Outside and inside ...

The Outside
I've been measuring books. I know - not quite in the same class as the killer first ten words of Rinda's wonderful post. But if you're going to produce a photobook, getting the right size for your purpose matters. Abi and Amy's beautiful volumes are 12"x12" inches and I can really feel the pull of those glorious large photo pages. On a practical note, I think that size is going to be a bit large and heavy for me: if I live long enough to reach LOL (Little Old Lady) status, I'll be a little sad if I don't have the strength to manoeuvre my books off the shelf and onto my lap. So I've been a-weighing and a-measuring ... 

 ... and balancing the sizes from Snapfish and Blurb, along with Amy's comment that the Blurb books don't lie flat, the fact that some of Snapfish's can, plus the possible benefits of using the Blurb plug-in for In Design, along with the portrait/landscape dilemma, the desire to have more room for story perhaps than photo ... too many choices to balance! I'm finally settling for an 8"x10" Blurb book (about the size of The Repurposed Library above); a double-page spread has more of a square look than would be the case in landscape and might be easier to design.

The Inside
This has also needed some weighing up. Though I really like the concept of Project Life, such a lot of my enjoyment in digital scrapbooking comes from playing with design - the same structure for each page is not going to keep my interest. On the other hand, experience tells me that designing every page from scratch will almost certainly result in zero production! So - my solution is to divide the year into four blocks of three months, roughly corresponding to the seasons, with a different theme for each section of my Day2Day 2014 book. Since I love magazine design, I might as well design myself one! In January-March, I'm taking a dotted line and a semi-circle for a walk and seeing how they develop; here's how the template possibilities are looking so far ...


Many of the photos will be details and close-ups, I think, rather than large panoramic or scenic views - life here is relatively stable and uneventful! And it will be perfectly possible to have an entire page or spread of just photos if warranted. I'm also hoping to include some of the lovely memes which are around, as regular features.

My Clean and Simple side is nicely satisfied with this. My Artsy one, meanwhile, is bouncing on and off the furniture chanting "Boring, boring ..!" Please excuse me while I try and get her under control - back soon :).

Comments

[summer82]

Fabulous compromise. Do the photobook/magazine layout for the bulk of the seasons and then add an artsy piece in to add to the story. Going to borrow your process. Quarterly is a nice compromise too. Do like my Blurb books.

[Missus Wookie]

They look nice - I liked my Blurb book. Lay flat pages was why I went for Adoramix for my 12 in 12 album - hmm, don't think I've shown that on the blog. Will do so :)

[Jen Hart]

Such potential in those templates. I hope they do what you want them to do. Did you get The Artsy One under control? :-)

[Sian]

You know how much I would have enjoyed helping you measure a few books! I can't wait to see a finished book from you because it will be a beauty: no doubt about it

[Nathalie]

Your templates are nothing close of boring!!! I think this project is going to be fabulous and I can't wait to see it unfold!

[Paul B]

Gorgeous layouts Alexa, they appeal to me much more than the standard pocket pages do. Knowing how beautifully you design your layouts, the resulting book, when it's made, is going to look amazing. Glad your CAS side has been appeased, even if the artist is crying out for attention :) Pxx

[Fiona@staring at the sea]

I was going to make a comment about your page designs, but picturing you, bouncing off the furniture, has driven every sensible thought out of my head!

[SueTR]

It's a very clever idea to change out the design for the seasons. Will keep your creative side from completely going bonkers. Your layouts look lovely too! I am with you on the size of the books, I scrap in 12x12 and you have to sit with them in your lap or on a table, never thought of LOL status until now! Will be interested to hear how the project unfolds…I think you're off to a great start, organization and the plan is 3/4 of the battle!

[SueTR]

Oh and love the photos of your book stacks! I think you can tell so much about a person by their library!! and get good ideas on volumes to purchase for your own.

[Melissa Gross]

Yes, we must contemplate all the details before embarking on a new book! :>) These templates are great - I like the first one the best, but think they will all work together wonderfully. (Any chance you'll share them with us???)

[Cate]

Your magazine style templates look great! Sometimes I wish that digital scrapping felt easier for me, I'd probably get more memories out of my head!

[Helena]

love your idea of taking a dotted line and a semi-circle for a walk - wonderful set of templates and like your idea of a seasonal change

[Lisa H]

i love the structured approach you have taken and the templates you've created are wonderful. I'd have jumped in feet first, making all sorts of random decisions and then wonder at the end of the project why it's not quite right!

[Karen]

Your design work has always been superb, and this looks just wonderful. Once I finish the huge purge and reorganization, a Blurb book moves to the top of the list. I think I'll have to settle for their designs however.

[Lizzie]

Hello! I'm having a "catchup" session today. Love the idea of a photobook with your layouts above. And I had to chuckle at you measuring books to see what would be the right size - but it's such a very sensible idea!
I've made several photobooks with "Photobox.com" and been really pleased with the results. They have some discount offers just now too, in case you might be interested. They have various types, including some spiral-bound softcovers and various soft and hard-covers that have spines. Most of these do lie flat - the ones I got certainly did (spiral and A4 hardcover). Just to add to the choice-confusion for you!
And if you get a "friend referral" they give you 50 free prints (and the same for the friend, but I don't mind about that). So if you want a "referral" let me know and I'll set it up.

[Sonja]

Please let us see the finished book the templates look great and your eye for design will mean it's fab.
I did snigger at your opposing sides I had visions of a paint covered individual dancing around behind you.

[Louise]

well alexa......just from looking at your design templates I can imagine how gorgeous this book will be x look forward to you sharing it with us :)

[Abi]

Beautiful templates Alexa. Yes, I agree with you that 12x12 is a big size and does carry some weight. I say clean and simple will work well. It will always be in fashion and your photos and words will always shine through. I can't wait to see the results Alexa!

[Wanda]

It's easy to see why your projects turn out so well--because you put in the time up front to make sure everything is just right before you even start.

I will keep an eye out for your progress on this--I toyed around with burb a few months ago but found the interface a bit difficult to manage. Perhaps I should revisit the site again.

[Prairie Jill]

Oh yes - too many choices!! I like your plan, though (even if Ms Artsy is bouncing off walls!) Can't wait to see the pages as they take shape.

[Sinead]

I really like the templates you've made - I bet it's going to turn out amazing, looking forward to seeing your progress :D

[Julie Jeavons]

You're very well organised. Being so well prepared you should be able to keep it up for th year and it's bound to be elegantly understated. and as for your creative side - just give her her own project to work on.

[Yvonne Yam]

Gosh. That's a lot of thinking and planning. But I agree. 12 x 12 is way too big. And probably not practical for LOL stage in life. I LOVE the size you've decided on. :)

[Katie B]

Such lovely layouts. Now that artsy side has all those green squares to fill. Not everyone has to be a photo, right? Thanks so much for your comment on my blog means so much that you not only read but comment.

[Rosie]

I'm a scrapbooker - but cut out and stick, then DECORATE, not your beautiful graphic work. I always did 12 x 12 but as retirement looms I do wonder about finding room for the albums on the shelf of what may be a very modest dwelling. Have recently gone for 8 x 8 instead, and find I still manage to make a meaningful record which I know I'll want to look at when I'm an LOL too!!