Oddly shaped scrapbooks

Even more fun than the usual albums that are book-like, the oddly shaped scrapbook albums are fun to play with! You can have your memories on an accordion fold, in a tin can:

Have your vacation memories pop up at you from a hand made box:

Tie your 'origami' memories with a nice bow in this squash album:

Have you made any fun odd looking scrapbook? Please add a comment to share with us!

Premade Scrapbooks

Often times I've been asked how to fill a premade scrapbook album, so here it is:

In every album I produce, I make sure to affix a 'How to' instruction card. You can follow the easy, step by step directions to get a complete, gorgeous scrapbook photo album. First step is to find the photos you want in that album, photos that will tell that specific story. You may choose to print different photos in different sizes, so you can fit more photos or create a 'spot light' on one single photo by printing it larger, making it the focal point of your story.

Choose a premade scrapbook album that fits your needs. If the colors of most of your photos are very vibrant and colorful (often happens with children's photos), better go with a subtle, multi hue color scheme, or a 3 color scheme that fits most, if not all, your photos. Also take note of journaling space if you're about to add that - where and how many words would fit?

In many of My Treasure Box albums we add photo frames you can use. Measure the inside of the window and see which one of your photos would fit best, both size-wise and location(where in the album is it? Does your photo fits front page? middle? last page? Is the size right for that photo?

As you can see, I chose to use Gaby's first brushing session for the window in Gaby's first years album. The focus is on Gaby and her tooth brush, and since it was taken at night, from afar, the small size is just right for this photo. In addition, the vibrant colors of the frame, matting and embellishments work well with the skin tones in the photo.

Some photos fit straight and nice, some need a little twist. Donald enjoyed the brushing and grooming as much as Gaby did!

More about Scrapbook albums

• Digital Scrapbooks - traditional scrapbook artists create their layouts with scissors, papers, adhesive and embelishments. The digi scrapbook artists create their layouts on their computer using software like Photoshop elements or other graphic softwear. They then print their work and put it in a traditional album or a photo book. Learn more about it here.
• Hybrid Scrapbook - uses both digital scrapbook methods and the traditional ones, so a layout might be layered and printed, than added to with paper flowers or other embelishmants that create that tactile, raised, WOW effect. See samples here.
• Photo books - a service available online. You load your photos (sometimes need to download their program), choose a theme, drag the photo onto the selected background and follow the instructions on the screen. Far less creative than scrapbook, much sliker result, wait for your photobook to ship to you in it's hardbound cover you pre-selected. Serviceproviders include, but are not limited to: Shutterfly, Picasa, Picaboo and more.

Now, why would you choose to place your photos in an album at all?

• A designed photo album adds to the presentation of the photos and creates expectation. The photo (baby? Lovers? Home?) Or title (holiday? Someone’s name?) In the cover’s window, the fabric used for the cover (velvet? Silk? brilliant colors?), ribbons and crystals create a certain feeling and an urge to look at your photos.
  
• A designed scrapbook album is presentable and is quick and easy to access. A small group can enjoy your photos without worrying about poor connection, too small of a screen, slow sites or limited number of photos. You can always add pages to your Scrapbook album and it is always accessible, on your shelf.
  
• Gathering around a gorgeuse scrapbook album on the sofa is much easier than standing around a screen at a desk. There’s a sense of leisurely sharing memories to it.


• Your photos are well protected from stains and fading with Our archival photo albums . Your scrapbook album will have sheet protectors so your children and guests can enjoy it without staining it. Your photo albums will be your legacy for generations to come!


• Using our designed scrapbook albums to display your photos, make them more personalized as they contain a uniquely designed look.


• If your best photos are in a film container or your camera's memory card, they are not viewed or enjoyed. Organize your photos in a presentable way to keep on a bookshelf, coffee table or have in your purse as a mini album brag book.

Naxt week I'l write about the necesities of a good photo album.

Have a great weekend!

Choosing the right photo album for you

There are many photo albums to choose from, so I'll try to be short and to-the-point. Always remember to ask for archival quality, and use acid free, lignin free products, (yes, even the adhesive) so your photos are protected (no fading, no yellowing) and viewable for longer time.

• Old magnetic photo albums - the ones from the 70's with the 'sticky stuff' that hold the photos on the page, covered with a sheet of clear plastic (PVC or Mylar). The glue is acidic and causes the photos to yellow and fade. To remove and protect your photos look here.
• The old leather bound, rice paper dividers album - Grandma has one, probably, and on it's black inside sheets the black and white/sepia photos are assembled, about 2 per page, with photo corners. See sample here.
• Slip in pockets - nylon pockets in which you can slip your photos, scribble something on the side journeying bar if yours has one. See how it looks here.
• 3 Ring binder - On the outside a binder, inside you'll find sheet protectors to place your scrapbook pages or pocket inserts that divide the space to a few pockets where you can slip your photos in. See it here.
• Post bound/Scrapbook - my favorite. This album will allow you to expand the number of pages and is usually bound by 2 posts running through the pages. They usually come with durable sheet protector to protect your photos and avoid finger prints.I use the post bound scrapbook photo albums with all of my medium and large size premade scrapbook albums.
• Brag book - smaller slip in pockets album you can fit in your purse for quick bragging sessions. See one here.
• Book bound - bound just like a hardcover book, with a spine and a seam where the pages are sewn together. See sample here.
• Saddle Stitch - Folded signatures are placed over a "saddle" and then stapled along the spine. See here.
• Rag and bone - ribbons sawn and contains filler strips to prevent the album from yawning when filled with photographs. see how it looks here.
• The old shoe box - shuv it in and forget about those photos, or, for the fancier version, see here.

Next time I'll add photos of the different photo albums and premade scrapbooks, as well as the digital additions.

Be well and seize the day,

Sarit.