| The challenges of a large scrapbook can be daunting | | | | scrapbook theme will be that child's life. Page themes |
| if you are new to the craft. There sits that large album, | | | | might include: birth, first step, first tooth, and other firsts. |
| filled with blank pages. You will need a theme for the | | | | Include pages showing the child with his or her family. |
| album and a theme for each page. You will need to | | | | Show "my house", "my room", "my favorite toys", "the |
| add background paper, photos, frames, journaling, and | | | | books I love", etc. You might include the child's favorite |
| embellishments. You don't know where to begin! | | | | foods, favorite games, and favorite places to visit, like |
| Even if you aren't new to scrapbooking, there are | | | | the park. Remember the family pet, too. |
| times when a mini scrapbook is just more appropriate | | | | 2. WEDDING: A mini scrapbook of your wedding |
| than a large one. | | | | would make a lovely thank you gift for family |
| Start Small and KISS | | | | members and the wedding party. You would want to |
| A mini scrapbook allows you to start small and | | | | plan it out before the wedding, so it was ready for |
| "keep-it-simple-sweetie" (KISS). You needn't spend as | | | | adding photos soon after your honeymoon. Elegance |
| much time on a mini scrapbook, since a small page will | | | | and simplicity make the job easier and more beautiful. |
| hold much less. The KISS point is that, being small, a | | | | You could make one scrapbook, and then have pages |
| mini scrapbook will look cluttered if you get too many | | | | color copied on cardstock. These could readily be cut, |
| items on a page. | | | | collated, and spiral-bound at an office supply store. |
| An album as small as 6" x 6" can be used for a mini | | | | 3. VACATION: Adult and children alike can make their |
| scrapbook. The pages are large enough to hold a | | | | own mini scrapbooks of a vacation trip. Our two |
| photo up to the standard 4" x 6". The extra 2" can be | | | | children did this at age 5 and thoroughly enjoyed it. |
| used for a note or caption. | | | | Again, the small size of the pages allows them to |
| DIY Cardstock Album | | | | maintain interest, and complete a book without |
| You need not use a purchased album for your mini | | | | becoming discouraged. Our children's books included |
| scrapbook. Simply cut regular letter-size cardstock | | | | such things as: tickets to amusement parks; photos |
| sheets in half, creating pages that measure five and a | | | | clipped from the hotel's free brochures; photos of our |
| half inches by eight and a half inches. Or purchase | | | | son riding a mini car; of our daughter riding a 2-humped |
| blank cards in that size at an office supply store. | | | | camel; and little comments (journaling) in the children's |
| When you are ready to bind your mini scrapbook, | | | | own writing. |
| purchase cover stock in colors, and have it spiral | | | | Digital Mini Scrapbook Pages |
| bound. | | | | Yes, you can produce your mini scrapbook on a |
| Another good way to make a cardstock mini | | | | computer. Design each page, leaving a one half each |
| scrapbook follows. | | | | border at the top. Print to cardstock, punch holes in the |
| 1. First, create your mini scrapbook pages, allowing a | | | | top border, and insert rings for a cute flipbook. Or size |
| one half inch border at one end of each page. This is | | | | your mini scrapbook pages to fit a flip desk frame. |
| where your scrapbook will be bound, so the border | | | | Great Uses for Mini Scrapbooks |
| should alternate from page to page. | | | | 1. A small child will enjoy a mini scrapbook more than a |
| 2. Create a cover for your mini scrapbook, leaving the | | | | large one, since each page will be simple and easy to |
| same border for binding. | | | | enjoy. A small child can handle mini scrapbooks better, |
| 3. At an office supply store, printer, or copy service | | | | too. Laminated pages will remain clean, and the book |
| store, have each page copied in color - double-sided - | | | | can be enjoyed everyday - even carried in the car. |
| on your chosen size of cardstock. Have the cover | | | | 2. Mini scrapbooks make great "yearbooks" for parting |
| copied on cover stock. | | | | high school or college friends. Work together on the |
| 4. Ask to have your mini scrapbook spiral bound after | | | | original, and then have copies made and bound for |
| it is copied. You will have a choice of spiral binding or | | | | each member of the group. |
| comb binding. They come in colors, so you can | | | | 3. Grandma's "Brag Book" goes to the office as a mini |
| coordinate the cover stock and plastic binding. | | | | scrapbook mounted on a desk frame. Flip a page |
| Long-lived Mini Scrapbooks | | | | each day to have a gallery of photos, each on a |
| Keep your mini scrapbooks clean and strong, | | | | cleverly themed page. |
| especially those that will be handled by young children. | | | | 4. Mini scrapbooks are a great alternative to an annual |
| Instead of having your pages copied double-sided, | | | | letter sharing the past year with family and friends. |
| choose single-sided copies. Then laminate pages | | | | Pages would include high points of your year: a birth, |
| together in pairs, back to back. Laminate your cover, | | | | graduation, new job, new home, etc. |
| and bind the mini scrapbook. | | | | A few minutes alone with your imagination, and you will |
| What Else? | | | | think of many more uses, many more ideas. Mini |
| Keeping it simple, here are a few themes you may | | | | scrapbooking is an economical, quick way to gather a |
| want to consider for your mini scrapbook. | | | | few memories for posterity. |
| 1. YOUNG CHILD: If it's for a young child, your mini | | | | |