The Imperfect Community

honeybee · Queen of Imperfection Joined: 20 Dec 2002 Posts: 3163

AUGH! My big long post just disappeared! Evil or Very Mad

Short version:
A sizzix is a die cut machine. It's is super cool, the alphabets are adorable and small and perfect for scrapping! Sizzix.com and then click on "showing now" to see the alphabets (had fancy links all set up, but I haven't the energy to go through that all over again!). Michaels sells them and you can use a coupon! Very Happy

Album question:
I am making seperate albums for each boy's first year, which is largely event based. After their first year albums I will do a family album for events, but also start new individual albums for each boy for more personal scrapping. I'd also like to do an album for just me, like a scrapbook journal.

I use postbound albums. My favorite is the Colorbok Perfect Scrapbook line. Mmmm, such lovely colors!!

LoopyMom · Slightly Flawed Joined: 18 Sep 2002 Posts: 246

Do you guys that scrapbook do a separate album for each of your kids, if you have more than one child? I am doing that and it is making so much more work for me!!!!!!!!

I do separate albums for each child, plus family albums. I do vacations separately. I'm not too far behind with the girls' albums, but I'm much farther behind with the family ones. I don't mind being behind, however, because if I was all caught up, I wouldn't have any scrapbooking to do!

Heather

prescott · Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2004 7:16 am Post subject: Re: Favorite Layout???

honeybee · Queen of Imperfection Joined: 20 Dec 2002 Posts: 3163

jcasm3 · Slightly Flawed Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 4

I scrapbook in different albums for my kids. I think about when they grow up and move on they need to take their own pictures and memories with them. I have one for each of my three daughters everyday pics, one for each of their school pics, a family album, and I am going to be starting on one for each of them to have for now. I will be calling these "I Love You Because..." and I these will just have pics in there of them doing little things that I love about them. I am not going to make these 12x12 albums they are going to be 7x7 so it will be easy for them to carry around.

MedeaNJ · Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 11:48 am Post subject:

I would love to try a small scrapbook. But 18 years of being out of college and film school and beaten down by 'corporate life' I have lost all sense of creativity.

I can't even pick up a crayon w/o beginning to cry because I have no clue how to start.

I have plenty of picture and paper samples from my days of being a failed graphic designer. I stopped by a Michael's a few weeks ago and damn near fainted from too many choices. I don't want to jump off the deep end buying too much shit only to have it clutter my house.

Should I just buy a plain scrapbook and work with what I have?

Sorry for the downer, but I am thinking that just maybe this might be a little therapeutic, not to mention finally getting the pictures out of the plastic bag.

jcasm3 · Slightly Flawed Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 4

My very first suggestion to you would be to get all of your pics out and get them organized in whatever fashion you like. I personally have the Creative Memories Power Sort Box (because it holds 2400 pics). It comes with 12 removable compartments which I labeled Jan-Dec. Because I have three children. I then took acid free cardstock and made three tabs for each compartment and put each of my girls names on one. I then went through my pics and got them in order by: 1)children 2)month 3)year. It will take some time, depending on how many pics you have, to do this process, however, once it is done all I have to do is determine which child I want to work on and grab the next pics in line. You do not have to buy the box that I have, there are many different ways you can go about organizing your pics. For example, right now you have your pics in plastic bags. Instead of bags, you could go to Michaels, Wal-mart, K-mart, Target pretty much anywhere and get a photo box for about $2-$5. Its all in what you prefer. Once you have gotten your pics in order I would recommend you decide what pics you want to work on. Lets just say for example my daughter's Kindergarten pics is what I wanted to work on. I would look around on the net (my Creative Memories site has layouts on there) or in my page layout book for a layout that I like then I would purchase the necessary supplies (stickers, papers, etc.). To start out with you will spend more money for your supplies that you will reuse. For example, you will only need to purchase your cutters once, your adhesives will last a good while, your pens, etc. If you buy quality products they will last you. I have had my cutting system for almost 6 years and have not had to replace anything yet. I know I am probably overwhelming you with all of this so I am going to stop with this for now. If you have anymore questions please feel free to ask. I do hope this will lead you in the right direction.

mammaX3_MOD · Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 12:35 pm Post subject:

sorry to jump in on this conversation late, but I say check out the magazine Simple Scrapbooks if you're a beginner. I love Creating Keepsakes but some layouts are so elaborate, they can scare away a beginner. JCASM3 is right, start with the basics: a good paper trimmer, adhesive, and an organized way to store your photos. I don't have a separate album for my 3 kids cause that's just not realistic for my busy life. I wish I could do that, though. Don't worry about fancy fonts for journaling. I read an article in a scrap mag that says "your own handwriting" is very in style right now. It adds a personal touch. And the number one rule (they say) is don't over-embellish with millions of stickers and what-nots. Just a few pics, a jounaling box, and a sticker or two is all you need to preserve a memory. Good luck. And have fun; if it's a chore, you'll be less-likely to want to do it.