Fast, Beautiful Album Pages

I did a whole album using this method.  It caught me up really fast--the layout pictured above is a good example.  This process will help you get your scrapbooks done FAST in seven easy steps!

1. Sort your photos for each scrapbook page so you can work on an album in short time increments:

a. Eliminate blurry photos and duplicates.

b. Separate photos in chronological order by the events they depict or perhaps into pages (5 to 7 for each page).

c. Store them in separate envelopes or files.

2. Be selective so your album is a showcase of your best photos:

a. In order to save time and space, choose only the best of what is basically a series of the same shot.

b. Put the rest aside to create additional albums for family members or friends.

3. Use "speed tools":

Rotary trimmers, personal trimmers, and a mat and blades to cut circles and ovals are all you need to crop most of your photos.  

b. If you limit yourself to these cropping tools for most of your layouts, you will save a lot of time and effort.

4. Have a plan when you crop:

a. Train yourself to quickly select one or two photos that will look good cropped as circles or other patterns and cut them out.

b. Straight-cut the rest and move on!

5. Crop your photos first and make layout decisions later so your pages go together more quickly:

a. Presort your photos into envelopes for each album page.

b. Grab an envelope and crop the photos whenever you have a free minute watching television or whatever.

c. Worry about layout, journaling and page decorating later.

6. Make journaling a priority:

a. Words add meaning, depth and value to your scrapbook photo album.  "Who, What, Where, When" journaling gets the job done in no time flat.

b. Bullet journaling is making a list of descriptive phrases or sentences that capture the essence of the photo or group of photos.  Mark each thought with a bullet such as a small sticker or punch.

7. "Done is better than perfect":

a. Remember this motto and don't get bogged down.

b. People love looking at the pictures and reading the journaling.

c. Getting too caught up in the fun of the "craft" of scrapbooking obscures what is fundamentally most important--to preserve your precious photographs and memories.

(Adapted from Creative Memories' Fast Formulas 1998, pp. 4-5).

The album design I used for fast pages (yet attractive pages) involves strips and triangles of card stock.  Then you embellish with stickers or die cuts.  Voila!  You're Done!

Creative Memories' Fast Formulas 1998

Be Organized And Do Fast Pages

It really helps to go through your pages and plan them ahead. Sometimes I use sticky notes on my actual album pages to write notes to remind me what order, theme, idea I'm using from a publication, etc.  Then I put the stack of photos I'll be choosing from in a zip-lock baggy with those photo album pages.  I stack them just like they would be organized in the album, and then I place them in a photo box that's designed for photo album pages.  Everything's ready to go when I finally get a chance to settle down and start scrapping.  Also, it's so important to journal your album pages.  You might use a combination of the photojournaling suggestions, or stick to one, depending on your personality, available time, etc.  Digital cameras, the internet and computer have all revolutionized scrapbooking.  Now everything can be done by the click of a button.  This makes journaling a breeze!  

I used this information from Melinda Dye to get started back in 1995:

1. Collect all of your photos and memorabilia into one spot.  Look in old photo albums, drawers, hope chests, baby and wedding books and relative's homes.

2. Put photos in chronological order and/or events:  Weddings, baby books, high school years, special trips and growing-up phases.  Sort your photos by putting them in stacks that resemble years, then sort into months, seasons, events or outings.  Use envelopes from the developer, rubber bands and Ziploc bags to keep photos and memorabilia in order.  Slip in the memorabilia (cards, brochures, ticket stubs, etc.) where it belongs, or it will be forgotten.

3. Next, collect cropping tools (templates, trimmer, scissors, pen, etc.) into one place.  Crop all of the photos for several pages or for one time period, but keep them in order (this may seem risky but this is the key to doing it fast).  Lay out the photos by month or event.  Next, see if you want to do something special with them and how many pages you want to devote to the theme.

4. Collect supplies and tools into one spot (I set up a card table in  my living room where the kids play; they can see me, but don't need my full attention).  Sometimes it is helpful to put tools in a basket or large bowl for easy access.  You can separate colored paper in an accordion file folder and stickers can be divided by themes in Ziplock bags.  The key to getting lots done quickly is having easy access to photos and supplies.

5. Take every free minute during the day to work.  Get up early and stay up  late when there are fewer interruptions.  At the end of the work period, re-organize the work space and drape your table with a sheet to protect your photos.  Another time-saver option:  Complete every aspect of the page before moving to the next page (I write all captions, dates,  names, etc., before I do stickers).

6. Just like exercise, we have to set time aside to work on our albums.  Schedule album time into your  monthly calendar.  Attend workshops, schedule one full Saturday a month, work a few hours every Sunday afternoon or set up a work party with friends.  Set a goal to complete cute, simple and fast pages that have great memories preserved and enjoy your completed albums!  

Don't forget--working on your photo album is not a matter of time, it's a matter of commitment!

("Do It and Stick to It, Be Organized And Do Fast Pages," by Melinda Dye, Creative Memories)