Roses are red, violets are blue….
Hm, I won’t bore you with my lack of poetic skills. However, I can share with you another option (speaking for those of us with a less-than-stellar poetry hand) to create a handmade token of love for your crush, husband, boyfriend, or partner.
Honestly, I must confess that I started this project as a mini and then it became 19 pages! Gasp! I suppose I seriously love my husband and the love bug bit me to create more and more pages. Yes, I had so much fun making this sweet album. As a result, there are a lot of pages to share up with you!
Also, dear hubby, Vincenzo, already peeked at this book, so it’s not really a Valentine’s Day surprise. Then again, I’m swelled with honor that dear hubby was so peaked with interest to see the pages as they developed. Every evening he wanted to see what pages were added next and just reminisce on the photos together.
I’ll share with you not only the inside pages but how I was inspired to make my album and what recommendations that you can consider in making your own album – mini or big – for Valentine’s Day.
Album size and album pages
My album is a 4×4 We R Memory Keepers album. However, I chose not to use the included page protectors of the album. So, I took those out and cut my own pages from white cardstock. My inside pages are 3 ½” x 5”. I was thinking more of a mini tall size similar to a Traveler’s Notebook page but sized to fit in my 4×4 album. So, this page size worked for me. Also, with the 4×4 2-ring style of album, I can easily add more pages, remove pages, and/or re-arrange page order.
Daily, yearly or random
I chose a random mix of various years in photos from different parts of our relationship. After I started this album, I thought it might also be a neat idea as a countdown from February 1st through 14th and/or incorporating a love thought for each day. Hm…maybe a great idea for yet another love album, right? Ha! Also, this album could be the starter idea to create a love album every year.
Browse your phone
You might be amazed how many photos are sitting on your phone that you are planning to scrapbook but never print out. In selecting my photos, I browsed through my external hard drive and iPhone (i.e. selfies together, anniversary, birthday, date night, eating out, etc.). The auto “Selfies” folder on the iPhone is a great jumpstart to see what is automatically sorted there to select photos from for your pages. I use an Epson PM-400 printer and just arranged them in a collage format on 4×6 photo sheets and printed them all out. I had about 70+ mini photos and chose my top 20 or so for my album. Don’t be afraid to repeat photos if they are your favorites. Just do you! Ha!
Simple and minimal format
I knew I wanted my album to be minimal and simplistic and not a burden to complete. Initially, I planned for about 10 pages but it doubled by the end because it was so much fun putting it together. You might fall under my spell too! Ha!
I chose to tone 99% of my photos as black and white. In this way, you do not have to worry about this photo or that photo matching the colors of your hybrid elements and papers. Everything will be in sync when your photos are all toned the same and will blend seamlessly with your chosen color palette. I chose a main color palette of pink, red, black and white with a few other colors sprinkled in on a couple of pages.
Also, I kept most of my embellishments on a flat level meaning I didn’t use any that would create bulk or warp to my pages. So, keep this in mind when considering the layout of your inside pages.
Digitals as printables
When you choose to print your digital papers, elements, and journal cards, you can re-size to preference for the size of your project. As a Hybrid Artist, I love this functionality to customize the digitals to the size needed for my project.
Use of journal cards and elements as photo prompts
In reviewing the journal cards and phrases in the elements from the collections used, these inspired my photo prompt or photo selection. These items can be a great creative pivot for telling your story in written journaling, if you choose.
I used the following collections available from Sahin Designs: Infinity: cards, papers, L’Amour: elements, papers, Cupid: elements, cards, and Amore: elements , cards.
Did you find this article helpful? Share with me your thoughts in the comments section below and let me know if you decide to make your own love album.
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