Last Disney Pages

I got Aaron's Disney pages done, so his album is officially finished for 2011. These will likely be the last Disney pages you'll see from me, as I don't plan to do my own album from this trip. Someday, I'll get around to making a photo book. That may take me just as long as a traditional album, though. I've only done a few of the smaller ones, and even they have seemed overwhelming.

Next up is trying to get the boys' albums caught up. Hopefully I can stay semi-motivated and this can be accomplished this year. I already have photos printed for them up through Thanksgiving (I told you I haven't taken as many pictures). We're through January, though, which is when I always have gotten the most pages done. This year's page count for January was 17, less than half of last year's total. That doesn't bode well for the rest of the year, I'm afraid. It doesn't help matters that I've started a new knitting project that will likely take several months.

Before I get too discouraged, I should take a moment and bask in the knowledge that, as of today, the boys' albums are technically less than a year behind.

Here are Aaron's Disney pages. Most of the photos are the same as the last batch, and most of the layout designs are similar. I've tried to include links to the sketches I used this time.

 Sketch: Amy Alvis

 Sketch: Amy Alvis (I flipped it)

Sketch: Amy Alvis

Slow January

I am finally posting a bunch of new pages today, but at the same time, I'm saying that this has been a slow month, scrapping-wise. As far as scrapbooking goes, January is typically my most productive month of the year. Last January, I did about 40 pages, the year before around 35. We are at the end of January already, and my page count stands at 13. The good news is, Caleb's album is finished through the end of 2011. It's kind of sad when being a year behind in one album feels almost like being caught up.

I've been doing some thinking about my future in this hobby, which has consumed me at times for over thirteen years. I know I don't have the same passion for it that I once had, and sometimes it almost feels like a chore to get some pages done. I do still love sharing the memories, between my photos and my journaling. I never have been a technique scrapper, always having to try the latest and greatest. It's always been about the pictures and the stories. I admit that I probably took on too much, trying to maintain albums for each of my boys as well as myself, which oftentimes meant scrapping the same photos three times. This is the compromise I'm thinking of (compromise being in my head, because honestly, who really cares?): I will continue to work on traditional scrapbooks for the boys, but transition to photo books (i.e. Shutterfly) for the family albums. 

I'm at a good place to make this transition, too. The family album is only finished through 2010. I am not really close to starting 2011, so that would be a good place to make the switch. I think I will still do a traditional album for our 2011 Disney Cruise, partly because I already have the album and some supplies. I was planning to do that album before I started on the rest of 2011 anyway.

I still have some time to mull it over. I haven't finished Aaron's 2011 album yet, and have some of the boys' 2012 photos already printed. I'm trying to convince myself that it won't take as long to get their books caught up, because my picture-taking dramatically decreased in 2012. Caleb's 2012 pages actually start in April (don't worry, he does have some pictures, they just went in his Cub Scout album instead). I can't totally figure out why I have so many fewer pictures for 2012. Yes, there was no big vacation (or 3...) that we went on, so that cut down on the numbers. And yes, I've gotten too lazy to lug my aging DSLR around with me. But I always have my phone with me, its camera at my fingertips. Granted, its pictures aren't nearly as good as my Nikon's (even though it has an 8MP camera as opposed to the Nikon's 6MP), but you'd think I'd be taking more pictures with it. Whatever the reason, getting their scrapbooks caught up should be easier.

Here are the pages I've gotten done so far this year. In my ever-increasing laziness, I won't even bother with descriptions. It's safe to say that most of my papers are DCWV. Some are from Disney. I may have used some sketches on a few, but I can't remember which ones. There should be a link to the sketch blog on the right side here now.

With any luck, it won't be two months before I post again.

Hollywood Studios Done

Before my latest scrapping hiatus, I did get some more pages done for my Disney album. Our Hollywood Studios day is now complete, and I have just one more day to finish.

I admit, I have really lost my motivation for this project, but I have a slightly renewed interest in it now. I've planned out the rest of the pages (at least which photos are going on what pages), so I can actually see the end in sight. I think six more layouts (or about eight pages) will do it, and I can get back to my everyday albums.

Since I didn't meet my goal of finishing the album by the end of February, my new goal is to finish before Easter. There are two reasons behind this: one, my family is coming to visit for Easter and I'd like to have a completed album to show them; and two, Easter will mark about two years since the trip took place. I don't know that I've ever been two years behind in my scrapbooks. One year? All the time. Even a year and a half is fairly standard, but two is unthinkable. Unless I really get a move on, though, two years behind is going to be my new normal. I guess it's time to start thinking again about going digital....

Here are the Hollywood Studios pages.

Paper: DCWV
Stickers: Disney

Sketch: Amy Alvis (This sketch was the basis, but I did change it around a little)
Papers: DCWV, Disney, Provo Craft
Stickers, etc: Disney

Papers: DCWV
Stickers: Disney

Sketch: Amy Alvis
Papers: DCWV
Rubons: DCWV
Cricut Cartridge: All Mixed Up

Papers: DCWV
Stickers: Disney, Colorbok
Punch: EK Success

Papers: DCWV, Paper Studio
Stickers: Disney, Colorbok
Cricut Cartridge: Lyrical Letters

Papers: Paper Studio, Provo Craft, Creative Imaginations
Stickers: Disney
Cricut Cartridge: Mini Monograms

Papers: DCWV
Sticker: Disney
Punch: Fiskars

Animal Kingdom--Check!

I am still motivated to work on my Disney scrapbook, so I am still working on it! Of course, the chances of me finishing Aaron's Cub Scout album before he crosses over to Boy Scouts in two weeks are quickly diminishing, but I have another full day of Disney completed. Hmm, if I really push myself, it just might be possible to finish both albums in the next two weeks. I know I have less than ten pages to finish up the Scout album, and I estimate about 20 to finish the Disney album. Don't hold your breath on that, but it could happen.

Day three of our 2010 Disney vacation was spent primarily at Animal Kingdom. All but one of these layouts is from there. Here is what I came up with. Thanks for letting me share.

Papers: Disney, DCWV, K & Co.
Stickers: Disney
Punch: EK Success

Papers: Disney, DCWV
Stickers: Disney

Papers: Disney, (old!) Provo Craft
Cricut Cartridge: Lyrical Letters

Papers: Disney, DCWV
Cricut Cartridges: Mickey Font, Stamped

Papers: (More old!) Provo Craft
Stickers: Disney
Cricut Cartridges: Mickey Font, Opposites Attract

Sketch: Amy Alvis (I actually used an extra photo in this sketch, but it's definitely close enough to make sure she gets the credit!)
Papers: DCWV
Cricut Cartridges: Tear Drop, Mini Monograms
Stickers: Disney, Provo Craft
Brads: Making Memories

Papers: DCWV
Stickers: Disney
Stamps: PSX

Papers: Scrap Book Wizard, Recollections (?)
Sticker: Disney
Punch: Fiskars

Papers: DCWV, Disney
Stickers: Disney
Cricut Cartridge: Mickey Font
Stamps: Hero Arts

Another Disney Day Complete!

I am so excited that I'm getting so much done this week on my Disney album. I put off this project for so long, so it's nice to see it finally taking shape. I am getting these pages done quickly and, unfortunately, they look it. I feel like they are looking the same, but my goal is preserving memories, not winning design contests.

A big help in letting me move along so fast is Amy Alvis's  4x6 Photo Sketch Blog. I've probably mentioned it before, but her sketches have been invaluable to me. If you are a traditional scrapper, I highly recommend checking out her blog. I turn to it almost every time I scrapbook, and if I don't use her sketches exactly, I usually base my pages on something I've seen there. When I know I've followed a sketch closely, I include the link in my page descriptions.

Today I finished the second full day of the trip. Something ironic I noticed when I was working on these pages is, for not actually doing much in World Showcase, we sure took a lot of pictures! I've got three more days to go, and I have no idea how all these pages are going to fit in the album I got at the parks. I'm not even halfway through, and I have 45 pages!

Here's the latest batch:

Sketch: Amy Alvis
Papers: DCWV
Cricut Cartridge: Jasmine
Sticker: Disney

Sketch: I used the same one as above, but flipped it, knowing that this page would be next to the China one in the album
Papers: More old stuff! Scrap Book Wizard
Cricut Cartridge: George and Basic Shapes
Sticker: Disney (actually a freebie in some junk mail)

Papers: DCWV
Cricut Cartridge: Calligraphy Collection
Sticker: Disney
Punch: EK Success

Papers: DCWV
Cricut Cartridge: Lyrical Letters
Sticker: Disney
Punch: EK Success

Papers; DCWV, Provo Craft
Cricut Cartridge: Lyrical Letters
Tag: Disney
Punch: EK Success

Papers: DCWV, Recollections
Cricut Cartridge: Mickey Font
Frame: Disney
Stamps: Hero Arts

Sketch: Amy Alvis (I made some minor changes for my layout, but I essentially stuck to this sketch)
Papers: DCWV
Sticker: Disney
Rub-ons: Making Memories

Papers: Paper Studio, Provo Craft
Stickers: Disney
Punch: Fiskars

Moving Right Along

Naturally, since I have another project I should be working on (finishing Aaron's Cub Scout album, not to mention some baby blankets that need to knit), I finally feel like I'm hitting my stride with the Disney album. Even though I'd like to get the Scout album caught up in time for the Blue and Gold banquet next month, I think I'm going to ride this Disney wave for as long as it lasts. It's been a long time since I've been this motivated to get any scrapbooking done.

I finally tried the characters from my Mickey Font Cricut cartridge, and I must say I'm pleased with the results. I think putting together all the layers was a lot easier with the Design Studio, since I could see just how little of a piece of paper I could get away with and cut all the pieces at the same time.

Anyway, here's what I've done in just the past two days.

Sketch: Amy Alvis
Papers: DCWV, Disney
Cricut Cartridge: All Mixed Up

Sketch: Amy Alvis
Papers: DCWV
Cricut Cartridge: Mickey Font
Sticker: EK Success
Brads: Paper Studio

Papers: DCWV
Cricut Cartridge: Mickey Font
Punch: Fiskars

Papers: DCWV, Provo Craft
Cricut Cartridge: Mickey Font

Papers: DCWV, Disney
Cricut Cartridge: Mickey Font
Punch: Fiskars

Papers: DCWV, Disney
Cricut Cartridge: Mini Monograms
Punch: Martha Stewart

Derby Day and Disney Day 1 Done!

How's that for a lot of "D's?" I thought of doing two separate posts, but figured if I did one, I'd forget the other, so you get everything together.

Today was the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby, which is always one of the highlights of the scouting year. This was the first year that both of my boys were competing in the race, although since they race by rank, they weren't competing directly against each other.

Caleb chose a pencil design for his first "official" car (he made a car last year for the open class division--any siblings or parents were welcome to make cars that were not part of the official race). Dad did the cutting, but the sanding and painting was his job. His car was definitely among the most popular, even if it didn't turn out to be among the fastest. He came in third out of nine in his division, which is not a bad showing, but only the top two finishers of each rank advance to districts.

Aaron decided on a slightly less creative design this year. It was pretty much your standard race car, but he did design the paint job on his own. He was the defending pack champion, but I don't think he felt any pressure (he's not really that kind of kid). His car wasn't fast enough this year to win it all, but he did take second place out of nine in his division, which is enough to advance to the district race.

I was proud of the sportsmanship both boys showed, especially Caleb. He has a tendency to get overly emotional when things don't go as he'd planned, so I'm happy he held it together when he realized that his brother was moving on and he was not. Actually, I think he may not have fully grasped the situation; in any case, there were no meltdowns and for that I'm grateful.

It's a good thing I've gotten some more Disney scrapbook pages done, since I'm going to need to take a break from it soon (I knew Scouts and Disney somehow were tied together...). Next month, Aaron will cross over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts and I've decided that his Cub Scout scrapbook needs to be complete in time for the occasion. That means Disney will have to take a back seat while I get the Scout album caught up.

I have reached a milestone in the Disney album this week. The first full day of the trip is finished! I only have four more days to go. I admit, though, that as I'm working on this album, I really think the 2011 trip is going to be showcased in a photo book instead of a traditional scrapbook. I already have over 25 pages covering a day and a half of vacation, and I'm not even using all the photos I have. I just hope I'll be able to fit everything into one book!

Anyway, here is what I've done this week.

Papers: Disney, EK Success
Stickers: Disney
Cricut Cartridge: Mickey Font
Punch: EK Success

Papers: Provo Craft, Disney
Stickers: Disney

Papers: DCWV
Stickers: Disney
Cricut Cartridges: Jasmine, Alphalicious
Other: Stickles

Papers: DCWV, unknown
Stickers: Disney
Cricut Cartridge: Mickey Font
Stamps: Hero Arts
Punch: Fiskars