When I saw the reveal for the mini albums last fall, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with one. I have been storing all of Austin's artwork from daycare in a 12x12 scrapbook paper box. Some of the smaller pieces have been put into my Project Life album, but most of them are just too big. And there's so many. I get several a week now, so I can't frame them all.
Saturday, I spent a couple of hours scanning all of the art into my computer. 62 pieces in all.
I cropped them all to either 4x6 or 3x4 (two of those on one 4x6 canvas) and printed them all at a nearby Walgreens.
This morning, I got to work. First thing, I made a small card for the cover. The little sleeve fits a 3x4 card, but there is a thick border around it, so I had to make my image closer to the 2x3 size.
Once I had these printed, I just inserted them and the prints into the album, wrote my journaling, and the album was "complete" very quickly. I've actually only filled one half of the album, so I have room to grow as I receive more and more of Austin's artwork.
Here are some shots of the completed album.
Love the quote as an introduction to the album.
One of my favorite quotes ties in nicely with the earth art print.
The fingerprint tree, oh my! :)
It was nice to be able to write some journaling about one of the pieces that I was present to see him make.
I am so happy to have a way to view Austin's art easily without dragging out that big box (that is only going to get bigger).
Did you like the quote and journaling cards? I've made up a collection for sale in my shop that includes 17 cards in PNG format and a printable PDF.
Love the bright colors - perfect to tie in with most children's artwork. Check the rest of the images out here.
I hope you enjoyed seeing how I'm using my Project Life Mini Album! :)
Project Life is an amazing and simple scrapbooking system designed by Becky Higgins. For more information, please check out Becky's website.
What a beautiful album! Great job. I love the quote cards too :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrific project love how did it and the cards are lots of fun too!
ReplyDeleteOohh this is beautiful !!!
ReplyDeleteVery inspiring (but the task seems a bit daunting to me with 4 kids and lots lots lots of art around the house)...
That would be a lot of work, but maybe you can do it by child? This really only took me about 2 hours to scan (and that's only because my scanner was acting up at first), an hour to crop/edit, and then maybe a half hour to fill the album. If you split it up by child you could tackle it!
DeleteCan I ask what Scanner/Printer you use and like?
DeleteWhat a brilliant idea! I've been putting bits and pieces of their art into my PL album, but I have so much that isn't dated and I wanted to do something with it. This is PERFECT!
ReplyDeleteSome of mine had dates on the back - the infant room was better at dating art pieces - but because so much of it wasn't, I just put the artwork in where I wanted it to go and didn't worry about chronological order.
DeleteThis really is brilliant (as Cerise said) Scanning them in is the first major genius moment. And the quote cards really bring such a sweet touch to the whole thing. Definitely one of my favorite things you've done... I just love it from concept to construction!
ReplyDeleteAdorable!! This is THE BEST idea I've heard of for those cute Mini Albums. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great use of a PL mini-album. :) One question though: are you keeping the original artwork (in that same big box? something else) or did you throw it away?
ReplyDeleteOh no, not throwing away :) Keeping in the box, probably eventually will move to a larger box and store in the attic. I could never throw it away though. Too sentimental for that. But I love the album, so I can actually look at his art without dragging out the bin and sorting through it. :)
DeleteJust got five more pieces yesterday from daycare!
LOVE.LOVELOVE. THIS . I have kept a few things but not everything.I love this..... if only I could rewind time.
ReplyDeleteOMG, this is the cutest thing ever!! I LOOOOOVE it so much!! Great job getting this together and those journal cards are perfect and amazing for the album. Wish I had these ideas when mine were little, maybe will have to dig them out of the attic and try this. Thanks for the inspriation!!
ReplyDeleteThis is adorable. Great idea.
ReplyDeleteOh what a super fabulous idea and carried out in such a cute way. You always have the best ideas!
ReplyDeleteThis is so fantastic! Everything you make has such excellent design sensibility. I love the font you picked for the quote cards, for example, it matches perfectly with Austin's kid art.
ReplyDeleteMelissa, I want to show you how you totally inspired me! I've loved your PL freebies for a long time, and when you decided to make your own kit for 2013 I was inspired to do so as well. (I have no experience designing scrapbook material but I figured I'd give it a go.) I did mine digitally, using a kit Persnickety Prints recently gave away for free. I don't have a blog (not a scrapbooking blog at least) or any place where I post things that I could point you toward, but about half of the kit is up on the Persnickety Prints page here: https://www.facebook.com/persnicketyprints/app_451684954848385 I can't figure out how to link to my image exactly, it should be able halfway down the page and captioned Homemade Project Life. It's the one that's a bunch of journal cards instead of a layout. :) Anyways, I'd be thrilled if you'd go take a look because a significant portion of my inspiration came from you and your wonderful designs!
Thanks so much for this - just featured you on the blog :) I think you've inspired me :) I can't believe you've never done this type of thing before - your designs are amazing. :)
DeleteWhat a great idea! I love this!!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! This is wonderful, just wonderful! You have inspired me to finally do something with all the artwork I have piled in my office. Thanks so much for sharing this mini book.
ReplyDeleteI got a comment from Lisa asking about my printer - I use an Epson Workforce 630. The 635 is pretty much the same thing and is available at a decent price:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XDU8PI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=avegiathe-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003XDU8PI
It has a scanner, copier, printer, fax (if anyone uses fax anymore!). Not sure where Lisa's comment went.
What program do you use to edit the scans?
ReplyDeleteHi there! I use Photoshop Elements 9.
DeleteIf you don't have PSE, you can color correct and brighten photos super easily at www.ribbet.com (which is exactly like Picnik was - same platform).
MELISSA!! I love this!! Probably the best idea in the world for saving his artwork. I really wish our parents had something like that when we were kids. :)
ReplyDeleteThat would have been such a great idea. If my mom saved any of my artwork I've never seen it.
DeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a fabulous idea. So going to do this for my two kids. Love it.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your album, such an awesome idea!
ReplyDeleteThat's a very good idea! And since We don't have those here in the Philippines, I'll try to create one! I really love it.. you're really creative!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.exkishme.blogspot.com
Wow, what a fantastic idea! Pinning on Pinterest...
ReplyDeletelooks fabulous, I take photos of all the artwork and make collages.. it works wonderfully..
ReplyDelete