Sleep on it. In my experience, that’s pretty good advice for decision making and paper writing. Over the years, I’ve also applied it regularly to my creative process. Ever have one of those layouts that just won’t work? You sit there, moving bits and pieces around in front of you, and inspiration just won’t come. One thing I’ve learned about myself and the way my creative mind works is that when I’m really stumped with a layout, I need to put it away for a while. Sometimes I end up putting it away for a long while.

Here’s a layout that I started with the June kit, Hello Sunshine. I did the paint and glitter, attached the photos, added the title, and then…nothing. I couldn’t figure out where I wanted it to go from there. Maybe because I knew I wanted the journaling to be really special. I just couldn’t finish it. So I put it aside. Then I cleaned the work room and put it in a drawer and forgot about it for a while.

Well, I picked it up again a few weeks ago and what do you know? The rest of it just fell together. I finished it up with some bits from August’s kit, some scraps from my scrap drawer, and some washi tape. The journaling is tucked behind the map paper pocket. It’s a little ode to a 20 year friendship. By the way, the pictures I used are of my friend Paola and I in college. Nice hair and outfits, right?

This layout was on hold for a long time. I put it in a drawer and sort of forgot about it for a while. You don’t need to wait that long, though. Next time you’re stumped with a layout, just sleep on it and try again tomorrow. Sometimes that’s all it takes!