The ABCs of Simple Scrapbooking is a 26 week video series. In each episode, I’ll explore one fundamental idea of stress-free memory keeping.
M is for Mini Book
I love mini books, oh let me count the ways! Small-sized journals and scrapbook albums are the perfect mechanism for capturing a big story in a compact and portable package. There is nothing like a totally doable project to get you really excited about scrapbooking.
In this episode of the ABCs of Simple Scrapbooking I share how creating mini books helped me find my creative mojo and get unstuck. In fact, creating my first mini book was the inspiration for my first class here at Simple Scrapper, Light Your Fire.
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Tell Your Story
I would love to hear your voice in this conversation about mini books and simple scrapbooking. Have you ever made a mini book? What is your favorite part? If it isn’t mini books, what gets your creative juices flowing?
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Jennifer,
I began making mini-books this past year as a springboard to my 12×12 scrapbooks. I use a system almost identical to the 2nd one you described, decorating the cover only. Instead of labels, I include journalling boxes. My completed mini-albums are stored in photo boxes where my family can enjoy them. I date them on the outside so I can easily put them back in order after the grandkids mix them up. Since they are so quick and easy, my mini-albums are ALMOST current. When I get ready to make a 12×12 layout, I choose photos from the mini-albums and reprint them, leaving the mini-album intact. My computer journalling is saved by date on my computer, so I reprint/resize it as needed for my 12×12 page. This has alleviated so much pressure on me to stay caught up on my scrapbooking. It also helps me to keep my photos organized. Last, as I already mentioned, my family and I get to enjoy our photos much sooner.
What an awesome idea Debbi!
I am mostly a 12 x 12 scrapper, completing mostly double page layouts but I do love making and giving mini-albums. The instant gratification I receive from completing a mini is so worth the time and effort to make one. I think my most favorite mini is the one I did for our family on our hairstyles! We married in 1980 and I made the album in 2010, so I had lots of photos with lots of hairstyles to document in a 6 x 6 album. I did a double page layout for each member of our family of five and included a page for each DIL and one for our GD whose hairstyle matches her now bald GF! I used several sizes of square punches to cut out the photos allowing me to include a great number of awful – scratch that -wonderful hair-dos!
Because I keep my minis in a basket by the TV, we tend to pick them up and look through them more often than the bigger 12 x 12 albums. I like that!
I love the idea of keeping mini books out where they can be enjoyed! Your hairstyle mini is so fun and clever, thanks for sharing.
Please tilt your monitor down a bit. We can see a lot above your head, but not so much of what’s in your hands. Thanks!!
Yes, I know! I will do a better job in future videos, promise.
I count my recent Top 10 Photobook as a minibook – about 15 photos total and 10 small spots of journalling, but I printed it as a normal 8×8 Shutterfly photobook.
http://www.digitalscrapbookinghq.com/what-ive-been-making-lately/
I love the idea of minibooks and I’m working on one right now for my 2011 and 2012 week in the life! 🙂
What a great idea. I’ve traditionally scrapped in digital 12×12 but love this idea. Watched this video last week and already have two mini books on the go. School holidays give me a bit more time and my kids love that I’ve gone back to cutting, pasting and printing photos.They want to get involved and create their own books. Jennifer, thanks so much for this.
I also love mini books as a creative jump-starter, and as a do-able project that gives me a lot of satisfaction. My favorite one is the one I made for my husband last year for our anniversary.
I think you and I are in similar creative boats, we love and appreciate digital but need the tactile experience to feel totally fulfilled. In some ways I also find working with the paper side less overwhelming because there isn’t as much to choose from.