Project 365 Layout---Need to Change!

[dugarner]

I've been fussing over wanting to change my 365 layout for a couple of weeks. I love the way I have so much room to journal; telling the story has become as much a part of the project for me as the photos.

But I can't print a 105-page book at Shutterfly, and I can't afford two books this year. I don't want to use another printer who can do larger books, for the same reason---$$$. So I'm thinking about cutting down and fitting a week on a page.

Does anyone have a suggestion, or a link to a favorite that uses 7 photos on a page that has LOTS of room for journaling? I think I need to change the way I'm doing the book, and I need to change it now before I'm in too deep for the year. I just need ideas and inspiration.

I feel much more confident about a week on a page in a 12X12 book than in an 8X8, where I think my journaling would get lost and the photos would just be too small.

Anyway, I'm mostly just meandering around in (what's left of) my brain, I burned out on scrapping last weekend but I want to keep my 365 momentum going. This has really become an important part of my life.

Sarah

[kmartorina]

Sarah, this may not be much help, but I love the way you are doing your 365 with all of the journaling...you are telling so many stories and preserving so many memories...maybe you can just upload to Shutterfly until you can afford to print it.

[dugarner]

That may be what I need to hear---but I'm thinking, if I go to a page a week, I can go two weeks without coming up with a new color scheme, AND I can keep the papers, etc. the same through a month, or something like that.

I guess seeing the same LO over and over, while it fits my personality, is getting "boring" and I'm afraid I'll hate the book by the time it's done. I might sit on it for another week, and at least keep current but think about it for a while.

Thanks!

[Starlite9711]

Just an option for you..... and I know this might completely throw you off, so ignore it if need be

What about an 8.5 x 11 alternative. The books are a tad cheaper than the 12x12 but there is more space than a 8x8. You might be able to adapt the pages you have to fit 8.5 x 11 and keep the same type of layout.

Just throwing it out there

[donitab]

This LO by Laura Bean is great for one page/week & still leaves quite a bit of space for journaling

Project 365 Week 20 - Digital Scrapbooking Ideas - DesignerDigitals

[dorah]

Sorry no suggestions here. Just wanted to say that I enjoy your journaling and hope you can find a compromise that works for you so that you can keep it along with your beautiful photos.

[justmp]

I'm using Anna's Layered Template No. 27 Series. I've been able to get enough journaling in for each day to tell the story, I think. Here's one of my pages: Project 365 - week 19 - Digital Scrapbooking Ideas - DesignerDigitals The rest are in my gallery.

[anke]

I just happen to really like Anna's templates. she has enough squares to add journaling, and she has enough that fit together, which I like. Just a sentence for a photo is enough for me. I can't quite remember what you used, I know you have the 2 pages and it does look nice, but you are right, it will get really expensive, that is why I chose the single page (if I ever get another one done )

[anke]

Oh Jodi, how funny!!! We do think alike, don't we?

[JALong]

On my week when the month ends, I do the last 3-4 of the month with my 4th week and then start a new page on the next month. That cuts down a bit on the number of pages.

[justmp]

Thinking about this a bit more having just looked closer at your layouts. I don't think you want to give that design up! The journaling is super on them. What font size are you using for your journaling? If it's not smaller than 14 or so, I think they would print fine at 8x8 and the pictures would still be big enough to see the details.

[blkcow]

Hi Sarah...

I just love your 365 pages and personally think the book will be awesome....but with that being said I agree that it can be frustrating. I just can't seem to do the 1 sentence journaling....I guess I am just way to chatty I too am using Ann's Layered template 27 and have shuffled things around. Since I am doing only 4 photos per week, that seems to give me enough room for photos and journaling on 1 page.

Good luck with you decision and I know whatever you do with will be wonderful!

Pam

[dugarner]

Originally Posted by justmp

I'm using Anna's Layered Template No. 27 Series. I've been able to get enough journaling in for each day to tell the story, I think. Here's one of my pages: Project 365 - week 19 - Digital Scrapbooking Ideas - DesignerDigitals The rest are in my gallery.

I'm going to try to catch up on leaving some love today and tomorrow . . . I'm so behind in the gallery! That said, your pages are gorgeous! I don't know if I could just do a sentence, though. I think I have to decide whether or not the cost is worth the journaling!

The font is 11 pt, I can print it out on an 8X8 page and see how it looks. It's a regular font, comparable to Palatino in kerning.

[Amy L]

Sarah, I have wrestled with the same issues, as I am doing 2-page layouts for mine. I am sticking with it and just plan to pay for 2 books. Good luck with your decision!

[Kathie]

Although mine aren't full of journaling--and I would like more--I am also doing 2 pages per week. My thought is to do two one-pagers every quarter so I can keep my pages down to less than 100 for the year. Figure it will be better broken up that way, and I may throw in an extra two so that I can do a cover and closing page as well. I am using Katie's 365 templates and those have the two pagers as well as the singles I need to cut down on my number.

So my advice is to stick to your plan of lots of journaling!!

[readstoomuch]

I am doing one page per week and am very happy with the look of them . . . but, I find that I'm running behind because it is very hard to get it all on one page for me.

I am thinking the opposite of what you are thinking . . . if I do this next year, I will do a double page per week. Compacting the journaling is just too hard for me and I'm having trouble doing my pages . . . but, I'm not changing my plan for 2009 . . . just hoping to have time to concentrate and catch up.

http://www.designerdigitals.com/digi...y.php?cat=1456

[dugarner]

Originally Posted by readstoomuch

I am thinking the opposite of what you are thinking . . . if I do this next year, I will do a double page per week. Compacting the journaling is just too hard for me and I'm having trouble doing my pages . . . but, I'm not changing my plan for 2009 . . . just hoping to have time to concentrate and catch up.

Mollie, your pages are breathtaking, I love that template, and I love how the page is just filled with pictures. It's so simple, but so elegant! I think a lot of feedback has leaned me in the "print it when I can" direction. I have a friend with a large-format printer, and I'm going to have her print a page for me in 8X8 and 12X12, and I'll use that to decide. I'm thinking I'm going to do a regular family album for 2009 as well, so maybe that can be the big 12X12 and the Project 365 can be two smaller 8X8 books.

Thanks, everyone, for your help!

[iUma]

Ok this might be wacky but what about using Amy's idea about two books for the year - split at 6months and then wait to print til there is a two for one sale??

ETA: o, I should read your post first!!LOL

[mugsbigsis]

I agree with the others that your pages look great! I think by the end, those of use who stick with a format will all be sick of our pages, but if you were really happy in the beginning with the look then you know your book will look good. Sometimes we just see it so much that we need to look at it with "fresh eyes" to appreciate it again.

[dugarner]

Originally Posted by mugsbigsis

I agree with the others that your pages look great! I think by the end, those of use who stick with a format will all be sick of our pages, but if you were really happy in the beginning with the look then you know your book will look good. Sometimes we just see it so much that we need to look at it with "fresh eyes" to appreciate it again.

Kelly, I definitely agree! When I finish a book and order it, I am so excited when it comes, then I sit down to look at it . . . and I think, I'm so sick of seeing these pictures! I have to remember that the rest of my family hasn't seen any of them until they get into a printed book.

[mugsbigsis]

Originally Posted by dugarner

I have to remember that the rest of my family hasn't seen any of them until they get into a printed book.

I do the same thing when I'm making a quilt so I'm trying not to panic about my 365 pages all being the same.

[Amy L]

I know I will be happy to have mine the same design when the book is printed. I've made too many scrapbooks that look all disjointed. I am struggling a bit with the boredom though and I almost thought about quitting. Just couldn't bring myself to stop though. I'm glad I'm not the only one!

[LisaD]

I know it's expensive. But I say wait for sales, break it down by the half or quarter. I love your journaling on your layouts and the design, and quite frankly I think you would lose way too much by taking it to a one page format.
Just my $.02

[Jen D]

I am doing both because I couldn't decide =) I am working in two pagers with one pagers. This way I am cutting pages and adding journaling. I like to journal a lot too and I don't like when I have to Squeeze it in. I got in a pattern of one pages but coming up and some great photo months so I plan to do more two pages. I am doing mine 8X8 because I am doing a family album plus an album for each kid... just too expensive and I would rather have the pages then not at all =) Good luck deciding!

[Chris]

Sarah, you're so lucky you have stories to write about, and I love what you've been doing with your pages so far. You might be sick of looking at these photos right now, but decades down the road when, like me, you have great grandchildren, you're going to have such joy pulling out these books and comparing your children to their children's children.

Any way, who says you have to do a separate page every day? How about a weekly one here and there?

I've been doing the photo a day thing but not posting. We seem to do the same thing day in and day out so mine aren't really about stories.

[mugsbigsis]

Originally Posted by Amy L

I know I will be happy to have mine the same design when the book is printed. I've made too many scrapbooks that look all disjointed. I am struggling a bit with the boredom though and I almost thought about quitting. Just couldn't bring myself to stop though. I'm glad I'm not the only one!

I'm so glad you didn't quit. I so enjoy seeing everyone's pages.

[kdif]

I just went and checked out your layouts. . . I think what makes them so great are all the stories behinds the photos. My vote would be to continue it just as it is. I would consider it a very special project that you won't do all the time and therefore justifies the cost . .but then I can always come up with ways to justify scrapbooking costs) But more importantly, ten years from now, your children will be delighted to have a year's worth of stories from when they were little. So whether you print it out as 8 x8 or 12 x 12, I think it is worth it to do the entire year. Personally I think one thick book would look awesome. But if two separate books are more economical than go for it. I wasn't bored by the repeated theme at all. It puts more focus on the pictures and words. I also loved the numbering! Great job! I'm sure the final product will be stunning!

[dugarner]

Originally Posted by kdif

I just went and checked out your layouts. . . I think what makes them so great are all the stories behinds the photos. My vote would be to continue it just as it is. I would consider it a very special project that you won't do all the time and therefore justifies the cost . .but then I can always come up with ways to justify scrapbooking costs) But more importantly, ten years from now, your children will be delighted to have a year's worth of stories from when they were little. So whether you print it out as 8 x8 or 12 x 12, I think it is worth it to do the entire year. Personally I think one thick book would look awesome. But if two separate books are more economical than go for it. I wasn't bored by the repeated theme at all. It puts more focus on the pictures and words. I also loved the numbering! Great job! I'm sure the final product will be stunning!

Thanks for the input! One book would actually be cheaper, the problem is most printers don't print books that are more than 100 pages. Well, I think some might do oblong sizes in bigger books, but Shutterfly is the highest quality for the price, and their limit is 100 pages. That's why they have to be split. I'd love to do a 100-page book, but that would mean eliminating 5 pages, and I think that would be more annoying to me than two books! Aww, I'll just suck it up and stay where I am. I'll have the money by the end of 2009 anyway, when they are ready to print.

But I have started proofreading and flattening my pages, I can't wait until I'm ready to print to read all that journaling! I might hire a freelancer proofer by the time I'm done.

[dstnd2be]

I really enjoy the template that babyroo shared with me. I get 7 days per page and I feel like I have more than enough room to journal. If I need to I can change it up for the days that have little journaling and days that have more.

Week 14/ 365 - Digital Scrapbooking Ideas - DesignerDigitals

[kathie02]

I am late to the party here, but wanted to say I am glad you are not changing your pages!! I really like how you are doing the project!!