Scrapbooking Q & A
[ photos + just a few words : layout from Life Artist ]
It's been awhile since I have done a Question & Answer post and I'd like to take some time to do that today and tomorrow. Feel free to ask anything related to scrapbooking, supplies, my creative process, words + photos, organization, technique, minibooks, etc.
I'll leave the comments section open until tonight at 6pm Pacific with the first-round answers to come on Thursday.
Note: Some basic FAQ questions (such as camera, printer, etc) are answered here.
Hi Ali! Thanks for offering up this Q+A. I've been anxiously awaiting an update on your new book, "Sharing Your Story." So my questions... when will it be coming out? Are there any updates on when the preorders will be shipping? Can't wait :)
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Hi Ali,
Just curious on how you go about in making mini-albums. I find I'm struggling in unifying the album... Help! Thanks in advance.
Hugs,
Caryl
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Ali, with all the supplies available to you in this industry, how do you stay true to your clean style (especially if you are a guest Dt or on a design team)? I feel sometimes that I want to use so much on a layout, but when I look back through my albums, the simple pages are my faves.
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I am always amazed at the variety of your designs, what do you mostly use for inspiration or do the ideas just come to you divinely?? Congratulations on your new family member. I think it is the best gift you can give Simon.
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How can someone who's never studied graphic design make pages that are visually pleasing like yours? Could you give brief tutorials with examples? I like simple pages but sometimes mine look so blah.
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Have you ever thought of doing a retreat yourself, similar to Donna Downey's inspired event? I would so fly anywhere in the US for that!!!
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Hi Ali, do you use the common (not scrapbook specific brand) staples for your LOs? I see that you use quite a lot on ribbons etc. Won't they rust over time? Secondly do you sketch before you begin or arrange the photos on the cardstock and move on from there? Tks!!
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How do you find the time!?
I've just adopted a 16 month old and now have a real excuse to scrap but I no longer seem to have any time or I'm just too tired !!!
Help!
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I was wondering if you could give some insight on Adobe Creative Suite...is it something you would recommend? Is it an easy software to learn? Thanks :-)
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What are your favorite scrapbook sites to visit???
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This may sound strange--but do you have an opinion if there is ever too much? I get comments frequently from family/friends who do not pursue this hobby/passion that I have too many pages devoted to my son or that it is ridiculous to have a space devoted in a corner of my home to scrapping. What do you say to this or do ever question your own excess to this hobby?
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How do you store your ribbons? Any other favorite storage ideas? I am just moving into a new house and working to improve the organization of my supplies and my space. I seem to struggle most with stickers and ribbons as well as large punches.
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Hi Ali,
How do you get your creative process going? How do you unify or have good flow through an album? Do you envision how you want the album before you even start? How do you link the layouts so it all goes nicely in the album?
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Ali - thanks for posting the Q&A. I have a question that has been bugging me for a while. The strips of journaling that you and everyone else use so often. I can never seem to make my strips the same width/size using the paper cutter. I end up triming with the exacto and that works sometimes and others not so much. How do you do it??
Another question. When I paint large spaces on a layout the paper seems to get all warped - is there a way to prevent this?
Hope you and the family are doing well and your pregnancy is progressing smoothly. Assume you've heard about keeping the babies umbilical cord when the time comes; you seem to be up on everything but just in case it seems like really cool science.
Thanks again for all taking all our questions! You're the bomb as my 13 year old would say.
Jen
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How did you learn what you know about digital scrapbooking? I am desperately wanting to get into that-- and I try to follow instructions in magazines about how to create something basic in Photoshop (which I purchased, and despite being pretty computer savvy can't figure out)... and yet it just never works.
Any advice on how to get started? Websites that are helpful? Classes on Photoshop that focus on using it for scrapbooking?
Thanks Ali! I am such a huge fan of your work, and love that you've got some digi kits now but wish I could use them :)
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Hi Ali,
Do you have any suggestions or resources for taking a good photograph? Your photos are always so amazing and I just feel as though I'm lacking in that department. Thanks in advance!
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Hi Ali..... When does your new book hit the stores? I read August, but haven't seen it yet. Also, do you have any "baby" scrapbook ideas/minibooks/etc. in mind yet? I'm 33 weeks pregnant and need fresh baby ideas! Thanks, Erin :)
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Any advice for taking great pics? Your pics always look so rich. Do you photoshop them?
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Hi Ali - Congrats on your upcoming child...I'm very happy for you and your family.
My question...How did you learn Photoshop...I have Photoshop Elements 6 & I find it so confusing. You and others in the industry make it seem so easy. DId you have a long period time where it was just a learning curve? Did you take classes? I want to learn it and am wondering which way "to go". Thank you so much for sharing your talent with all of us.
Christine
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I'd like to know what you do with all the albums and mini books you make? There's just only so much room in the house and I'm finding that my albums are everywhere. I almost feel like stopping until I figure out what to do with what I've got. And if you do put them away for a while, how do you best store them?
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words+photos related question.
how are you able to find that one perfect embellishment to emphasis your words or message you are trying to convey on your layouts?
blessings,
Jami
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Hi Ali,
When you print photos yourself on your home printer...what is your printer model and what is your favorite printing paper? I've experimented with a few brands and keep coming back to HP papers. Also, is there a certain thickness on photo papers that works best? I find the thicker the paper, the harder they are to crop, yet they hold up well in albums.
Thanks, Susie T in Portland, OR
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Hi Ali,
I am interested in organization tips. How do you organize your digital files (maybe see some screen shots)? How do you organize your photos on your hard drive/flikr, etc? How do you organize your space so that you can reach everything you want to easily, yet still keep your area tidy? Any suggestions for those that only have a teeny tiny space to work with? What about suggestions on portability? For example, those that have to create at the kitchen table and have to put it all away before dinner? Any suggestions for ease of lugging craft supplies and photos to crops away from home?
Hey, thanks for letting us ask away! Although, I get the feeling that you have an "open door" policy on asking you questions anyway. :)
-valerie
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What comes first ... the layout or the size of your pictures? This is a stumbling block for me ... I take a TON of pictures and most of them are good, I do weed out the okay ones but I'm still left with about 9 pictures for one topic. (I do like multi-photo pages) So do you crop/resize your pictures first or do you have a layout in mind before you pick your pictures?
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Hi Ali!
So, so excited for you and your new baby!...can you tell us how you are preparing 'scrapbook-wise' for the baby?...are you doing pages ahead of time? Are you purchasing a baby book or making your own...I remember that you printed out about 1000 photos at one point...how to you organize photos that aren't in books?
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