We all laugh about this, but in our house we all know that in case of fire, we should all grab a scrapbook on the way out. The memories are invaluable , despite the investment of time and money. Since I started scrap booking over 10 years ago, there have been many new things to make it even more fun and easier. There are numerous online tutorials and workshops, as well as free page ideas and printables. The big change is the move toward digital scrapbooks. I usually like to be on top of all the new technology but for me, paper scrap booking is still the way to go. I find it relaxing and therapeutic. I am a sucker for stickers and I love cropping! I hope to encourage everyone to get busy saving those memories.
This is how I used to save my photos : in plastic sleeves that were not acid-free and often caused yellowing of the photos...There is also no room for journaling. Years from now, will I remember the names of these cute little puppies ?
Ideally, a special workspace is recommended so that you can have all your scrapbook materials close at hand when you have a few minutes to work on your books. If not possible, there are many options such as a closet or a rolling organizer.
These are a few of my "spreads". Some still need journaling. Even though my handwriting is not perfect, I think it is very personal to have at least some of the album in my own handwriting.
One of my favorite albums was the one I did for my daughters, using the words from Max Lucado's book Just in Case You Ever Wonder. We made a copy of the words and transferred it to the pages of the album. Just be sure to give credit to the author!
Another great idea for kids and for teachers is the ABC book. I can tell you about that if you are interested. The ideas are endless!
Until next time... Crop 'til you drop!
My thoughts:
* Organize your pictures. You can buy inexpensive photo boxes at most craft stores. Label either chronologically or by event. I wanted to do a scrapbook for both of my daughters so I started with 2 boxes and labeled the tabs ( i.e. Birth,First birthday, First Christmas, etc. ) This will make it easier as you work on pages.
* Whether you choose paper or digital, just get started!
* Pages do not have to be perfect! I used to obsess over every page but I learned quickly that sometimes "simple" is best. Everyone is different. Do what works best for you.
* Use good, acid-free album pages and products. Have you ever picked up an old album, only to find yellowed photos that are stuck to the pages? Heartbreaking... We want our memories to be preserved for future generations to enjoy, don't we? My favorite products are Creative Memories but their are many options at your local Michaels or other craft stores.
* It REALLY is okay to crop a picture! This was hard for me at first but now I am hooked. If you choose not to trim or crop your picture, that is okay too.
* Journal, Journal, Journal... This is what makes the scrapbook pages so personal and meaningful. Documenting who, what, when and where ... I confess this is not my favorite part to DO but is my favorite part to READ.
* Start small. You may want to begin with a "Vacation Album" or "Christmas Album" so that your focus is on one particular event. You can then add to these at next vacation, etc.
Ideally, a special workspace is recommended so that you can have all your scrapbook materials close at hand when you have a few minutes to work on your books. If not possible, there are many options such as a closet or a rolling organizer.
These are a few of my "spreads". Some still need journaling. Even though my handwriting is not perfect, I think it is very personal to have at least some of the album in my own handwriting.
One of my favorite albums was the one I did for my daughters, using the words from Max Lucado's book Just in Case You Ever Wonder. We made a copy of the words and transferred it to the pages of the album. Just be sure to give credit to the author!
Another great idea for kids and for teachers is the ABC book. I can tell you about that if you are interested. The ideas are endless!
Until next time... Crop 'til you drop!
