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Do you ever get overwhelmed by the pressure of preserving your family's memories?
- Should you store the images on a disk?
- Protect them in a fireproof safe?
- Make scrapbook pages?
- Create layouts that double as home decor?
- Fashion photo-inspired gifts?
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These are just a few of the questions that run through my mind each time I upload a new batch of photos.
While digital cameras have certainly enriched our lives, they have also added a bit of stress when it comes to creatively storing our photos. It used to be that you simply placed your photos in a traditional album and stored that album away for a rainy day -- no muss, no fuss. But these days, the pressure is on to make something meaningful with your photos.
For my own peace of mind, I save my images on clearly labeled disks. I also plan to purchase a safe for ease-of-mind storage, but it's a chore that is currently in the middle of my "to do" list.
What do you do with all of your photos? Fill out my easy feedback form and let me know.
My discovery of mini albums has helped me say "No" to photo stress. Mini albums allow me to narrow both the topic and the photo selection, and they provide a creative and manageable way for me to preserve my memories. Later in this e-letter, I will show you the birthday album I made to celebrate my daughter's first birthday.
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In This e-Letter
In this e-letter, you'll get ideas for making your own mini scrapbook albums. You'll learn what other readers consider to be their favorite first signs of spring. You'll meet crafter Kathleen Paneitz and learn how she recharges her creative battery. You'll get to try your hand at answering a reader's crochet question. Plus, you'll get instructions for how to craft a flower-powered magnetic board, a unique -- and fun -- way to show off your favorite photos.
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Creating a Mini Album
Mini albums can be found in all shapes and sizes, ranging from big or small to square or star-shaped. A few of my favorite companies with unique albums are 7 Gypsies, Making Memories, K&Company and Die Cuts With a View.
The nice thing about making a mini album is that there are no rules to follow. You are in complete creative control of what you want to feature and how you want the album to look. I recommend designating a single subject as the focus of your mini album. This will streamline the whole process and give you a definite idea of where to begin.
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To get you started, here are a few subject ideas to consider:
- Birthdays
- Holidays
- Special Outings (the zoo, a baseball game, a museum, etc.)
- Travel (first airplane ride, summer vacation, etc.)
- Favorite Things at This Age (colors, food, movies, characters, etc.)
Though my daughter Ellie turned 1 last August, I just recently sat down to create an album to commemorate the occasion. First I chose the album. I explored the accordion-fold tin albums from Die Cuts With A View and liked that they were compact and the pages could be stored safely inside. I ended up choosing the 5.5' x 5.5 inches' accordion-fold album with white pages DieCutsWithaView.com.
The next step was getting my photos ready. Due to the overall size of my album, my photos needed to be smaller in size. I uploaded all of the birthday photos onto Kodak's Web site. Next I chose the photos I wanted to use and created 5' x 7 inches' collages. Each collage page contained four photos. I placed my order, and once the photos arrived at my home, I simply cut them apart and was ready to begin scrapbooking.
Here are the basic supplies I used: colorful card stock, deckle-edged scissors, markers and a tape roller. Here are the more specific supplies I used: paper and embellishments from American Traditional Designs "Celebrate" line, journaling stickers from American Crafts, mini stickers from Stephen Joseph Gifts "Small Talk" line, and doodle templates from Chatter Box.
As you will see below, the pages are simple in nature, but capture the details of the day:
Looking for more album ideas? Click here to see the albums available at e-Patterns Central!
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Readers Weigh In: First Signs of Spring!
Shirley Brown shares:
"My favorite signs of spring are the robins and my daffodils. I have a row my son and I planted about 30 years ago. They stretch from my house up to my Mom's."
Robin Larson shares:
"My favorite sign of spring is nature, but it is human nature -- people wearing shorts and tank shirts just because the sun is out."
Athena Hopson shares:
"Tulips popping up from the ground; yard sales on the weekends; barbecuing for supper; planting gardens."
Pat Borun shares:
"A sure sign of spring is the first convertible you see zipping down the street with its top down and music playing. It's more reliable than the robins!"
Melissa Mitchell shares:
"My favorite sign of spring is getting our grape arbor ready by installing the swing and setting up the picnic table. I like to go there after work with my husband and a glass of wine to unwind from the day and look at the lake as we swing."
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Reader Spotlight: Take Five
NAME: Kathleen Paneitz
AGE: 44
HOMETOWN: Cambridge, Md.
FAVORITE CRAFT: Card making
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What time of day are you at your creative best?
Morning, but not too early! I have to have my caffeine before I get knee-deep in a project. If I can't get into my office for some reason but have a good idea, I jot or draw it in a notebook to re-inspire me later. |
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How do you get into a creative zone? Are there certain mood-setting items (music, food, etc.) that help put you in a creative frame of mind?
Candles and music are great, but if I'm in a funk, visiting a bookstore and browsing through magazines and interesting books will re-energize me. Also, a clean, organized workspace invites me to be more creative. If my work area is messy, I feel drained before I even get started. |
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How do you squeeze crafting into your busy life?
If necessary, I give up sleep or work on projects while watching TV with my family. Creating is an integral part of my life, so even a teeny bit of time will fulfill that need in me. |
| 4) |
What are you working on now?
Garden party invitations for my girlfriends. Now that spring is here, I want to throw a little outdoor party to celebrate. |
| 5) |
What three tools could you not live without?
My paper cutter, hole punches and scissors. |
Please fill out my easy feedback form if you'd like to be the featured reader, or if you'd like to supply a question or two. Put "Take Five" in the subject line of your e-mail.
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Readers to the Rescue!
E-letter reader Trudy Wildman needs your help. Trudy writes:
"I am helping a church knitting group. I'm an avid knitter, so that's not a problem. However, I have a student who would like to crochet (she is also left-handed). I've been able to get some information on hand placement, etc., but would love some additional hints or tips."
Have an idea for Trudy, or a question of your own? Fill out my easy feedback form and let me know. Put "Readers to the Rescue" in the subject line of your e-mail.
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Magnetic Board Project
You'll love the bright colors and happy design of this photo holder. Click here for instructions to make the Magnetic Board Project.
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