Need help I am so behind

Kathleen - posted on 08/06/2009

1. Just dive in. A variety of corner rounders can be used to quickly give a different look to each page. Keep plugging along. Make a list somewhere, while you're working, if you feel like a page is missing something, add it to your list to buy later and keep moving on. If you come across some pics and don't feel you have the right background paper, stick the pics for that page in an envelope, add the paper to your list, turn the page, and keep going. If you get too tied up in the details or trying to get it all done in order, it will slow you down. You can go back later.
2. Close the door when you leave and tell everybody not to open it. It's all confined to one room, neat and clean, right??? Seriously though, one of my favorite helpful things is a spiral that I put baseball card pages in. I use each of the slots that are supposed to be for baseball cards to hold a variety of punches, embellishments, and other do-dads. If you have a die-cutter, it's nice to be able to set it up in one area with all the dies. I keep my paper in a bin with vertical file folders categorized by color - except for my solids. I keep those in a binder the cheap top loading page protectors holding several sheets of the same color each. I use tackle boxes for embellishments. I use a nice wooden cigar box with a latch for my markers.
3. I did a couple mini scrapbooks for my daughter. One had a theme, every page was the same, one of four pastel colors with a different pastel colored block die cut with number of weeks old on it. Having all pages with the same layout made it easy to scrap 52 weeks of pictures quickly. The other mini book had no theme. It just had some of my favorite pics of her that I set aside duplicates of when I did my big scrap book of everything. That book is one of my favorites. Each pic dictates what paper it wanted to be on and I added embellishments later. My daughter's room has a Noah's Ark theme, so I had lots of animal themed embellishments. If your daughter's room has a theme, you could buy embellishments that match that theme and just pound through page after page with a common theme, not really worrying if the embellishments match the events in the actual pictures.

Good luck! Have fun!

Debby - posted on 08/04/2009

Check out Stacy Jillians two books, Big picture scrapbooking and Photo Freedom!! They are great, I too am a Close to My Heart consultant, most of the ladies within the company have crops, workshops and clubs that are perfect for busy Moms, check out the website and find someone cloase to you, most of us have our own websites so you can take a peek at the artwork and calender to see if it is something that would work for you.

Ashley - posted on 08/04/2009

I've been scrapbooking for quite some time now and my best suggestions are:

1. gather your pics as best you can by event/date. With my little girls I ended up having the date on the picture so I can build a time line and see the transition of them growing. Once I get the pictures orgaized, I sit and write a short story about that particular event including when, where, and who was there, so that if I can't get to it right away, I still have the memory written down.



2. I hate to say it, but I'm no help here. No matter what, I always end up with supplies all over the place after I get done.



3. Close to My Heart has products that the layout is virtually there and all is needed is pictures and journaling, and there are a variety of color schemes and themes.

Debbie - posted on 08/03/2009

1) I lost my daughter when she was 7 and managed to put her life from birth until her 7th b/d on 1 page. Turned out beautiful!

2) I bought a plastic drawer that wheels around for my supplies. This way I can take them out when I'm working on a project or tuck them back when I'm not.

3) THere are no right or wrong ways to do scrapbooking. I'm new to this and have my own ideas but am wanting to get together with some people to do some projects together. That way you get different ideas.

WENDY - posted on 08/03/2009

Hi Jesenia, My name is Wendy Mann and I am a Creative Memories Consultant and I would love to help you. Your best bet would be our Power Palettes they take the quess work out of everything. You can complete a year's album in 6-7 hours. We also have digital solutions. Send me a friend request. You can also visit my website: www.mycmsite.com/wendymann

JAN - posted on 08/03/2009

One option for making a quick, yet still stylish and artsy album is the PicFolio's by Creative Memories. You can use full 12x12 slide in pages or pages that has slots for 4x6 and larger slots. There is also a large variety of product called PicFolio Album kits which come with decorative journaling boxes and mats for your photos. I have done PicFolio albums in just 2-3 albums. I have done all... PicFolio, Traditional and Digital and love them all. The PicFolio is the fastest with still being able to use some of your art skills. Creative Memories StoryBook Software still gives you the same options for scrapbooking but only on the pc. You can continue to purchase additional kits to upload to your program if you would like. Check out my website.... www.mycmsite.com/janrichardson

As for the organization... I'm kind of messy scrapbooking.. but I have one rule. When I finish one page/spread.. I clean up my mess before I start another page.

Let me know if you have any questions on the Creative Memories products.

Kerri - posted on 08/02/2009

first year albums could just be important 1sts. or what ever u have the most photos of. 1st bath, smile etc resizing photos to wallet size or smaller could easily fill up a 6 or more layout.organization is something i totally lack in, but the best tip i've seen is just do 2 or 3 layouts at a time & having your papers to match the main colors in the main photos u are working on. embellies can be left to the last detail.focus....mmmmm maybe if it gets to be too much, organize a scrap night for u & friends & have your friends do a couple of your photos for layouts.my best focus is night time when the house is quiet & sketches are awesome starters :) best of luck

found this site that would work to get txt on ur photos, frames etc & easily to use & then print them off

http://www400.lunapic.com/editor/?

Candy - posted on 08/01/2009

make pages for each first that you have recorded or make monthly pages, you can always add to it later, i still go back and make pages of older events to add to our scrap book. it's hard to keep up with if you don't do it with a group, i don't i barely have spare time, believe me i understand!!!

Cheryl - posted on 08/01/2009

No. 1: You don't have to scrapbook everything...pick your favorites, for an occasional page (when you have a moment or two to rub together)

No. 2: I personally use freezer bags, easily labeled. Also, save those 12 X 12 cardboards in the back of paper packs, etc....you can start a page on one, and move it easily aside when working on something else.

No. 3: As your daughter becomes more interested in what mommy's doing, make her a box of scrapbook "supplies", and set her up on a little table by mommy's when you're scrapping, even at the age of 3, you'll be amazed at what her cute little pages become with little scraps, stickers, colors,etc...then you can add them into her book!!!

Christine - posted on 07/31/2009

First of all, don't freak out! This is supposed to be an enjoyable hobby! (Now, I just wish I took my own advise!)

I made an alphabet album for my sister in law and she said this was the easiest way to organize the baby's first year, because she could just put pictures in under a letter, rather than trying to figure out all the firsts and make each page unique.

I just dedicated a double page spread for every letter of the alphabet (except Q and X) and decorated with paper that either represented that letter, or something a person would be doing with that letter.

On the first two pages though, I broke the pages up into 6 squares each, so you were looking at 12 blocks, and simply titled it, "Watch me Grow". There she put a pic for her baby from each month.

It came out great and was rather free-flow, so you weren't stuck on what to do on a certain page.

Hope this helps!

Shannon` - posted on 07/30/2009

Yes, I seen that you signed up and sent out a welcome e-mail. As for the premier you do not need that to get started. Take a look at our templates to get ideas or use them to start your project! Our basic art has plenty of potential and you can change it by adding fill and other options we offer! Feel free to play around, you can start making a book now and purchase later when you want to or never its up to you! As for journaling, we also offer story maps to guide you through what you want to write, and quotes for those who can not think of anything! Story maps are found in your story corner! Good Luck can't wait to see what you come up with! Don't forget to take advantage of our free online classes for studio! We also offer a blog to help you exchange ideas with other members!

Angie - posted on 07/29/2009

Creative Memories has some awesome products that would be helpful for finishing a scrapbook in a short amount of time. I am a consultant, and if you would like to know more, you can contact me.. One thing I have found when I get behind is that I start with recent photos first, and then work backwards. This works mostly when you are working on annual albums, though, so not sure if it would work for your project. I started scrapbooking when my oldest child was 11, so don't be discouraged! You can do it!

Christa - posted on 07/28/2009

Likw someone told me once....once you catch up, you won't have anything to look forward to! For some reason I am unable to scrapbook out of sequence and I am now happily 5 years behind. Each time I look at the pictures I am about to scrapbook, I get to relive the memories. Happy scrapping!

For ideas on page layouts, try twopeasinabucket.com

Cheyanne - posted on 07/27/2009

1- Sort through your photographs and select a theme for your 2-page layout. Generally 5-7 photos fit nicely on a two page spread in a 12” x 12” book, but you can use any amount of photos. Remember, you do not need to scrapbook EVERY photo. Just choose the best ones to highlight an event, emotion, or memory you would like to preserve. As a general rule, use photos with sharp images, vivid colors, and well-lit subjects.

2- Select 2-3 colors you would like to use in your layout. You will probably want these colors to compliment your photographs. Experiment with different combinations of colors to find the perfect colors to enhance your photos. You can either use solid cardstock, background, or textured papers. Choose which paper(s) will be your background, and which will be your mat color(s).

3- Choose a photo to be your focal point. This can be your favorite of all of the photos you will be using, or the photo which best represents the memory.

4- Decide on a title for the layout. For example: “Special Delivery” (for a new baby), “Deck the Halls” (for decorating a Christmas tree), “I Do” (for wedding vows). Make this title larger than your journaling. You can either stamp, handwrite or computer generate it on a piece of the mat paper.

5- Crop and mat your photos onto the paper you choose for the mat color. Mat your photos to add extra attention to your focal point photograph. You can do this by matting your focal point photo with a thicker mat, or double mat this photo, or even triple mat it. While cropping your photos, keep in mind that the most eye-pleasing shapes are squares, circles, ovals, and rectangles. If irrelevant or distracting elements are in a photo, simply crop that part of the photograph out.

6- Add journaling. Take a few minutes to write the 5 W’s… “who, what, where, when, and why”. This will make your pages interesting and bring back floods of memories in future years when the memory may not be as fresh in your mind. The journaling can be done by hand on a small piece of the same paper you used to mat your photographs.

7- Arrange the title, journaling, and matted photos on your page. As you arrange these elements, pay attention to the way your eye moves around the layout. Try to make sure that your layout is balanced throughout both pages of the layout. To check the balance, imagine that your layout is on a scale. Does one side “tip” the scale? Once you are happy with your design, adhere the elements to the paper which you chose to be the background paper.

8- Try a few extras—Once you get more comfortable with scrapbooking. You can try out some of embellishment such as brads, sticker, stamps, flowers, fibers, or ribbons. Remember to use these items sparingly, you don’t want them to overpower your pages. And try arranging them in a triangle grouping.

Cheyanne - posted on 07/27/2009

I have a wonderful baby album template for you. Email me @ cheyannehively09@suddenlink.net.

Jesenia - posted on 07/26/2009

These are all wonderful and helpful things you have all responded with. To Shannon Lenhausen, I checked out the site you wrote about and it is awesome. I went ahead and signed up for the free version and it is wonderful however I would love to one day be able to afford the Premium membership prices and membership but as of now I wont be able to. If at any point I decide to sign up for the premium I will get in touch with you and let you know. Again thank you.



To Maureen Simon... wel your advice was simple but extremely helpful. I never have laid out what i want a page to look like with pencil. I usually spread everything out and try all types of things with what I have but just to finish one page seems to take an eternity for me. Laying it out in pencil will definitely help me get thnigs done faster. By the way, where did you find that table with all the drawers?



To Kris Ruda...Those vertical protectors seem like a wonderful idea. I never can seem to make up my mind on using just one or two pictures and putting the rest of the pics in order inside the protectors seems like a great idea! Thanks so much!



To Sara Hoefs.... I will definitely try to check out those crops out! I am sure I can get plenty done in one of those! I alos love the idea your friend uses a calendar on one page. i never heard of that one and it sounds super fun and cool! Thank you





Again thanks ladies I really appreciate all this help... :)

Sara - posted on 07/26/2009

1) you could look into a kit. Sometimes they can be super cute and easy. Or just go along and do the "milestones". Oh- and another idea...my friend does this with her twins: Each month gets 2 layouts (you could easily cut it to one if you like) She does one page of professional pics (yes, she had them taken every month) and then on the other page she did a calendar of what they did, noting special accomplishments or visitors or trips etc. Then she just did the next two pages with random pictures from that month. The books look great and she can knock out a bunch of layouts in a pretty quick time.



2) if you find the answer to that let me know! LOL. I have the same problem. What I end up doing is having a box next to me for the "put away later" so I can still keep plugging away being creative, and then when I get the chance I sort my stuff back to where it belongs. Probably not the most efficient way, but it works for me.



One more thing to consider - you don't NEED to scrap every picture. As long as you have a good representation of her year(s) that's all you need. And then just get rid of any "not great" pictures and feel free to file away the rest. Just remember, any pics you file away will probably never be looked at again, so don't waste space storing pictures that aren't worth keeping.



You could also look into digital. I made a book of pics of my kids for my mother for Christmas last year. I was able to get a full year worth of pictures done in just a few days. the only bummer about that is you mentioned you had all the supplies you need already...



As for sites to go, you can check out www.creativememories.com and click on the project center for TONS of ideas. They will all be created with our products, but you can still take that same layout and make it with your own stuff (or feel free to purchase our great items! :-)



Hope this helps. Remember to have fun! If you get too stressed about finishing it, the purpose might get lost. OH - another great idea to help you get moving is to look at doing a "crop" in your area. If you have a scrapbook store or a local consultant (you can find them online) you they usually offer crops where you pay a small fee, it might include a meal/snacks etc and lots of ideas, and then you get to work uninterrupted. Especially with a little one in the house, it can be difficult to get things done sometimes. I find I need to leave my home and I get twice as much done - even when i factor in packing time and travel, etc.



Good luck!

Kris - posted on 07/25/2009

american crafts has a line of page protecters that they call "hybrid" they are 12x12 divided into 4x6 slots both vertical and horizontal tey also have 12x12 pages that are divided up into 6x12 and 4x6 they have all kinds of different options my advice to you is to do 2 or 3 layouts of the best photos and then place the rest of the pictures in the protectors after the corresponding layouts this way you have a couple decorated pages and still all the pictures displayed in order in a nice fashion this will help save time and money. if your like me sometimes you just have to realize you can not scrap every single picture you take!! hope this helps good luck and have fun !!! oh yeah they also sell 3 ring binders to fit them all in albums start at 19.99 refills 5.99 and up the binders also make it easier to load a nd rearrange pages no posts to mess with check out the website www.AMERICANCRAFTS.COM

Shannon` - posted on 07/24/2009

1. Digital Scrapbooking....http://memories4today.com

2. me, I am your personal consultant

3.use our templates or create your own!

Since you already have your pics on your computer use our FREE membership to upload them. You can make a 21 page harbound book in about 2-3 days using templates. Our membership is completely FREE. If you would like to upgrade to our Premier account, you can do so at anytime. Your completed projects stay in your account for life, so if you ever need more copies, just order them! Plus we have tutorials, and online classes to help you learn the tricks and tips of doing it digital! Feel free to check out my site! Contact me if you are interested! shannon@memories4today.com, Also you can join my community Making Memories Outlast Time! (HM) For quick links to help you out! Look forward to hearing from you! Shannon

Maureen - posted on 07/24/2009

To organize your book (this really helps me) -

1) look thru your photo's and make a list (zoo, first hair cut, bath, 1st Christmas, etc)

2) I took a piece of paper and made squares as if it was the book - then (with a pencil and your list) lay out how you would like your book.



It's great to visualize the book, have your order laid out and have your pics laid out. Then one by one you can knock out the pages. (Hope this makes sense)



I have an 8 ft table with a bunch of plastic drawers with all my supplies in them. It's great to have everything within arms reach.



Good luck!