It has been quite awhile since I sat down with a new scrapbooking idea book so it was fun to receive a review copy in the mail a few weeks ago.
It should be available at most local scrapbook and craft stores, or you can order it online from amazon.com.
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Now I had my babies a long time ago and they are both teenagers now, but I don’t have all their baby scrapbook pages done. I found plenty of inspiration in this book that will help me to make meaningful and beautiful keepsake pages. It was also nice to browse through a colorful book of ideas. I spend so much time in the online world that I don’t always allow myself the pleasure of flipping through glossy pages of magazines and idea publications.
Here are my thoughts on the book:
- There are about 26 pages at the beginning of the book dedicated to introducing the reader to scrapbooking and basic techniques and supplies. While this wasn’t really necessary for me, I can understand why it was included. I know that a large amount of scrapbookers get their start by making a baby album. The information was well presented and easy to digest.
- There are 12 pages of pregnancy related layouts, tips, and ideas. I like how they included specific prompts as well as advice for how to scrap unusual pieces like ultrasound pictures. I appreciated that there were only 3 layouts that featured undressed pregnancy bellies (and those were tasteful). I don’t know if anyone else feels this way, but I really don’t enjoy seeing big n*ked prego bellies. lol! I know it’s beautiful and natural and I’m all for it if you want that for your own book – I just don’t particularly like looking at them. Don’t hate me for this – ok? :)
- About 14 pages of beautiful layouts and content related to “Welcoming Baby” and even an idea for a pre-made album to have ready for baby’s arrival. Very nice.
- A few ideas for a brag book, a visitor album, and birth announcements. Fun stuff!
- 24 pages of “Milestones and Development” pages and ideas. This is probably my very favorite part of the book. How I wish I would have had a resource like that when my babies were little! I wish I had more of their milestones recorded. Especially because my son was very delayed on a lot of his milestones. I actually needed that information when it came time to go through the autism diagnosis process. Thankfully, I had kept fairly good records and at least did some scrapbooking during that time.
- A big section (35 pages) on “Daily Life” that has some great layouts and fun journaling tips.
- “Personality and Relationships” is a wonderful section full of about 22 pages of inspiration. I wish I had taken more relationship based photos of my children when they were young. Now that they are older I really appreciate how important those are!
- 4 pages of Digital Album Scrapbooking where I recognized Heather Ann’s cute layouts. Of course since I am a digital scrapbooker, I loved that this was included and would have liked to have seen even more digi related material.
- Plenty of “Events” related ideas and layouts (about 18 pages) which is important for a baby scrapbook. First birthday, Halloween, Christmas, etc. are a big deal in a baby’s world – especially for the parents and grand-parents!
- Gifts for baby were covered in 7 pages and included a lot of adorable ideas!
- The remainder of the book (about 10 pages) went over some more advanced techniques, including a few digital tricks.
Overall, I would say this is one of the better idea publications I have seen. It weighed in at 192 pages and there are NO advertisements, it is all quality content. That has always been one of my biggest pet peeves with scrapbooking special publications and idea books – I don’t like it when they call it a book and fill it with ads! This one is really a great deal with a TON of layouts and other great ideas.
It also said on the cover that it was included with a full year subscription to Scrapbooks Etc. I don’t know the details on that, but that would be an even more amazing deal! That might be only applicable to subscribers who were already in place before this publication? Check with Scrapbooks Etc. if you have questions about subscribing.
Kudos to Scrapbooks Etc. for putting out a quality publication all about Scrapbooking for Baby!
