Anatomy of an Album
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Here's a look into Simon's 2007 album. It's a good example of what all the mixed-up page sizes look like when they are together in the album. I have also created a new photo album over on the side bar so you can see all the photos in a group.
The album interior you see here is not in date order for the year yet. I grabbed my 2007 pile and put them in randomly before heading to the Portland CKC Convention last weekend. Planning to move them around within the album so that they are as close to chronological as possible (taking into account single page layouts vs. spreads vs. different sizes).
I like chronology in the anatomy of my albums, but am not concerned with it in terms of story telling + creating.
I am using the cloth 3-ring binder albums from American Crafts - you can find them online here and here or check at your local store.
[ Many of the pages below are featured, with supplies listed, in my book Life Artist © 2007 or in my column in Creating Keepsakes © 2007 ]
This layout, created in 2007, shows a variety of different photos over the last few years. Makes a nice opening page.
For more information on divided page protectors check out this post.
The back of this divided page protector (and others you will see below) are currently empty. My plan is to create pages/content to fill in those spaces or just add in photos.
Another back that can be filled in with either a complete story or five different ones (each on their own individual canvas).
One of the big hurdles for people to move away from post bound albums seems to be a fear that 2-page spreads won't translate with the ringed-gap in the middle. I have no issue with 2-page spreads that don't "touch." I find that my eyes automatically connect the two together based on their shared colors, photos, embellishments, and design.
Another common question I receive is what to do about single page layouts. I have been doing a combination of single and double pages since I started scrapbooking. I like having variety. I just stick the single page layouts right into the album (in date order when I am paying close attention). Your children and your family will not even notice that there are single page vs. double page spreads. They are going to be interested in the photos and the stories. Some stories need two or more pages; others need just one.
And again, one of my favorite things about these sorts of albums is that it is easy to insert new pages and move things around to accommodate new stories you are telling.
This is the back of a divided page protector with two, 6 inch x 12 inch pockets. I am thinking that I will do two individual pages that are each 6x12 for these spaces.
In addition to the purchased divided page protectors, I also have quite a few page protectors that I have simply cut and stitched to fit my page size. The ""today you" page here is one that I ran right through the sewing machine to create the 6 inch x 12 inch pocket.
Such a great helper in turning the pages for me.
Here's an example of a layout where I stitched two page protectors together (which creates a seam that brings the double page layout together). I did this mainly because it was actually a three page layout and I wanted to literally communicate that within the album. Close up:
One of my all time favorites. Words + photos.
Thanks buddy!
Questions? Leave a comment and I will answer them in an upcoming post.
[ Follow up post with Q & A can be found here. ]
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180 comments
I LOVE the variety of the pages! I feel that it gives the album a unique depth.
I recently switched to 3 ring albums myself, because they hold so many more photos! ...And being obsessive, like I am, I wanted all my albums to match.
I just LOVE the variety!!! I can't wait to incorporate some of you great ideas in my family albums.
Thanks you, keeping inspiring!
-Kim
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totally unrelated, but had this story on my home page this morning: http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/03/05/autism.vaccines.ap/index.html?imw=Y&iref=mpstoryemail
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WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is just so amazing! Ali (and all the bloggers) today I got my cup of coffee, had the twins working on some preschool "homework" and looked at this blog....love it!!! I just have had the best morning. Reading and absorbing all of this is just a perfect way to start a day!!! Even if it is icy, cold, snowy here in ohio!
So here is my question for you Ali. I have been learning from you for some time. Over the years, so much product has evolved. What lines of product do you prefer? Where do you order from? As I look through this blog I love how your photos "pop" and your paper is subtle, yet crafty, creative and eye catching...not too bold. Can you point us in the direction of where you find the "right" paper? It easy to walk into a scrap store and just be overwhelmed by the many creative sheets, but I really want to keep it "toned down" a bit and yet add the right SPLASH of color!
Again, thank you so much for sharing. I just love what you do ali...you are an inspiration and such a sharer!!!
Hugs,
Lynette
Medina Ohio
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wow. i love the look of the multi-sizes in your album. i am an 8.5x11 scrapper and i have recently been cutting my page protectors different sizes so i could get a look like this. [of course, this act was totally inspired by you!]
thank you for such an awesome post and taking the time to inspire creative people everywhere!
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Ali you are truely amazing. So much inspiration that you continually give to me. Such a wonderful gift in sharing Simon's album. Thank you so much! I will scrap something tonight and just play & have fun with it.
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Ali,
When you first told us about putting different sizes in one album, that totally clicked for me. I love doing it. Thanks for showing us your album for Simon. I absolutely love the feel. It so reminds me of the scrapbooks of old that maybe our Moms used to create. Yes, they weren't acid free, but there were no rules. Whatever they wanted was put in their albums, it didn't matter size or if they pages coordinated. No rules. The stories were told and it just felt, well, their books felt "real". That is what yours feels like. It is a compliation of Simon's life and it feels real. It is beautiful and artistic but it doesn't feel planned or artificial. I love it. Thanks so much for inspiring me again.
Karen G
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Thank you for your inspiration!
I LOVE the variety of single/double and the different size pages.
I was having difficulty scrapping my own stuff (married, no children) I wasn't making it a priority and had no idea where to start.
Then I read something you had said about just doing it.
To not worry about order and page sizes. Just create and put it in a book.
That was the best advice and it got me going and now I just make what I want and don't worry about it!!!
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ali, you are just super awesome. thanks for being such a positive influence. you rock!
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I just love what you did...I ordered me some of those divided page protectors...can't wait to work with those.
This what a "real" scrabook looks like. I LOVE IT!!!!
peace
Kim
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love it ali... the girls and i ( from the store ) have been doing this and i am sooooooooo much more inspired to scrap.. knowing i can do ANYTHING i'm not trapped into one size ;) p.s. love simons bed head ;) hahaha :)
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Ali, This looks so cool! I just picked up the new D ring album yesterday and I'm thinking of converting mine over to this system. I also just picked up your new book and I'm completely inspired by it. I need to do more everyday layouts. I have albums full of holiday events.
My only question is since you like some chronological order in your albums how will you then fill in your empty spots? Perhaps with pictures from last year that didn't get into a LO or new current ones?
Thanks,
Carey
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Oh, Ali! I don't really have a question, but just want to say what a wonderful influence you are. I'm fairly new to scrapbooking, and a semi-new grandmom of twins (boy and girl). You're ideas have so inspired me! And, I can't believe how big Simon is getting!
Thanks for putting things like this in your blog. I so look forward to reading it every day and trying some of your ideas.
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I think the best part about this album is that it does look like a 'real' scrapbook. One of many reasons why we adore you!
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Right now my head is spinning with ideas. What a great way to start the day! Thank you so much for this inspirational post. I was wondering where you found the page protector that has two 6 x 12 compartments?
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this looks great, ali. simon is a lucky little boy and you are so lucky to have a good helper.
:)
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Thanks for sharing the inside of one of your albums, I have always wondered what they looked like all put together. I really like the mixed sizes all supported within one book. I feel very inspired to get my completed pages into an album for 2007, no matter what size they are:) I do have a question for you, on the pages that are oddly sized I can see that you have them in page protectors that are close to their dimensions but I wondered if you adhere them in some way to keep them from shifting around.
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Thank you so much Ali!!! I think this is one of my very favorite posts! Now I can see how it all looks together in an album. Love this!!
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Thanks so much for sharing your album! I recognize many of those pages. I am glad binder albums are becoming popular. That is what I used when I first starting scrapbooking. (I HATED those strap-bound albums). But then recently I have bought several post and they are just so much harder to add pages to and get in the right order. I think I'll go back to binders...
Thanks again for all your inspiration!
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Ali thanks for sharing your album.
thanks, thanks, thanks.
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Ali - thanks for taking the time to share this with us! It's so good to see all your wonderful pages in their place.
I am considering making the switch to the AC 3-ring albums and was wondering - do you like the way they stand on the shelf? They seem like would be sturdy and not want to tip to one side, which my current albums do.
Thanks Ali!
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