Scrapbook Paper Storage: Horizontal vs. Vertical

Ask a majority of scrapbookers what their "weakness" is...and they will say paper. From unique colors of cardstock to beautifully patterned paper, we often use the logic, "Buy the paper and the layout will come." In the meantime, your scrapbook space, big or small, becomes overrun with stacks and stacks of paper waiting to be used.

So, it's time to get organized...but what is the best scrapbook storage solution?

As with everything scrapbook related, there is no correct answer, just what best fits your situation and we're here to provide you with some ideas on how to best store your scrapbook paper. Let's start with horizontal scrapbook paper storage!

Most scrapbook stores will store their paper horizontally because they have the room for rows and rows of shelves and racks. Now, most of us don't have room for all those shelves, but horizontal storage is still a possibility with 12" x 12" plastic snap top cases. You can buy them individually, or as part of a three-drawer or six-drawer cart, so you can make the most use out of your vertical space. These snap top cases are also great for storing the components of individual projects. Working on a mini-album for your son's birthday? Keep all your paper, pictures, embellishments, etc. together in one case, so you don't have to dig around for all the pieces when you actually have a minute to work on it.

If you don't like to stack your paper or have skinny bookshelves that can't take a wide storage solution? Try vertical paper storage. Depending on your preferences, you can use traditional magazine storage files for 8.5" x 11" paper, but you will have to get special storage files for 12" x 12" scrapbook paper. Vertical paper storage is best for cardstock or other papers that you will be accessing frequently because you can just slide the storage file out and pick the paper you need. These paper holders also come with dividers, so you can store multiple colors within a singe file! Just one thing to keep in mind is that you will need very tall shelves if you plan on using these vertical storage files in a bookshelf.

In the end, you may decide that you want to use a combination of horizontal and vertical scrapbook paper storage, it's all up to you!!

Happy Scrapping!

Creating A Scrapbook For Teachers

It can be a lot of fun to create a scrapbook for an elementary school teacher. It's also a great way to give the teacher photos of the kids without having 25 individual photos each school year. I have found many photo taking opportunities for teachers at the elementary level.

Often there is a class photo taken by the company taking the children's individual photos. If a full class photo was not taken, then consider taking class photos either during computer time, during singing time, or during circle time.

My kids each went to different schools yet I still found the same opportunities to take photos. Throughout the year, there were often verbal reports the kids did. Each child had their turn to deliver the report and parents were invited. Ask one parent from each day to take photos of each child delivering their report that day. If the teacher takes his/her own photos offer to pay the developing and then make a duplicate set to include in a scrapbook.

Each year my kids participated in either a play or a sing along. Take photos and then ask other parents to also share their photos of these performances.

Throughout the year there were parties in the classroom, always needing a parent volunteer. Ask the parent volunteers to take photos and share them with you for inclusion in the scrapbook.

Field trips also require parent volunteers. Again, ask those parents for copies of photos taken during the field trip.

If you have a music program at your school, consider adding the song lyrics from the songs learned during the year. Just copy them onto acid free paper, add a border and you've got a great page.

If you get the opportunity, ask each child to write a small thank you to the teacher for the great school year and add those to the scrapbook. Those hand written messages add a wonderful touch to a gift the teacher is sure to enjoy!