Yesterday I covered some albums I'm currently working on. Today, I'd like to talk about some mini-albums I plan on completing in the future.
First up, what I'll call the holy-cow-babies-require-a-lot-of-stuff album. As we prepare for baby #3, I'm going to be taking pictures of all the baby gear, it's currently it's stored in the attic and I can't wait to get it all out. Everything we use to take care of our children we be photographed and recorded: bassinet, swing, bottles, binkies, strollers, car seats, rattles, play gym, bibs, high chair,and more. I'm also going to include pictures of each child using some of the items, like all three using the high chair. When I see baby pictures of myself, it's interesting to see what has changed and what hasn't. I want to have a record of what we use, because I'm sure when my kids are having kids, it's going be different, too. We've gone from cracking the window to monitors to video monitors and live computer feed. It makes me feel old to say this, but what will they come up with next?
Second, a zoo mini. I've had the embellishments and pictures since last summer. My youngest daughter Mackenzie went through a phase back in the fall when she was really into animals. I'd planned on doing a mini she could hold and look at as much as she wants. My goal now is to do this before baby #3 gets to his loving animals phase.
I also plan on starting an album for Mackenzie (like Emma's from yesterday's post), Emma's school album, and I'd like to start a compare/contrast mini-album once baby boy is here. I'll use photos of all three children at different ages and doing various activities they have in common.
Jody DP (Jody, from now on instead of Aussie Jody, I'm calling you Jody DP in honor of my favorite beverage, Dr Pepper.) is a fellow lover of mini-albums and this is what she had to say about them:
I love mini’s...in fact it could be said that, at times, I have mini madness. A mini is so do-able when you don’t have much time, easy to store, easy to carry and always well received as a gift. Mini’s also let you experiment with style, colours and embellishments without you feeling like it won’t fit in with your albums.
When it comes to storing my mini-albums, I've got nothing. Mine are all over the place, which has been searching when I need one. But Jody DP has them stored all nicely in a basket in her scrap area. Which would be nice when you need to find one.
And just because minis are fun, take a look at all of these. Jody DP is the mini-album queen!
Wendy has hers displayed in a cute little basket.
She has another option posted on her blog, which you can find here. I really want one of those wire baskets.
Here are some more ideas for great mini-albums from the WCS team, so that you too can have a big pile of albums just like Jody DP:
*Mother's Day/birthday/friendship album showcasing that person's hobby: ie. for someone who gardens, do a mini full of pictures of the flowers they grow.
*Grandparents: album with pictures of them with their grandchildren, from birth to current age.
*How to Eat Cake: Have a ton of pictures from your child's first birthday eating that cake or cupcake? Start with a picture of the cake whole, include the 37 pictures you took since you snapped one each time they took a bite (because apparently that's what I did), and end with a very messy face and a completely destroyed cake. This could also work for baby's first steps, or learning to ride a bike.
*Reasons We Love You album: have children draw a picture and explain what they love about mom/dad/grandparents/aunt/uncle. You could also use a standard questionnaire for this, include questions like what does your mom always say to you, how old are your parents (always funny when the little ones answer this), what is your dad good at, etc.
*What They Love album: a mini about what that person loves - hobbies, food, shows, friends, etc.
*ABC album: each letter stands for a like/dislike/experience. This would be great for your children, as a graduation gift (applying the letters to school experiences) or anniversary gift (apply letter to things that have occurred throughout your marriage).
*ABC of Learning: give as a teacher gift, using photos to supports what was done throughout the school year.
*Grateful album - 365 things throughout the year, a month's worth of things your grateful for, using your age and being grateful for one thing each year.
*Sisters - pictures and memories throughout the years of your sister. Or brother. Or best friend.
*Childhood Favorites - this could be things from your childhood or your own children. Include toys, food, friends, activities, events, outfits.
I hope some of these ideas inspire you to get working on a mini-album. Check back tomorrow for Give.Away.Day. I'll be back on Friday with, well, something. Ya know, it's random week.
