friday's featured resource: family gratitude photo spinner

The words "I am not a scrapbooker" could never be more of an understatement than when they are applied to me. I mean, I'm seriously not a scrapbooker. A couple of years ago, I attempted to make a life book for my daughter, Alex, and while the final result does the trick, the craftsmanship could not be more laughable. So when I met Scrapbooker and Life Artist Extraordinaire Ali Edwards earlier this year, and I had the opportunity to turn the pages of some of her truly amazing creations, I could only smile ruefully when she said, kindly, "Karen, it's not about craftsmanship. It's about capturing memories." Easy for her to say. She "captures memories." I more imprison them.

Still, since she posted her latest project in partnership with Big Picture Scrapbooking, even I'm inspired to give it a try. The Family Gratitude Photo Spinner you see above is such a clever way of displaying photos, and as Ali says on her blog, this project is a great way to get your photographs out in the open and display them in your home -- and for those of you in America, this would even be a great centerpiece for the Thanksgiving Day dinner table.

Since my multinational family rarely celebrates Thanksgiving (and, in fact, we'll be out of the country visiting in-laws this holiday), I won't likely attempt this in the next few weeks (but you certainly should!). I do think, however, I might use this as a Christmas gift idea -- perhaps for my mom. Or maybe, I'll just do it for myself in preparation for next year.

This project can be purchased and downloaded for a mere US$ 12 here. The purchase price includes color handouts with step by step instructions, downloadable PDF templates (for transparencies and titles), full supply list with links to products, an audio message from the lovely Ali Edwards herself, a private gallery for sharing your projects with others in the class, and access to a message board for sharing thoughts and ideas as you work through the project.

Happy creating, all.  And if you make this, please upload it into the Shutter Sisters Flickr pool -- I'm sure we'd all love to see how they turn out!

Comments

[Lu]

You imprison them? LOL I am dying. It is a wonderful project and Ali has a way of making you remember is it all about the stories.

[Lindy]

While I love taking photographs. I love printing them and framing them. I DO NOT like scrapbooking. I don't own any photo albums and just put all my prints in photoboxes. I love riffling through my photo boxes and seeing what I find. Now I take my hat off to the scrapbookers of the world. I'm always amazed at some of the things I see but shudder at the thought of actually doing it myself. I must be missing my scrapbooking gene!!

[margie]

i am not a scrapbooker either. my sister did a post about "altered books" that belonged to our grandmother and inspired me. i bought coloured pencils. my partner fell over laughing when he saw them on my desk. i didn't tell him about the glue. or the new scissors.

http://3yrplan.typepad.com/soeursdujour/2008/11/altered-books.html

[claudia]

I just resently discovered Ali's blog, and was inspired to put together a 25 days of December book. It was so much fun. I've really had a desire lately to get my photos out of my computer where someone other than me can enjoy them. For me I think some sort of hybrid scrapbooking will be the ticket.