The Album Project

It's good to be back!
Do you put your finished projects in albums right away? Do you have a system?

I'm one of those people that lets the projects pile up to crazy heights before I put them in books. I never used to be that way. When I first started scrapbooking I would only work chronologically, filling in 2 separate albums as I went; one for my daughter and one for my son, one for each year. Here's a glimpse...(circa 2005-06)

Although I did manage to record a lot of information and have 3 years of completed books for each of them, I started to get really bored with the process. Did I also mention that all of the layouts were 2 page layouts?

I didn't start making single pages until about 3 years ago. Anyway...once I broke out of that 2-page/chronological rut and started scrapbooking whatever I felt like, things got a little out of hand.

Well, last week I couldn't take it anymore. I spent a chunk of the long weekend coming up with a system and putting it into effect. I filled up 8 new American Crafts d-ring album binders - and now need to pick up about 4 more and I'll feel like I'm in a good place. I broke them down into the following categories: Winter/Spring, Fall/Halloween, Summer, About Me, Dancing/Recitals, Christmas, School & Home/Places in NJ. I'm sure I will add as I go along. The Summer & Fall books are already at capacity and will need to be broken down by a range of years so I can start fresh books. As far as I can tell so far, this system is going to work. The cool thing about a project like this is I am now able to see where the information gaps are. I also learned that despite not liking to scrap about myself, or make pages featuring me, I do it a lot more than I thought I did! Exhibit A: The 'About Me' book...

Looks like Volume II is going to get added to the collection. Another huge problem for me is the management of the 'stuff': the ticket stubs, school certificates, recital programs, etc. I am saver - I save every little scrap and piece of ephemera. With this system, I just put the items in page protectors and call it a day.

It's so satisfying to get these items out of the basket I've been saving them in, and into a book, where they belong. Ahh, life is good! Next up, the photos. Backing them up, printing them, etc. I've started to back them up online but I'm far from in control of that situation.

Moving along...I'm working on a few other projects, too, but nothing I can share at the moment. I did get this little baby in the mail and I'm dying to work with it:

The Elle's Studio Christmas kit. Isn't that stamp adorable! Not sure what I'm going to make with it yet but I'll figure it out. I'm resisting December Daily with all my might this year but I have a feeling this is going to push me over the edge. It's that adorable.

Also be on the lookout for my final Ella Publishing Friend blog hop on Monday. Looking forward to that. Can't wait to hear who the lucky new Ella Friends are!

Now I'm looking forward to some time off to get crafty - hope you had a great week!