Back to Basics with Pocket (Picture My Life) Scrapbooking

A common response I get when I am talking to people about scrapbooking is that they don't have the time or money to do it, or that they have so many photos they just don't know where to start. But scrapbooking doesn't have to be time consuming, or expensive, take pocket style scrapbooking for instance. 

Pocket scrapbooking, often referred to as Project Life, and referred to at CTMH as 'Picture my Life' (PML), is how I have been scrapbooking for the last 12 months. 

After having my first child in 2011, I struggled to find the time to keep up with my scrapbooking and it took me about 3 years to scrapbook his first 12 months in traditional 12"x12" layouts. I also don't think my lack of time to scrapbook was helped by the fact that I had tons of photos because with the existence of iphones it's just so easy to swipe and click click click. 

So at a time when I was thinking there was no way I was ever going to catch up with my scrapbooking, especially as I had also had another child, in October last year I was introduced to Pocket Scrapbooking by a lady at my craft group. 

Fast forward to today, and I have just about caught up on my scrapbooking (from the last 4 years since kids anyway - I'm still to complete my wedding album I started 11 years ago and my UK holiday album from 2007!). 

Think back to when you were growing up, and you (or your parents) used to display your photos in those slip in photo albums.... You would get your film developed, and 2 weeks later bring them home and straight away slip them into an album. Well pocket scrapbooking is exactly like that, you just slip your photos into 'pocket' divided memory protectors and away you go. The only difference between what we have now and what we had back then, is that albums and memory protectors these days are photo safe, that is, they are acid-free and lignin-free and not going to damage and fade your photos in years to come, plus they are much better looking and stylish. 

For Picture My Life scrapbooking, all you need to get started is an album, divided memory protectors, Picture My Life (PML) cards to make your albums a bit more personal and so you can document who/what/when etc, and your photos of course.  But you can literally put as much, or as little design effort in as you want. 

Albums

The best type of album to use is a 12"x 12" d-ring album - CTMH have them in 5 gorgeous designs, and they are great quality too- sturdy and solid. I have had "cheap" albums purchased from chain craft stores before and they haven't stayed in as good condition as my CTMH ones. 

The beauty of a d-ring album is that you easily insert or move around pages if you happen to come across more photos later on of a certain event or need to adjust the chronological dates  of your photos, if that's the way you organise them. 

Divided Memory Protectors

Next you will need some divided memory protectors.  These come in different designs and will be a personal preference as to which ones better suit your photos. Start with a variety pack and go from there. Personally, I use Design 4 the most, and they tend to be the most popular among my customers as 'generally' people take most of their photos in a horizontal orientation. 

PML Cards

Finally, you will need some PML cards to jazz up your albums and make them more personal. These cards are also used to journal on, to document your memories, or simply the "who, what, where, when" etc that your family and future generations will most appreciate and be glad you included in your albums.  They may tie in with a certain theme of your photos, e.g new baby, travel, kids, or just be used to add some extra colour, phrases and wow factor. 

Other than the above, any extra embellishments you choose to add are up to you and how much time you want to spend on your albums, and how much 'bling' you want to include. But really, the point of Picture My Life Scrapbooking is that it is easy, affordable and quick. 

One of the things I like best about this form of scrapbooking is that I can have my photos printed, and when I get them home I slip them straight into my divided memory protectors.  I then go back and add my cards and journaling when I get time, but at least this way I can be happy my photos are at least in an album and not lost in cyberspace or getting dusty in boxes under my bed. 

If you want to find out more about pocket scrapbooking I would be happy to help you get started. If you live local to me in the Blue Mountains, maybe you'd like to attend one of my workshops. I also have a basic starter kit which includes all you need to get you on your way. 

Or, if you are thinking about starting a scrapbook and don't know where to start or have some questions, feel free to leave a message below or contact me on my Facebook page.  You can shop for any of these items in my store katrinagabriel.ctmh.com.au 

The only other thing I will add, is that if you are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of photos you have or you are really unsure where to start, I would recommend picking one event, e.g wedding, new baby, holiday, Christmas or important birthday, and starting there. Or, start with your most recent photos and work backwards. In my experience, it's much easier to keep your scrapbook going and up to date if you are doing recent photos as you feel you are actually making headway and accomplishing something, plus, your memories and information you want to document is more fresh in your mind. 

Thanks for reading.

Now go and get some photos printed! ;-)