Featured Page - G for Genealogy

This is a page I did a while ago for an ABC album. I chose Genealogy to stand for 'G' and used one of my favorite photos from my collection. The journaling card is attached by one brad and can swivel to reveal the rest of the photo.

Shopping for Supplies

I had a rare Saturday off from work today, and spent it shopping with my mom. We hit up a lot of different stores that carried scrapbook supplies.

First, we hit Archivers, which is a scrapbooking chain store. I saw some great new products from Making Memories: Vintage Findings kits. These kits contain great random "vintage" items such as buttons, keys, ribbon, paper, ticket stubs, etc. If you're interested in ephemera pages, these kits are for you. Check them out at MM's website.

I also saw great products for genealogy scrapbook pages from Tim Holtz and Jenni Bowland, such as chipboard buttons, vintage papers, distressing supplies, and more.

Next, we hit a few bookstores, looking at their Genealogy section. I was disappointed in the selection, with both Barnes and Noble and Borders having only a few books each. Oh, well - I'll have to get them online.

Later, we ended up at Hobby Lobby. I picked up some K&Company die-cut cardstock tags. What's great about these is that you can easily create an album that flows and carries a theme. I plan to use these on my census pages to add titles and captions. Also, these tags are made by the same company as those that are used in Ancestry.com's My Canvas publishing. So, if you created a digital scrapbook with My Canvas, you can create a traditional scrapbook that carries the same theme.

Also at Hobby Lobby, I saw these great mini-book overs from 7 Gypsies. They really look like antique book covers and photo album covers. I didn't pick any up because I don't have a project to use them for - but I love that they are available.

Featured Page - The Family Tree

This page was done on acetate for my mom's biography scrapbook. I took a piece of 8x8 acetate and painted it with Making Memories taupe colored paint. I thin stamped it was a light green paint and Hero Arts' K5165 French Country stamp. So, in a way, I made my own patter paper.

I lined my tree up how I wanted it (and how it would fit on the page), using the same green paint on the edges of the name blocks to give it a more finished look. To designate the couples, I used a small leaf punch to connect the name blocks.

Finally, I hand painted "the family tree" in the middle.

Featured Page - Albea Census

This genealogy scrapbook layout showcases the 1930 census record of Charles Vernon and Auline Albea and their family. The letters are chipboard that I painted, and I used a red felt arrow to highlight the family on the census page.

Using Originals

One question that is often posed when creating genealogy scrapbook pages is: should I use original photos? Just about 100% of the time, the answer back will be a resounding 'no!' However, I have used originals in my scrapbooks at times.

The main concern with using originals is that the photo will be damaged and exposed. When working with old photos, this may be the only copy available and is probably not replaceable. It only makes sense that you wouldn't want to risk the photo and it's very easy to use a copy. However - aren't scrapbooks just a fancy photo album? Aren't scrapbooks made to display photos?

As I said, I've used original photos in my scrapbooks before - in one in particular. My maternal grandfather had his old photos sitting in a box, piled on top of each other. My mom took these photos and put them into a scrapbook/photo album, simply putting them on white paper, using photo corners and writing labels on the white paper.

This had me thinking: what would be the difference if I put them on color paper, adding a title and a few embellishments? All of the products would be "archival safe," with only the paper and photo corners coming into direct contact with the photos. So, I took the photos and put them into a scrapbook.

Some key things to remember:

1. Use all "archival safe" scrapbooking products.
2. Do not permanently adhear the photos to anything. Use photo corners to place the photos on the page.
3. Do not adhear anything to the photos - and even avoid having any other page elements touching the photo.
4. Keep your scrapbook in a clean and dry location, away from direct sunlight.
5. Use cotton gloves when handling the photos.

If you are at all concerned about damaging your photos while putting them into the scrapbook remember - you can use copies. But if you want to use the originals, I say go for it - just be careful.

Featured Page - The Rocky Road of Love

In this layout, both the photo and the copy of the marriage certificate are removable for better viewing.

Featured Page - What's In A Name?

This scrapbook layout is about my grandfather, Thomas S. Craft. When he was born, his name was registered as Herbert. He had no idea of this fact when he was young, but eventually had to file for an amended birth certificate. This layout is showcases those documents, which are very important in my genealogy research.

Because the documents are important, they are all fully removable from the page. To explain the document, I've also included the story in a hidden journaling block. It's on the beige paper behind the photo.