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Post by meganliane on Dec 6, 2014 5:05:35 GMT
I came across this blog post when googling "simplify scrapbooking" or something like that. I was mainly looking for ideas on destashing etc but came across this: www.kellynewcom.com/simplify-how-and-why-i-threw-away-all-my-scrapbooks/It was interesting to me as I would like to have less bulky albums. Has anyone thought about this? I don't think I could do it with "original" pic layouts (ie pages made before digital photography and using original pics) but maybe with more recent ones. I have to admit the thing that bothers me the most about scrapbooking is the space even the finished product takes up. Do I really want to keep storing all these albums? For me the process is what I enjoy, so not sure I care to keep the finished product in tack forever. I don't know - what do you think? |
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Post by megs78 on Dec 6, 2014 11:23:45 GMT
This post broke my heart a little. There's absolutely nothing wrong with digital layouts and/or photographs of your own layouts - I make a lot of digital layouts myself. It just seems like such a waste (of time, money, talent, albums) to throw out the existing layouts.
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Deleted
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May 18, 2024 23:15:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2014 12:49:02 GMT
Thanks for posting that very interesting blog. I am a "hard core" traditional, paper, no project life, scrapper since 1999. Since I have more than 120 scrapbooks,I don't see myself doing what she did. But I do wish I had started out making my books this way. The books take up so much room and I know my family is going to have a dilemma when they have to deal with them. I have 3 daughters so I think they will keep them. I have made books for each of my 12 grandchildren and I think they will keep them but it would be much easier for everyone if they took up less room.
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doglover
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Post by doglover on Dec 6, 2014 17:30:43 GMT
I just started scrapping 8.5 x 8.5 to conserve space and be able to print directly on the page.
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GiantsFan
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Post by GiantsFan on Dec 6, 2014 19:35:53 GMT
Interesting! I switched to digi, but still kept my original books. I never thought of making photo books out of them.
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sophikins
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Aug 30, 2014 15:12:27 GMT
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Post by sophikins on Dec 6, 2014 20:05:17 GMT
Wow! I would not think of doing that.
However, I do grasp the idea of stuff taking up space. I used to imagine years from now, someone looking through all the scrapbooks and pulling off the one little photo to keep, and then tossing out all the product/paper/stuff around it. That is why I always have a ton of photos on every page, instead of one little pic and a lot of "white space" or product. In the mid-90's when "scrapping" as we know it started out, one of the "advantages" was that you could fit lots more photos on a page (presumably by cropping). Despite the trends of one photo per page, I always seem to have a lots of photos for any event, so I just scrap at lot of them. My family loves to look at the albums, but I know they are really looking at the photos, not the "white space" or product. As I look at any one of my albums, I realized that if I did one photo per page it would have been at least 4 times the album space. I have a similar feeling about filling up all those pockets in the pocket page albums with pre-printed filler cards (assuming no journaling on them).
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christinec68
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Post by christinec68 on Dec 6, 2014 22:12:13 GMT
I kind of love that idea. I wish she showed an open page of one of the photo books. But I don't see me having the guts to do it unless I was giving up scrapbooking all together. Although I have seriously contemplated taking my layouts out of albums and storing them in a big Rubbermaid like container. No one really looks at them now so it doesn't seem like a bad way to store them since they will be upright and safe from light, dust and water.
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craftykitten
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Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
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Post by craftykitten on Dec 6, 2014 22:39:43 GMT
I can see the advantages definitely, and as I tend to photo or scan most of my pages anyway I have been tempted to make photo books with them before. I don't know that I would ever go totally digital though, or just to photobooks, because I enjoy the process of crafting with paper.
If you are feeling overwhelmed with stuff - whether that's albums or stash - then I do think it is very freeing to be able to let it go. When our hobbies become a burden then there is something wrong.
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Post by anniefb on Dec 7, 2014 0:00:07 GMT
Thanks for sharing this meganliane. Have to admit it struck a cord with me. I have old photo albums of various trips and times in the past which I've never scrapped. Earlier this year I started pulling them out and scanning all the photos and organising them in albums in iPhoto. I was bothered by how much room these things were taking up, particularly when I don't have kids of my own and I'm sure my niece isn't going to be interested in all my travel albums in 30 or 40 years time! Sure I'll keep a few special scrapbooks - like the ones my Mum did of the family history and my brother growing up (which I hope my niece would like to have one day) but I don't have space to store endless volumes. I enjoy my PL albums but for me it's more about the creative process in putting them together. I'm not doing them for posterity but for my own pleasure now. And when I run out of storage space, I guess some of the scrapbooks will also go the way of the photo albums  |
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Post by meganliane on Dec 7, 2014 0:45:47 GMT
Wow! I would not think of doing that. However, I do grasp the idea of stuff taking up space. I used to imagine years from now, someone looking through all the scrapbooks and pulling off the one little photo to keep, and then tossing out all the product/paper/stuff around it. That is why I always have a ton of photos on every page, instead of one little pic and a lot of "white space" or product. In the mid-90's when "scrapping" as we know it started out, one of the "advantages" was that you could fit lots more photos on a page (presumably by cropping). Despite the trends of one photo per page, I always seem to have a lots of photos for any event, so I just scrap at lot of them. My family loves to look at the albums, but I know they are really looking at the photos, not the "white space" or product. As I look at any one of my albums, I realized that if I did one photo per page it would have been at least 4 times the album space. I have a similar feeling about filling up all those pockets in the pocket page albums with pre-printed filler cards (assuming no journaling on them). what you said about taking off the one photo completely makes sense. I usually only scrap one photo but it would not bother me at all if when I am gone that someone just keeps the photo and the story. So then I wonder why do I keep it all if that is all that matters? I just enjoy the creative process and am not really tied to my pages. I have even cut some down to make them fit 8 1/2 x 11 and now mainly scrap 8 1/2 X11. The only reason I can see not doing what she did (in my case anyways) is bc I could see a granddaughter or great granddaughter or niece loving to see what I made. I know I would love to have that from my grandmothers. However they probably do not need 20 plus albums  . For now, I am cutting down by mainly doing 8 1/2 x 11 and some 6x8 except for PL which I plan to keep photo heavy and will be 12x12. My boys are 3 and 4 1/2 and still like to look at their books - especially my 3 year old who will even pose for a picture and tell me to put it in his book |
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Post by meganliane on Dec 7, 2014 0:50:29 GMT
Thanks for sharing this meganliane. Have to admit it struck a cord with me. I have old photo albums of various trips and times in the past which I've never scrapped. Earlier this year I started pulling them out and scanning all the photos and organising them in albums in iPhoto. I was bothered by how much room these things were taking up, particularly when I don't have kids of my own and I'm sure my niece isn't going to be interested in all my travel albums in 30 or 40 years time! Sure I'll keep a few special scrapbooks - like the ones my Mum did of the family history and my brother growing up (which I hope my niece would like to have one day) but I don't have space to store endless volumes. I enjoy my PL albums but for me it's more about the creative process in putting them together. I'm not doing them for posterity but for my own pleasure now. And when I run out of storage space, I guess some of the scrapbooks will also go the way of the photo albums completely agree that I do it for the creative process as well. I can definitely see myself making photo albums of certain ones at some point... Especially the creative pages that don't say much. I do wonder about PL. I hate photographing it because it takes forever if you take it out of the pockets (at least for me) and it has a glare if you don't. I would however love to condense PL but I can't give up my paper . |
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Post by Linda on Dec 7, 2014 16:49:11 GMT
I'm torn...
I really do see the advantages of the digital books - so much less space-hogging - and honestly if I could afford to do that, I would seriously consider it. I've done a couple of digital books (the drop and drag method) and it was SO time-consuming and not really fun but the end result was nice. So I think scanning my actual layouts and making a book with them would give me the pros with less of the cons.
On the other hand...tossing those layouts...ouch
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Post by chaosisapony on Dec 7, 2014 20:30:14 GMT
I admire what she did. Sometimes I feel so weighed down by all the "stuff" for scrapbooking that is in my house. The supplies are the worst part, I only have 5 albums on a shelf. I don't think I would be able to do what she did though because when I think about how much money I have invested into my layouts it would make me sick to just throw them away. I frequently spend $10-$20 just to make a double page layout. $10xhow ever many layouts in an album? Yeah, way too much money invested for me to throw in the trash.
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tiffanytwisted
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you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave
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Post by tiffanytwisted on Dec 7, 2014 21:35:56 GMT
While saving space is appealing, preserving our family memories isn't the only reason I scrap. I really enjoy the creative process that comes with handling the paper & embellishments. There's no way I could ever give that part of it up.
After I'm gone, if my kids want to save the photos and toss the rest, they can have at it. I won't be here to know the difference, lol.
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Post by impearia on Dec 7, 2014 23:46:21 GMT
Wow, just wow...
I may sound opinionated here, but what a waste! Her blog post made me feel ill. I understand the space saving idea, which is why I certainly do not scrap EVERY photo or worry too much about getting X number of layouts done per year. I am a tactile as well as a visual person, and I enjoy touching and looking at my 3-D layouts. I think the photobooks would be a great idea for some things, like making books to give layouts to multiple people...say you are a grandma and make layouts of the grandkids but want to keep the originals just send a photobook to the grandkids...brilliant. The photos of all those layouts in trash bags? Heart wrenching! So much work and love go into people's layouts! Would you take a picture of someone's paintings, take photos of them, put them in a photobook and throw away the originals?! I wouldn't. I also journal A LOT on almost every layout, to me the story behind the photo is important, so ripping the photos off the layout means the story is lost. After I am gone, sure if people don't want them anymore fine....but while I am alive they are staying together.
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scrapnnana
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Post by scrapnnana on Dec 8, 2014 15:00:06 GMT
While saving space is appealing, preserving our family memories isn't the only reason I scrap. I really enjoy the creative process that comes with handling the paper & embellishments. There's no way I could ever give that part of it up. After I'm gone, if my kids want to save the photos and toss the rest, they can have at it. I won't be here to know the difference, lol. Yes, this is pretty much how I feel about it. I have 5 kids and 9 grandkids. My albums help me to remember and count my blessings. They also help me develop and appreciate my talents and creativity, which I feel are a gift from God. I understood what she was trying to say, but what she felt inspired to do was for her life. She also was trying to encourage other women to let go of the things that were just causing them guit or weighing them down in some way. The ending of her post was interesting. She didn't say it quite in these words, but apparently after getting rid of her scrapping stuff (that she evidently wasn't using, anyway), she then felt inspired to adopt a teenager. Kudos to her for that. If she had a scrapbook room that she wasn't using, she would have opened up a place to put the new member of her family. I almost missed picking up on that. |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Dec 8, 2014 17:34:00 GMT
I am glad she did what worked for her, to better enrich her life.
It would not work for me. Scrapping is my only hobby. It's what relaxes me.
I do not worry about the space it takes up. I would get rid of other household items that I rarely use before even thinking of trashing my beloved scrapbooks.
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loco coco
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Post by loco coco on Dec 8, 2014 17:48:43 GMT
omg, seeing those albums in the trash made me freak out a little bit lol! If she felt so weighted down I applaud her for doing this but I could never, ever throw away my albums. My time, love, and memories are in there! I do 1 book for every year and when I have kids I will probably do digital for them (im assuming there will be more pages and I do like the matching, simple look like she did). On top of my yearly albums, I have 1 of my mom and 1 heritage book I add to as time goes on. I dont feel overwhelmed at all... yet |
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MDscrapaholic
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Jun 25, 2014 20:49:07 GMT
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Post by MDscrapaholic on Dec 8, 2014 20:24:08 GMT
I could NOT do that. My kids may one day, but I would NOT...
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Post by Aheartfeltcard on Dec 10, 2014 21:03:32 GMT
That's crazy but to each his own.
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Post by mymindseyedpea on Dec 10, 2014 22:08:45 GMT
That article didn't resonate with me at all.
( well the part about where you shouldn't care about what others think did )
But seeing the creative energy in those layouts in the trash bags was very hard to see.
If I were to make a page with the intention of throwing it away some day , I wouldn't be able to do it.
( I know this isn't the case in the article )
But to me it feels the same.
Then again creativity is my life path.
I feel more centered when I create.
Also I'm not a digital scrapper.
I'm against it but I'm not against those who go that route. It's just not me.
As for the storage problem , I can't relate cause I only have 3 albums.
But I might have some ideas:
Instead of making album to album,
retire the pages in an album and reuse it for new pages.
And store the retired pages in boxes ( many flat 12x12's can fit )
Or masterpeice all the ones that mean the most to you on the walls in your scrap room.
Bring out the holiday ones during the holidays.
Frame them on a mantle and tables.
It's wonderful to reminisce with your albums.
I can't imagine having that opportunity taken away.
I don't mind my house being cluttered if it's being cluttered with creative energy and memories
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Post by maryboys on Dec 11, 2014 15:55:01 GMT
i really like the photo book concept; and the simplifying. i only have a few albums so i wouldn't feel a need to get rid of them. thanks for sharing this link.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2014 3:56:07 GMT
The biggest reason I can't go digital is because of sheet protectors. If something gets spilled on in a photo book, it destroys at least 2 pages. You can't do a quick fix. You'd have to reorder an entire photo album to have it back to new condition. I don't trust my family or myself to have photo books on display.
Another thing is the time involved in downsizing a book. I'd rather have books taking up more room on a book shelf vs. numerous hours of making albums smaller. I'm not good at PhotoShop.
I value time more than space.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2014 17:06:28 GMT
That post made me cry. Literally. Just no.
Don't be ruled by your stuff...that I can certainly understand.
But throwing it away...just no.
Where's the texture? Where are the brads and the ribbon and little pieces of life? Where is that something special about pulling out the big book of pictures and feeling the weight of your memories pressed against your legs while you flip thru the pages?
I just can't even fathom...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2014 19:47:28 GMT
I am mainly a digital scrapper and I love the look of a photo book. But with that being said, I still have all my paper albums and have no intention of throwing them out. I still use paper and glue to make mini albums and such. I also do a big year in review album PL style so I can still have that substantial album to look through. I couldn't imagine it any other way.
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Post by megs78 on Dec 13, 2014 4:37:58 GMT
The biggest reason I can't go digital is because of sheet protectors. If something gets spilled on in a photo book, it destroys at least 2 pages. You can't do a quick fix. You'd have to reorder an entire photo album to have it back to new condition. That has never occurred to me before now - something to think about next time I consider printing digi layouts in either a single page or into a photo book! |
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mallie
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Post by mallie on Dec 13, 2014 13:07:26 GMT
I have done digital scrapping and made photo books for others. The recipients all seemed thrilled. I was meh about the process and outcome. For myself, I have zero interest in them. I like the process of working with my hands AND I need the finished product to have texture and dimensionality. All of those need to happen or the hobby would be useless to me (and far too much like work where I spend a lot of time doing digital graphic design these days).
I tend to scrapbook "big" events and use multiple pics per page. So I don't have tons of albums as a burden. While I hope my pages are artistic, little is put on a page just to make it pretty -- everything is in service to the story I'm telling. Including the texture and dimensionality. Not that I really care what happens to my stuff when I'm gone, but the pics in isolation only tell a part of the story, so pulling them off wouldn't be smart. But whatever, if I'm dead, who cares? If I were going to be able to haunt someone, it wouldn't be over tossing my albums after I'm gone. -- I'd have waaay bigger issues to rattle my chains over!
There is a lot of other crap I'd get rid of to make space before I'd toss my creative efforts away.
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. For now, I am cutting down by mainly doing 8 1/2 x 11 and some 6x8 except for PL which I plan to keep photo heavy and will be 12x12. My boys are 3 and 4 1/2 and still like to look at their books - especially my 3 year old who will even pose for a picture and tell me to put it in his book 
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