Scrapbooking Q & A

Hi Ali, I have requests rather than questions :) (1) I love the digital overlays etc you created. when you have time can you post more layouts using them - particularly the story of today set? Also, I would love to see you create a similar set that could be used for a month by month album - jan, feb etc. (2) I was planning to attend your workshops in CT, any chance you can create kits of any of the workshops perhaps thru Cocoa Daisy. I really liked the travel ones you did for C.D. earlier this summer. Best wishes and thanks for all the inspiration. Chris

Another vote for organization! I've seen lots of comments about that already, so thought I'd cast another vote. I know you're really great about sharing your storage ideas with us, but you also change things here and there as you make a new find - whether it's a new cabinet or just another way to think about something. Can we get an update?

This is not so much a question, but a request. I love seeing your layouts and generally enjoy all the photos you post. I am wondering if you could post them so that when you click on them, they open in a larger size. I believe you can do this when you attach the photos with Typepad. I would love to see your layouts in more detail, they are so awesome!
Thanks!
Stephanie

Ooh! Thanks for the opportunity to pick your brain. :) Have you ever used the Silhouette electronic paper cutter? Did you like it - would you recommend it?

I am extremely intimidated by scrapbooking - it seems expensive and there is so much out there. How can someone on a meager budget get started? What supplies are essential? How do I decide where to pick up in my life - I struggle with not doing things in chronological order?

YAY! Q&A time!
I have 2 questions, not sure if they've already been asked or not as I didn't read through them all.
1. I find it so hard to manage my time - what is your best tip for time management?
2. I've been struggling a lot with my journaling lately. It just isn't flowing easily for me (might have something to do with being 37+ weeks pregnant). There's so much I want to say yet when I sit down I can't seem to get it out on paper. Any tips?
BTW, I never tire of your style or advice. You are so amazing, Ali!

Silly and simple question, but where do you find all your various cool simple stamps? You must have sources that I don't know about! ;-)

Oh my gosh, there are a lot of questions.
Here's mine--sometimes I find photos collages difficult. Trying to size them, whether manually or digitally can be frustrating. Is there something I'm missing--a way to calculate it mathematically to make it more simple? Do you ever find it a trial or does it always just come together for you?

Hi Ali! I can't wait to read your answers. I have two questions.
1. Do you ever let Simon help you while you create?
2. Did you ever finish the minibooks you had made to take with you to Disney World? We are leaving in 26 days and I'm excited about collecting bits and pieces along the way. I'd love to see yours.

As photos, for me, often are the inspiration, my question is about pictures . . . . I find that mine often don't capture the moment. I come back to the computer to the computer and find them lacking.
What do you keep in mind when you start snapping? Is it the angle, the color, the expressions??
Congrats on your growing family.

Hey Ali,
This is awesome of you to do! I was wondering where do you get your basic shape stamps, I see you use a lot of squares, circles, etc. What are your favorites and where did you get them? Sounds like the makings of a great 3 things???
I also agree when are you doing your OWN workshop? I bet lots of folks would love to attend one of those.
Thank you for inspiring so many of us with your simple style, personally it really inspires me in my scrapbooking, cards and art projects... Congratulations on your fabulous news, enjoy the process and most of all, take good care of yourself!

Hi Ali,
Thanks for the opportunity to post this. How do you organize your digital photos? I would love to see your folder structure. Do you tag your digital photos in any program? Thanks!
Cindi

Congratulations to you and your family on your new baby!!!
I also had a question on the mini albums (cardboard/chipboard) on what adhesives do you use and if you put any sealant on it to keep everything attached or from lifting up?
Also - do you have a favorite journaling stamp set that you would recommend?
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer questions - this is so sweet and thoughtful of you!!!

No question, just a comment to say I'm really enjoying the mini books I've been making, inspired by you. Can't wait to read your new book. For those looking for how to find time to scrapbook, I've found with two preschoolers that mini books about events (a day at the snow, the boys' birthday party, etc.) are the way to go. It's easy to finish if you limit your supplies, as you suggest, and it feels so good to have something finished to show people! Thanks for all you do to share and inspire. Looking forward to hearing you speak at CPR.

I have a few questions:
1. How did you break into the business of scrapbooking?
2. How do you balance the stuff that you do for WORK (assignments, etc.) and the stuff that you make because you simply WANT to? (and stay inspired to accomplish BOTH)

i love scrapbooking and have 4 kids (ages 12-22). needless to say i have a lot of albums. i noticed that you have a lot of albums, too. i don't think there can be too many, but it seems like the magazines have been doing articles about scaling down lately. do you think there is a problem with having so many albums...i like to document all areas of our life.

My four-year-old nephew was diagnosed with a Wilms Tumor two years ago. While he was in the hospital and also during his radiation and chemotherapy I took hundreds of photos. I tried to take a picture of every Doctor and Nurse who treated him so we could put a name to a face. It’s now two years later and he is in remission. My question is this: I want to make a scrapbook of the entire experience. But, I feel very overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation. How can you make a scrapbook lighthearted when It was such a heavy experience? Also, do you have any place that you’ve found good medical scrapbook supplies? Everything that I’ve found is too cutesy.

Hi Ali. I wanted to ask about how your sbs hold up with Simon handling them. I have a 1 year old and am apprehensive about allowing him to hold them, but at the same time I want him to see himself in his books.
Thanks,
Sher

I love the concept of words + photos. Right to the point and very effective, clean way to scrap. I was wondering if you have done any layouts about yourself with this concept? I want to make sure I include myself in my scrapbooks (something I am behind on) and I don't have many photos of myself as a child. So how would you apply this way of scrapbooking for layouts about you as a child?? And could you do layouts like this with no photos, maybe words only??

How do you store your acrylic stamps? This has been a big challenge for me. I have many of my stamps in binders, but because I cannot see them (they are not out in the open), I tend to forget what I have. Any suggestions?

Love the chance to hear all your answers to so many great questions...
When is your new book coming out?
Any more KOTM that you are designing for CK, if so when?
I love your design digital stuff, I would love to see a preview of what is coming up new in the next month or so.
Thanks

With the new baby, is there any travel in your future?
Have you thought about doing online classes?
How to you pick what elements to go along with the story?

You have really inspired me to take photos of everyday things - which I've been doing ever since my 2-1/2 year old daughter was a baby. However, she has gotten to the place that she HATES the camera & runs away or starts crying every time she sees that I have it out. I thought it was just a phase she was going through, so I backed off but... it's been going on for months, now, with no end in sight! Have you ever had something like this happen with your son & if so, what did you do about it?

Hi Ali!
I wonder if you ever feel you show too much personal info when you submit your layouts in different magazines, blogs and forums? I'm thinking about Simon mostly as he isn't old enogh to understand or approve of it? Don't get me wrong, I think the sharing of this stuff makes your layouts unique and inspiering and that you have spred lots of information about autism but still. I have a four year old son, adopted from China and of course, I mostly scrapbook about him. But sometimes I wonder if I have the right to submit my pages about him, to tell the world all about him and what he will think about it one day when he is old enogh to understand that lots and lots of scrapping girls all over the country know about all the crazy stuff he did as a child.
I do not submit any pages about his adoption or background, it feels too private.
What are your thoughts about this?
Thanks

Juts curious: What did you do "for a living" before you got started on Scrapbooking?