BOOK CHALLENGE: Let's create an album together!

[Stacey Jewell Stahl]

I made a book that I showcased in the Artisan Notebook in November called "Cookie Grandma's Funny Family." I am starting a new book and thought I'd post some info and challenges for us to keep us going.

To get started:

1. Create a theme/purpose for your album - - - The purpose of my book is to document all of my daughter's stuffed animals AND record some of the "talk for the babies" role-playing conversations we have with them. I will be taking photos of her with each of her animals, adding this text and some of our conversations.

2. Decide how you want to print your book - - - I am getting my book printed in a hard cover book by Artscow or Shutterfly. This means that I need to watch the border of my page and not position anything too close that will get cropped out. If you are printing at home, you know your printer and if it does a full bleed print.

3. Decide on what kit(s) you want to use - - - I like a consistent look throughout the book, but you may want to vary your pages. I will be using various kits from Dawn Inskip that have doodled animals that match the stuffed animal I'm showcasing in the book. I will be using a solid white background like I did in my Cookie Grandma book and lots of fun doodles.

4. Choose your fonts for your text - - - Pick something readable for the bulk of your text. Save the script and cute fonts for titles or text on a curve. I've chosen Century Gothic for my text, and I will be doing two-column text. The left side will be right-justified, and the right side will be left-justified, creating a line down the middle.

5. Choose your alphas - - - have fun with these! Mix and match or use the same one throughout the book.

6. Decide on how many pages you will be making. If you are getting your book printed at Artscow, the standard books are 20 pages and 40 pages. This means 19 double page spreads for the 40 page book, with an intro page, a cover, a back cover and a spine. You pay extra for less or more than the standard number of pages.

This is to get you started! Ask questions here, and we'll get started next week with our first two-page spread to give you time to noodle on what book you'd like to create.

Have fun!
Stacey

[fazzbech]

Thanks for a fun challenge Stacey! Can't wait to see the pages for your book!

[lisarose]

I'd love to do something like this with all the newborn pics I'm bound to take soon I wont be able to get started next week though, and it might take me a while to actually get the layouts done, but I'm definitely keen to give it a go and will be watching along

[Stacey Jewell Stahl]

Lisarose - - - I began this project last October!! I asked my daughter to tell me about each of her stuffed animals while I sat at the keyboard and typed. I posted the text on my blog where it would be a permanent record. Five months later, I have begun.

So even if you don't do actual layouts, getting your text ready is a huge step! You can start your baby book by writing some motherly thoughts!

[Stacey Jewell Stahl]

OOOH!! These templates would be AWESOME for a book!

[amandac]

This is some great handy tips for making a book Stacey - if I can get myself sorted (and get access to a scanner) I think I might try to join in! I started a book for my daughters Primary School years at the end of last year (she just started High School this year) and I have got up to year 5 so far but now I dont like the colours/kitIi chose so I am thinking of going back to the beginning! I can't promise I WILL play along but I will definitely be watching this thread with interest!

[dawn inskip]

This is such a fun idea Stacey - and stuffed animals is a fab theme

[Stacey Jewell Stahl]

Originally Posted by amandac

This is some great handy tips for making a book Stacey - if I can get myself sorted (and get access to a scanner) I think I might try to join in! I started a book for my daughters Primary School years at the end of last year (she just started High School this year) and I have got up to year 5 so far but now I dont like the colours/kitIi chose so I am thinking of going back to the beginning! I can't promise I WILL play along but I will definitely be watching this thread with interest!

Oh, I do hope you play along - - - even for a bit. It took me about 6 hours to create my 40-page book, Cookie Grandma's Funny Family. I kept it very simple, and I will do so with my new book, "Talk for the Babies." You can follow my simple style or go wild with your own. Basically, I keep the focus on the photo and the text, adding just the right amount of graphics to keep it interesting.

Hope you can get your photos scanned and play along!

[Stacey Jewell Stahl]

Here is my first page. The black border around the image is for web-viewing only. You'll note that I am using a graphic-design style here. No 3D elements, no shadowing, just a photo, text, and 2D graphics. I'm using Century Gothic for the main text and CK Leisurely for the little text by the photo.

I've made four of these two-page layout in the past two days, and the only thing keeping me from going faster is that I don't have my photos taken! Please join the fun in making a quick and easy and special book. I'll have more inspiration for you on Thursday when Dawn's new kit comes out!

[katef]

Oh cool idea!

We made a recipe book to give as christmas presents this last christmas. It was very simple, just half a4 sized layouts, printed at home on some nice paper, stapled down the middle to make a little booklet. Not even any photos in these... but I used pictures that my girls drew on each page instead.

I actually have a couple left over that I should get around to giving away via my blog some day!!

Kate