Layouts + Storage

 

Recently, some of you emailed me concerning how I store my layouts. I admit, that for quite a while, I was hesitant to store my layouts in a scrapbook album. My layouts tend to be on the "thick side" and don't typically store well in standard post bound scrapbook albums. It wasn't until American Crafts came out with their 12" x 12" binder albums that I finally found the right kind of album for storing my projects. The albums are "solidly built" and the page holders are nice and large for storing multi-layered layouts (one layout per page holder). The page holders aren't overly "snug", which can often be a major culprit for me. A typical American Crafts 12" x 12" binder album can fit up to fifteen of my layouts. If I attempt to squeeze more than fifteen layouts in an album, the layouts will distort and bend over time. I keep my albums stored upright on a bookshelf in my living room. My albums are labeled according to "year", sometimes season. Because I'm not necessarily a chronological scrapbooker, and because I store my layouts as completed, my albums have a somewhat casual feel. All my albums are of the same color and size - "Black"/12" x 12" American Crafts Binder Albums. I have a few other sizes of the same type of album for alternative size layouts such as 8.5" x 11" and 8" x 8" (super cute binder album). 

 

Sample of Yearly Album Labels

This is another layout I created using "A Million Memories" July kit. This kit has been all about jewel tones and it's complimentary colors, yellow/gold. My kitchen and living room are of these same colors, so I've really enjoyed working with this kit. It's one of my favorite color combinations. It's the kind of color combination that survives changing trends and easily caters to a multitude of themes & subjects....think Basic Grey's newest line-Lemonade.

Frames are fabulous for building one-of-a-kind embellishments. I took a thin turquoise "Sassafras" chipboard frame and backed it with vanilla cardstock and a Pink Paislee floral rub-on. Note how I let the cardstock extend beyond the boundaries of the frame, though just slightly. I added the word "laughter" over the top of the frame and accented it with two glitter brads. It's ever-so-cute!

A hop, skip & a jump. This area of my layout was created using a series of punched pattern paper circles layered with black cardstock. I adhered them to the layout in a "leapfrog" pattern to draw the eye "upward" and around the photo collage. 

I've been working on kit instructions these last few days. I've organized all the photos and will be writing instructional content next week, so if you're waiting, it won't be long! For those of you on the wait, an update will be provided soon...I'm still on the fence about organizing another round of kits, but will be deciding shortly. Thanks everyone!