The scene is familiar — I am out with friends or family and we are chatting away. The discussion comes around to the fact that I scrapbook digitally. People have no idea what I am talking about. They ask lots of questions and I fumble around trying to come up with ways to explain what I do in a way that won’t confuse them. Once that fails, they move on to asking about what I do with the pages.
“Do you just leave them on your computer?”
“No, I print them.”
“Well what do they they look like?”
“Um, well, they look like scrapbook pages. I will have to show you sometime.”
The problem is, that “sometime” usually turned into a never. After one too many of scenes like this I had an idea. Rather than a, “I’ll show you next time” I can now say, “Well, I have some pages if you want to look at them.”
I purchased a small, plain album and printed out about 25-30 of my favorite layouts, sized 5×5. I put the album together and started taking it to places where the subject might come up (seeing people I haven’t seen for a while, meeting new people, family outings, etc.) It has been so nice to be able to actually show people what I am talking about. They get really excited and want to learn more. When people can actually visually grasp digital scrapbooking and see how amazing the pages look, they become eager for more. I am able to take the discussion from what I do to telling them about what they can do. Scrapping is such a big part of my life and I love being able to share it with those around me.
Here is what you can do:
Purchase a small album (5×5 or 6×6 works great)
Print out some of your favorite layouts in the size of your album (choose layouts that don’t have a lot of journaling that would be hard to read when printed small). I printed all of my pages in 5×5 because Scrapbook Pictures does it for just $.35 (as opposed to 6×6 which are $1.00)
Put the album together and carry it along with you to playdates, evening at friends houses, even Saturday morning soccer games. The subject of scrapping won’t always come up, but when it does you are armed and ready!
Another bonus of having a small album with you when you go out? Keeping the kids occupied while waiting for the doctor, to pick up siblings, or even waiting for a red light. They are the perfect size for little hands!
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You are so right about this situation and I love the idea… I haven’t been printing even my album size layouts, need to organize stuff… thanks!
Ooo, yes. Where did you get your album? I’ve searched for 5×5 and 6×6 albums but haven’t come up with anything. The Michaels by me doesn’t carry those sizes any longer either. I would love to be able to change out the layouts as my mood strikes.
5×5 books can be made with Heritage Makers at http://www.TakeTimeToRemember.com. Just upload your flattened .jpg or your .png file and create your hardbound book….small, convenient, and already sized 5×5. Fantastic!!!!!! The print color match is even better than scrapbook pictures, however, only ships in the US and Canada and Puerto Rico…sorry to those outside the area. My kids treasure the book that arrive every month! Affordable and replaceable. LOVE IT. free file storage too.
Ok. Somebody PLEASE tell me where to purchase 5×5 scrapbooks. I’ve purchased a few 6×6 but I don’t usually see smaller ones. This is such a wonderful idea!! I’m totally tired of blank looks when I try to explain digital scrapbooking. But I do have another idea that may also work for some of you. Always carry a flash drive that contains some of your favorite layouts on your key ring when you know you’ll be visiting someone who has a computer, especially those with laptops. They can at least get an idea of what is possible with digital.
Why didn’t I think of that!?! I keep 8×8 albums at work to “show off” but hadn’t thought about a smaller album to carry on outings.
I do this too – I have several “brag book” scrapbooks, and my friends often ask to see the new pages (even without prompting!).
The usual question I get though is “Do you not want to print them out a bit larger?!!!”
Now I just need to somehow do the same thing for my blog so I can explain what a blog is too!
People are always surprised when they see my pages in “real life!” I love the idea of something smaller for little hands and others to peek at
Thanks for the inspiration!!
I love the idea and your book. Now, my question is where did you get your binder and sheet protectors? I had never heard of 5×5 sized layouts before. See you learn something everyday at the daily digi.
keepscrappin’
wonderful idea Janet!!!! I love it! thank you for the daily inspiration!!! I love my 12x12s, but this is perfect for little hands and all my friends who always ask the exact same question you said–”what is digi scrappin?”
I use Costco printing and print my 12×12 and two 6×6 on the same sheet for the same price as a 12×12 alone
I give one to my mom and put one in my mini album. I’ve just never thought to bring it along with me though. that is a great idea.
One of the most fantastic ideas ever! Thanks for the tip Janet. ScrapbookPictures.com is actually having a sale that ends today, so guess what I’ll be doing when I get home from work tonight!
Great suggestion!
I fell into this idea when I lost my LOs to a hard drive crash a year ago. Fortunately I had posted 30 of the best of them as 6X6s on various galleries so I grabbed them back, arranged them, added front and back covers, and had them printed by VioVio. I titled it “The Lost Digiscrap Layouts.” Here’s a link to my blog posting about it: http://catriona-macgregor.blogspot.com/2008/09/viovio-i-love-these-guys.html
Now I have a mini portfolio!
This is a great idea! I too always fumble around trying to explain what it is! Perfect solution, thanks!
Thanks for the excellent idea, Janet. I have a hard time explaining this hobby to people and this would be a great way to show them.
I love this idea…AND Scrapbook Pictures is having a sale!!
I’ve been doing this since Day 1!
I’ve carted around 5×5′s in my purse for ages & ages and just recently moved to 6×6′s, which aren’t quite as portable, but they’re essentially free as I print 2 per every 12×12 I have printed at Costco on 12×18 paper. If I am remiss and forget to bring them with me to regular appointments (like my hairdresser, for instance [whom I see once every 4 months or so]), I sure hear about it! LOL
Thank you for this idea. I am not srcapping as much for 1)I felt I was bragging on my blog (especially to those who have no idea about the process) 2) To print them would take so much ink). Duh, never thought to do this. And this is why I check in DAILY!
Great idea! I still have a lot of layouts to print from this year, and I use 13 x 19 paper on my wide format printer, so there is always room to print some 6 x 6 pages (or 5 x 5) at the bottom.
I’m terrible about not printing my layouts. One reason is I haven’t been able to find any 8×8 ring binders locally. Anyone know where I can order some?
That’s a wonderful idea!! I have some of mine printed 12 x 12 that my boys LOVE to look through, so a smaller size that is easier to hold and take along would be a big hit.
Wow! This is a fabulous idea and one I never would have thought of. Thank you SO much for this site and the sharing you do…it’s awesome!
I’ll never forget someone telling me I should have a 30 second “commercial” of sorts to describe what it is that I do…
This is a great prop to go with the words. 
Thanks for the idea!
I actually did this and took the book to a gathering of friends and a church meeting. The only problem is that now they all want me to teach them! LOL!
Thanks for the great idea and info but I am sooo bummed! I just finished making my grandson an ABC album for his 2nd birthday (I used your wonderful templates from the Digi files.) I printed them all out myself over the weekend at 5×5. I also did an 8×8. I went through a whole cartridge of both tri color and photo ink(at a cost of about $60)not even mentioning the paper…dang! Then I still had to cut them all out.
I thought about sending them out, but I had put so much time and love into them and I didn’t know anyone printed out 5×5.( I couldn’t go bigger because thats as large as my laminater will go.)
Okay enough lamenting…I think I’ll try the printing company that you suggested and print another ABC album and carry it with me.
That’s why I love this site! I learn so much and sometimes it’s kind of off the cuff (a day late and a dollar short is kind of the usual for me too, but i’ll have it for next time lol)
Thank you again for doing what you do!
I love this idea! And thanks for mentioning Scrapbook Pictures. Looks like a great deal.
What a wonderful post! Would love to see more practical posts like this. Thanks for the daily inspiration!
I love this and have found it to be spectacular too. Although, I print mine in a hardbound 8×8 book. It’s smaller, easily replaced if lost, and durable longterm. For those in the states and canada, you can check it out here…..www.TakeTimeToRemember.com.
I love that I can print, resize and publish my digital pages easily. It brings me so much joy to see my kids looking through it.
what an awesome idea!! I get asked all the time and this is the perfect idea!
Great idea. Thanks.