How to Scrapbook During a Road Trip
Suggestions for Practicing Your Craft While on Vacation
Aug 5, 2009
Since space is often limited when traveling by vehicle, scrapbookers should be selective about what and how much they pack for the trip. Limiting the number of totes to include only the most important tools will not only save space in the car but will also reduce the amount of work space needed to create layouts.
Create a Portable Scrapbooking Kit
Creating a portable scrapbooking kit is an efficient way to pack scrapbooking tools so that the user has easy access to basic materials without having to take up a lot of space. The kit should consist of no more than two totes designated as follows.
The first tote should be small enough to fit by the users feet or in a small area that will be accessed during driving time. This tote should contain the following items:
- A note book to keep track of journaling ideas and for sketching out layouts
- One full pack of no-mess, easy-to-use adhesives such as tape runners for affixing memorabilia to the page.
- One waterproof resealable 12" x 12" folder containing layout packages or a small assortment of solid and patterned papers that math the anticipated layout themes
- One Scrapbooking magazine for inspiration
- A pencil case containing pencils, one white eraser, one small self containing pencil sharpener and journaling pens of choice.
The second tote will include remaining layout packages and essential tools such as a trimmer, stencils, eyelet setter, remaining journaling tools and a basic assortment of embellishments. Rather than bringing an entire scrapbook album along, scrapbookers can keep their completed layouts in a second 12" x 12" archival safe folder. This saves space in the tote and reduces unnecessary weight.
Vehicle Scrapbooking Pointers
Scrapbookers can take advantage of the long traveling hours to sketch layout ideas or browse scrapbooking magazines for inspiration. This time can also be spent working on larger, less detailed parts of layouts by adding stickers, placing and adhering large and easy to handle embellishments or cropping corners of photos with a corner rounder. When spending driving time working on actual layouts the following points should be considered.
- Journaling directly on a layout is not recommended when the car is in motion because unexpected jolts from uneven surfaces can cause the pen to slip while writing. Permanent journaling can be saved for times when the vehicle is parked or when taking a break from traveling.
- Keeping a folder or large envelope handy for saving paper scraps will save on the amount of time and money needed on the road by reducing visits to Scrapbooking or crafting stores to buy embellishments. The scrapbook can be combined of altered to enhance the layouts in other ways.
- If traveling with children, it is wise for scrapbookers to keep a separate craft bag with age- and vehicle-appropriate, easy-to-use craft items so that children aren't tempted to dip into the scrapbooking supplies.
Use Stopovers for Enhancing Layouts
Scrapbookers who have the luxury of stopping overnight during the road trip can take advantage of downtime in a hotel or trailer to complete more detailed aspect of the layout. This is also the best time to make use of the tools that can't be easily used in the vehicle, such as eyelet setters and 12-inch trimmers.
Down time also provides a great opportunity to create more layout packages that could be used on future legs of the road trip. Scrapbookers should be alert for other down time opportunities that present themselves such as gas and vehicle maintenance stops, waits at ferry terminals or while stuck in traffic jams.
Scrapbooking during a road trip is a productive way for crafters to make use of long stretches of travel time in a vehicle. With some advance planning and preparation, scrapbookers can create a portable scrapbooking kit which will take up minimal space, streamline the on-the-road scrapbooking experience and allow them to combine the spirit of adventure with their passion for crafting.
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