Doing a Scrapbook

[nkeevers]

I'm trying my hand at a scrapbook for my parents for Christmas of their lives. I have lots of old pictures...some are in faded color, some in black and white, lots needing some kind of help.


My first question is does it matter if the pictures aren't perfect because I don't think some are going to be easy to fix and I'm no expert. I've fixed a few and they are still not perfect.

Second, would the book look funny if I had pictures in both color and black and white or should I be sticking to one type. Since I've never done one before and I have no examples to look at, I have no clue if it matters or not.

[Teacher617]

The only thing that matters is how you and your parents like the end result.

I did a similar project for my mom's 80th birthday. I found photos from 1904 to the present. Of course the oldest pics were in black and white; newer ones in color. What mattered most was the look on my mom's face as she watched her life unfold (on the TV; I turned it into a DVD). She didn't know (or even care) which pictures still looked faded and which were "perfect." Her friends and the rest of my family were just thrilled to be able to see Mom's life presented that way.

I suspect you will find the same with your own family. :)

And of course, any help you DO need to fix those photos can be found right here in this forum.

Tricia

[AngelicKim]

Norma, what a great gift. I'm not too good at scrapping yet but I think doing the photos the way they are is the way to go. It is their life together and technology changing is part of it so b&w to color would the way to go in my opinion. Like Tricia said, either way they will love it.

[Wags374]

I don't think there would be a problem with a progression from B&W to color. It is even possible to mix them on the same page with the right layout. Sometimes the photos from the 60's and 70's have a yellow cast that it wouldn't hurt to try and remove. I have never been able to get rid of all of it, but the pictures do look a little better with a bit of "help".

I'm sure they will love it.

[PattyD]

You will always be more critical of your work than others, we're all guilty of that! LOL!

Your parents will love whatever you make them. As for B & W and color I've seen and done books with both kinds of pictures in them. You may also want to add a tinted look to the color photos too. Using all B & W and then 1 color photo on a page is a nice way to emphasize the color photo.

[Wendy]

Hi Norma ...

I have found that mixing B&W and colour can work very well ... so just go ahead and try it out :)

They really will be delighted that you did it for them. If you need any help then just ask :)

Wendy

[cats4jan]

I like that suggestion of tinting the black and whites with some subtle color - but really - there is no need. Mixing photos on a scrapbook page along with the embellishments is what digi-scrapping is all about.

And your parents? - they won't notice any of the "mistakes" you will fret over - they will only see the love that is in the book - your hand at doing something so special for them.

Stop worrying and truly enjoy your trip trhough history.

(Boy, I really need to get those photos out of my brother's hands - you have now made me more eager than ever to do a "history" scrapbook)

[nkeevers]

Thanks to all of you for the wonderful tips! I'm going to use all of them! I can get the yellowish tints off the old photos. That shouldn't be hard. And I can get rid of some of the tears and so forth. It's just too bad a few pictures are really, really out of focus and blurry but I think I will try my best and use them anyway. Tinting some of them is a great idea too!

It's a labor of love and even though I'm not an expect at this scrapbooking thing, right now they think the pages I send are awesome (LOL!!) so I shouldn't worry.

I probably will be asking a question or two down the line. Right now I've printed out each picture small (b/w on plain paper) so I can make make a mockup of each page with a title and journaling on each. The journaling will be the toughest.

[kimh]

Wow Norma, you're coming along with your project. I must get busy on my Christmas projects too.
Your pictures should look fine after fixing a little removal of yellow cast, etc.
Kimh

[Lorri]

Norma, your project sounds wonderful!

I did a scrapbook for my 94 year old grandmother as a gift last Christmas. She shows it to everyone who walks in her door! And the stories it's caused her to remember and share are enough to fill another two or three books!

[PattyD]

Thanks to all of you for the wonderful tips! I'm going to use all of them! I can get the yellowish tints off the old photos. That shouldn't be hard. And I can get rid of some of the tears and so forth. It's just too bad a few pictures are really, really out of focus and blurry but I think I will try my best and use them anyway. Tinting some of them is a great idea too!

It's a labor of love and even though I'm not an expect at this scrapbooking thing, right now they think the pages I send are awesome (LOL!!) so I shouldn't worry.

I probably will be asking a question or two down the line. Right now I've printed out each picture small (b/w on plain paper) so I can make make a mockup of each page with a title and journaling on each. The journaling will be the toughest.


One more thought that comes to mind is that when you're working on this project is it really necessary to fix the photos as best as you can. I've seen some projects where the condition of the photos made it look more real if that makes any sense. The photos are old so you also want to convey that.

In one of the first scrapbooking classes I took from Creative Memories years ago the consultant stressed that you should crop out all of the unnecessary background like cars, buildings, etc. from your photos. She went on to say that in a heritage photo you shouldn't crop out the backgrounds because people will be interested in the type of cars we had then etc. This has always struck me a little bit funny because the pictures I was working on for that first scrapbooking class are now almost heritage photos! LOL! Just remember that this book you are working on will be viewed by people many years in the future.

[nkeevers]

Patty, you are so right! Never thought of that! Great advice and I think I will take it!

[Rusty]

Norma, this is a wonderful project.

Patty and the others are right about you being your worst critic. Many of the people looking at your finished project aren't even going to notice many of the things you will agonize over.

I restored some old snapshots from the 1930s. People said, "How wonderful, there's Aunt Edna." Not a single person said, "There's Aunt Edna out of focus." :)

Rusty

[nkeevers]

Rusty, that's funny! They'll be so busy looking at all the fancy stuff on the page and all, they won't even notice the pictures are not perfect! I think I won't worry about it any more.

[Wendy]

Hi Norma ...

Sounds like you are doing really well with your project !! :)

Wendy

[nkeevers]

Wendy, I got lots of feedback from everyone so it's helping a lot! I'm actually using your kit, Shades of Coral, and Lisa's Exquisite Ivory. They are the basics I'll work with. I'm sure I'll be tossing some others in. Should look good I hope.

[Wendy]

Hi Norma ...

Do let us see all the pages as you do them ... it sounds really good :) ...

Wendy

[Karin Sue]

Some ideas your bad photos.

Keep them small--the problems are less obvious.

Scatter them overlapping on a page.

Use them in a filmstrip.

Use a collage of mini pictures to make a frame for a large good picture.

[Wags374]

Great suggestions Karin Sue!

[nkeevers]

Karin Sue, thanks for the tips. The filmstrip gives me an idea for my Family Reunion page! Good ideas!