MouseScrappers.com - Hints, tricks, how to's for Speed Scraps!

The basics:
Because of server issues, we would like to have as many people using our chat room instead of the boards, as possible. You may want to do a practice log in if you've never used the chat room before. http://client14.addonchat.com/chat.php?id=474111. Your username is the same username you use here at Mousescrappers.

Shortly before the speed scrap begins, log in to the chat if you are able and find the correct thread for that speed scrap.

The hostess will start posting directions when the speed scrap begins, one at a time, coming every 10 minutes or so, for a total of 7 instructions. They will be posting the directions in the chat as well as updating them on the first post of the thread, so if you miss something in the chat or start a little late you can find them in the thread.

You will have 4 hours from the start of the speed scrap to finish all 7 directions, post to the gallery, link to the appropriate forum area and then link to the speed scrap thread. You do not have to be online when the speed scrap starts, or even during the directions period. All that matters is you complete it within 4 hours, so if you need to be late, or are only available during part of the 4 hour window, participate when you can!

The host WILL be checking that you have completed the challenge and done all of the linking before your prize will be given. Keep in mind that the hostess will be checking links for every layout, leaving comments, answering questions and during the minnie marathon be getting ready to participate in other speed scraps themselves- so please be patient for your participation prize.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE leave loves for your fellow participants. Everyone loves praise and it is fun to see what everyone was working on while the chat was happening, as well as how they interpreted the directions.

Some Tips:
Especially for the Minnie Marathon coming up, it might be a good idea to do a little legwork before the speed scraps and decide which pictures you want to scrap as well as some kits or items that coordinate. You may get some directions that totally don't go with whatever you've got planned, if so, grab another picture/kit idea and work with something else you had thought of during your quick prep.

Be flexible! You may be thinking you are going to scrap the flower and garden festival and then the host says no flowers...grab a new set of pics/kit (see above) or think on your feet and see if you can scrap that flower and garden page without using any flower elements. You will surprise yourself with what you can come up with and you most likely will end up liking the results!

Your hostess will be flexible too! You were going to do a page about the Dinosaur! ride and you hostess says you must use 5 flowers...make em tiny! hide em behind something else! Unless she says you must use 5 patterned papers, use as many as you want. Unless she says 3 and only 3 pictures, use as many as you want! If the directions says to make a white frame around the pic in photoshop and you have no idea how to do it, I'm sure she will accept it if you used some white paper behind the photos to get a similar look. The hostess will give you 7 directions but in most they can be done many different ways and with lots of interpretation. They want you to be creative so don't get bogged down trying to follow the rules to the exact pixel, get frustrated, and give up. Be creative, be flexible, and they will be flexible too!

Don't try to make the layout a Michelangelo! It's hard to be creative on a time limit. Don't try to make it perfect. Be flexible (see above). You can always tweak it next week or next year - that's part of the joy of digital scrapping, right? So what if you don't love the buttons that were required...before you print for your personal scrapbook, take them off! If you only get to use two pics, but you have 8 you want to scrap...make it a two pager and do the second page to match later. Remember, everyone else is working with the same time limit and you don't expect perfect layouts from them, do you? Probably not! Don't feel like you have to make this layout worthy of being on the front page of your favorite website. Because you are working out of your comfort zone, it most likely won't be front page worthy! Remember this is supposed to be fun, not perfect.

Ask questions in the chat! Don't know how to add flowers to your dinosaur layout or how to make your photos sepia? Ask for ideas from your fellow participants.

You will need to give credits for all of the items you used, so keep track as you go. You don't want to have to go back and figure it out while you've only got 5 minutes till the page is due. You can write it out on a piece of paper or open up a word doc in the background and flip to it every time you use an item.

Leave a note thanking your host. It takes a lot of work to organize, create interesting directions, make or find cool participation prizes, leave loves for every participant, answer questions under pressure, make sure everyone linked where they were supposed to and followed the directions, and distribute the prizes. They are trying to make Mousescrappers a fun place for you....thank them for it.

HAVE FUN! Speed Scraps can be nerve wracking at first, but they are meant to be fun. Don't stress. Enjoy chatting with the other participants. Try things you've never done before. Use colors/items/layouts you normally wouldn't use. Check out what all of your fellow participants did. You'll be surprised at how many ways there are to do things or how other people interpret the directions. Don't expect perfection or the best layout you've ever created - that might happen but if it does it really is just a bonus after the fun experience.

Please add your own speed scrapping hints, tips, tricks, or bright ideas to this thread to share with others!