Where do you get your inspiration?!

[Amber Gray]

I know when I first started digi scrapping and still I had a problem getting really creative layouts. And they all looked the same! I use quick clicks and ploppers a lot, but what are ways you all use to come up with these WOW layouts?

[twinkerbell]

I will often use a technique I've seen in anothers LO to try on my own. I don't "copy" the LO, but just take one little part of it that I like and recreate it along with my own design style. One LO I did recently was inspired by a fellow DET member Sharon. Here is the LO Fun at the Park (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=181182&cat=500&ppuser=44821). I've posted a link to her LO in my description. As you can see I've just used that one technique in my LO and it looks totally different. But it wouldn't be the same LO without that layered BG. I often let the kit inspire me as well. I find that I don't use circles as much as I could, but if I have a kit with a circle frame or element I will try to incorporate it into my LO to try something different. I hope this answers your question. So to summarize, I get inspiration from others LO's and from kits.

[Sharon1313]

Definitely others' layouts, as Tiffany says. I also will challenge myself to "find" a layout or sketch idea in almost anything. For example, I will open a magazine to any page and force myself to study the page until an idea hits me. Or I'll look at a package label for ideas. Might be a font choice, or idea for placement of elements, or a color scheme. I can almost always find something usable.

I keep pages of sketch notes... I made a template page in PSCS2 that has 12 boxes scaled to 12x12 ratio. Whenever I have an idea I'll sketch it onto one of those boxes. Then when I'm ready to scrap I have pages full of ideas to draw from.

Great question, Amber, and keep a look out for the Inspiration Challenge, coming in June here in the DET forum! :)

[gail0423]

I love sketches, but I don't use them as much as other's layouts. I will sometimes get a feel for what I want from someone else's layout, then end up moving things around and making it my own.

I usually just pull all the pieces for a kit (I prefer working with one fabulous kit), and do a quick arrangement of the papers and elements. Grab a photo to layer on if I know what I want to use, then just start moving, cutting, deciding on my style. If I feel I need other pieces - ribbons, flowers, shapes - I try to create them from the kit pieces. So I guess I kind of inspire myself in that way! If I get stuck - I go to my favorites folder or one of my magazines for the push I need to get it finished!

[Jill W]

I know when I first started digi scrapping and still I had a problem getting really creative layouts. And they all looked the same! I use quick clicks and ploppers a lot, but what are ways you all use to come up with these WOW layouts?

I put everything from the kit on to my template and then plop the photo(s) there as well. I move things around, cut, paste, etc. - sometimes that works well - things just sort of fall together. When my creative thinking doesn't kick in too much, I turn to a notebook I have filled with sketches I've drawn from other LO's - or pages I've ripped out of old scrapbooking mags. (I have purchased a number of scrapbooking magazines from eBay ...cheap cheap... but they have great inspirational value!).
I also find myself noticing fonts and colors more in advertising ... be in on TV or in magazines.
When starting a LO I very seldom have a look I'm trying to achieve - I just go with the flow and see where it leads me.

Thanks for your question Amber!! :)

[paulaoneil]

All of the above. It's not really a scraplift it's more of a jumping off point. I see something in someone's layout - either a color combination, or an edge effect or photo treatment or composition, journaling/text treatment, etc. and I want to try it. Usually, it comes out looking very different from where I started but that's what inspiration is all about. It's just something that gets you started.

Other times when I'm blocked, I go looking for someone's work that's especially fascinating to you - I was doing that with several members of the DET 3 team, when I became active on site. I learned so much looking at their layouts and then being inspired to try something similar, not the same but maybe one new technique, done my way. The spotlight members are a super source of inspiration too And I find print ads, tv commercials, web banners, all the colors and images are inspiring.

[lbfpebbles]

As with most of us, I do pull my inspiration from others. Even when I have an idea I want to create, I find that my LO's take a life of there own once when I am working with these amazing kits. Once I pick a kit to use, I look for a photo and then just play until it comes together. I usually end with tons of layers before I am done.

[Bocca]

I agree with everyone else. I am inspired by other people's layouts digital and paper. For example, I love inked edges on paper layouts so I love to "ink" or "chalk" edges in my digital ones. Unlike most scrappers, I guess, I never really have an idea what I am going to do when I start a layout. I like to put all the papers and most of the elements on the layout before I start and then find a picture that I think will go with the kit. The kit itself usually inspires me in what direction I'm going to go with the page. I use as many of the elements that come with the kit before I decide to look for other elements from other kits to "finish" it.

I mostly scrap "paper" style layouts because that is what I am most familiar with. Lately I have tried doing more blending after reading Karen Bowers instructions (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22184) in Meg's Next Step forum.

[Bocca]

I don't think we meant that we are inspired by other layouts with the same kit before we make our own. We are inspired by other scrappers layouts, paper or digital. Lately, I have been inspired by Karen Bowers wonderful Blending instructions (http://digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22184)in the Next Step by Meg. Karen is an amazing scrapper and all her layouts are inspiring. I've also been inspired by our own DET Laurette who makes the most awesome graphic design layouts. Lately, I have tried to some of those myself. I wouldn't be where I am were it not for everyone at DSP and your amazing layouts! I've learned from everyone.

[paulaoneil]

Super comments here and I agree with Bocca/Penny about being inspired and learning from other's layouts. Just looking, really looking at what they've done and then try to figure out how they've done it is a great learning tool even if you come up with something totally different!

Thanks for the link to Karen's Tutorial too Penny! Sadly I use DIP alot and it doesn't have a blending mode but after reading this I'm going to have to open up my PSP and learn about it!

[MaureenH]

I think it's fascinating that so many people do the same thing I do and that is are inspired by the kit. I, too, bring all the pieces of the kit to my workspace and then start playing with them.

I'm also finding that quick clicks are inspirational. They are a wonderful starting point and I often end up with them looking somewhat different. I also get ideas from others layouts, although I find it difficult to straight scraplift.