Scrapbooking in a Dorm Room

Scrapbookers come in all shapes and sizes, and an increasing number of scrapbookers are college students. It seems like there are a lot of challenges that we college scrapbookers face, such as finding willing victims for our photography (since we don't have kids), and finding time to be creative in between all of that studying. But one of the most frustrating challenges is finding enough space to do it all!

Although it might be challenging, scrapbooking in a dorm room is possible. You really only need one thing- creativity. Here are some ideas to help you make the most of a limited amount of space.

While Packing

The secret to scrapbooking in a dorm room is to begin planning when you're packing to go to school. How much you can bring will depend on different things, such as how big your room is and how you're traveling-you can bring a lot more if you're coming by car rather than by plane.

Figure out beforehand how you're going to transport your supplies, and also how you're going to store them when you get there. There are many totes designed for scrapbookers on the go that would be ideal for taking to school. Another option is get a large plastic tub to keep your supplies in. Both of these can make the most of a small amount of space, and could be stored in a closet or under the bed.

Choosing What to Bring

Although it might be difficult, decide what is really essential and what you can live without. To do this, it's helpful to know what kind of scrapper you are. What's your style? What items do you use for almost every layout that you make?

To give you an example, I know that I can't make a layout without the following items:

• My cardstock collection
• A paper cutter and a pair of scissors
• Glue dots
• My computer and printer
• A black journaling pen

Once you've decided what is absolutely essential, set these things aside. Next, try and sort the rest of your supplies into three piles, ranging from ‘must bring' to ‘could do without.' Pack the first pile, then what you can fit of the second pile. Plan to leave the third pile at home.

I usually allow myself to pack a few items that I have no idea how I'm going to use, but that really caught my eye in the store, and that I can't wait to find just the right layout for. Save room for your own ‘inspiration stash' and bring it out when you're in a scrapping slump.

Finding Space

It can be tough to scrap in your dorm room, even when you're using a minimum of supplies. You might have enough room on your desk, or maybe even on the floor (I've been known to scrap in both places), but these don't have to be your only options.

Why not bring your scrap supplies to the common area in your dorm? Even though this is a public area, this can be to your advantage. Get your friends into scrapping, too, and you can coordinate and share supplies! Consider starting a ‘crop night' in your dorm. Not only will you have a chance to scrap this way, you'll also have a chance to make new friends who share your interest in scrapbooking.

Another option is to see if there is studio space that's available for students to use. Ask around for the name of a studio art professor. Find an appropriate time to introduce yourself and ask if you can use the space, even if art isn't your major. At my school, the arts dorm has a special studio just for students to use whenever they want. Yours might, too, so take a look around.

While Making Layouts

An easy way to minimize what you have to bring is to scrap in a simple, minimalist style. This can be a challenge, especially if you're usually a messy, collage-style scrapper, but it might also be a way to jog your creativity.

Another option is to begin a layout, then jot down on the back in pencil what you still need to add to it that you've left at home. This can be frustrating sometimes, but it's also a way to get rid of that scrapping itch when you don't have all of your supplies.

If you don't have the time or supplies to make an entire layout, consider just picking the photos and doing the journaling. The nice thing about this is that the focus gets brought to the journaling, and you might write down things that you wouldn't think of if you were doing the whole layout at once.

When you're scrapping in a dorm room, you have even more challenges than traditional scrapbooking presents. With a little ingenuity, though, you can make wonderfully creative pages even when you're pressed for space.

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