Poohbear (& anyone else), this is how I went about his album.
First, I bought album & just about all contents from
www.gonescrappin.com Their site is neat. If you buy the album for example...it also lists what other people who also bought the album purchased with it. Ex: cardstock, stickers. So from them, I got 40 12x12 black cardstock; a bunch of 8.5 x 11 evergreen cardstock; about 6 antique tan 12x12 paper; about 6 camoflauge 12x12 paper; and 1 set of every Army type sticker sheet they had. I think down the left side of website, where they list products...it lists a catergory of "Military".
Next, I told DH I bought everything to make him an album...and I would need his help.
He would have to help...or it would be a waste of $, right?
To make it not so painful on him.... I broke his help into parts (to be encouraged by me...when I could see he was in the mood)
.
One day, I had him pull out everything I could think of to go in album. Certificates, photos, medals, ribbons, dogtags, pins, name tapes, patches....... Then I divided it into lumpy & non-lumpy. I took lumpy stuff to Staples to be color copied onto acid free photo paper. Just about everything fit on one sheet. I also had Staples color copy a few LARGE group photos he had ---reducing them to 8.5 x 11. If I needed multiple copies of items, I told the girl ahead of time. Their copier lets them make multiple copies....and prints them out on 1 page.
On another day when he was in the mood to help, I got him to sit with me....and I jotted down a few notes about:
Pg 1 -- title
Pg 2&3 Basic Training
Pg 3&4 AIT
Pg 5&6 Germany
and so on.
On yet another day.... I took those notes....and got DETAILS out of him..... like dates, ranks, any journalling.....and to tell me of all the lumpy & non-lumpy stuff ---what went on what page. (I'm still learning all this military stuff after 20 years. LOL)
As I do a page, I pick out the "military embellishments" he told me that go on the page. I sketch out the page. My journalling is done on the computer. He checks it all before I print it for correct military terminology..... then I assemble the page. That's my area.
I actually ended up putting in the original patches & name tapes (US ARMY... last name). I put in original certificates -- USING clear triangular photo corners. He didn't want me mounting them.
Lumpy items like pins that were color copied... I carefully cut out & then darken the edges with a black marker for depth. I don't normally like stickers... but the ones I got are ok.
He has even helped by finding some websites...and printing a GOOD clipart of the ribbon that comes with the certificates...since I couldn't put the ribbons in the book. I just printed it...then carefully cut it & darken the edge again. That's what's above the certificates on a strip of green cardstock.
After showing it to some non-military people....and having to explain ranks & some other military things.... I'm going to include a small chart at the beginning with basic military info -- found on a good website.
You can get other military layout ideas at:
http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?cmd=category
Click MILITARY category. Or search the web.
This is just the beginning of book. I've got lots to do.... but NOT many pictures to work with. (Guess he didn't know he would marry a scrapper. LOL) And I KNOW I can't get real journalling out of him. Just thoughts here & there. One thing I noticed....he gives me details & journaling one day....and the next day or even the next....he remembers more. SO....I don't rush to do the page. I wait for him to remember it all...then do it. It is 20 yrs ago, afterall. LOL
Sorry for the novel. Check back often for more layouts!
me and computers).
Every now and then they need to act up just to prove who is boss I guess.
