How do you guys pick kits to buy?

[ckguidry]

Do you shop with photos in mind? I feel like a kid in a candy store. I'm on a limited budget and I want to buy all the things but I have to be sure I can use them. I mostly work with stuff from Digital Scrapbook.com and a few templates I've bought from here.

Also, how do you guys get to the point where you don't need templates to scrap?

 

[catgoddess]

Do you shop with photos in mind? I feel like a kid in a candy store. I'm on a limited budget and I want to buy all the things but I have to be sure I can use them. I mostly work with stuff from Digital Scrapbook.com and a few templates I've bought from here.

Also, how do you guys get to the point where you don't need templates to scrap?

When I buy products, it's usually with photos in mind or for holidays/trips where I know I'll take a lot of photos. I almost always shop by color and I prefer earth tones and kits with blues and purples.

I like templates when I scrap for albums because it helps me place lots of photos. Other than that, I use templates for a mojo boost or for the creative team, otherwise I scrap freeform - I just put everything I like in a kit onto my canvas and see where that takes me. I think it just takes practice and the trial and error of determining what you like!

 

[Beth]

I like to look through lots of galleries for inspiration. I'm not very good with a 'blank canvas', so I might start with a template but then change it to suit my needs. I'm not sure I'll ever get to a point of not 'needing' templates....lol Sometimes, it's the designer's kit that inspires me and makes it super easy to eliminate the need for templates. I'm like Jenn, I like blues and purples, along with teals in kits, so I automatically look at those first. As far as improving - practice, practice, practice. Digital scrapbooking allows for lots of trial and error! LOL

 

[Bryony - HSA]

A lot of people who have been scrapping for years and years still use templates. I think they should be seen as a way to kick start your page and to make scrapping fun. I don't think you should be looking it as something you need to stop using at a certain point. I design templates and although I've been scrapping for more than 10 years I still love using them for layouts.

 

[Fayette]

I agree with Bryony, that templates shouldn't be viewed as a crutch, but as a tool to creating successful pages! Templates can be personalized, changed, rotated, flipped, so your creativity is not limited with them, but it gives you a good jumping off point. I find that I scrap more easily with simple templates, so that's how I design them, too My pages never end up clean and simple, but that's how they start

 

[AJsRandom]

Sometimes I shop with photos in mind, and sometimes I shop because a designer sent a newsletter and I love the kit they're advertising. More the first though. As far as templates go, don't write them off! I use templates multiple ways (like someone said above), and sometimes I just use it to inspire me. If I'm in a rush/have limited time, I'll scrap with a template. No shame in using them at all!

 

[bcgal00]

I buy based on the kit colors/theme. I tend to gravitate towards lots of flowers, greenery and overlays/stamps which can be used with almost any photo. Nature themes really catch my eye. As for templates, I don't always use them but I do love them. As already mentioned, they can be customized as much as you want.

 

[Anisah]

sometimes it's because I have a particular image/theme in mind, sometimes it's just "that's a cute kit! and it's on sale!" lol