This file was originally created for scrapbooking consultants for use in classes, but works very well for individuals wanting to finish albums in a hurry--either because you have a lot of photos or don't have much spare time. It includes Celebration Album-in-a-Day, One Day Catch-Up Scrapbook and The One-Day Album. Also see Quick Albums and Photo Organization (It is a good idea to look at this file before you start creating an album).
(adapted from an idea by Del S.)
Use things from the Family ABC album/Celebration Album list as the page titles.
You can do this album in six hours if you follow the directions closely and stick to the schedule. It is important that the CMC have an album made to show. If it is a large class you will need photocopies of the pages for each person. You also need to have enough stickers (change the design of the pages if you need to and use what you have available). An 8x10 album works best but a smaller album would work if you use sticker letters instead of die-cuts. This album can have one large matted photo on a page or several smaller ones. It can also be given as a gift with or without photos.
STEP 1 (two hours). Adhere a die-cut letter or ABC sticker to each page from A to Z in either the top left or bottom left corner. Using a coordinating pen write the phrase that corresponds with that letter. The letter can be straight or tilted and the writing can go straight across, straight down or diagonally. You can use calligraphy, fancy script, plain printing, dotted lettering, etc.--whatever is quickest for you. After you put in the titles use one of the suggested border ideas to decorate the page. If you think of a more appropriate phrase or border idea use it but don't stop to try to think of new ideas for all the letters.
(Note: small die-cuts can be used in place of some of the stickers)
STEP 2 (one hour) Crop photos. Don't use a lot of fancy shapes. A trimmer and corner rounder will speed things up a lot. You can pick a few photos for fancy shapes or to silhouette--but stay mostly with rectangles and ovals.
(Note: the hour allowed for this step does not allow for time to select photos unless you have them pre-sorted. For this type of album you will most likely have enough duplicate or leftover photos to make it after you do your regular family albums. You can also use just the best parts out of photos where one person looks fine and another does not.
You will want to make sure that all people important to you are represented in the album and that it includes special events, pets, etc. If this album is going to be made at a class it will help if you give the people a list of page titles ahead of time to help them select the photos they want to bring.
Depending on the size of the album and the photos they have they will need from one to six photos per subject. Even if they are not sure exactly what they want on the page and even if they have LOTS of photos strongly encourage them to bring not more than eight or ten possible photos per idea. They can also should have the photos pre-sorted in envelopes or baggies. Some photos can fit in several categories so they can have an extra envelope for those in case they need something to fill in with. They can also add extra die-cuts or journaling on a page that doesn't have enough photos or just leave a space to add a photo later.
STEP 3 (two hours) Mount photos. Mat no more than one photo per page using a color that coordinates with the decorations on the page or with the photo. If you have a page or two with only one photo you could double mat it to take up space. Adhere photos to the pages.
STEP 4 (one hour) Journal. Use various types of journaling throughout the album--whatever fits the photos on the page. Try "who-what-when-where", bullet journaling, etc. If the album is for a gift you might pick one page to write a long message to the recipient.
(by Renee Hinkle - updated slightly by Lynne Szatkowski)
Customers are discouraged by the time they think it will take to catch up. The One-Day Album proves they can catch up quickly. Customers are encouraged and inspired--success breeds success. It brings everyone back to simple pages.
It is a full 15 to 20-page album (30-40 sides) completed in a nine-hour workshop. It gives a classic look with clean and simple lines. It relies on limited elements for simple pages that take eight to ten minutes each:
Most are skeptical because they think there is no way to complete an album in only one day--that's true if you spend a half-hour on each page! Explain how the technique reduces the time spent choosing among hundreds of possible cropped shapes, stickers, fancy edges and borders. Personalize the benefits.
Excited customers, who work on more albums, buy more products. And talk to more people about Creative Memories!
Demonstrate a sample page
Give Instructions for working quickly:
Congratulations!
You're on your way to finishing an Album in a Day!
How to Prepare for the Day:
Preparation takes about two hours, so plan ahead--don't wait until the last minute. (You can break up the two hours into a workable schedule for you).
1.) Decide what year's photos you will complete that day.
- Select an appropriate time span. I suggest one to two years.
- This is a "catch up" album, not a "theme" album.
- If photos are in other types of albums, take them out. (Call me if you have trouble removing photos from albums -- I will share some techniques to help!)
2.) Organize your photos.
- Put the photos in chronological order.
- Start with the earliest photos and group them one page at a time: four photos to a page (if they don't need cropping) to seven photos maximum (if they will be cropped). Remember to leave room for journaling.
- Determine if each topic will accommodate a one-page layout or two-page spread.
-You will continue to use this method from now on!
3.) Obtain a 3x3 inch pad of Post-It! notes.
-For each one or two-page spread of photos create a label.
- Choose appropriate die-cut shapes from the enclosed selection sheet.
Die-cuts are a quick way to add pizzazz to your album.
- Since labeling is done at home, you can consult others to verify name, date and location details.
- On a second Post-It, jot down anything you want to remember for your journaling. Put this on the back of the last photo.
4.) Fold Post-It note to form page label and attach it to pictures for each appropriate page.
(I will do my best here to describe the label diagram. Place post-it so that the adhesive is down the right side. At the top, put the title of the page. In the middle, list any memorabilia that should be included. Bottom left: one or two-page spread? Bottom right: name of desired die-cut, if any. When this is folded over the pictures, the title is on the back, the memorabilia still shows on the front.)
5.) Gather photo groupings in order; put in a box.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by boxes and drawers overflowing with photos, here is the solution. You can complete a scrapbook in one day by making quick, simple pages. This is an easy method of scrapbooking that you can use for years to come! You will be proud to share these scrapbooks with others.
(preparation can take a few hours)
Arrange your photos on the page before cutting. Be selective, when in doubt, leave it out. Keep your pages clean and lean. Place smaller and "lighter" photos near the top of the page. Crop only when needed and crop a couple of photos the same size to create a balanced look.
Use border rulers and pens to make quick borders, you can later sprinkle stamped images or stickers around them if you want. Use similar ideas on several pages--varying the pen color and stickers. Do two-page layouts using the same border. Use deckle or other cutters or trimmers to crop photos. Crop around simple subjects to create a silhouette.
Title pages tend to slow you down so leave the first page blank and do it right after you have completed the book. If you do pages outside of an album pencil a number at the bottom right of each page so they stay in order. If you get stuck on how to do a particular page, skip it and go on. Mount the photos on a few pages and journal them all at once. If you can't remember details about certain photos, ask your family/friends later and then add the journaling.
Collect your photos and memorabilia all in one place. Put photos in chronological order or by events. Put all your tools in one place. Crop the photos for several pages at once. Divide your pages into several small steps (cropping mounting, labeling). Make use of small bits of time to complete one step. Use page protectors or zip-lock bags and store everything for a page in it. Draw pictures of layouts you have ideas for so you will remember how you want to do it.
Remember: Scrapbooking is not a matter of time; it's a matter of commitment.
back to top of page