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Post by Linda on Apr 22, 2022 14:11:23 GMT
When I first started scrapbooking 20 years ago - I had almost no money for supplies or even photo printing. So many of my early layouts were super simple - cardstock, decorative scissors (thankfully mainly on elements not photos - I'm not skilled with scissors), and barely any embellishments - not to mention those dreadful HOTP and the like papers. And I mostly scrapped the photos my mum mailed me.
So I have a couple of binders of these early layouts with mum's photos. I've since inherited ALL of mum's photos - and I am using the layouts to help me date and identify some of hers that she didn't label.
But I'm considering tossing the layouts when I'm done with that project. I am checking with my older kids to make sure they don't mind but my ultimate plan is photo books with mum's pictures - easier to store and if my sister wanted copies, easy enough for her to order those.
Thoughts? Opinions? Am I crazy?
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,498
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Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Apr 22, 2022 14:31:20 GMT
I don't think you're crazy.
I was given "the family photos because you scrapbook". But I don't want to store that huge box (the GIANT 66 qt storage bin). I went through all photos and loosely organized them into families. I scanned the ones I wanted to keep (digitally), gave each family theirs, and I'm thinking about donating the older ones (1900-40's) to an historical society or museum or to places that are in the photo.
My personal photos and scrapbooks? I've scanned and then shredded. No regrets.
ETA: I haven't shredded my personal scrapbooks (yet!) only loose photos.
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Post by scrappyem on Apr 22, 2022 14:38:04 GMT
I'm thinking of doing photo books with my mom's photos too. There's no way I can scrap all those photos, let alone make books for my sister and parents. That, & basically the only photos they ever took are of us opening birthday or Christmas gifts. I really wish they had take other photos but I guess that was the only time they thought to break out the camera. I'd say go for it on the photo books.
In terms of tossing the older scrapbooks, if they aren't making you happy, maybe snap some pictures so you can see how your style has progressed and then let them go? I am in the "I make scrapbooks for me" camp. It's nice is someone might want them someday but if they don't, I don't want anyone to feel burdened or like they are so precious they must be kept. That goes for myself too. I'd say go for it.
I have seen a few people re-scrap some early layouts lately and I really enjoy seeing how they change things up and see how they have evolved over the years. That's always an option too with any favorite photos/memories from those early years if you feel like it down the road.
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Post by Linda on Apr 22, 2022 14:48:22 GMT
In terms of tossing the older scrapbooks, if they aren't making you happy, maybe snap some pictures so you can see how your style has progressed and then let them go? I do have some early layouts in our family scrapbooks as well so there are sufficient examples of my progression, imo Thank you scrappyem and GiantsFan |
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Post by Citygirl on Apr 22, 2022 15:18:30 GMT
Sounds like a great plan.
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A7
Full Member
Posts: 344
Aug 12, 2021 8:12:32 GMT
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Post by A7 on Apr 22, 2022 16:11:35 GMT
As long as the pictures are not lost, I think we have the power of life and death over our scrapbooks 😁
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Post by grammadee on Apr 22, 2022 16:29:25 GMT
Can you include scanned copies of these pages in the photo books you are creating? Or are some of these pages duplicates of ones in your family albums?
If you have everything you want from these books and you think your family has everything they need from them, then let them go.
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Post by don on Apr 22, 2022 17:16:05 GMT
When I do scrap, I tend to think of what family members I will never know will be able to learn from looking at my albums. The who, what, when, where and why.
I do make personal scrap books of my scrapping events, like Paper Chases, Expo's, Conventions, etc. These are personal and have very little journaling besides names and dates, and are really nobody's business but mine.
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Post by joblackford on Apr 22, 2022 17:52:25 GMT
Not crazy. I would go with your gut. I imagine they take up precious space you'd rather have for future projects and if the pages don't do anything for you then no harm in letting them go. The "spark joy" idea is cliche now, but it's a good gut check. I think you wouldn't be asking if you didn't already know deep down that you don't need them. It just feels so wrong to get rid of projects we made, but they've served their purpose, several times in fact - back when you made them, in the years since, and now helping you date those unlabeled pictures  |
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Post by Linda on Apr 22, 2022 19:16:46 GMT
I think you wouldn't be asking if you didn't already know deep down that you don't need them. It just feels so wrong to get rid of projects we made, but they've served their purpose, several times in fact - back when you made them, in the years since, and now helping you date those unlabeled pictures I think you're right and I mostly needed permission? validation? |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Apr 22, 2022 19:36:21 GMT
Not crazy at all. You'll have everything in a slim, easy format and in the amount of copies you want/need. It's kind of the perfect archival solution if you ask me. You are free to do what you want with the memories you've been handed. Do not feel guilty or hesitant because you are reworking the format to better suit your needs and those of your family. |
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GiantsFan
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Posts: 8,498
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Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Apr 22, 2022 20:08:12 GMT
Slight Hijack It's the same issue with home movies. Super 8, VHS, DVDs. My aunt tried to give me a few boxes of Super 8 (1970's) and VHS tapes (1980's) to keep with the family photos. No, no no. Did I say No? She tried to guilt trip me into taking them to keep the photos and movies together, but I held strong. She had some professionally transferred to USB and I did some for her with a VHS machine and a capture adapter. It worked, but the quality was lacking from being in storage for all those years. And it wasn't only the movies. She was also going to give me the projector (broken), a screen and a VHS player.  |
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Post by Linda on Apr 22, 2022 20:59:21 GMT
Slight Hijack It's the same issue with home movies. Super 8, VHS, DVDs. My aunt tried to give me a few boxes of Super 8 (1970's) and VHS tapes (1980's) to keep with the family photos. No, no no. Did I say No? She tried to guilt trip me into taking them to keep the photos and movies together, but I held strong. She had some professionally transferred to USB and I did some for her with a VHS machine and a capture adapter. It worked, but the quality was lacking from being in storage for all those years. And it wasn't only the movies. She was also going to give me the projector (broken), a screen and a VHS player. my sister and I were in agreement - and mum's camcorder and vhs tapes went in the bin...she was ...not a skilled videographer. |
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Chinagirl828
Drama Llama
Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 6,678
Jun 28, 2014 6:28:53 GMT
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Post by Chinagirl828 on Apr 23, 2022 3:01:35 GMT
I think you wouldn't be asking if you didn't already know deep down that you don't need them. It just feels so wrong to get rid of projects we made, but they've served their purpose, several times in fact - back when you made them, in the years since, and now helping you date those unlabeled pictures I think this is the best advice, and it seems like you've found the validation you needed to move forward with your preferred way of managing these photos and memories. Our needs change over the course of our lives and it's ok to change the way we store and access and display photos to better suit our current situation. |
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Post by mikklynn on Apr 23, 2022 11:46:29 GMT
I'll validate you. If the layouts don't serve you any longer, or make you happy, toss them. They are yours to do anything you want.
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Post by hop2 on Apr 23, 2022 14:36:26 GMT
Go with your gut. If no one in your family, including you, has any attachment to the layouts then they have served their purpose and you are done with them. The enjoyment of creating the pages was enough, was valid on its own without anything else needed to make it valid.
People can’t live other peoples lives and live by other peoples wants, needs, and ideals. Just because one person loves to collect a billion scrapbooks doesn’t make it what you need to do if that’s not what you want. Also today you might have different goals & visions that former you and it’s ok to make changes.
Go with your gut, you do you, measure yourself by your own standards, be happy.
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Post by Linda on Apr 23, 2022 14:47:17 GMT
update - I ended up consolidating 4 albums worth of layouts into ONE album - I have a big stack of layouts that I'll make sure I have a digital copy of the photos and then will toss. PLus a stack of unscrapped photos from the albums that I'll go through and see if I need to hold on to or not.
I appreciate everyone helping me work through this and figure out what I wanted to do
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Post by Jessica on Apr 23, 2022 18:20:31 GMT
update - I ended up consolidating 4 albums worth of layouts into ONE album - I have a big stack of layouts that I'll make sure I have a digital copy of the photos and then will toss. PLus a stack of unscrapped photos from the albums that I'll go through and see if I need to hold on to or not. I appreciate everyone helping me work through this and figure out what I wanted to do I bet the weight lifted off your shoulders is tangible. Congratulations and well done! |
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Post by Linda on Apr 23, 2022 18:38:28 GMT
I bet the weight lifted off your shoulders is tangible. Congratulations and well done! yes - and thank you |
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Post by refugeepea on Apr 23, 2022 19:49:10 GMT
Not crazy. I would go with your gut. I imagine they take up precious space you'd rather have for future projects and if the pages don't do anything for you then no harm in letting them go. The "spark joy" idea is cliche now, but it's a good gut check. So true! I just started a what do I do with birthday cards thread for a lot of the same reasons as Linda . The handwriting and the messages are so very sentimental to me. I'm sure all are store bought (nothing wrong with that), but there's not as much attachment to the cards themselves. Yet they tell a story, a progression of years, I guess. I'm wanting to have some extra space for new projects that will spark joy.
I started scrapbooking in high school and I really did some stupid pages that I don't care to leave for posterity.  |
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Post by myboysnme on Apr 24, 2022 13:09:41 GMT
I like your idea of putting all the photos in one book and ditch the early layouts. I have redone nearly all of my earliest layouts - the kind of which you speak.
Put all the photos in chronological order or whatever you have planned and toss the paper remains.
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