Scrap Booking

Well, I start by putting pics into categories I might like to do. All the pics from a family trip into one pile then into an envelope of small container. All the birthday pics into another. Maybe you take a similiar family trip to the same place each year, gather all the pics from every year together and work on an album of those.

Hi T.

I bought 4x6 index cards and sorted pictures by year and then month. You can then used a rubber band to hold them together and put them in the picture box. I also put notes on the cards for my journaling.

You could also buy the picture boxes at craft stores craft stores, most have dividers included.

Good luck on the scrapbooking. Watch out though it quickly becomes an obsession! The Close to My Heart catalog has some great ideas and layouts for beginners. Please check out my website at www.wendyjc.myctmh.com

Hi T.!
I am so glad I read this message! I am a creative memories consultant and we have scrapbooking products for traditonal, digital, slide-in and even custom framing. I have a solution for you. We have what we call power sort boxes that organize your pictures for you in a neat compact box that allows you to file them by name etc. The big box holds 2,400 pictures w/ 12 removable compartments and the mini power sort box holds 600 pictures w/ 3 removable compartments.

If you have pictures stored on your computer or camera I have a digital soution as well called memory manager.
Please take a look at my website for more info. You can order them straight from my website if you like. www.mycmsite.com/caraobi.

I am having a get together on Wed. March 5th at the First Colony branch library if you want to come.

Hope that helps!
C.

I know that everyone has already given good advice, but avid scrapper that I am I just had to chime in!

When I started scrapbooking I got ziplock bags and sorted the pics while I looked at them

vacation 1
vacation 2
daughter 1
daughter 2 (I have since had two more daughters)
my pre-married pics
hubbys pre-married pics
wedding pics
my sister's family pics
Christmas pics
my ancestory pics
hubby's ancestory pics

Then I bought one scrapbook and paper and glue sticks and papercutter and embellishments and I scrapbooked our courtship and wedding pictures. Then I did one book for me and one for my husband of our pre marriage pics. Then I did Baby's first year books. After that I did year books, which included pics of the whole family throughout the year.

At the same time I have a current year book and it is my policy that when I have pictures printed I immidiately begin putting them in the scrapbook. I pick out papers and start basic pages and then as I have time I go back and add journaling and embellishments- but at least they are all in the book within 24 hours!

Have fun! Scrapbook shows and magazines really helped me learn how to do creative pages.

S., mom to four girls ages 5,4,2,1

Ok, I am the scrapbooking queen, and here's what you need to do to get started... 1. decide how you want the scrapbook(s) laid out (ex. 1 family book or seperate books for each child or holiday theme books, etc) 2. sort pictures according to your desired layout using zip lock bags, label them. The zip locks keep all the same theme pictures together and you can stop and pick back up where you left off. 3. since you are obviously doing a large project, start with recent pictures when you scrapbook them, otherwise you will get burned out and board. Work your way backward. Also, if you don't want to go buy a ton of embelishments and creative paper, they have a printer now that you design your entire page on the computer and print 12 x 12 pages.

Sorting your pictures by month is the easiest way to start. Then, go one step further and sort the pictures by events. For example, I just got finished doing a few scrapbook pages for the month of April. I had my April pics sorted into 3 groups: Easter, various spring pictures, and my son's birthday.

Just start out sorting the pics in your shoe box. Fold 12 sheets of paper in half and along the top, write each month of the year. Once you have that done, start sorting the pics into groups. Then, when you are ready to start scrapping, take a group of pics to your local hobby/craft store and shop for what you need to make the scrapbooking pages.

Anyway, that's what I usually do :)

I love the Creative Memories Power Sort Boxes. They hold a lot of pictures and are very sturdy. You can write on the little white dividers with a pencil, so you can erase and rewrite as many times as you like. What I do to organize my pictures is I separate first by date, then I decide what kind of album I want to do... a Christmas album, or an album for one child or family member and then I group the pictures to put into that album. I have several albums in my box ready to go. The next thing I do is select an album and pic my papers based on what style I'm going for in that album. I like to buy everything I'll need for that album and sit down and focus on one at a time. The albums I started at various times are still projects in work. The albums I focused on one at a time are completed. So I'm now phasing into focusing on one at time. LOL! Best wishes. You can find Creative Memories stuff on eBay or through a local consultant. If you're in the Houston area I know a lady that's been a consultant for ten years and she's dear lady to know. Let me know if you want her name and information. Most of my papers and letters I buy on sale at Hobby Lobby, but the nobody makes better albums than Creative Memories. It will last forever and if for some reason it doesn't, CM replaces it for you. Way cool!

Blessings,
~S.

I do scrapbooking for others, and my suggestion is to buy those photo boxes from hobby lobby or michael's and sort your photos first by year (just put 2007 in one box, 2006 in another, etc.), then when you get more time, sort each year by month (as best as you can). I also suggest starting from the most recent pictures and going backwards because your memory of more recent events is fresher. And I would write simply the year on the back of each photo (with a photo-safe NON ball point pen) or even printing out stickers with the year and slapping them on the back. This will help when you start putting your page layouts together. Good luck, and remember, scrapbooking is fun!!!!

My favorite tools are Creative Memories' Power Sort box and their File Mate which is an expanding file. I use them in tandem. The Power Sort holds photos and cards up to 5x7, CD's ticket stubs, postcards, etc. Use the plastic divider cards to write (in pencil)the year, or whatever division you want. It could be a child's name and then sections for sports, school, etc. Use the File Mate to hold large photos and memorabilia such as diplomas, certificates, artwork, programs, etc.

In the Power Sort, place a note behind pictures when there is corresponding memorabilia in the File Mate. If you will make a habit of placing your latest photos and memorabilia to the back, you will stay organized.

Take an extra File Mate on vacation with you. Place memorabilia (brochures, ticket stubs, postcards)in a different section each day. When you return home you won't have to sort your memorabilia. It will already be in order. If you journaled a little each day of the trip you will have a record when and where you were each day.

Both products are photo safe. The Power Sort is a box about the size of a shoebox for boots and has 12 removable compartments and plastic divider cards. Each compartment holds 200 photos up to a 5x7 or you can also put CDs, cards, etc. The lid securely attaches to the box, which is invaluable if you drop the box (and avoid spilling the contents!)

Instead, you could buy an office supply expanding file (but it wouldn't be as large and acid free) and cardboard photo boxes or use plastic tubs. I am a Creative Memories Consultant and you can have it direct shipped to your door. It's all a matter of choice. I hope this was helpful! www.mycmsite.com/belindasmith

Hey T.,

I do the shoebox or picture box method also but when I get the pictures back from being printed I sit down with paper cut into strips and seperate the pictures by event wrap the paper around each event and label it with the event and the date. I keep the pictures in chronilogical order in the box and if I have additional items (programs, art, tickets, oversized pictures) I keep them in a manilla envelope for the year. On the slip of paper for the event I make a note if there is an additional big item so when I go to create my page I can find all the stuff for it.

Hope this helps,
D. T

Guilty here too. ;-)

What I did to sort through the huge pile at first...

1. get tiny sticky notes and put a year on each one.
2. get a box or just a spot on the floor with the stick on a piece of paper.
3. with the sticky visible in front of the pile
4. start sorting and put each photo in the pile for what year it was taken.
5. then if desire go further and organize by month.

I live in a more moderate climate so we don't really have 'seasons'. Therefore I did sort mine by month,but very loosely. I knew Christmas with the tree, but we could even be wearing short sleeves then so no help looking at clothing or snow or whatever. I figured having it by year and close guess on month was good enough. ;-)

Hi T.,
I was actually just doing the sorting thing a couple of weeks ago. Although I was sorting the pictures on my computer this might help you as well. I sorted them by event. We have hundreds of pictures of our little girl, and I could figure it out how to sort those. So what I did is created a folder with her name and just put all the pictures of her that didn't really fit in any event. Hope this made sense!
Have fun sorting, it sure is fun to remember all those memories again,

K.

Have you ever heard of Heritage Makers? I am a consultant with Heritage Makers and my website is www.MyPhotobookStory.com.

You can organize your pictures by folders and albums. Plus, it's all online!

Watch this 5min video to give you an idea of what we are about! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Irdqtq7mF6Y

Please contact me at ____@____.com for more information.

sorry, i don't have anything to add, but I had the same question and you got some great responses so I'm tagging your thread :)

Ohhh, I remember having to do this and how frustrated I was at trying to figure out the best method! What I finally ended up doing was categorizing by year. I got several boxes (you can use the photo storage boxes, Rubbermaid boxes, etc.) and wrote a year on the outside. I also had dividers for Christmas, Easter, Birthdays, Vacations, etc. Then I just dove in! It took a while because I had SO MANY to work with, but it felt so good to finally get it done! Good luck!
Thank you, too, for responding to my request about 40'is moms! I really enjoyed reading your response! It was very comforting to know that there ARE other moms out there who are in the same boat! Keep in touch!

The first thing you want to do is sort all your pictures. Put them in envelopes and label them with the event and the date. Then you can store them in an acid free box (I use the cute ones at Hobby Lobby - when they are 1/2 price :) The sooner you do this the better -- before you get things mixed up!

After the pictures are sorted you can scrapbook in any way that you want... Do several years of Christmas, Birthday, etc. I usually just do whatever I am in the mood to do. Once the scrapbook is done for that envelope of pictures. Just write on it that it has been done. Then you will know that whatever pics are left are leftover and can be used for something else or given away!

Happy Scrappin'
L.

Hi T.,

I don't know if you are interested in Creative Memories, but they have a large box called a "photo sort box," and it holds about 2500 pictures. It has 12 separate sleeves inside it to sort pictures. I have an 8 wk old baby and I have one of those boxes, and basically I am doing one box for one year. Obviously if you have some older kids, that would take a lifetime, so what I would suggest is to maybe get a couple of the boxes and have one or two(depending on how many pictures you have of course) per child, and either sort by events or chronologically as best as you can. My Mother-in-Law is a Consultant for Creative Memories if you don't have one already. Even if you don't live in our area, they can always be shipped. Her name is Kim Lamb out of Houston, TX. You can find her contact info on the Creative Memories website if you are interested. Hope this helps! We love scrappin' and you will too!! It is just a little overwhelming to get started, but hang in there.

I have a great suggestion! I am a Creative Memory Consultant (and also a nurse!). We have a Power Sorter that holds 2400 photos! It keeps your pictures safe until you are ready to put them in an album (or store indefinitely).

For those digital pictures, we have the Memory Manager. THis is a great program to store, sort and start a digital scrapbook.

If you want more information, please feel free to contact me or check out my website www.mycmsite.com/debbiedepaul.

I would love to help you on your way to organization!

I am 49 yr old female married for 30 yrs to a man who comes from a family of 11. I recently started scrapbooking and love it. I have been to parties by Creative Memories, Stamping Up, etc. They have excellent products for use. I sorted my pictures by timeline and event. I used binder clips to keep that set of pictures taken for that particular event together and wrote what the event was on a sticky note. Then I scrapbook per event. My pictures are still in the shoe boxes but are clipped together for easier scrapbooking. Hope this suggestion helps.

I too once had the shoe box problem. You can only take it one at a time from this point. Going forward what has worked for me was to label/write the event on each packet from the photo lab. For those on your digital camera I saved them according to event. It made it easier for sorting/printing.

I also create cover photos that make your child look like they are on a magazine. Let me know if you would like for me to do that for your book or invitations.

I am also a newcomer to scrapbooking. I am going to try to do a sisters scrapbooK. I have started one that includes little short stories from my life and little short stories from my Grandmother's life. I also intend to do a small one of a trip I took to Utah. For myself I will have to sort out the sister pictures, pictures of self and Grandmother, of course pictures postcards for the trip to Utah.

S.

Have you read Becky Higgins book on heritage scrapbooking? They sell it at Hobby Lobby. It does discuss some ideas about how to sort photos - chronologically or by event, etc. It might give you some ideas. I have been scrapping for years and am totally addicted! Also, you might try going to a local scrapbooking store for a crop and just take your stuff and ask for help!

I keep mine in boxes filed by the month they were taken. Then when I go scrapbooking for the weekend, I go through and pull the pictures I might want to do for each page (8or9), put it in one of the page organizers you can buy at Michael's along with paper I might want to use, embellishments, stickers whatever. I'll even type up the story or title on the computer and stick it in there. That way at the retreat, I have several pages organized and ready to go. I'm going on a retreat in September with my friend Elizabeth Bruce (a creative memories rep) if you'd like info. You leave Friday and come home Sunday.

D. W.

Hi T.

It looks like you have had so many fab responses to the sorting question. I would also suggest grouping the photos by theme and jot down notes about the event (who, what, where, when, why & how - this helps me later as I am not to hot on journaling but it is super important so I remember later)! I use 6x9 envelopes (from an office store) as they hold 5x7 and 4x6 pics well and you can title the envelopes for an easy read. Or I use Close To My Heart Photo Storage Pages. They are useful as they are 12x12 size and help you group pics together for future layouts ideas.

I also use snapfish to organize the photos I chose from my computer as you can get them printed for as low as 9c (during their sales - I think) and you can get them printed off at Walgreens if you need the pics in a hurry.

I LOVE to scrap and I wish I had more time to sit down and be creative (I have 3 children 4yrs, 2yrs & 8 months who keep me busy). However I am still managing to keep my passion going by being a consultant for Close To My Heart. They have fantastic products and lots of wonderful kits etc ranging from super easy to super creative (I love this as it works for every one - even the person with limited time - ME!!!)

If you are interested in checking out CTMH stuff you can go to my website www.suekolo.myctmh.com

I hope this helps.
S.

I love to scrapbook but having the time to sit and do it is hard to come by. I used to keep my pictures in shoe boxes waiting for the right time. No one could enjoy hte pictures in the shoe boxes. Now I have them all in picture albums. I bought inexpensive pocket style albums for all of my pictures. Now I can still enjoy the pictures before I have a chance to scrapbook them. Since they are in order, I can pull the pictures I want to scrapbook and leave the rest for later. I also stick a file card in with the pictures to jot down info I'll use later for journaling.

What worked for me:

I bought a few of those little coupon-sized file folders. I then sorted the pictures by event and placed each event in it's own tab by date (March events, then April events, etc).

Since I bought a digital camera it's been a lot easier. I organize them into folders on the computer, print what I plan to scrapbook, and use the above method to keep them organized until I get around to scrapbooking them.

Good luck!

Hi T.,
If you still need help with your photos and memories, I would be happy to meet with you for a one-on-one consultation. I am a master at organizing photos. Send me an email at ____@____.com or visit my website www.mycmsite.com/mckinney
Take care,
L.

I love scrapping! I usually sort by time line. I like my books to be in somewhat a chrono. order. Every once in a while I will do a page out of order but with the same theme.
Example, Pregnancy, birth, first steps, birthday, you get the idea. My youngest likes to fall asleep anywhere so I have pictures of him (random ages) asleep in all sort of weird places & positions. He also likes to hid in nooks so same thing with that. Order & themes is my thing.

Divide you pictures up with index cards & write down dates & little notes to remind you of what was going on at that time. (you will forget) There are so many tools to get from a craft store to help you with all that stuff. Also you could find a scrap consultant & have them do a demo at you house (or where ever) & it will get you inspired! Have a blast! Hope this helps.

well what i did was find a perfect color peice of paper and put it in the corner and then paste it.hope this helps...[:

I started them with people, i sorted them out into different boxes, then seperated them by year, then by month, i dont know it may seem complicated that way for some people my hubby says i do some things the complicated way, but for me it was easier, i did one for each of my kids, and holidays, by the year, ect. i just used the boxes they were in (i had mine in plastic boxes), wrote the names and what holiday and what year it was on the box, i used a piece of paper and tape so i could pull it off and reuse them if needed. I hope this helps you. Good Luck i Love to scrap book, i just wish i had more time to do it again.

T.! Hello! This is my first post on this loop but it's a subject near and dear to my heart (married with 3 kids, 9, 8 and 3) so I couldn't resist! First of all, I would come up with a system for all new pictures taken from here on out. I suggest immediately downloading all current pics to your computer and using a photo organization program like "picasa" which you can download for free from Google (do a search to find it) and is VERY user-friendly. Then immediately you should upload all digital pics to a free storage website like www.shutterfly.com. If anything happens to your computer, your digital photos are still safe. Now, for all the shoeboxes--It all depends on how you scrapbook. If you are neurotic like me, you like to be chronologic with your life so just start organizing your pictures by year etc and get them dated. Then, you can start scrapbooking! I wouldn't overwhelm myself with thinking everything had to be done. I would either start from this point forward or scrap specific events like a certain vacation or birthday parties etc. Everything else can go into albums with photo sleeves for now for everyone to enjoy. You can browse through the albums when you have time and then select what you want to scrap next. Don't let it overwhelm you! Have fun!!

I find that the best way to sort photos is by event. You could use an envelope system. Then put them in a box labeled with the month or season (Spring 2008). That way, you will be able to organize everything in preparation of starting your scrapbook page. It is easier to put together a scrapbook in chronological order rather than randomly making pages from different years and mixing them up. It is less confusing to the viewer.