In my last post, I stated:
There are four ways to create a profile:
- Create the profile out of paper, the old fashioned way.
- Create the profile on the computer using some sort of software. (I use Memory Mixer.)
- Create the profile on the computer using a photo web site, such as Snapfish or Shutterfly.
- Say to heck with it and hire someone else to create your profile.
In this digital age, many people gasp when you say you scrapbook on paper. Why would you, what with so many wonderful software programs? I’m going to review a couple of those programs in my next post. Right now, I’m here to offer advice to those who think they might want to scrapbook the old-fashioned way.
You should know that I vastly prefer paper scrapbooking to digital scrapbooking. I started scrapbooking in 1999, but didn’t really get into it until after my wedding in 2002. I created Jack’s baby book (OK, books) using paper, scissors, stickers, and a lot of Creative Memories tools and embellishments. I also haven’t scrapbooked that way since last November. Paper scrapbooking takes a lot of time and a lot of space. I honestly think that the adoption profile is better created on a computer, but that’s only because it’s easier. How so? Well, I’m getting a bit ahead of myself…
At this point, you’ve chosen the pictures you’re going to use. You should take a trip to your local scrapbooking store or phone your friendly Creative Memories consultant* and gather supplies. I recommend getting cheerful, colorful background papers to start. If you want a unified theme, get matching papers. Add some matching stickers. You don’t want to go overboard, but the general consensus seems to be that expectant parents like stickers. (Hey, who doesn’t?) You might consider getting a heart punch to make paper hearts, a common element in adoption profiles. If you plan on cutting photos or paper into circles or ovals, I highly recommend the Creative Memories cutters for that purpose. You may be tempted to get all sorts of other things – rub ons, special scissors, stamps, and so on. Make sure the store has a decent return policy. Remember – you want the focus to be your pictures, not your embellishments. Oh, and unless you love your handwriting, invest in alphabet stickers. This is one thing that should buy more of than you think you need. Otherwise, you’ll end up trying to figure out how to turn an “X” into an “N”. Speaking of writing, make sure that you have acid-free pens in one or two colors to add journaling.
If you don’t already have at least one, you need paper cutters. I have several, but I think the common person can get away with just two: One paper trimmer for big pages, like those you find in a typical elementary school classroom; and one paper trimmer for photos, a mini version of a trimmer. It’s much easier to trim photos with a smaller trimmer. And you will need to trim photos.
Sketch out each of your profile pages. You need a cover, then a first page. After that, you should design two-page spreads. For example, the first page might be just you and your partner, but the next two are your family, then two of your friends, and so on. When sketching, you don’t need to be exact. You just want to have an idea of where the title, photos, and journaling will go. You want to see how many pictures you’re trying to fit on a page, and whether those pictures are vertical or horizontal. You may also see that some pictures will lend themselves to shapes, such as circles, ovals, or even hearts.
This is where the trimming comes in. Most pictures are 4 inches by 6 inches. You can’t fit more than three 4×6 pictures on an 8.5×11 page. You will need to trim pictures to fit more on each page. This is also where your printer comes in. Using photo management software, such as Picasa or iPhoto, you can choose to print pictures at smaller sizes. I printed at least half of the pictures for my first profile as wallet size. Many more were 3×5. In my sketches, I noted about how big the pictures would be. Once printed, I could trim the pictures to their appropriate sizes.
When planning pages, remember that most printers and copiers require you to have at least a .125 margin on all four sides. I didn’t know this, and spent at least an hour in Staples trying to make the copier print the full page. I ended up having to reduce each page by 2%.
Once the printing and trimming are over, you can sit down with your paper and actually create the profile. Attach the pictures using a scrapbooking adhesive, such as a tape runner, photo corners, or photo splits. Make sure you leave room to caption each picture. You don’t have to be overly specific. “Robyn and her Dad” or “The Two of Us, 1995″ are fine examples. Leave some room on each two-page spread to describe what the pictures are. For example, you might include the following on the “Family” pages: “We have a very large extended family. We get together often, for holidays, birthdays, and weddings. You can see that our child will have lots of cousins to play with!”
If you have trouble writing in a straight line, you can use a pencil and ruler and lightly draw lines. Creative Memories sells some excellent tools that help in this area as well.
After you place your pictures, go through and embellish as you wish. Again, you want to focus on the pictures, but a little adornment doesn’t hurt.
When finished, take your profile book to an establishment that has a color copier. Personally, I like Staples. They’re inexpensive and the copy center people usually know what they’re talking about. You can either have the establishment bind the profiles, or you can buy report folders or presentation binders. I like a presentation binder with a clear cover, into which you can insert the cover page.
Now, you have several copies of your traditionally-made-with-love adoption profile. Go you!
* I am not now, nor have I ever been, a Creative Memories consultant. I simply love their products.
