Sir Scrapalot | Sir Scrapalot Designs

Fighting the Battle for Better Time Management

Posted by Aaron aka Sir Scrapalot on Mar 2, 2011 | View Comments

Do you ever feel like getting better at your time management is a battle?

A while back, I wrote about fighting the Energy Eater over at Simple Scrapper. Lately, however, I’m starting to see that the path to better time management isn’t about fighting one enemy, but a larger ongoing battle. One that takes time, one that will go on for a long time. Sometimes, I’ll be winning the battle, sometimes I’ll lose. Right now, I feel like I’m on the losing end of the battle, and here are some things that I am planning on doing to start winning this battle again.

Stop watching all TV in “real time” - The invention of the DVR is a wonderful thing. The ability to watch a show at a later date, while fast forwarding through the commercials and boring parts is really one I need to take more advantage of. Some shows need to be in “real time” (how would anyone survive without my weekly American Idol Facebook/Tweet Along?), but others can definitely be saved for later and watched in a much shorter amount of time.
Prioritize – I love making to do lists. They make me feel like I am working towards something. However, a to do list is only as good as the action it promotes. One thing I want to start doing is creating a master to do list, and then drawing from that master list to create specific “Things that I Need to Do Today” lists. By prioritizing what needs to be done on that given day, I keep myself from trolling my long to do list for easy tasks or tasks that are fun, and focus on what really needs to be done.
Doing tasks now – I am famous for putting tasks off. For example, I’ll get an email asking me for an image, or to share my ideas on something and instead of getting that done right then and there, I add it to my to do list and move on. This is great for tasks that require sustained attention, but for something like sending a graphic or responding to an email, I need to just do it in that moment. One rule of thumb that I’ve read about is if you can do it in less than 2 minutes, do it. If it can’t be done in less than 2 minutes, add it to the list and move on.

These ideas may seem simple, but in reality they are the things that are keeping me from winning the battle for better time management. The reality is, I don’t know the definite answer, I don’t know of the “cheat code” to win the battle for better time management. The best I can do is try as many different things that I can think of, and take you along for the ride.
What strategies do you use to win the battle for better time management?

Don’t Mind Me, I’m Kind of A Big Deal

Posted by Aaron aka Sir Scrapalot on Feb 25, 2011 | View Comments

Really, I am. Hahahahaha! I am so excited to share this awesome collab with the incredible Tara of Geek Chic with all of you again!! Kind of a Big Deal is for all those in our lives that think that they truly are a “big deal.” Check it out.

My CT Ladies have once again rocked out this kit…take a look at what they have put together.

As always, Kind of a Big Deal is 20% off this weekend only!! Check it out!

Finding the Goods on My Facebook Fan Page

Posted by Aaron aka Sir Scrapalot on Feb 23, 2011 | View Comments

Lately, Facebook has been changing up their layouts more often than I change underwear. Well, maybe not that often, but it seems like every time we get settled with the changes that Facebook has made, more changes are already underway. This can cause a real problem when you are trying to find your way around your profile and the pages you “like”.

The latest changes in Facebook Fan Pages have left many people scratching their head. Where have all the features gone? Where are all the goodies I found the last time I was here? Let’s take a look at my page, and I’ll show you where to find what you need.

Here are the 4 most important features on my page that you don’t want to miss.

Wall Settings – There’s been a lot of talk around Facebook about the new wall settings. In your personal profile, many people are seeing only updates from those they interact with the most. You can easily change that in the settings of your personal profile, but I haven’t figured out how to change that on my Fan Page yet. You can change who you see posts on the wall from: either Sir Scrapalot Designs, or Everyone who posts on the wall. On the pages that I “like” I choose Everyone so that I can keep up with what people are saying about those pages.
The Post Box – That box there is so you can share whatever you want on the Sir Scrapalot Designs’ wall. Have a link you want us to check out? Hit link and share it with us. Have a layout using our products? Hit photo and share the photo with us. Want to let us know how you feel, or share something totally awesome? Type it into the “Write Something” box, and share with us. We want to hear from you!!!
The Old Tabs – This is by far the biggest change on the Facebook Fan Pages. What once were those neat, easy to find tabs at the top of the page are now small links on the left hand side of the page. These are the most important to you. Click “Shop” and you can purchase Sir Scrapalot Designs’ kits right from the page. Click “Exclusive” and you may just find a freebie hiding there for you. Just sayin’. If you click “Photos” you can see all the photos that we share and our fans share with us.
The Pages Sir Scrapalot Designs “Likes” – These are the pages and brands that we support and love. There are stores, template designers (yay Cindy!), even other designers. If I love it, I want you to see it too.

Hopefully this will help you really navigate the new look of Facebook Fan Pages. If you head over and check it out, make sure to write on our wall to let us know you were there!

Scrapbooking Experiment #1: Success?

Posted by Aaron aka Sir Scrapalot on Feb 22, 2011 | View Comments

A few weeks back, I blogged about the three scrapbooking experiments I wanted to try this year. They weren’t so much goals, but things that I knew I wanted to try. They were things that I find challenging, and maybe have not done before. I decided that this weekend was the perfect time to give Experiment #1 a shot.

Scrapbooking Experiment #1: Clean and Simple Scrapbooking

So I figured my best bet for creating a clean and simple scrapbook page was to dig into my template archive, specifically my Janet Phillips templates. I like her clean, linear style so I knew that I would find a template that would work for what I was trying to achieve. I decided on using one of the templates from her Collection 29, from when she was still selling at The Daily Digi.

I had a bunch of pictures from a day when the girls were playing restaurant, and I knew I had Kitschy Kitchen by Jennifer Barrette and Sahlin Studio to use, so I gathered my materials and got started. After a bunch of moving things around and experimenting, this is the layout I ended up with.

After going through the process, these are the things I came up with.

The Pros

This layout came together pretty quickly. I just put the papers and the pictures on the layout and then made the adjustments. It was very different than my usual process, which involves adding elements in and shadowing over and over.
I like the simplicity of the page. The linear design appeals to me, and I feel like the simplicity keeps the focus on the photos.
I was able to keep the simple design, but still use some great patterned papers. I didn’t want to have to use a bunch of solids in the design.
I was able to incorporate a few choice elements that supported the theme.

The Cons

I really wanted to layer more. There is so much great stuff in the kit, that I wanted to include more. I found myself thinking about tucking stuff behind papers and piling the elements on. I had to restrain myself from doing this.
There isn’t a lot of depth created by this style of layout. I like to really enhance the dept of my pages, so that they appear realistic. This layout didn’t give me many opportunities to do that.

I guess, overall, I am happy with the results of the page. I got a nice looking layout done in a short amount of time, one that keeps the focus on the photos and tells the story I was setting out to tell. Will I start doing this style scrapbooking all the time? No. I don’t think it will fit the “look” I want all the time, however, it’s an option for “branching out.” I would like to experiment more with this style of scrapbooking, and see if I can make it fit my own style.

Do you do clean and simple scrapbooking? What techniques and tricks do you use? What advice would you give me to help me do this style of scrapbooking?

A Hint of Spring! Banner Alphas from Sir Scrapalot Designs

Posted by Aaron aka Sir Scrapalot on Feb 18, 2011 | View Comments

I am so done with winter. Really done. So to help get my mind of winter, I thought I would re-release these awesome springy alphas for you to check out!