Some help for a beginner?

[kimwim8]

OK, you all might get a good laugh out of this but here goes...

I am a bridesmaid in my friend's wedding in May. I came up with what I think is a good idea, but have no idea how to actually implement it!!

This friend is moving from NJ (where she's lived her whole life) to Maine after the wedding. I thought it would be nice to put together a momento from her friends & family to take with her to remind her of "home". Here's what I put in with her invitation:

“A Remembrance from Friends and Family”

In lieu of a wishing well, we’d like to put together a scrapbook for Maria and Josh, to show them how much they are loved by their friends and family. Please send one of the following (on any size or style paper) in the stamped, addressed envelope included by April 2nd to help us send them away with love (and maybe even a few laughs) :

- A special memory you have with Maria and Josh, separately or together
- Advice that you’d like to pass on to the soon-to-be husband and wife
- A family recipe
- Well wishes for the happy couple
- Anything else you can think of!

So, once I recieve all of these things, I was thinking I will put them into a scrapbook. I'm not looking to add a lot of other frills to the book, except maybe a cover page & possibly a table of contents to make it easier to find things. I am totally not a crafty person. Should I just go to the scrapbook store, pick out a book & start putting stuff in? Should I go to a certain scrapbooking website for more guidance?

If you have any ideas, please let me know!

Thanks so much

 

[bananiem]

I'm not going to laugh because I think it is a great idea and we did it for friends from our group when they moved to California. I did it years ago, before the scrapping craze took hold here.
I like your ideas and would only add that they can send photos (or color copies too) of events with the couple. Ours was a surprise so I asked them to not spill the beans.
I would also tell them what size the pages will be and to not go over that size. Another thing I've seen is people send the page and then ask for the people to attach the memento and send it back. I'd be leery of that though. You might end up with some pages using scotch tape and not very "nice" looking. That makes me sound like a snob, but I'd want it to look nice.
I'd think either a strap hinge or top loading album would work best. I'd stay away from spiral because they aren't very durable, in my opinion. I'd stay with a color theme of 2-3 colors.
Our friends loved their keepsake and I'm sure yours will too.

 

[Stephres]

If you can check out some back issues of Simple Scrapbooks (a magazine for scrapbookers) they have quite a few articles on themed albums that might get you started. I remember they all seem to follow a format: a title page, a table to contents, the same embellishments and paper throughout, etc. I hope this helps!

 

[hockeymom7691]

What a GREAT idea!!!! You might want to check out Creative Memories, they have some quick and easy ideas too!

 

[scrapcreator]

What a wonderful idea! I'm sure that they will love it. I agree with asking friends for a picture. You could put the album together using a color theme (that makes it more unified) and you probably wouldn't need too many embellishments since you'll have a picture and something in writing from all of the friends. You could put a quote about friendship on the front/first page.

An 8 1/2 x 11 album might not be so overwhelming (not as much space to fill).

Simple Scrapbooks does have some great ideas. You might even find some on their website.

Good luck!

Jeanne

 

[christinadei]

I also think having friends send in pictures is a great idea. I'd pick a color theme and send them out small paper, to write on. That way you can make the paper match the theme of the book.

 

[kimwim8]

Thank You!!!

 

[sweet maxine]

I wish I would have thought about a nice idea like this for my niece's wedding this past summer. I hadn't gotten into scrapbooking at that time though. Sure would have been a neat thing to do!