I have been thinking about it several times, been giving it a shot more than one time before, given up sometimes, changed how I wanted to organize them a couple of times.... You are probably thinking, been there, done that! So why don't you join me in this comprehensive project?
This is almost every layout I've made since I started scrapbooking in the beginning of 2007. I haven't counted them, don't think I will, don't think I dare. I just know there's a lot of money in these piles:)
In the beginning I put them into albums by date, had two postbound albums, and it was okay because I didn't have so many layouts. Then I bought some more albums, changed my system into one album with vintage layouts (AND chronological of course) and other albums to other styles. But since my first layouts was a mess of styles, and that I made mostly vintage pages that didn't work out how I wanted to. Went back to chronological again, but have then gotten so many layouts I had to few albums. Bought some more albums, D-ring, didn't fit with the rest. Crashed with me freakin' head. Took all the layouts out of their albums, put them into some piles and that's how I've "organized" them ever since. The actually problem all this time is too little storage for the pages. BUT, now I've finally decided (really decided this time) to spend a lot of money on albums, and to get some kind of system on that, once for all, AND make it as good and simple as possible, that it will be easy to just put the layouts into correct albums as soon as their done. Well, at least I have a hope.
To make it more simple I have decided to just have the D-ring albums from American Crafts (not light blue). I really like them, both the albums and the page protectors, and also; they have a great assortment. It's easy to move around the pages in contrast to the postbound albums.
While doing this "project" I noticed some things that repeated.
- More than once I really thought "wow, was a really satisfied with this layout when I made it?" Some of them seemed like they were made in a hurry. Not complete, missed a story, couldn't quite remember the story. That I felt sorry about. Because it's nothing like looking into the albums together with my daughter and telling her what it says.
- Another thing I regret is not being very clever using journaling on my layouts. It relates very much to the first point here. Often it's just a headline, maybe two or three lines with something like place and date. That is my biggest priority in the future, cause I like best the pages with journaling. I can look at the pictures on my computer if I want to. The story needs to come out on the layout.
- Another thing, I kind of thought that I have been good on writing the dates on the layouts, which I have NOT!!! So I now need to go through all the pictures on my computer and find out what time the pictures are taken. (kinda figured out the year by myself..) If you think you will remember, you think wrong. Big mistake number 1. Write it down, if not on the front, use the back. Just an advice if you are planning on organize them chronological one time in the future. :) Probably getting a hell of a job now (not looking forward to that job..)
- I liked to see my development/ how I've changed from when I started scrapbooking. I always used bazzil as background, combined with one or two patterned paper, headline, and a number of photos. It was as simple as that, often made out of a sketch. Now it is totally different. But very funny to see.
- Very few double layouts. But since I've decided to buy D-ring albums that won't be my biggest priority. I think it's very great to see double pages in postbound albums, but I don't enjoy it just as much in the D-ring albums.
- I can do a better job using more photos on each layout to tell a whole story, eventually make a double page.
- Scrapping the same photo several times is BORING to look at (even thought there are pictures that are more fun scrappin more that once, i'll try to resist that tempation in the future), AND combined with the missing journaling that was BIG mistake number 2.
- It is so much more fun shopping for papers and flowers than it is spending money on albums, big mistake number 3 (learned my lesson now, can afford both *lol*).
This is what I've figured out so far:
D-ring albums from american Crafts, haven't decided colours yet. Or if I should buy everyone in the same colour. That's a bit risky if they stop producing them. I think I will end up with those "cloth" albums. Leather albums is ofcourse the dream, but the price is a bit to much when I'm planning to buy 10 albums right now.
Most of the layouts I will store chronological, but I will also have an own album for for example my BOM, family etc. Please give me ideas.
If you have some more ideas, tip or will join me in this project please just write a comment. There is probably many things I've not thought of.
