Not long after my son was born, my sister introduced me to scrapbooking. I immediately fell in love, I saw it as a great way to record the boys memories for him & for us. I loved going to classes and even did a few layouts at home, but over time I slowed down and hardly touched my photos or supplies.
Then about 18 months ago I decided that I wanted to start again, but with 2 little girls joining our family, I was lost as to where to start. Then when I looked back at the boys albums I realised that I had pretty much stopped scrapbooking not long after he turned 2, he will be 8 this coming March!
I also have 12 months of not many photos, which makes me a little sad, but I can't turn back the clock. This is partly due to me not picking up the camera much & also having our computer crash & loosing some photos.
Then at the end of 2010 I stumbled across the product "Project Life" and decided it was the system for me. It has enabled me to keep us with a family album for 2011 and is the system I am using for 2012.
But I hear some of you say, but I don't have the money to outlay for the kit, I missed pre-ordering and now can't get the kit I wanted or even I have all these scrapbooking supplies I want to use, but don't have the time to do the "traditional" layouts. Where do I start!
Well there are a few options out there for you.
- You could order the page protectors from Craft House and fill as you please, with photos, journalling cards (see some free links below), make your own cards, embellishments etc. Totally up to you.
- You could use the We r Memory Keeper divided page protectors. I have found the full range here at Craftainers, but there are many australian suppliers stocking them. Below are a few examples of the page protectors available from WRM. And fill as above.
Here are a few in use.
Simplest form, photos only.
With some scrapbooking paper as a background
Currently photos, but could have some paper added down the bottom.
- Maybe a digital approach is more to your liking. You could purchase the digital version of Project Life from Jessica Sprague or you could buy digital templates from Designer Digitals. I love the templates made by Cathy Z and Ali Edwards, and make them your own. Plenty of free digital papers, embellishments available. Pinterest & google away. :)
Here are a few examples of some digital pages I have completed recently and have printed from Persnikety Prints (based in the US, but very reasonable cost and postage). I think their quality is fantastic too.
(something a little different, a 12x12 print)
4. There are so many free templates for the journalling cards, etc to make it a little easier and more cost effective. Below are a few links I have found.
If you have any questions or want me to expand further on any of the above, be sure to leave a comment and I will do another post covering your questions.
If you would like me to share my freebie finds on a regular basis, be sure to leave a comment too.
Mel x