I love starting a new project. I always have a journal in my purse overflowing with more ideas than I could possibly ever execute. So when I start something, and it doesn't go perfectly, I often leave it "for later" and never return.
This album was one of those. I started it a month or more ago. I wanted to make an album for Penny to remember a special vacation that we took just for her. I know children's memories are very… hmm… let's just say "spotty"? So I wanted to give her something simple and tangible to remind her of this trip we took.
I started the album during a busy week, got all my photos printed, then set it aside and forgot about it for a few days. And the days became weeks, and you know what happens from there.
This week I saw the partially made album sitting there and decided to just finish it. FAST. And I did. I cut out the photos and threw it together in twenty minutes. And it felt AWESOME.
You know what the best kind of scrapbook is? A finished one!
Products used: Coral Album, 1 extra pack of 4" x 4" page protectors, chipboard letters by Pink Paislee (which I attached with Glossy Accents)
Happy Sunday! I'm spending the weekend in Kansas City with Jeremy. We're coming for you, Ikea! xx. Elsie
Credits// Author and Photography: Elsie Larson. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess Actions.
41 Comments
This is a wonderful idea, and it’s so pretty! Love it x
Holly x
http://the-twins-wardrobe.blogspot.com/
I’ve started and stopped so many journals, I can’t even count! And yes, I say “stopped” instead of “finished.” My latest attempt at journaling came in a different form: blogging! Because I’m writing things and putting them out there for people to read, I feel a little more accountable for keeping it up. I admit that I’ve been a little sparse with it lately due to mid-terms, school projects, and finals, but hopefully I’ll be able to hop back on it as soon as I can! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
Hi Elsie,
Do you print all your photos at home? I want to cut them in squares and fit all of the people and background. I just don’t know how.
Hi Elsie,
Do you print all your photos at home? I want to cut them in squares and fit all of the people and background. I just don’t know how.
Richelle
Hi Elsie,
Do you print all your photos at home? I want to cut them in squares and fit all of the people and background. I just don’t know how.
Richelle
I can’t ever finish projects either, I feel you girl.
IPAD MINI GIVEAWAY
http://talisatalksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/longer-pony-no-extensions.html
You can do it! :))
-Elsie
Hi Richelle!
Yes, right now I print 100% of my photos with my home printer-
http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/printers-all-in-ones/photo-inkjet-printers/pixma-ip8720-wireless-inkjet-photo-printer?WT.mc_id=C206196
I will be doing a big post about it soon with all the details of how I print custom sizes etc. If you have any specific questions you’d like for me to cover, please let me know and I’ll add them to my list!
xx- Elsie
Thank you for the kick in the butt inspiration! xoxox
Ack, this is totally what I do! It’s so nice to hear that it happens to someone as creative as you too. I’m heading straight to finish the velvet cushion and felt art projects that have been gathering dust on my desk for longer than I care to remember! Thanks for the inspiration.
Emily
P.S. This is such an adorable project, what a great Auntie.
That’s so cute! Great post
Xo
Diary Of A Mua
I’m so bad at finishing projects. This is so cute x
eleanor’s adventures // UK Fashion & Beauty Blog
She is the cutest! Also congrats to you, it looks awesome and is a great memento! Happy Sunday!
XO Chloe
A Latte Lipstick
I love this idea. I should do this for my niece when I go home next. Penny is such a cutie.
http://www.thrumypeepers.com/blog
Love it
http://www.purelysandy.com
Such a cute album! It is definitely the best feeling when you finally finish a project! I’m sure Penny will appreciate your efforts when she’s older 🙂
http://www.littleblackshell.com
Hi Elsie,
Such a wonderful project! It’s good to know that there are others that share the same experience of having a rush of project ideas in their mind and having a problem finishing up projects.
I have two questions. I have printed 4*6 photos, do you know where I can get albums for 4*6 photos just as the ones you’ve used in this project (an online reference will be great-since I do not live in the US nor Canada). Also, do you print your photos square sized or do you cut them?
Thank you xx
Great idea! Thanks for the inspiration!
Crazy timing! I just knocked out a decorating project for my mom that I’ve been neglecting for about a month… It feels so good to finally have it finished! It also makes me feel productive on an otherwise lazy Sunday.
I need this challenge because I am absolutely terrible about this. I have so many half finished projects in drawers, I think I’ll pick one to work on this afternoon. Your project turned out so cute! I love that album you choose and the striped letters.
You can crop them into squares and print them in the square shape. I use PicMonkey.com to crop my pictures to 4×4. It’s free and very easy to use. Lots of places will print instagram size photos. Or of course, print them at home at that size.
This was a timely post! I’m in the process of cleaning and re-organizing my crafting space and came across 3-4 unfinished projects. Thanks for the push to finish them!
Hooray!! You can do it!
xx- Elsie
Awesome Erica! I’m glad you’re joining in! You got this!
xx- Elsie
Hi Fatema,
Project Life has a bunch of 4×6 options!
xx- Elsie
Hooray Emily!!!
xx- Elsie
Loved this GET it DONE approach, need to do this for our big trip to Europe…I’m at least through one of the four countries we visited;) Can’t WAAAAIIIT for the big post on the details of printing custom sizes. I love the square idea, can’t wait to see how it’s done!
Hi Elsie. I can’t tell you how timely this is, since I am about to head into my office all fired up to finish several projects this week! Thanks for the added boost! Sue
Thank you for this reminder/nudge. I moved into my new apartment in August and still haven’t finished hanging my pictures up on the walls! No more procrastinating!!! 😉
ok – completely stupid question – but the album holds 4×4 page protectors and those are 4×4 prints inside the pages? i only ask because those photos look BIG!
Hi Tracy,
Yes these photos are 4×4 inch squares! 🙂
xx- Elsie
We just hit KC this weekend too! Good time with family.
This little scrapbook is so sweet! Congrats on getting it done:) I’m sure your niece will treasure it.
This week I finally finished 2 projects that had been waiting for me for a long time. It feels so good to have them done! (and I am excited about starting new projects!)
I finished a pair of leg warmers that I started knitting a year!!! ago (sheesh!). And a hooked rug I started this past summer. I feel like a champ for finishing them this week!
I hope that you feel like a champ, too:)
Maggie
So happy you’re back into scrapbooking—that’s the reason I started following your blog in the first place! Glad I jumped on board all those years ago cuz I’ve loved all your other posts/endeavors since 🙂 And I’m still a scrapper too, so love the tips and inspiration.
Nice work, love it so much!!! 🙂
http://szkorso.blogspot.ro/
Cute album! And a perfect little gift!
WTG!!! I, too, struggle w/finishing some projects, I have big plans this winter to make a major dent in my basket of unfinished projects..
I blogged about scrapbooking over the weekend and I linked to you guys as inspiration!
I actually have a slower project on the go scrapbook-wise that I’m enjoying just as much as a finished project: I’m going for a ‘tidier’ approach & filling in a film-photos-only book chronologically 🙂
Becky :: accooohtrements.wordpress.com
I bought the blue powered 4×4 photo album from Hobby Lobby this weekend and finally complied all of my pictures together. I had the pictures just laying around that I printed online at PersnicketyPrints. It was so nice putting them all together into the album. I had over 100+ printed, so I actually need to go back to the store and buy more sheet protectors, but I am so excited I have a small book to document moments from Summer 2014.
I love the book color you picked.