Helop me decide how to do my future scrap books!

[Spinning]

As some of you know I went to a creative memory scrap night. Part of me now wishes I never did! before going I just did my own thing...this was my plan:
1: DD tap/ballet book I bought a spiral bound book, just really like the feel of the paper....
2: DD preschool and beyond school book (same spiral)
3: just entered preschool this year....haven't started anything yet no sports or extra activities...next year
then just created pages that I put in 8x10 sleeves and then in to a ring binder (photo type) I planned to do 2 of these. One for each kid

Now what do I do? I really like the CM school pages do I start DS in that? But then DD will look bad next to it! Or should I just do DD next year as she starts first grade?
I figure I will continue the ballet book. I have a lot in it and she may be done with that. She wants to ice skate more...
but how do I decide when to move over to all CM? or that style of books? I still have a lot of pictures to put in....should I stop now and move over or finish the pages left? I have about 30 more sleeves to fill I am cheap so hate to waste the money...
HELP!
I didnt' think this would be so hard! I did buy the CM holiday album and that is easy....But I just don't know what to do about the kids books! Should it be chronilogical....I have a tendency to lean that way Guess that is why I am going crazy that they won't be symetrical!
Thanks

 

[LisaTx]

I feel your confusion, Spinning. I think the practical side of me would have to finish the books I've already started, then start on CM books next time I need an album.

I like to do mine in chronological order. I have one that's mine, and one for each kid. I also have a travel (well Disney) album and a holiday album.

I like the CM school pages too. I couldn't resist those.

 

[Snow White]

My theory is to NEVER go back and re-do pages, (or books) because if I did, I would never finish! I see so many cool ideas in magazines that I think would have been sooo much better than the layout I did for a certain set of pictures, but I just leave it alone and keep movin on...so in other words, I suggest that you finish what you started and then move on to the CM albums (they are the best by far!---and they have a lifetime guarantee if they break or tear etc. they will replace it no questions asked!) I do chronological albums so that it is easier to find pics of what Im looking for...and I do one for each child and one for me (well....not ONE, but you get the idea!) Hope this helps!

 

[Spinning]

I am so amazed at how obsessed I have become over my albums.........
Anyway I decided I will finish with what I have. that way I don't waste anything and then I won't feel guilty buying new stuff!
I will start my DD book this summer
I want to order the school pages and start that for DS. I think I am going to just keep it chronological order and not do seperate school. (maybe ballet will have it's own!) but I figure I can do the pages in order and if I find I have a ton of school stuff I can always remove the pages and make it one album....That way I have order and don't have to think about it!
Now trips...Disney is usually our biggest trip and I take a ton of pictures....should I just do a Disney trip album?
I think what I have to learn is not every picture has to go in the album! That is what my pocket albums are for!

 

[Lesley]

I take enough photos to do a separate album for each vacation....others don't. I do use all my good photos. The bad ones I use for demonstrating at my classes (I'm a CM consultant). If I didn't use them in my business I'd throw them out. I do get doubles of everything....I find it cheapest and most convenient in the long run so that when I mess up or need a photo for a different project I can just pull it out. I'm still working on a system of boxing and organizing these though. I may eventually have to get more selective about what I file.

As far as your current albums in progress...that's entirely your decision to make. I have a Disney 3 ring album that was my first scrapbook that I will be redoing in a CM book. But I'm just taking out the top loading pages and putting them into 12x12 portrait sleeve pages in a CM album...not actually pulling everything off and re-doing. The Disney 3 ring is already beginning to fall apart...so it would need to be redone regardless. Personally, I'd probably redo if it can be done w/o literally scraping all the photos off, etc...if it did mean being that extensive....I'd leave them be unless I saw a real problem.

CM albums really are the best....and I'm not just saying that because I'm a consultant. I researched my choices thoroughly after my bad experience with my Disney album and decided that it was CM from there on out. It was later that I started my business. But of course we all have to decide for ourselves what works best for our own needs!

 

[Spinning]

Lesley,
Thanks for the info. I always get double prints too. I just like that chronilogical order and I hate to throw out pictures so they have to be really bad to go in the trash. But I also put them in a pocket album with in days of rec'ing them.
I sat down this week and really looked at my pictures, what I have done or need to do. To my surprise I really have many pages done that I like and will leave them alone. I finished some of the other stuff so I am up to date, or at a good starting point to move over to CM. So....on April 15th I say BRING ON THE CHECK BOOK! I am off to anotherCM scrape! LOL!
My main goal, scrape books for the kids. So that is how I plan to work. I will con't the pocket photo's for myself and then do chronological for the kids. Starting with Jan. 2002
Thanks everyone!
Sondra