PL help: Dipping my toes back into Scrapping

I think scrapbook-dot-com has a reasonable assortment of divided pages.

The Becky Higgins PL ones are super hard to find (and thus, expensive) now - unsure if they are still even manufactured! They definitely had the best assortment of set-ups and sizes IMO. But Doodlebug also makes divided page protectors, and I have some of the WRMK ones (but again, they are old, not sure if they are still made). So the SB.com ones have become my go-to.

Welcome!!

Ahhh no better way to warm up again than take on a massive sentimental project! Hahah (I started something similar over 5 years ago… stillllll making super duper slow progress though!) And, as slow as my progress is, I am grateful those albums are captured and the degradation can’t get *worse.*

Biggest piece of advice… before you do ANYTHING, scan them at the highest resolution you can find. Print out an index. I have found the “order” and grouping of the photos to be invaluable in figuring out “era” for undated, and also jogging my mom and my uncles memory about who someone is, or where they were or context.

Back to the scanning… it’s best to have undamaged corners and consistent color on the scanned photos, (especially) if you plan to try to “fix” any damage, or discoloration, or if removal damages or ruins any photos.

I found the scanning to be easy. But I also read alot- and taking a good photo is a good plan too. You just have to be careful about light, shadows, reflections etc. I figured out a strategy that worked for me, and I prefer it to scanning now- but everyone has seen how crappy a photo of a photo tends to look.

Once the photos were removed, I took little post it notes and put a number on it. That number coordinates with my “index” photo. I also keep a “notes” binder and that has each number, and anything written on the back of the photo (I often scan that too and use same number) OR any recollection from mom, uncles or my siblings/cousins.

The first few albums (like 4 of them…) I just removed the photos and found myself in a mess of damaged curled and sticky photos (Gram used some scotch tape to hold some down.) I still regret that. Now I do the scanning (photos) index them, and put sheets of archival paper between them (huge packs available at craft stores.) Then I put 50ish% of them away. Or pitch them. (Who needs 1000 grainy yellowed 2x2 prints of my grandmothers dog before I was born? LOL)

I scrapbook the big or special originals, sometimes. But, the album *I started* to consolidate all of this is by and large new prints.

I have also been compiling an anthology of sorts that is digital. Eventually I’ll lock down my format and print the whole thing.

One of my FAVORITE things I’ve done in this process is, my favorite, or interesting or just random photos that represented an era (a certain car, or house, or dog, or piece of furniture or decor) I put them in a photobook.

I left the journaling spaces blank (and big.) Blank pages, or pages with just the year…

I had it printed and sent to my moms house, I also sent a couple journaling pens (that she didn’t use) via Amazon. She just, at her leisure, has been filling in the book! I love flipping through it every few months. I have a feeling my mom will be in memory care at some point… this book has sooooo many benefits for my memory keeping- and hers, if that makes sense.

Lastly… I didn’t incorporate this til later. I decided on an ancestors labeling system, and in my “notes” people are assigned their designation. On the post it’s, and in the digital file names I incorporated that as a search feature.

Man- this was a lot. If you take nothing else from it… scan before removing and label the order.

Have fun!!!

I may never- ever finish my project. I even rescanned a ton when I got a better scanner… lol

While no longer manufactured, select PL products may still be in stock at retailers/resale sites/etc., such as ShopBeckyHiggins.com. Note pocket cards are also available in most scrapbook collections (i.e. as cut-aparts), in the SB.com Simple Scrapbooks Collection, at kit clubs (e.g. Elle's Studio, Hip Kits), &/or you can make your own cards with 6x6 paper pads (that have smaller scale patterns).  

We R Memory Keepers, which changed its name to We R Makers last year, was acquired by American Crafts 10 years ago. You can purchase the 12x12 WRM albums in various colors directly from American Crafts (HERE). Album alternatives include SB.com, Doodlebug, etc.  HTH.

@fuzzymutt Thanks for sharing your process!