Why do the layouts and albums cost so much?
The cost may appear high to begin with, but scrapbooking supplies are not cheap and I prefer to use quality acid free cardstock, papers and embellishments. I am also a true perfectionist (see my bio! LOL) and every element of the page is perfectly done! It can take anywhere up to 4-5 hours to complete an intricate layout. If you convert that into how much I actually make per hour after the cost of the supplies ... then the price is very reasonable! I only wish my ancestors had taken the time to let future generations know about their lives!
So how do we get started?
If you live in the Sussex area I will come and visit you in person for an informal consultation chat and to have a look through your photographs and answer any question that you don't have. If you aren't in the area that's okay, we can chat easily through phone calls and emails. Basically I'll help you to work out exactly what you are looking for from your album. Once you are happy I'll need 50% deposit in advance and then the remainder of the balance is paid on completion. The cost includes either a personal or insured delivery service depending on your location.
How do I actually get you my photos and memorabilia?
If you have "proper photographs" you can mail them to me (by insured post only please!) or if you have digital prints you can email them to me and I will arrange for them to be printed for you. Note, there is an extra charge for this. My preferred method is a CD with the large version of your images on it so that the photos can remain at a high resolution. I ALWAYS recommend that you keep either a copy of the photo print or memorabilia, the original negatives, or the digital file associated with your photos.
How long will it take?
This is an almost impossible question to answer because it really depends on the nature of your project. Most 10 page albums can be completed in around 4 weeks, but I do not like to rush my work. I usually prefer to work at my own pace so that I can ensure all elements and photos are perfect! Please allow approximately 6 weeks for 20 page albums, although if you do have a deadline I will be happy to try to work to it!!
How many photos can you fit on a page?
This really does vary dramatically depending on the style of the page and whether you are willing to allow me to crop and re-size your photos. I use a 12x12" size which means typically a layout contains between 2-4 photos, but I have included several more by creative cropping. I do also sometimes find my favourite photograph and showcase it on a page of it's own, but this option is completely up to you!! I will help you through all of this during your consultation. Generally you would want around 30-60 photos depending on whether it is a 10 or 20 page album. I will help you plan this so don't worry!
What if I don't like the end result?
I make absolutely sure that doesn't happen by staying in touch with you during the project (unless you want to be completely surprised that is!) I will email layouts to you as I complete them to make sure you are happy! If there is anything you really don't like, please let me know asap so I can re-work it.
Will you change/alter any digital photos that I send to you?
Possibly - unless you specifically ask me not to!! It's best if you can give me a certain amount of creative license with your photographs to best fit the page and feel of the layout. This is why I always recommend you keep a copy of the original. If you would like the photos kept unaltered then this is of course no problem!!
What is journalling?
Journalling is the story behind the photograph. Let's take a birthday party of your 6 year old child. The photo shows her blowing out her candles with some of her friends in the background. In years to come - will you be able to recall exactly how old she was at that particular party? Could you name her friends in the photo? Journalling puts all that there right on the page with your photo. You could say something like "Maddie's 6th birthday" .... OR you could say something like "I felt so proud as I watched Maddie blow out the candles on her 6th birthday cake. She has grown up so much! Her friends Jessica and Katie had a great time and we all ate way too much cake." See the difference?
How do I get journalling on my pages?
There are a couple of ways we can do this. You can either provide me with what you want to say about the photos and I will print it using a hand writing style font, or I can leave a blank journaling box for you to fill in later. Your own hand writing is always going to be nicest for future generations to see! If this is your choice, we will have a rough chat about what you want to say so I can estimate the size of the journaling box you will need.
Can't come up with the journalling?
Don't worry! I am very "wordy" and I can help you with this as we go along. Sometimes just telling someone else about the photos can prompt memories and triggers and you may find you do it easily without my help but it's there if you need it!
Does it matter where I live?
Absolutely not! It is easier if you are in the Sussex area as I can visit you for a personal consultation and we can look through your photos together! I will also bring some sample pages with me to show you more than I can showcase on the website! If you are outside of the Sussex area then we can still talk via email, telephone or MSN. I stay in touch throughout the project no matter where you are! My service is limited to the UK only.
Read the FAQ for commonly asked questions about scrapbooks.
Sounds good, but tell me more about scrapbooking!!
How much does it cost? Will I need to remortgage?
