A is for ALBUM @AprilA2Z #AtoZChallenge

The A-Z Blog Challenge has begun! Thank you for checking out my blog.

My theme this year is SCRAPBOOKING and what better way to start than with A is for Album. So, let's jump right in...

An album is truly the beginning as it is the framework - the skeleton - for your entire scrapbook. That said, you would think that selecting an album would be easy; that you just pick a cover that's pretty, plunk down your hard-earned money, and call it day.

I wish it were that simple, but there’s a lot of options out there, which can get confusing. This blog post will help break down the pros and cons of what’s available, and narrow down the search to an album that’s right for you.

The biggest choice you have regarding scrapbook albums today is the option of either a standard paper or a digitally produced album.

 A standard is the traditional, two-to-three bracket-bound album. Standard albums contain plastic sleeves where you insert your created pages, and are available for sale in most craft stores.

Digitally produced albums are created online, using the photo software provided by the scrapbook website (or using purchased software for use on your computer), and are printed and mailed to you once you have completed the project.

The Similarities Between to Two Styles:

-         Both types of albums come in a variety of sizes. Traditional albums are usually 6x6, 8x11, 8x8, 8.5 x11, and most commonly 12x12. Digital album size varies and can be: 8x8, 8x11, 10x10, 12x12, and 11x14. 

-         Both album styles require the same number of photos, amount of time, and level of creative style.

 Where Albums Break-Even (Let's Do the Math):

-         Cost is difficult to determine with paper albums because it’s hard to tally up all the itemized parts involved with traditional scrapbooking. Paper, adhesives, embellishments all cost a bit, but you are using a small portion of that stock on a single traditional scrapbook page.

     Digital books start at a base price of approximately $54.99 for a 12x12 album containing 20 pages. Each additional page is approximately $1.50 extra, and if you have a big book (100 pages) that can add up. Coupons and discounts help, but usually the price point is equal for both styles.

Note: To ensure that I’m providing the most up-to-date feedback, I recently created an 8x8 digital scrapbook. It'd been a while since I’d last utilized digital software, but the overall process has remained the same.

With that data, let's do a quick run-down of pros and cons for each type of album.

Digital Scrapbook Album – Pros:

-         Compact - The spine of a 50-page digital book shown here still is barely ½ inch in width, which is less bulky and saves a lot of shelf space.

The yellow spine in the center is a digitally produced album.

-         Flexible – The pages of your book are digitally stored online, where if you start a page and later decide to completely re-arrange it, there is no rip-up and rebuild to worry about. Not having to deal with the demolition of a paper page after it's already been taped down is one of the big benefits of digital scrapbooking. 

Top is a digital album - bottom is traditional 12x12 paper page.

-         Less Storage – All you need with digital scrapbooks is a computer and a bunch of uploaded, high-resolution photos. No mess and no excessive storage of craft supplies is needed, because everything is online.

 -         Drop and Go Scrapbooking – Digital scrapbooking is ideal for busy people who just want to drop their photos into a pre-fabricated layout and be done with it. Many online sites offer a selection of themed books, where you can “Drop and Go.” The same websites also offer services that will custom create your books (like an interior decorator for your memories) at an additional cost.

Digital Scrapbook Album – Cons:

-         Limited Pages / Patterns – One of the biggest cons to digital is the limitation on page patterns and colors. I’ve seen a lot of online companies work to expand their selection, but at the end of the day, you're more likely to find a perfect pattern of 12x12 paper in a store than available online. Another issue is that digital page colors and patterns are hard to discern by staring at them on a computer screen, so you do run the risk of not knowing how well your digital page will look until it's printed and mailed to you.

-         Layout Software – The use of digital systems is exactly that – use of a computer program, which is bound to eventually give you some grief. If you are not comfortable with learning a photo editing program, use of the online software can get frustrating real fast.

o   Similar to Photoshop, you are navigating a program. It takes time to adapt, and glitches can occur as the website interacts with certain web browsers. I'm fairly tech savvy and I've still found the transition to the online scrapbooking programs a bit rough. I've also seen that certain editing commands don't display the same way in all web browsers. If you do go digital, it's recommended that you test the system with short, simple book to see how the software works before you commit to a complex album.

o   The website I use (Shutterfly.com) does offer freeform pages (what they call “Advanced Editing”) where you can delete, add, and adjust the layouts that they offer. This is a nice a feature, but again, it can be difficult to navigate if you don’t know where to go and what to do. Also, it requires a steady hand with the mouse when you are adjusting the sizes of the text boxes and photographs, which can be strenuous over time.

-         Photo Resolution – This is a biggie. The photos that you use digitally must be have a large enough negative to print clearly in the digital books. This tends to be a tripping point with larger albums (12x12). While many newer cell phones offer camera-like quality as far as resolution goes, if the photo is cropped, or saved incorrectly, a bulk of the digital negative can be lost. The result is a fuzzy or pixilated image that doesn't print well. The online software will warn you when this occurs (a little “Danger” sign that reads “Low Resolution”), however it’s still a pain in the butt when you have to search for, correct, and re-upload full spectrum photographs. It becomes time-consuming, and costly if not caught before the final print of your book, which can detract from the creative fun of scrapbooking.

-     Copy Editing - Similar to photo resolution, the digital scrapbooking software also can be a bit tricky with your text. There are areas to type quotes or to journal stories, but auto correct can get sketchy in places. This requires you to, like a formal author, carefully comb over your writing before the book "goes to press."

-         Tangibility – I giggle at this one because it’s a funny-but-true observation. One of the biggest disadvantages of digital is that throughout the creative process you never actually get to touch your work. It kind of takes away the obvious reason that one scrapbooks, which is to hold your memories. With digital, the pages are flat and glossy, which to some, can feel a bit sterile. There’s no mementos, no pockets, or flaps for handwritten journaling.

A funny Dell commercial comes to mind when I think of this:

  

I laugh when I see this commercial on TV. I image that when you pull out one of my traditional scrapbooks, it’s a special experience because, guess what?

I’ve HANDLED this book. It has my mojo all over it.



And you thought scrapbooking was boring.

Lol – so let’s continue and run the same list on traditional albums.

 Traditional Scrapbooks – Pros:

-         Cost and Design – Standard traditional scrapbooks are easy to find at your local craft store. With regular sales or weekly coupons, you can purchase a book for under $10.00. Most books come in a variety of cover designs, with 20 plastic sleeves and blank pages included, which is a good deal.

-         Hands-On – An echo of the digital con, traditional scrapbooks allow you to interact with every part of the page, which gives you unlimited control. You can layer paper, create designs with color, add pockets, and 3-D embellishments, which makes it unique and personal.

-         Keepsakes - The most important part of traditional scrapbooking is mementos.  Keepsakes such as playbills, postcards, letters, drawings, or tickets, can be tucked into the pages to be seen in the future.

Traditional Scrapbooks – Cons

-         Bulk – Unfortunately the dimension of your page also adds to the thickness of the book. Add in the width of the covers and the metal posts of the spine, and a traditional album can get pretty wide.

o   Many inexpensive books come with 2 binding posts standard. I recommend the books that have 3 posts as that gives more stability to your album.  If you stick to one 12x12 page per month (maximum of 20 pages in the album), then a 2 post spined book is likely to hold together well.

o   The 2 post books can be lengthened with extenders, but an excess of pages will cause the spine to gap, which can in turn cause wear and tear on the covers. If you’re like me, and have some eventful years that require extra pages, you want to try to invest in the 3-post albums, which offer more backbone to the spine of your book.

-         Weight – All of the cons are similar in that more paper means more mass. My traditional scrapbooks are a joy to flip through, but back-breaking to transport. I took four of my books to an outing once, and I was amazed at how heavy they were. So if you’re looking for compact and low-weight, you may want to opt for digital.

-         Supplies – Again, I think price-wise, both digital and traditional break even, but traditional does require a lot more in the area of tools and supplies. At minimum you need to purchase the photos, cut them, and adhere them. That means additional photo development costs, cropping tools, and glue. Add in all the pretty stickers, and designer paper, and you’re looking at daily trips to the craft store.

And there you have it - a guide to Albums. There’s lots of benefits and disadvantages to the different styles. Both types of albums can be used for different purposes, and they both give a beautiful result.

          When it comes to housing your memories, you choose the process and cost that works best for you.

I hope this helps, and I appreciate you checking out my first post in the 2017 A-Z Blog Challenge!

If you can, please check out the other participants’ posts – April will be chock full of fun topics to explore. A-Z Challenge bloggers will be making themselves known with the hashtag #AtoZChallenge and @AprilA2Z on Twitter, Facebook, Blogger and WordPress.

The sprint continues on Monday with B is for Buttons, Brads, and Borders.

 Hope to see you then!

-         SNG

JULIE, JULIA & SHELLEY

Hello and welcome back!

March is rapidly drawing to a close and the first of April is upon us, which means warmer weather, and for me, a month of daily blogging which is sure to put a jumpstart to my spring.

          I’d announced last post that I’ll be participating in this year’s A-Z BlogChallenge. This is where a group of courageous bloggers commit to posting every day in April (except Sundays), each date corresponding to the 26 letters in the alphabet. There’s an overall theme, and by the end of April, the A-Z of that subject will have been blogged.

          I’d participated in the challenge for the first time in 2012, my theme was writing, and it was a great way to sharpen my blogging skills and to give readers an inside look at an author’s toolbox.

          This year's topic is Scrapbooking, and the month-long endeavor is a challenge.

          I’ve been mentally preparing for weeks now, drafting an outline, and gathering my thoughts. When I’m embarking on a journey (of the mind, body, or spirit), I like to ask for guidance. I believe that there’s connection between all things, and every time I’ve felt lost the Universe always sends me a signal, an omen that points me in the right direction. I call them “Road Signs.”

          My current Road Sign came in the form of a movie. It’s not the first time the Universe has spoken to me this way. One of the basic cable channels has been playing the film JULIE & JULIA on repeat, and I catch myself stopping to watch it often.

          The story is of Julie Powell, a newly relocated resident of New York, in search of an outlet during a gray time in her life. Julie decides to channel her energy into cooking, specifically every recipe in Julia Child’s book MASTERING THE ART OF FRENCH COOKING over the course of one year.

          Julie’s cooking crusade became the THE JULIE/JULIA PROJECT blog, which grew into a renown internet publication, and later the movie that chronicled both Julie Powell’s and Julia Child’s lives.

          The movie’s themes spoke to me as they parallel my life right now.

          Every person hits a point in their life where they question their existence. “What am I here to do? Am I living that purpose?”

          Julia Child moved to France with her husband in 1948, and in a post-WWII time, she defined herself. Julia went on to become a master in her field and a mass-media instructor, on TV and in her books. Julia Child broke the mold.

          But all of that discovery began with one question:

I think of the expression, “The answer is simple, not EASY.”

          It begins in a deep recesses of your heart and personality.

It asks the infinite question, “What are you passionate about?”

Because if you are to master something, you must be passionate about it.

Julia Child appreciated the taste of finely prepared food. That was the spark for her. It led her to want to learn how those delicacies were prepared.

Julie Powell followed the same route. She got restless, and felt the need to take action.

I’ve got the same attitude- sans the knife wielding.

I’m passionate about writing and scrapbooking, although it does take a bit more than just love for a hobby to be a blogger. Another phrase that the Universe keeps throwing at me is “It takes 10 years to master a skill.”

From what I understand, Julie Powell had cooked prior to starting her year-long blog challenge, but not the decade prior. Julia Child began her education in France, and soon excelled in her field.

By comparison, I’m pretty oblivious to my skillset. I have ten years in the writing department (English degree, a compilation of short stories, and a self-published novel). I have studied formally in a classroom, informally with skilled online groups, and have attended workshops with national writing organizations.

I’ve scrapbooked since 2004, and that is where I think I’m like Julie.

No formal training but real world experimentation has given me a style.

To Rich – if you are reading this. Thank you for the gift of my first album. You saw a talent in me that I did not see myself. The book is where my hobby began. Thank you.

And it’s not so much fear of writing as much as it’s the process. My blog challenge is only 30 days long. Julie Powell’s was 365 days and 524 complicated French recipes. (I honestly don’t want to know how much the ingredients cost, but I shouldn't talk – scrapbooking isn’t cheap either K ). 
            
  I empathized with the struggles Julie went through. After participating in my first A-Z blog challenge, I'll never forget how much energy it took to pull off. Its funny - there are distinct stages, like of acceptance. The first post you’re all gung-ho, raring to go, and nothing is going to stop you. It’s mid-way through that you encounter those exhausted, “Oh God, what did I get myself into?” moments.

I remember the post I isfor Imagery was one that truly drained me. I was past the point where I’d had the posts pre-fabricated, and I’d worked a 10-hour work day at the day job. The whole thing is essentially a 612 word love letter to my bed, which admittedly, is not my literary best, but educational nonetheless.

Then, enviably, you’ll have one post that unexpectedly wins the popular vote. For my writing theme that was O for Onomatopoeia. I was equally tired for this post, but in a more honed mindset. It turned out to be concise, funny, and easy to read. To this day it’s my most read post for all of my blog. It was the point that I'd hit my stride with the daily writing.

The support of other bloggers really plays into the challenge, too. The event is huge with many participants, where all the posts can get overwhelming, but you still have people reading your stuff. Bloggers endorse one another – and even though we’ve been reading and writing and social media-ing all day, we still take time out to read others’ work.

That was another facet that the movie illustrated. Julia Child (according to her biography) had a beloved pen pal named Avis. The two women wrote to one another frequently, and when they finally met in person, it was like kindred spirits.

My critique partner, Sarah, is like my Avis. We actually just celebrated our 7 year friendaversary. A fellow writer, blogger, and confidante, Sarah and I connected through an online writing forum and to this day she is my sounding board for so much.

When we first met in person, it really was like how Julia greeted Avis in the movie. Silence and staring until someone speaks and then that wave of recognition. “My darling friend – it’s you. It’s really YOU.”

The online experience is vast, but not as cold as it seems. We live in a digital age, but that culture has much to offer. Using technology, a person can be a teacher, a student or both.

So, please mark your calendars, and check your Facebook, because starting April 1^st, I’m going to be talking scrapbooks and how to tell your story using pictures, words, and paper. You're welcome to come watch my peaks and valleys as I embark on this 30-day, crazy blog-a-thon.

I promise no harm will come to any lobsters.

Hope to see you there! <3

-         Shelley

HEARTS, CARDS & PAGES

Do you remember when you were a kid and you happened upon a new hobby?

Maybe it was a TV show, a book, an idea—something new that got you to imagine the plot, dress up as the characters, or draw the themes.

Psychologically the human mind needs exposure to new things, activities that enthralls and encourages you to grow creatively.

I stumbled upon a new something like this recently.

As you know, I’ve been a scrapbooker for decades. I love it, the hobby allows me express myself and my skill of creatively documenting life using paper, words and ink.

However, like any endeavor, when you perform the same process over and over again, it can start to become stale. A review of my scrapbooks for this blog showed me how my style has evolved, but in the same token, it illustrated how little my pattern has changed over the years.

As a strong believer in the power of the Universe, my break from scrapbooking monotony came in the form of a journey. For years I’d go to the same mainstream craft stores, offering the same brands.

The thought finally occurred to me, “If you want your pattern to change, then you need to take a different action.” So, I did. I went in search of new supply stores.

Funny enough, I approached this process the same way I do for finding good coffee places: word of mouth and good online feedback. If you’re tired of Starbucks, you need to research the local small businesses, and I found a gem as a result.

I discovered a fabulous one-location wonder of a scrapbook supply store in Eldersburg, MD. It’s a bit of hike from where I live, but so worth it. They carry unique paper brands, and are very customer service friendly.

As I began visiting the store more frequently, I noticed that they supported all paper crafts, including card making, art coloring, and stamping, and even offered classes.

I’d dabbled in stamping when I was a young teenager, but felt that I wasn’t good at it. But as I watched the ladies at the store classes work on their projects, the technique stirred something in me.

Scrapbooking alone is expensive, and like any good fiscally-minded person, I wasn’t about to delve into a new, costly hobby without some proof of quality results.

Months passed, and the frequency of my store visits increased, and I continued to observe. The cards the store offered contained cool-looking paper cut outs made from metal dies. The stamps and inks were colorful and could be embellished, the result a little work of art.

My curiosity piqued, I went home and took to the internet to learn more. That was the moment when the new hobby enthusiasm was born. My search led me to the good ol’ University of YouTube, and there I found a channel that captured my attention – Jennifer McGuire Ink.

For the record, this woman is a card-making genius. I watched one episode and immediately became captivated. The host was soft-spoken, to the point, and helpful. The pace of the instruction was PERFECT, and all of her ideas were crazy-creative. One 9-minute post became a marathon as I soaked up all the information like a college student going for their PhD. I loved it.

I watched and watched, and soon got the wild idea that I could use the same steps to make pretty cards, too. And the great part about it was that the paper craft technique could easily bridge over to my scrapbooks.

I’ve stated before that Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays. I love LOVE in all its forms, and what better day is there to debut my fledgling card-making talents?

I went for it, purchasing some cute clear stamps and paper. I also took the bold step of investing in a compact die-cut machine. I was super excited about having the machine in time to make my cards, however I hit one snag. The retailer had sold out of new machines, so I dared to purchase a refurbished one. Which was a monumental mistake.

The initial machine was faulty and I wasn’t able to use it. The return process took forever, tied up my bank account, and the replacement (new) machine arrived the day before Valentine’s Day.

I rolled with the punches (no pun intended), and made as many non-die cut cards as I could with the materials I had on hand, the result of which was quite adorable:

I made a shaker card (heart confetti) and little, stamped love bird cards.

The outcome wasn’t bad, and the replacement machine came in time to make my immediate family members' cards (the ones that I could hand deliver on the day).

And man, let me tell you – die cuts are FUN.

I felt like that kid, trying out something new and amazing and exciting. I wanted to learn everything – all the techniques, all the ways I could use the dies differently.

The result was phenomenal – to this moment, I’m proud on how they turned out.

My sister’s card especially. (Love this one.)

The practice allowed me to make a honeybee valentine card for my Grandmother (which will be received late, but lovingly so)…

…which I also translated into a scrapbook page.

I acknowledged my new obsession with my die cut machine (we will have to hold a contest to name my new baby), and began to look around for more card and scrapbook page ideas.

I found inspiration for another project in a Valentine’s Day decoration. Years ago, my sister got an adorable 3-deminional “Love Sushi” card that she later had framed.

I fired up my die cut machine, turned on some educational TV programming, and went to work.

My replica of the Love Sushi came out well. The salmon sushi hearts are velvet, (better than glitter paper, I decided), and a fair comparison. My chopsticks aren’t as cute as the original, but not bad.

And, as predicted, the project also became a scrapbook page. J

Note: The red velvet paper is way awesome. I bought some heart dies and put them to good use making card stock. Next year, look out! If you know me, you’re getting maaaiiilll. *evil grin*

So, last year I went all out with love quotes. This year, I discovered a way to build upon my existing skills with paper craft, and I’m so excited to see where this leads.

I’m grateful that there are small businesses like my local scrapbooking store, and people like the web channel personality, who generously send this knowledge out into the world without payment.

Paper crafting is a huge business, but it’s an education, too, and that carries so much value.

In April I’ll be participating in the A-Z Blog challenge, and with these new skills, and their application to scrapbooking, I’m gearing up to make this blog sprint awesome.

I will be posting throughout the rest of February and March with more, but I’m looking forward to sharing all of this creative technique with you in April.

I hope everyone is having a month filled with love, and I’ll see you again soon!

-         SNG