In the beginning... (2)

So my first ever project is still a work in progress. I do not know why some albums just do not want to get themselves together. Then, I look over my photos and it seems I need to buy another set of page protectors. Will see how that is going to work out. Here are some pages that are somewhat done.

Another attempt to a double page. I had the red dot paper left over from another project and I like it well enough to make it a part of this album.

Not vacation is complete without a stack of maps, brochures and other memorabilia; and, since I cannot commit to cut into it, I end up glue it down on a page and call it day.

Another one of my first pages, with part of the church bulletin. I had no plan in mind when I started the page and in the end the elements are somewhat disconnected.

Another attempt to a double page. I especially liked these photos and I had no idea how to add papers and embellishments without taking the attention away from them.

And, of course, another crowded page. I thought that more photos per page would help me finish this album faster, instead it became a huge challenge. Note to self: three photos on one page is enough.

Just because I started to pack my crafts away for the summer, I do not have to stop making mini albums. So here it is

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In the beginning...

There was this trip we took to see a friend who moved to Texas. I planned the whole thing two months in advance. It was a road trip: two days to get there, two days to get back, and diving somewhere new around Dallas almost every day. The weather was great and the traffic surprisingly pleasant with no major delays. We got to see all the places we planned to visit and then some extra. All in all, I ended up with over 1000 pictures, some taken with the camera, some on the tablet and some on the cellphone. Once home, I started to sort them out, edit and I finally ended up with a decent number of photos for my scrapbook.

The first page came together in no time, and I was impressed by what I was able to make. This was my first ever 12x12 page.

Now that I am in the middle of the project I can see some flaws to it. I wonder how will I feel about it at the end of the project.

Sometimes I just try to cram to many photos in one layout and this is what happens:

This page needs a title and a journal, and I do not know why I worry about adding them, how much more unbalanced and messy can it look?!

Then I tried to create double layouts and this came up:

 Again, I loved it, until I made the next double layout.

 I know it is in need of embellishments and writing, but I feel I am on the right track.

And now one of my favorite and best layouts (best in my opinion, and for now, of course):

That is it for today. There should be seven more posts about my very first 12x12 album. Hopefully with less what not to do on a layout and more favorite pages.

About a year later...

My mom is my biggest fan. If I make something for someone and she happens to see it, she will gently hint that she wants a mini album or a painting, too. I should start making everything in pairs to spare her the waiting time. It took me a year to put this album together for her, but it turned out better than my previous one. So here it is...

It all started with the color choice: Orange. Bo Bunny's Vintage Dot - orange was the perfect shade and pattern. Other papers I used were from DCWV Timeless Type, Recollections card stock and other scraps from collections long passed.

The album has vertical and horizontal pockets. If I would just conquer my fear of cropping, my photos might fit the page a little better and I would not end up gluing my pocket shut. Regardless, I ended up with a narrow tag that turned out nice.

My mom was in luck, Timeless Type had a few nasturtiums flowers (her favorite) and I made sure they end up in her album.

 

I probably should have added more embellishments, but sometimes I just have to move to the next page, and then I never come back to add some. 

I do not know if there is a rule about scrapping black and white photos and color photos next to each other. I should have researched it before I glued the photos down.

 

Mom, I hope you like it and I can't wait for you to see it in person since the photos cannot capture its cuteness and all the details. 

It all started with one successful project. 

I have seen many YouTube videos on how to make a mini album and I have heard those talented ladies saying many times, "this is easy". Then I found this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhlazmneL3I made by the Bo Bunny team and I had to try it out. And, since I am not very good at following directions and measurements, my mini album came out a little different.

1. Instead of a 12x12, I went with the biggest card stock I could find 22x22

2. Then I folded and glued, over and under, over and under, just like they said in the video

3. After it dried for a day, the fun began

4. From leftover card stock I made the cover

5. And there were tags, and paper coordinating with the bride's colors, and wedding styles and some kind words and sweet messages.

And just like in fairy tales, three days and three night later, the album was done. I looked at it over and over and I knew two things, it will not be the last one I'll make and it will be really hard to give it away.