Telling a Story in Photos

We are back from our family vacation with lots of photos to scrapbook!
While I'm trying to overcome the mess here, I thought I'll drop you a line, so here goes -

A friend sent me this YouTube story-in-photos short film, I thought it illustrates my point exactly, so I'm sharing it with you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1L6uTyqZx8

The end pictures' note says:
Grandma, congrats for the new dryer!
Love, :)

Shana Tovah (Happy Jewish Ney Year) to you all,
Sarit.

6 Weddings Scrapbook Ideas

I love summer weddings. What can be better than an outdoor wedding on a clear summer night? The air is just right, sunset sets the mood, fresh air and great guests.... mmmmm...

Here are a few tips to organizing your wedding scrapbook:

1. White wedding? - use cream as a base, accent with the colors of your bouquet
2. Not every guest has to be portrayed in your album. Be gracious, send them their photo, keep your album about THE STORY of your wedding.
3. Use ribbon - tie charms to the page with it, tie both sides of the page with it, in short: tie the knot.
4. Many cards you'd like to save? - make the last page of your album a pocket, put inside it all those great wishes and fun notes you have.
5. Use sheet protectors, your kids will be all over this album and your friends too, you don't want their prints all over it.
6. Design with coherence in mind. Like any wedding, the pages (guests) need to be able to 'converse', don't place/'sit' two completely different layouts  side by side, repeat some design elements along the book so it gives a same event/same story feel.

Best of all - show the LOVE!

have fun,
Sarit.

4th of July Ideas for Scrapbooking

Here are a few ideas and some cool links for you -

• Get a quote here
• Make a mini pocket scrapbook  for your 4th of July experience. Great instructional video here
• Work with the colors: red, white and blue
• Work with the shapes: fireworks, stars, stripes
• Work with the number 4 , see cool tags here
• See tips about shooting photographs of fireworks here
• Go patriotic with this Etzy still

Hope you had a great 4th of July!
Sarit.

See photos from my Father's Day gift workshop with Salt and Pilpel below:

Happy Father's Day!

Father's Day Gift Workshop

We're having a My Treasure Box workshop this Monday  - I'm excited!

3 Memorabilia Pieces That Will Personalize Your Scrapbook

Often times customers are at lost when it comes to memorabilia. They have successfully chose their theme or the subject of their album, they know what they want to feel when they leaf through their scrapbook, yet they don't know how to visually achieve it.

The following memorabilia pieces will create the feeling you're looking for as well as help jolt memories of the event or subject of the scrapbook album in question, thus creating its unique feel.

1. Proof you have been there and shared the occasion - such as invitation, napkin, menu, ticket stub, brochure, coin, wining chip, button, shell, etc.
2. Proof you know and care about that person - do you share a hobby? family tree? work related? show it! Use a stamp from your collector meeting, a book cover from the book club, a cork from the wine lovers meet-up, a golf tee from your last game together, a note sheet of the music she loves, etc.
3. Written relationship memorabilia - personal notes, letters, memos, poems, song lyrics, postcard, etc.

When in doubt, try to think of the person or event that's the subjects of your scrapbook album - be a scrapbook detective or a museum curator for a minute and think: what proof do I have that this actually happened? What artifacts would I have placed if this was a museum exhibit about my person/event?

Please feel free to comment below if you have additions to this list.

Have a great weekend and take photos!
Sarit.

7 Items You Should Have in Your Father's Day Scrapbook

Father's Day will be celebrated on June 20th this year and I'm working on 3 Father's Day scrapbooks - one for my hubby, with the kids; one for my dad and one for my grandpa! Here are a few ideas to get you started and organized with your Father's Day scrapbooks:

1. What does your Papa like? What is his hobby? These are the memorabilia pieces you are looking for - a ticket stub, music sheet, his favorite brand of Golf/Fishing/Sport tag, a feather, a coin, stamps, something that shows his favorite past time in a very specific way.
2. Find the heroes of dad's story and get those photos in. It might be his spouse, kids, family members he feels most connected with, a tight friendship circle, you...- put them in!
3. Ask those people from item #2 to write your dad something and incorporate it into your Father's Day scrapbook.
4. Don't be shy - ask around for his best memory, best thing dad did and find a visual way to show it, i.e. photo, memorabilia, a line from a song.
5. Whether it's a song, a verse, a line from a book, a poem, byline from an advertisement, a quote, biblical verse - find out what's the line that describes your daddy best and place it in your Father's Day scrapbook album.
6. Remember the hobbies from #1? Find patterned papers that works with it. Daddy likes BBQ? - find picnic papers; Does he like Golf - find golf balls patterns. Combine it with corresponding colored card stock and you have a cohesive look.
7. Yes, I saved it for last and there's a reason for it. The cover should include a hint for what's the scrapbook album is about. So if Daddy liked his last trip to Switzerland, make a cover of Swiss cheese with yellow paper and a round hole puncher; if he loves chocolate, make a cover off of his favorite chocolate wrappers and if he walks the dog daily, you can wrap his photo album with a map of your neighbourhood, marking the spots (if you know what I mean...)

You can find more ideas and samples for Father's Day scrapbook albums or Father's Day mini scrapbook album kit on my site or in older posts of this blog.


Hope it helps and Happy Father's Day!
Sarit.

Mother's Day Scrapbooks

Visiting my sons Math teacher about a month ago he told me in amazement that my son chose the Scrapbook Club amongst his other clubs for that semester. I think what amazed him most was that a boy would rather crafts over sports.
Fast forward a month and a half later, Mother's Day came upon us. My kids were ecstatic, they prepared all sorts of cards (Princess) a scrapbook (Handsome!!!!), massage (princess) brunch (all together), hubby bought me a piece of art on his last business trip and hid it well (I love art) and just the enthusiasm could have brought any mom to tears. Since I'm not the teary kind I was just plain happy!

To share my sons scrapbook, scroll down.

Hope you had a great time yourself!

Sarit.

Scrapbook Adhesives I Like

A good adhesive can go a long way. I like the ones that are easy to use, can last long, don't need special assembly or elaborate ordering procedure, in short - I like glues that are easy to operate, not messy, user friendly and quick.
Since scrapbooking requires archival materials (Acid and lignin free), all the adhesives in my premade and custom scrapbooks are aid free and archival.
Such scrapbook adhesives are:

• Glue Dots by BuyGlueDots.com  -  I use the mini dots and the memory book dots and I love them because they are clean, easy to use, stick immediately and hold long.
• Sotch Quick Dry Adhesive is mess free, accurate because of its thin tip, drys extremely fast, holds forever, can glue everything and anything, ready to use whenever you need it, might need a kiss from a pin occasionally to open up.
• Scotch Permanent Double Sided Tape is mess free, easy to use, you can replace once even though it says it's permanent, holds paper well.
• The Memory Stor Adhesive runs smoothly, great price through Costco, no mess, quick and easy to handle, holds paper well.
• Scotch® Double-Sided Foam Mounting Tape is great if you want to adhere something and make it raised, create layers etc. It can be ripped by hand so no need to bath your scissors later...

Etzy Finds for Your Mamma

I love surfing sites where creativity just explodes on the screen. I find it enriching, inspiring and overall it makes me happy that there's so much talent in this world.

Below you'll find links to such make-you-happy pages on Etzy, with finds I loved. Maybe you can find there something for your mama too:)

Great ceramics, loved the colors.
Amazing woodwork, will look great... anywhere!
Loved that painting!
In case your mother is a teacher
Gifting a new mom? I know she will not wear it, but she'll enjoy them all the same!
What wine does she like? (the non-whine one...)

This is it for today,
Hope to hear of your recomandations...

Sarit.

Mother's Day Scrapbook Album

This album was a best seller and I have only one left of it - hurry up and get it!

What's inside?

• Exterior of this hand made in the USA scrapbook album measures 9 7/8" x 8 6/8" x 1", interior measures 8" x 8", with 20 customized designer layouts in archival sheet protectors
• The album is fabric covered with fabric-lined interior, expended fabric spine with designer layouts including 2 pockets, tags, trims and embellishments.
• Prompting titles read: Motherhood –definition; Things I wish I’d known sooner; My advice; Domestic Goddess; You’re the best because; Fashion faux pas; The things we enjoy together
• This mother scrapbook photo album fits the following photo sizes:
  1 photo of 5”x7”, 9 photos of 4”x6” (standard size), 5 photo of 5.5”x3.5”, 2 photos of 4.5”x3.5”

Now imagine your mama, who loves you so very much, who invested huge chunks of time and money in taking your photos through the years in an era you had to print all those photos you took in order to see what came out - seating with this album in her lap, leafing through memories of joy - wouldn't it be the best gift ever?

Have a good weekend,

Sarit.

5 Mother's Day Scrapbook Gift Ideas for You

I looked through the many posts we have here and found some great scrapbook gift ideas for you creative sons and daughters out there.

For the ones that would like to shop for a scrapbook gift, I'm always here to help:)

So here are some ideas for you:

• If your mom likes cooking you can make a recipe scrapbook album for her, cooking with you or cooking with her grandchildren.
• Research, find out your momma full, undisclosed story and journal it!
• You can transform this cute mini enveloped scrapbook calendar into your mother's best year yet! Journal, add  a great selection of your mamma's recent memories, with memorabilia and letters to boot.
• Don't forget: preparation is key - make sure your embellishments and memorabilia are all available to you!
• Great ideas for creative mini scrapbook albums that can be carried along in your mother's purse.

Hope these help.
Tune in next week for more great albums you can get already made for you!

Hugs,
Sarit.

Birthday Mini Scarpbook Album

Birthdays are so much fun!
Take a look below at photos from my newest scrapbook album kit - the 4x6" mini birthday scrapbook!

I like birthdays that are about bonding with your favorite friends. I find that the best bonds are made over creating something anew. Hanging out creating new thoughts, talking new ideas, cooking, walking together, creating a quilt or scarpbooking are my favorites.

This new scrapbook workshop or birthday party has each one of your friends creating a scrapbook of their own to take home and remember the joyous moments of celebrating with you, or, if it's a workshop, you can each re-celebrate your birthday by filling it up with your photos, journaling memorable moments in.

Birthday Scrapbook Album parties or workshops are $400 for 10 participants or less.

Birthday Scrapbook Album kits are $15 each, plus shipping.

Be well, be creative,
Sarit.

Too much is a good thing?

Some scrapbook artists will tell you there's no such thing as too much frill. They'll keep on embellishing and glittering until the page fills up. Some will say you need to focus on the photo and create a stage for it by cleaning the background as much as possible while focusing on the photo and doing everything you can to make the eye return to the photo. I find that both ways work - there's a time and a place for everything.

Working as a scrapbook artist for hire for the past 4 years (wow, time flies when you're having fun), I found different people like different things, you need to spend time understanding your customer, applying your talents and skills to fit his or her need/dream.

In the following mini bridal scrapbook album I created a clean, simple look for a couple whose love shines through. The album measures 6.5 x 8.75" and each page is textured with an embossed pattern. In this couple's case, their happy faces will be the best embellishment for this album.

The cover of Bridal Mini Scarpbook Album

Inside peek of Bridal Mini Scarpbook Album

First page of Bridal Mini Scarpbook Album

Detail from Bridal Mini Scarpbook Album

 
What do you think? Is too much frill too much?

LOVE - In So Many Scrapbook Layouts....

The past month I was privileged to see and hear about so many people in love. I know it must sound  like a cliché but love and happiness are contagious and I truly feel happier when I design this LOVE scrapbook album.
So cheers to all you lovers and scrapbooking enthusiasts!

Here are a few layouts from my LOVE scrapbook I'd like to share with you:

 LOVE scrapbook cover - there are always slight differences between scrapbook orders, but the first LOVE scrapbook album spirit stays the same. 

 Love Scrapbook Album, pages 1-2. The cream tag you see tells customers how many photos of what sizes they need to print for this album.

 Love Scrapbook Album, pages 3-4, with a tag that can be pulled out of the pocket for better view of what's inside.

 Layouts 5-6 of the LOVE scrapbook.

 Layouts 7-8 of this Valentine's best selling scrapbook, I left just enough room for you to place your love notes!

 Scrapbook layouts 9-10

 LOVE layouts 11-12

 Tabs on the left of the photos leaves you with just enough room to journal the different facets of your love.



Treasure yourself, share the love!
Yours truly,
Sarit.

Custom Scrapbooking is a Bliss

I just sent a custom scrapbook called: My Adventure Book (remember the movie Up?) to it's commissioner. It's been a while since I made a custom scrapbook, and it was good to experience that excitement again.

When you edit and create visualization grounds for someone else's memories you take part in their life. When it's a love story, you get to fall in love with their story; when it's a coming of age celebration, like a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, you get to know and love their family; when it's a trip, it makes you want to go there, share the experience.

This album made a clear reminder for me of why I got into this business in the first place - because you meet people at their best, at their happiest, at their most meaningful parts of life, and you help them cherish these meaningful moments.
What can be better than that?

Valentine's LOVE Premade Scrapbooks

Valentine's Day is Sunday February 14th.

First few years we celebrated like everyone else in an over crowded over priced noisy trendy restaurant. These days, and with the economy the way it is, WE decide on the day and time we celebrate our love for each other. No more  babysitter chase, no over priced everything, we have a roomy space, all to ourselves and we can talk. After all, communication is key and making out in public was never my thing.

Love can (and should be) be celebrated all year long.You can scribble a note on the mirror, leave one in his lunch bag or kitchen table, send her flowers with a nice note in them for no good reason other than the intensity of your feelings for her that day. You can hide a love note that tells him why you love him so much in his bag/sock/briefcase or other exciting places you can think of - be creative! I find words to go a long way.

If you're a real romantic, you can make him a LOVE scrapbook or buy her a premade one. Here are some samples to start you thinking:

Cover of MyTreasureBox 6" LOVE scrapbook album

Inside scrapbook layout from MyTreasureBox 6" LOVE scrapbook

Detail from a scrapbook layout of MyTreasureBox 6" LOVE mini scrapbook

Inside scrapbook layout from MyTreasureBox 5" tincan scrapbook album

 MyTreasureBox 5" tincan scrapbook album

I'll be happy to hear of your plans for Valentine's Day or see your creative scrapbook layouts, so please comment below.

Stay healthy and in love,

Sarit.

More Hanukkah and Christmas Vacation Mini Scrapbook Album Photos

It took a while but now I'm done. Here are some more photos of this mini scrapbook album, including our Manhattan trip with all with all the Christmas decorations in the city - charming!

Stay warm, take photos, treasure your memories!

Hanukkah Mini Scrapbook Album for 2009

It's been awhile, I know. My parents went back home, we needed to pick up the pieces and get back to our routines. Only than I collected the different photos, picked the best ones (light here is different, I need to change my ways of taking photos) and find a block of time to place them in my premade scrapbook layouts.
Lucky for me and you - I found the time! So here they are, first pages of my 6" mini scrapbook album for Hanukkah of 2009:

Hanukkah mini scrapbook album - cover page

Hanukkah mini scrapbook album - first scrapbook layout

Hanukkah mini scrapbook album - first layout closeup

Hanukkah mini scrapbook album - second and third layouts

Hanukkah mini scrapbook album - fourth and fifth scrapbook layouts

Come visit again for more Hanukkah mini layouts!

Happy New Year,
Sarit.