After a few rounds of practice, I have come up with a system that works for me!
1. Preplanning
Choosing the papers that you'd like to use, picking out some pictures, selecting the "scraps" that fit the trip.
2. Mapping
This is the arrangement step, where I attempt to take all of my pieces and arrange them in a way that they all fit nicely on the spread. This shows me if something needs to be trimmed or cut to fit!
Note: I learned that cutting corners isn't as easy as the pun would have it sound... Cutting corners is DIFFICULT. There's no getting them even without a special tool... I guess that's what I get for tryin' to get fancy.
3.Matting and Adjusting
This is where it's time to commit to backsplash colors and matting techniques. I've tried different angles of matting items, different widths, and different textures! This is the step that I have learned will either make or break your spread!
4. Embellish and spruce it up!
Finally, this is where you do the last few things to make your spread POP! Any signs, 3D stickers, or punches that will give your spread that final pizzaz it needs! Also, this is when I take one last look through my scraps box, and typically I can find one or two other things that will add that little something! :)
5. Sleeve it and you're done!
I'm beginning to feel much more comfortable with this scrapbooking thing! I hope to alter and edit my "steps for success" the more practice I get!