I finished my first page! and a question or three

[frannn]

I finished my forst scrapbook page using the WDW paper I got on our last trip. Backround page is the castle (8.5X11). I bought (cheap) plastic templates (10 pages of shapes for 8.) to help cut out the mats for my pictures, a pkg of small card stock pieces (1 lb=3.), and started cutting. I used two colors of cardstock cut out two different size ovals (and cut a hole in the middle) and glued that on top of my trimmed pictures. Then I cut out a mat of a rectangle shape and glued that on the other picture. Both pictures I used were of my DD1 and Cindy at CRT. It seems I can only fit 2 pictures on each 8.5X11 page, is that what you do? Also, I found it very difficult to cut out the center of the cardstock for the mats neatly and effectively (I had to trace the template, then fold the "mat" to be able to start cutting with a regular scissor in the center). What am I doing wrong? I used the Mickey edgers, and they almost broke on the first mat (although I was trying to cut through 2 papers at once). I also was wondering if, when using a post bound album, if you should avoid gluing photos at the left edge of the page, and if it difficult to get them in the book. What is a "top loading" book? I completed my page by putting a few Cindy stickers in the corners of the mats I made (pink & blue), then using the Mickey body punch on the mat scraps, and glued one each onto the mat lower right corners.
I think it is a cute page for my first try, especially with a "busy" backround. Wish I could take a picture

 

[pattyT]

hhmmm
I think I get what you are trying to say

when I MAT a photo I always crop the photo itself and lay it on top of the cardstock

sounds like you tried to make a frame - which is a bit more difficult with practive it will be easier do you have an exacto knife?? that would be easier than scissors I think!

Some layouts have only 2 pictures, it really depends on the busy-ness of the paper and the cropping of the photos!
I have layouts with 1 photo and I have layouts with up to 10 photos on a page (of course those are the older photos - before zoom

On the post bound album I only have my pages go to the little white bump part (I forget the technical name for it) which means that I usually have to trim a little of the papers.
I don't think running the paper over the little bump part will cause any problems per-say it will just have the album be bulkier.
It takes a little practive to remember exatly how to put those refills in - but it is really easy

TOP LOADING are albums that come with the page protectors built in - 3 sides are sealed and you slide your page down into the protector.

whew...
I think that might answer a couple of your questions
HTH

Patty

 

[Spinning]

I do the same as Patty for my matting. Much easier than making Frames. To tell you the truth I hardly ever Frame anything!
I use 12x12 top loading albums and never had any problems getting my pages in or need to trim them as long as they are true 12x12 albums.
I usually aim for 3 to 4 pictures on a page but have used one or 2 on page but I usually either don't crop those or they have been enlarged.
Welcome to the world of scrap booking! So much fun!

 

[pjlla]

Just like anything else, good scrapping takes time to learn. With practice comes proficiency. I cringe when I look at the first 10 or 20 or more pages I did of DD as a baby. But I try to remember I was just beginning. And even after being a steady scrapper for a few years, I still have some pages that are much better than others. If you have digital photos you will find the whole process (IMHO) much more relaxing, knowing that you can always reprint the pictures if you mess up or even just don't like the page.
Keep trying, read and post if you have more questions, and don't be too hard on yourself!.................P