SB: Switching from 8.5x11 to 12x12...Any advice?

[SplshMtn99]

I hope I haven't made a mistake.

I've decided to change from 8.5x11 to 12x12 starting with 2003 pictures. I don't scrap all photos. I scrap a few from the event, and any other really good ones go into photo sleeves after the layout. (I like my books to be chronological..... I can't stand pictures being in different books by subject. I'm weird! LOL)

ANYWAY!!!! I already have accumulated a bunch of 12x12 paper.....BUT I have ALOT of 8.5x11 paper I just bought. And then there are all these 8.5x11 templets I have that I sometimes refer too (for inspiration).

I don't see how I can salvage the templets.
And other than using the 8.5x11 for matting, colorblocking, journalling, tags, punches & the like.......what else can I do with it? I can't use it for background.

I decided to make the change because what takes me the longest in scrapping a page.... is me TRYING to get all my photos & ideas to FIT. So I thought I would have more room.

I'm wondering if you have any advice if you switched.

Was it hard to re-adjust how you lay things out? (it's square -not rectangle)
I'm used to crowding my pages. I'll need to learn what to do with this empty space on the page.

I feel like I'm starting over .....and I'm afraid to do that first page. LOL

 

[pattievers]

The Michael's website has a GREAT idea on the site right now for using 8 x 11 paper for a 12 x 12 page.

Basically....you split it an angle...spread it apart, and use a length in the middle.

I think you need to see it, to understand...but it has GREAT possibilities!

Patti

 

[SplshMtn99]

Thanks, I'm off to check it out.

 

[RRBB]

I've never used an 8 1/2 X 11 album, but I did have that size paper before they really started making the 12 x 12. I used to take 2-3 of the same paper and put it together to make a full background. With some papers it's easier than with others, but if you place your pictures over the seams it's hardly noticable that you pieced together the background.

I'm not exactly sure what kind of templates you have, but it seems to me that you should still be able to use them with your 12 x 12. You may just have to reposition it from one side to the other to get the whole page done. (I could be wrong though. )

 

[pattievers]

Another idea would be to use the 8 x 11 on a 12 x12 background.....like borders. You could use stickers or something as well.

You could also cut the 8 x 11 for color blocking.

It's funny, but I think I use my 8 x 11 for matting more than my 12 x 12's.

See! That paper won't go to waste!

Patti

 

[Spinning]

I did the change over thing too...one thing that I found worked best for me was to use a top loading album. I started in a CM book and had a very hard time not sure what to do with the white back ground. Now I use mainly top loading and CM for "special" albums that can easily be done in order. I use all of my 8.5 by 11 paper for mounting, paper piecing, journaling boxes etc...so it goes really fast! I don't have many templates so can't help you there. But I am sure with some mounting you can adapt them to fit.
You will be surprised the change over isn't that bad. I love 12x12 and would never go back!