So you want to talk about scrapbooking?

Ali,
I really hope you don't get too annoyed with people asking you questions about scrapbooking. : ) I know there is a lot more going on with your website to enjoy with your wonderful book recommendations and beautiful pictures of your family.
Honestly though (back to scrapbooking tee hee!) your layouts are the only ones that have ever drawn me in to read the journaling and I never tire of your design skill. I've developed my own style based on some of your design elements that I am happy with and because of this my albums don't look boring and people actually READ my pages instead of just flipping through.
For the other folks posting on your site asking questions of Ali I hope you pick up her book because it answers some of the questions I am seeing and she also has her whole scraproom layed out in pictures on the twopeasinabucket website.
Thanks Ali for what you do and teaching people how to add charm to their scrapbooks that many generations will be able to enjoy.
I can't wait to see what you do with that wonderful sewing machine your mom gave you! Go get em girl!
Lesa

Are all your layouts put in albums, or are they in stacks and piles avalanche style just waiting for page protectors? ;)

I second that notion Carolyne... Ali, when ARE you coming to Australia????
Thank you Ali for being so inspirational. I love your book, I pick it up over and over again and always find something different to draw inspiration from. This book has definitely helped me shape my own style. So, when's the next one out and what we will the topic be?

Ali,
Thanks for giving us the chance to ask questions. First, a comment: I love how you believe in the power of sharing the story, how people connect through that. Your site is very touching because of this and why I continue to check it daily. Although I don't know you, I feel so happy for you that you are able have scrapbooking be part of your professional life because it seems to fit you so well.
First question: all the same questions as Kelley who posted earlier. What's your story? How did you go from scrapbooking your family to getting pages publushed, to a book, to teaching classes?
Two, can you give a quick explanation of 2peas? You've mentioned it before and when I visit the site I can't seem to figure out how it works.
Thanks for the inspiration.

Ali...Wow now that is a lot of questions! What I am hoping is that you are going to answer the questions on this site so we can all learn the answers. Thank you to all of you for the kind words about Ali and about our relationship. I feel blessed to have a daughter like Ali. And, very lucky to have the opportunity to have my own private tutor time.
Thank you Ali! Love, Mom

Why couldn't we have met when we were both attending OSU? That would have been cool! I'm looking forward to your class at No Bare Pages. I'm really getting into my Perspectives homework.
Dianne

Mine is a simple question too! As Carolyne said....... When are you coming to Australia????

Ali-
I'm curious as to how you go about adding computer elements to your paper pages. It seems to me that you would have to have your layout totally planned out beforehand. How else would you know precisely where to add a font onto patterned paper?
I'm a graphic designer, but I can't give up playing with paper...so I don't want to go to strictly digital scrapping. Any advice you could give on blending these two mediums would be most helpful.
Thanks.
Mandy

Hi, thanks for taking the time to consider all our questions :-) I posted on 2Ps about scanning old photos and negs, and then about resizing. I would love to hear your thoughts on what has worked well for you, as I know you have used old photos in some of your work. I especially wonder about what file type to save to, what dpi to scan in, and then the whole resizing thing... Any ideas on how to get started?
Many thanks, Arlie

Never mind Australia - how about New Zealand?!?
: )
I also have your book and it is great, I have done many a layout after being inspired by your work! Thank you for fueling my creativity!
Also, I love reading your blog every morning - you usually post your message overnight when NZ is sleeping so it's a great way to start the day.
Take it easy!
Kirstie : )

Hi Ali :)
I don't have any scrapbooking questions, but I saw 1 of the books you posted on the "sidebar" of your blog that's called "French Women Don't get Fat."
I read that before and it's good...it has some useful advice & recipes ^^
I thought I'd let you know in case you want to buy it.
-Yvonne-

When you're going to Australia (and it looks like you have to), will you make a stopover in San Francisco and hang with me? I know all the good coffee shops and independent book stores, and we've got pretty darn good food. :)
Oh, and I also want to know how long your whole page making process is. Do you always sketch? Do you ever let the page sit before you do the journaling or finishing touches? (I often let mine sit for days.) Do you ever tinker or take pages apart?
I'll send you that book tomorrow, okay?
Annie

When are you going to move to Utah? LOL! Just kidding!
But if you ever do- know you are LOVED here and we have a fun group of chicks that get together once a week for a gabby scrap night- you are more than welcome here! You seem like tons of fun!
Just dreaming! :O)
and...how in the heck do you stay so organized- that is my biggest dream in life!

I know it's been asked...but working on my kids theory that if you just keep asking, mum will give in and say yes... "When are you coming to Australia????"
The Aussie scrappers (check out 2peas thread) would all be there quicker than you could set an eyelet! We have your itinery all planned so it would involve hardly any work for you!!!!!
Jody

I'm so glad to see the ONE link...and for people reading these comments and reading about donations, please know they are not about getting donations!! The point is just to sign the petitiona dn make it known to the powers that be that people CARE about the poverty in the world. Now, before the G-8 summit in July, so they can DO something about it. You can donate if you want to, but really all you NEED to do is sign the petition online and tell as many people as you can about it.
Just wanted to get that in there. :)
Love your work, Ali!

hi ali,
i've never commented before on your blog but i love reading, thanks for sharing all that you do.
okay now to my question....
when you do a layout, do you see its basic design in your head first, and then execute it, then as it's coming together add the "extras" or do you see the whole thing just complete and then create...i guess i'm asking about your process. (i'm having trouble in this area lately)
thanks!!

Hey Ali. Love your blog - thanks!
My question is - how often do you scrapbook? Every day? Every other day? For how long? Do you ever get in ruts where you don't scrapbook AT ALL for a few weeks or months?
Thanks!

Just thought of another question that I have always wondered. What did you do for work before you started scrapping for a living?

Hi Ali, I'm so happy to see you taking questions! My question for you to consider is this:
If you were married withOUT children, would you consider scrapbooking?
Do you think it's absurd to scrap or have this hobby if you don't have children as the subject or to pass the albums on to in the future?
For those of us without children, what do you scrap when you run out of subjects? (Holidays, family reunions, the usual....)
Thanks, Ali!
Amy in Seattle

Signed the ONE letter - ordered 10 wrist bands - thanks for the reminder - as Gandhi said:
"We must be the change we wish to see in the world"
Thanks.....
Michelle