? For Scrapbooking Moms

I had the same problem. But I recently purchased photoshop elements ($70-$80). Then I have discovered a TON of free stuff (paper, fonts, alpha, word art, embellishments) online that can just be downloaded. (If you want a list email me at lizardping44 at gmail dot com) That way whenever I have a free moment I can jump on my computer and do a quick scrap page (I do one book for each child -2 and one for the "family"). If it involves both kids and then I just save the page in each of their files. Then when I have the money saved up I print them from wherever I can get the best deal (shutterfly, snapfish, blub, peekaboo, lulu, publisher). That way I save time by only doing the work for one page and using it for both kids (or kids and family). I like digi scrapbooking because I can easily change something if I don't like it and I don't have to get anything out because it's all on my computer.

I love to scrapbook too but with two small children find it hard to do it. My mother and I go on a weekend scrapbooking trip twice a year (November and April). We got to my aunt's house and there are usually 10-15 women there. We used to go after work Friday (getting there around 10pm) and then stay until breakfast on Sunday. I'd get about 30-40 pages done but I'd pretty much sit down and scrap - only stopping to eat out for lunch on Saturday and for dinner at her house that night. It's honestly the only time I do scrapbook (at least for now!)

As far as what I put in what books, each child has their own books for 0-2(for now). I then have a yearly book for our family. If there is any event like birthdays, field trips, etc for one child, it goes in 'their' book. If it's a family event (holidays, dinner out, etc) it goes in our family book. I have a feeling that I'll probably just go to the family ones once they hit two but then once they are in school, I plan on doing 1 for them for each year (or 1 per two years) depending on how much school related stuff they do.

I keep a folder of stickers, and a folder of papers, a pack of pens and random pictures and notes all togethre in the hall closet.

I made a 4 scrapbooks for my oldest, working on one for my baby, one for my husband, one for a friend, and i divided all family history pictures in three and made an album and a scrapbook for both of my brothers and myself.

Ive noticed that my oldest daughters babyhood was recorded more thoroughly, i guess thats how it goes,

one tip i have, is to get your kids their own play scrapbook, they can use your discarded stickers, pictures and papers/borders it will keep them busy while you work on yours

Do a book for each child and make the books simpler then you have in the past. They will still be cherished by your child. I use the kits and books from www.Gathersortstore.com. They are easy, archival and quicker then scrapbooking, I think, and you can still be creative. Good luck!

I have two rolling plastic carts for all of my scrapbooking stuff. They have 4-5 drawers each and are about 3 feet tall, cheap ones from Target. Each drawer has different stuff (paper, punches and scissors, markers and pens, scrap paper, stamps, things from events to add in with the pictures, stickers, etc) That way when I am ready I can just wheel them to where I want and start working and everything is pretty quick to clean up. Right now they are in a room with an extra table, so everything is pretty much set up when I have time to do a few pages. I only do 8.5 by 11 now too, since I can just put it in a regular 3 ring binder. Mine are all just in order by date.

If you are going to do books they can each have, maybe do smaller ones that cover a longer time and I'm sure they will have some of the same pictures since they will also have many memories of the same things and events.

Have fun scraping when you can!

I second the going to a scrapbook day. I have 1 & 4 year old daughters. If I try to do anything at home they want to help or there just isn't time. Look around in your area for scrap book or craft stores that do scrap days. For me it was one time a month but that one day was 12-14 hours of scrapping. The cost was minimal ($20-30) and that included meals and snacks all day. I would bring my supplies get my own table and scrap the day away. I feel like my scrapping has improved so much this way as I learn new things and get more ideas when I am around other scrappers. Also, don't worry if you don't go with a friend. My experiences have been that everyone is nice and just like me; busy mama's trying to find some time for ourselves!
Going to scrap days has been a lot of fun for me and I am sure I wouldn't get any scrapping down without them!

I have tried doing some scrapbooking with friends as a get together. It was fun and we had a great time. I also love www.Shutterfly.com which is my alternative to traditional scrapbooking.

I've seen the digital scrapbooks done on the Walmart or Costco websites and they look great with only a fraction of the time. My sIL does a 'year book' for each of her 5 kids for every Christmas. They look great and she says it takes a little moer than an hor for each one to sum it up. More if you journal more. I know it isn't as creative but maybe it would be faster and rewarding.

i had to respond because last night i stayed up until a ridiculous hour scrapbooking and i feel great having done it! one thing that helped me find time to scrapbook was to put my kids to bed sooner. really! i get the dishes done and some laundry folded and then i don't feel guilty about spending the evening scrapbooking. i keep my supplies in two carrying cases in my bedroom closet and pull them out into the living room. i spread everything on the floor because i work better on the floor than the dining table. when it's time to stop i put everything away because it could be months before i can touch it again. if i'm in the middle of a page or a good idea, i write it down for future reference. i did one book for each child's first year and the other books so far have been about my own adventures before marriage. i'm no expert, and i don't have many fancy supplies, but this is how it works for me and it is a great creative outlet for me.
i have also done scrapbooking nights with a group of friends and i loved that, not just for the socializing but also because we shared tools and other supplies. so i got to try new things and get ideas from them.

I had the same problems, and these are the best two tips I ever received:

1. Get ziplocs XL bags (They're just a bit bigger than 12x12 paper), and when you get photos you want to make into a page, put each in a bag with the paper/notions you want to include. I also jot a little note to myself about what I want to say on the page (and even include a quick sketch if I have an idea). Ziploc bags are the best. This doesn't take up that much space or time and I still have the energy to do this after the kids are in bed.

If you have friends who scrap, set up monthly scraps and rotate hosts. (We each bring candy and the host provides chips and drinks). Once the date is set, you're forced to get everything together, and it's nice to get a night out with the friends too. I think of it as a modern sewing circle.

As for doing a book for each kid--I'm having that problem too. I'll be interested to see what answers you get...

Have fun!

I know it usually costs money but I go to 12 hour scrapbook events. Its the only way I find time to scrap and I can get a lot done in those 12 hours and have fun with the people I go with. I went to a 12 hour one in April and now am going to one this month. The April one only cost $5 and you were on your own for food. This Sept one is $35 but includes breakfust, lunch dinner. I figure by the item I buy meals for the other one its about the same cost.

As far as books. The main thing I have made that I want my kids to have is their own baby scrapbook. This book has all their birth information and everything through the first year.

Outside of that I think I will make them a school one. For this one I just plan on putting on putting pics and things from their years of school. I think I am going to do a Preschool - 5th grade one. Then a 6th - 8th grade one. Then a Highschool book. This one will be individual.

For the rest of the scrapbooking I do, I have started a scrapbbok with different events mixed together. Then I think I might do a Christmas one and then a birthday one. (This will be one that they will decide who wants when I pass away) One might want it more than the other or they will just have to work it out in my opinion.

I don't want to have to find the time to make a scrapbook on every event for each of my children I just know I wouldn't find the time to do this.