Scrapbooking 101, courtesy Martha Stewart
Categories: Adoption, Money & Work, Development
So I've been talking a lot about baby books and adoption life books
lately, and I promised myself that on this trip to the United States, I was going to make a point to visit an art
supply store to get started on my daughter Alex's life book. Well, today's the day.Thing is, I'm going to this store with a bit of trepidation. I haven't a clue where to begin. Luckily, as a photographer, I have a ton of pictures, including photographs of Alex's birthfamily, so there's no issue there. But if I'm going to do this, I want to do it right. I want to make it visually stimulating, so Alex is drawn to look at it and understand it as she grows older. But I also want it to be a keepsake, so as an adult, it's something that she can share with her husband and children and grandchildren.
And I've never done anything like this in my life.
Luckily, Martha Stewart comes to the rescue: Martha is currently featuring an article on how to get started scrapbooking. Who knew archival paper was designed to absorb acid in the long-term? Or that invisible vellum tape is better than other adhesives? Not me, I promise you that. She even has recommended tools, and scrapbooking techniques. Score.
So I'm off to the store, armed with my Martha-wisdom. What about you scrapbookers out there -- any technical tips I should keep in mind?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
suburban misfit 1-13-2006 @ 11:12AM
One tip: Keep it simple.
When I first started scrapbooking, I was so drawn to the little stickers and the sayings and the paper. But looking back, those first pages are WAY too busy.
When I started getting pressed for time as my kids got older, my pages became simpler and spare and you know what? They're way better that way.
The pictures and the journaling should take center stage (and I don't care for my handwriting, so I type and print everything out; sometimes a sentence or a word, sometimes a paragraph).
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eden 1-13-2006 @ 12:14PM
I like to get really cute paper (solids, simple modern patterns, etc.). I find it less tempting to use several photos and extras that cover it up. It helps me follow rule #1, as expressed by the previous commenter ;)
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charlene 1-13-2006 @ 1:32PM
i'm with surburban misfit simplicity is key. the paper is great because you don't have to do any other decoriating. just journal and post. my best albums are ones of b/w photos on matting and journal entries. i try to think about albums i'ved looked at from my grandmothers, etc - reminded me i wanted my albums to look timeless, classic instead of fluffy and overdone with too many stickers, trinkets. know what i mean?
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MamaChristy 1-13-2006 @ 2:17PM
Just remember that whatever you do, it will be right for Alex, Karen. My mom did a scrap book when I was a baby and about 12 pages are nothing but the cards she recieved at showers and in the mail with congratulations. I LOVED these pages. Cards that you can't buy anymore with sweet, hand-written notes. My mom was just putting it all in one place, but because it was about me, I loved it. I loved it even more because my mom took the time (however brief) to do it for me even though I was the third baby.
Bottom line: Alex will like it because it is her history recorded by someone who loves her, not because it is professionally done. Don't beat yourself up if it isn't perfect in your eyes; it WILL be perfect in hers.
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diane 1-13-2006 @ 8:26PM
If you have A LOT of pictures that aren't that terrific but you hate to throw them away it is good to create a collage page with these. Just cut out the main topic or person and just start taping on a page until it is filled up. It makes a very fascinating and quite interesting page.
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Shawn 1-14-2006 @ 12:52PM
DID MARTHA STEWART LIE???
Martha/Mdiddy claims innocence and that she will fight to clear her name. Is one to believe that an innocent billionairess cannot get a fair trial in this country? No comment from Martha about the denial of her appeal, is she taking her case to the Supreme Court? Either Martha/Mdiddy Stewart lied to Federal Investigators, in court, and to the public professing her innocence, or an innocent billionairess has been wrongly prosecuted and imprisoned. Which is it, and why is there a question. Is Martha/Mdiddy trying to encourage disbelief in the legal system, and distrust in the fairness of the stock market? Why has the question been left unanswered?
Be "thoughtful"
~Shawn
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BrokeMom 1-15-2006 @ 12:47AM
Scrapbooking--It's like what your mother told you about make-up.
Less is more. Especially when it comes to stickers.
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