Newbie with a time crunch

Do it like yearly? Start with the New Years pictures of her life, then go to Valentines day over her 18 yrs, Easter, blah blah blah. Get it? So its chronological by theme

Just a thought, but if you're good with computer graphics maybe you could make a digital scrapbook album instead? There are TONS of digital kits available - many are even free. You could then print them out or use them as a slideshow at her party.

• scraprabbit Said:

I agree! If you're wanting to be completely done by July, I would do a digi book. heck, some sites even make and print them for you in a regular bound book that looks really nice. For someone who has never scrapped and also considers herself non-craft, I would think this is the way to go.

Thanks everyone for the tips. I'd like to do a regular scrapbook rather than a digital one. I wouldn't even know how to begin a digital one anyway. I did some searching on this site and got some good ideas. I'm going shopping today to get a few supplies and will start compiling this weekend.

Something else to consider is hybrid scrapping.

You can create a photo collage in a program like Photoshop, Gimp, etc. using templates you find online. This will let you get a lot of pictures on a page without the hassle of physically cropping them down to size. You can also write out all of your journaling. If there's a story you want to tell that's more than a few lines, this will let you get more on a page.

I just did two layouts in this manner, and it was quite liberating how quickly they went together. One of them is in my gallery right now (A Day in the Life) and another will be posted later today (Bedtime Routine) if you want to see an example of how hybrid scrapping could potentially work for you.

• kerryann69 Said:

Do the highlights of each year. One or two big events at each age. Use lots of stickers/matting/journali ng for accents

I take pictures by standing over the LO on the floor and then crop it in a photo program

I do the same way. I am still having problem on how to get a good lighting though with the flash turned off.

#1 piece of advice KEEP IT SIMPLE!
what works for me
1) first hurdle, going through your photos and picking out the ones you want to use.
2) pick out your overall color schemes and pattern paper themes. This is where purchasing a stack of matching papers really helps.
3) on a large table (or floor) lay out your papers and divide up your photos. This is just to get a really "top line" overview. You can then determine if you have way too many photos (or not enough).
4) next if you have them, lay out any embellishments, ribbon, stickers, titles, journaling. Lay them right on top of your photos & papers. This is to determine what you may be missing (and to remind yourself to use what you bought).
5) now it's time to start "fine tuning" the photos. Crop/trim the photos, ink the edges, & add mats, etc..
"Fine tune" your titles, journaling, etc. Try and work on the elements for a couple pages at a time.
6) next start "fine tuning" your individual pages, glue things down.
7) finally add some bling, handwritten text, etc

You lay everything out, then stack it all up, work on a couple pages at a time, and then apply finishing touches.
The key it to think of the ENTIRE project as a whole and not get sucked into a single page. Seeing the big picture (a general idea of all of the pages you want to create) may help you with time management. And remember every page does not have to be a masterpiece. It's the overall book that is the masterpiece.

PS and one more little piece of advice, In the interest of not having to run to the store several times you may want to purchase just a little extra of everything. There is nothing more frustrating to going to the store for the 3rd (or 4th) time to buy the exact same color of cardstock when you could have just bought a few more sheets the first time, or serching for just one more sheet of the same pattern paper...

I would recommend digi
1)your already good with computers
2)ALOT faster
3)if your new to this you probably dont have supplies???? there are ALOT of free digi scrap stuff and if you dont like it you havent wasted your $ scrapping supplies are expensive very easy to spend $1000 and that will just start you off.

good luck!!!!

pageI would recommend:

Step 1: Sort your photos, as you go through them some memories will probably be jogged...jot those down. Remember you don't have to scrapbook every picture you ever took. Assess how much time you have to put into this by July, and be honest with yourself.

Step 2: Pick the stories you want to tell, consider how to tell those stories. Favorite colors, movies, games, music, subject in school, places to go, etc. may help find a theme.

Step 3: With these ideas in mind, then you head out for any scrapping supplies you may need. A good LSS may be able to help you get started.

If you have a lot of pictures and little time, consider a Photo Album Scrapbook. You slide the photos into some of the slots, and other slots on the page can have some patterned paper and your journaling (storytelling notes). These divided page protectors can hold a multitude of pictures, but nothing says every one of them must have a photo, you can do a card of other embellishment in any of the pockets, and be plenty creative.

Remember, anytime you pair pictures and memories, you are scrapbooking.

I'm a fairly experienced scrapper but I couldn't finish a whole book by July 1. I only complete about a page a week, but I work full time and have little ones. Maybe you have more free time?

I think the suggestion above to use the 12 x 12 photos sleeves is an EXCELLENT idea and definitely the fastest way to get a scrapbook done. You can scrap a page, then put in a photo sleeve, scrap another page, insert a photo sleeve, etc. That would save you a lot of time and also allow you to use a lot of photos.

Scrapping traditionally is very time-consuming and even more so if you are new.

Thanks everyone for their suggestions and opinions. I have no doubt now that I can handle this project. Even as a novice I have my game plan in place. I've purchased the book and some pages and embellishments. I have the photos sorted and have already mapped out the pages I plan to do. It may not be as fancy or elaborate as some of you seasoned scrapbookers would do, but she'll know it's from my heart and will appreciate the work I put into it. Thanks again everyone.

Kerry

Do you have a local scrapbook store? For a fee (or not sometimes....ones i go to dont' charge if you're just randomly there) you can use lots of punches, letter things, cutters, etc....so you don't have to buy them right away!

this is useful if you just are starting out....

I'm a returning scrapbooker, so i had some things, and other people bought me stuff (luckily a cricut...i LOVE it)....

but yeah, try your LSS....they will be more than happy to help!

• kerryann69 Said:

I've tried to make a couple of books with tight deadlines that I just couldn't make. I completed as much of the book as possible and made pretty little signs that read, "under construction" for the blank pages. It turned out to be even better, because the people (my sister and my niece) gave me pics that they wanted to be included. If you use a D-ring you can do as much as possible and add those pages later.
That being said-- I know a few people that can do an ENTIRE book in a weekend-- the pages are not as elaborate as they usually make them, but the people receiving the books ALWAYS love and appreciate them.

Don't be afraid to leave some blank spots if you run out of time or don't have the right pic in front of you. It can always be filled in late.r I like the under construction idea from a poster above.

I find that sometimes the simpler the page is the better it looks and doesn't distract from the photo's.

I had two collage pgs made yesterday for my son's graduation book (he graduated in '09) and love them. You can pick your background and a title and pick them up in about an hour. Hope this idea helps.

• kerryann69 Said:

It sounds like you've got a plan and have it under control. I've been in this situation before where I've had to do a gift album in a short amount of time. I kept everything simple, chose my favorite photos, and included touching and relevant quotes. As long as it's from the heart, she will cherish it.

Thanks again for the comments and suggestions. But again, I want to do a regular scrap book not a digital one. Everyone knows I have the ability to do a digital one, I do things like that all the time. I wanted this to be special by doing something that's out of the norm for me even if it is out of my comfort zone.

I finished my first page, by myself this weekend and then went to a friend's house yesterday and she helped me complete 4 more pages.

So I'm on my way and actually having fun doing it.

Kerry

Sounds like you are totally under way! I think you may be able to get it done...just get in the "zone" and don't allow for interruptions. I scrap at night when my boys are sleeping and it is amazing how much you can get done (and how quickly the time passes). Good luck!!

If you are near a store, sometimes they do crops in the evenings for 20 bucks or less, it might be a good idea for some techniques or ideas

I'm making some headway. I now have 14 pages finished. Again I'm sure they're not as fancy or elaborate as all of you could do, but so far my family and my daughter love them. If interested I'll try to post some pictures to show you my newbie abilities.

That's great that you're chugging through. We'd love to see what you've done.

Well, I finally took some (horrible) pictures and posted some of my pages in my gallery. I don't know how you guys get such beautifully straight layout pictures. I took them several times and they're still crooked. But you get the idea.

Like I've said I know they aren't as fancy or elaborate as others, but for a first try, I think I did an OK job.

Thanks everyone for their tips, suggestions and support.

Kerry

Good luck with your project, but here's an idea also if you have a large blank spot you need a filler for. You can find lyrics to a song that reminds you of her, or her favorite song, etc. and print it on acid free paper that color cordinates with your page.

I think you'll be able to do it just fine! I think as long as you're motivated, you can easily do this

OF COURSE YOU CAN DO IT!! If you want to do it cost effectively and use as little or as much photos that you want - I would recommend using digital scrapbookin'. There are some really good ones - Close to My Heart Studio J is good.

Good luck and ask for help if you need it.

I think you've done a great job on the pages you posted. One recommendation ---- on the pages such as the Halloween LO ---- I you make a small notation ( Possibly on the edge of the matting) about the year the pix was taken.