I am determined to get our photos from the past two years organized, scrapped and printed in photo books. Oh yes I am. I’ve entertained this idea many times over the years but never felt ready or confident that I could take on (and finish) a project of this size.
For whatever reason, something clicked for me this past weekend. Maybe because I finally decided to let go (of the belief that I needed to find the perfect album size, the perfect design, etc. before I could start on the project). You know what? Perfection is so overrated. 🙂
Over the weekend, I dove in with a vengeance and have already completed 31 pages. 31 pages. That’s huge for me (aka the slowest scrapper in the world). Here’s one of the completed pages:
In keeping with my minimalist sensibilities, I decided to go with a classic white background+photos+text format. I chose the 8×10 portrait format because I like the size (easy to handle and easy to store) and design-wise, I like the orientation of 8×10’s and I think I’ll have an easier time creating 2-page spreads.
I’ve decided to go with Blurb for this project mainly because they are the only vendor I know of that allows you to create a hardcover photo book with up to 440 pages (160 pages for their premium paper) for under $100. I don’t know how many pages I will end up needing, but it sure is nice to know that I can go up to 160 pages (I’m going with the premium paper).
I’m starting small so as not to be discouraged. The first book will be about Madeline – that’s only 2 1/2 months of photos to go through. Though this will be no small feat. Because of project 365, I’ve taken 2240 photos since June 5th!! Granted, not all of the photos will make it into the book – some are blurry and others are near replicas, taken seconds apart from each other. The hardest part of this project for me so far has been deciding which photos to use and which ones to leave out.
Signing off now to do more pages. 🙂
WOW, this album is going to be FANTASTIC!
I so love the minimalist look of your pages…this will be a beautiful book! Obviously it doesn't hurt that your photos are fantastic!! Good luck…
good luck Liz! Since the move I have been attempting to sort out our photos (printed) as well and am no where near getting them into any kind of album, lol! Such an enormous task.:) I love your simple approach to it, though. Can't wait to see more.
Your album is going to be soooo beautiful! Fantastic that you've already scrapped so many pages.
P.S.: I really do believe that I'm the slowest scrapper in the universe. To see you scrap so many pages in so little time, sure means that there's still hope for me. Hehe.
~ Ayesha
That's gonna be a gorgeous album and a real treasure for your familly !
Great job!
love everything. i have to get one of these done by december-my husband's request. i just love the focus on the photos but yet the COOL focus on the photos 🙂
"note: the templates in blurb's book maker are not my cup of tea so I've been building my pages from scratch in photoshop."
lol. I can sooooooo relate! Something in my genetics prevents me from using existing templates.
your layouts are beautiful so far.
liz,
i would LOVE to hear more about what you're doing here, as it sounds like you're overcoming a lot of the hurdles I face (avoid!) when it comes to getting photos printed. i've never thought of scrapping a book like this, in order, as a way to get my photos developed. i scrap out of order, so i print my own as i scrap and slide them into page protectors. but i love this as a way to print all those photos that i DON'T scrap — is this what you're doing? again, i'd love to hear more about your process and how you're planning on making this a manageable project. thanks for sharing… and GOOD LUCK!!!
I love your album so far! It's so clean, but has such strong impact. And your photos are gorgeous as usual. Can't wait to see more! 🙂
Good for you! I need to do the same thing!
SOooo encouragd that I'm not the only one struggling with this. Love your templates and your work (when I grow up I want to be just like you!) Please keep sharing and so good to know that someone else struggles with he PERFECTION thing – darn that!
So cute! Love this idea – thanks for the link to Blurb! Looks like they've got a great product.
liz. these are amazing. as always, you've inspired me to keep going. i was thinking blurb, too. glad you mentioned them. SO excited to see your finished product.
That is such a great idea. You are a determined lady to take on so much.
Liz, I love how you are making this photobook. I bet it will be the most fab book in the end – and love the minimalistic journaling 🙂 ~Blossom ~
You make me so jealous, and irritated with myself because I put way too much pressure on myself to record my son's baby days and, as a result, avoided doing it entirely.
sort of funny, but my verification word was "pressest" and it's just ironic considering they just make up random words, but you should totally use that one! Like "this is my pressest product yet" .. haha
I love this idea! Looking fantastic!
Oh, it's going to be stunning, Liz!
I was wondering if you would consider placing your blurb templates for the entire album into your oscraps shop? It would sure help the rest of us non-designers to finally put together an entire huge book that is so streamlined and beautiful. Just a thought. I'll keep my fingers crossed. :o)
I LOVE blurb books. I did a couple there and also built my pages from scratch. You will LOVE the results. And the greatest part is that family can go online and order their own copies (smile).
Oh you're such a great source of inspiration!!! I'm so glad to see these pages as they're absolutely stunning and they make me realize I shouldn't always feel so guilty about struggling to find meaningful journaling. I'm off to get started on mine now 🙂
great idea Liz!!! so lovely and simple!!!
GO LIZ!!!!!!!!
you can do it!!! i have been a slow scrapper lately so you will be my inspiration!!! cant wait to see your album!
and the classic white… its so you!!! beautiful!!!
Ahhhh so gorgeous Liz! You inspire me. Keep going…
Really, really gorgeous. Your album has such a beautiful look – I am so jealous! I need to remember that less truly *is* more and I don't need to pile on the junk when it comes to making albums.
I'm starting 2 albums for my mother-in-law and I think a minimal approach is really best. You are my inspiration!
(PS. Peppermint's "pressest" is really a good idea. 😉 You could do a collection of the "Pressest Presslines." lol)
I make blurb books for my boys every year. They are older, so along with the photos I interview them every year with the same 20 questions, and then add the clever little things they have said all year. (yes, I keep a list…my 5 year old said "Mama, I love you more than rain… or mud".) Love BLURB, and I love that (new this year) you can upload your own designs. Before a few months ago you had to use thier presets.
Yours is beautiful, and will be an inspiration to me when I do my next ones!! Thanks for sharing!
this is such a beautiful project and will make for a stunning book!
Be still my beating heart! I love that you are doing this, Liz!