Scrapbooking Goals
- Break it down – Don’t think “finish_____album.” Think “complete 5 layouts this month.” Much less intimidating.
- Make it visible – Photograph your unfinished albums or projects (like I did) and make a layout. It’s like a vision board.
- Celebrate progress – Half-finished albums are still better than no albums. Give yourself some credit!
Final Thoughts
Scrapbooking isn’t about perfection, it’s about having fun while preserving those memories and telling those stories. Every page tells a story, even if the album isn’t 100% finished. Mine may not be finished tomorrow, nest week or even next month, (I’m hoping for next year), but this layout reminds me that they’re in progress, and that’s worth a pat on the back.
After all, what’s the worst that could happen? My grand-kids might one day flip through an album that ends halfway and say, “Well, Grandma must have gotten distracted by pretty paper again.” And I can live with that.
P.S. If you’re wondering, I plan to frame my layout and hang it above my desk as my reminder to keep plugging away at those albums.