52 weeks...52 books

My goal is to create, enhance and/or design 52 books in 52 weeks.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Tips

When I started scrapbooking 2 years ago, I had no idea what I was doing.  I looked at magazines as I stood in line at the grocery store, flipped thru books at the library and surfed the internet.  What I learned from that was, I had no idea where to start.  My first attempt was my wedding album.  I collected every brochure, map, ticket stub, and visitors guide I could get a hold of.  My husband loves our wedding album.  Now, whenever we go anywhere...  He is the one grabbing 2 or 3 brochures from every place we visit. 

Here are a couple of tips if you are just getting started:

Tip 1:  Grab at least 2 of everything.  You may not use it, but if you mess up at least you have a back up.

Tip 2:  Make sure you have a place to work uninterrupted.  Dining table is great if you live alone.  For the rest of us... I have found that using an old pro board (Science Fair tri-fold board) works great.  It protects the table you are working on and when you need to pick things up, just fold and slide under bed or top of closet, etc.  I use the guest room to work in, so the pro board works great on the bed as an extra surface.

Tip 3:  Large un-used pizza boxes work great to store or transport your 12x12 scrapbook pages and albums.  They stack great and are a lot cheaper than the plastic version at your local craft store.  My daughter worked at a pizza place, so it was easy to get them.  They do sell them for next to nothing.

Tip 4:  All old art or craft sets the kids may have at the bottom of their toy box is a great start.  I was cleaning their room and found a ton of foam stamps, stencils, stickers and colored pens.  I almost threw them away, but realized I could use them for scrapping.  (I was still new at it).  Also old game pieces and scraps of ribbon or buttons are great.  One more thing... before you throw away their broken play jewelry, take off any charms or cute beads.

If you have any ideas or tips for beginners, please respond to my post.  I could still use some help.  I do want to say a big THANK YOU to all my friends at Barbs Little Scrapbook House.  Without them I would still be stuck using only one technique.  They are a huge pool of knowledge and inspiration.

Friday, February 25, 2011

How it began

This is my first blog, so bear with me.

 I started one day as I was puting together another memory book.  I have recently discovered scrapbooking and other paper crafts.  I do have to admit I am hooked.  It is also very expensive and my husband informed me that I should not be giving them away, I should be selling them.  I don't care what I do with them.  I just love making them. 

A couple of days later, someone asked me how long it took to make one of my books.  I didn't have the answer, but it sounded like a challenge to me. 

During the past week I have been thinking about it and I have come up with the solution to both problems.  I will make one book a week for a year.  They will all be different.  I will sell each book.  And, I will clock my time and materials.