As I was putting together a page for Amy with some of the photos I'd taken at her baby shower, I realized that there was a lot more to say than I could cram onto that 12x12 double page spread! "Duh!" I thought, "I need to make this into an album!"

This instance considered, I'd say sometimes the first step to creating an album is (as with many other cliches in life) "recognition." I say that partially in jest, of course, but really, do you have any kind of list going about what kinds of albums you'd like to make?

Take the time to sit down for awhile with your photos and create an album 'to do' list of sorts. Not the kind of thing to feel guilty about if you don't ever get to it, but just something to inspire you when the opportunity arises and time permits! Maybe even tuck those pictures (or file names....or photo CD) into a little pocket with your idea; ready to go when YOU are ready.

Is there a big difference between a "mini-book" and a "themed album?" Honestly, I really don't know! I've never read any kind of "101 Rules of Scrapbooking" that states something like,

"A Mini-Book shall consist of no more than 10 and no less than 5 photos, smaller than 8x8 in size, and shall be compromised primarily of a singular moment or event. Upon completion, it shall rest in a basket or decorative tin, meant to cushion the extending embellishments and ribbons in a most unintrusive manner.

It shall in no way be confused with a "Themed Album" (or, as also referred to by some, "Mini-Album") which is considerably larger in size and content. The "Themed Album" shall encapsulate a specific main topic or event, and yet explore it in a more detailed, in-depth manner. It shall be encased in a large three-ring or post bound album, with pages sleeved into page protectors in a most orderly fashion. Alternatively, it may be adhered to chipboard pages in a chipboard album. The "Themed Album" shall thereafter sit upon a shelf."

Okay, so that jargon was really just in jest; it doesn't say that anywhere. But I think, in my mind, that is actually how I kind-of picture the difference. It is probably something every person will interpret differently. But that's okay! Maybe to some, a Themed Album is something even more general, like, "Olivia. Birth to 2years." and so on....and that is okay, too! :) Whatever works for you!

For the purpose of this tutorial, however, I will describe the steps to making a themed album the way I am most comfortable with doing it. If it doesn't work for you, then that's okay! There aren't any hard and fast rules that say what is or isn't an "album." In fact, I bet if every Garden Girl did a tutorial for this, you would get a different process almost every time!
Ready? Here goes!

PLAN
Deciding ahead of time what to use and how to use it not only makes the process easier, it also helps make the design fluent and cohesive.

___THEME: As I said earlier, 'recognition' is the first step! Decide what you want your album to be about. It can be as specific or as general as you choose. Let your photos or your 'story' help you choose how deep you want/need to go into the subject.

___PHOTOS: Sort, choose, and print (or reprint) your photos. I like to have a few more than I will actually need, just to keep my options open. (Or in case I mess up!) I also like to keep them all around the same size; my eyes just like that. ;) It's okay to be picky about which pictures you do or do not include; remember: if you have leftovers, they can always be put into photo sleeves in the back of the book, or in a regular sleeved picture album.

___ALBUM: Based on how many photos you have (and what size you want or need them to be) and also taking into consideration how much you want to write on each page, choose an album size and type.
_____•These days, you can find albums in 12x12, 9x9, 8.5x11, 11x8.5, 8x8, 6x6, and 4x4.
_____•Choose whether or not you want a traditional bound album with page protectors, a chipboard album, an album with plain sheets already in place as pages, or if you would rather make an album from scratch on your own.
_____•You also need to choose if you want a post, strap, coiled, or ring-bound album, as this may or may not affect how your pages lay when open in the book (thus affecting the page design).

__MATERIALS: This part of the process is just as personable as the rest; you get to choose! If you really aren't worried about having your album "match" or infusing it to read with some fluidity, then you should just skip this part! No worries. Because, technically, if you just make a bunch of pages and stick 'em all together in one book, you've got yourself an album. :) That's cool.

Now conversely, some people prefer that an album match very precisely from page to page in color, pattern, design, style, and type/font. If that's what you like, then that's okay, too.

And in the huge chasm between those two preferences, there's a whole lot of choices! In the interest of fluidity, you really DO have to choose at least, oh, I'd say, TWO elements to preserve in similarity. The less elements you choose to repeat, the stricter you have to be about honoring those repeats. Think of an art gallery. Each of the pieces in there need to be studied and assimilated to fully appreciate them. Can you imagine if the decor and design of the gallery interior was just as magnificent and complex? (I get a headache just thinking about it!) Similiarly, giving the reader less to process and more to rely on makes it easier for them to digest and appreciate the photos and story you are trying to tell.

____•COLOR choices are so important; you need to decide, do you want to create excitement with contrasting colors or warm colors? Or would you prefer a restful calm with soft pastels or cool colors? Or, another option, is to use a neutral background on each page, and then choose papers (colors) for each page that coordinate with the photo on that page, rather than with the colors in the rest of the book. (But remember: if you do the latter, you need to have not only a neutral background, but the same type and/or color of fonts throughout the book to keep the fluidity going.) If you're not sure, do some research on Color Theory; it will help you figure out how to communicate your message, visually.
____•TEXTURE can be accomplished with the materials you choose to add your color WITH. Papers (cardstock or patterned), paints, metals, plastics, acrylics, inks, chalks, fibers, fabrics....you name it!
____•DESIGN your pages with a sketchbook ahead of time and it will save a lot of headaches later! Choose one to three page variations you like, and stick to them. Use things like photo blocks, journaling blocks, and background interest/patterned paper blocks sketched out as shapes/boxes to give you a visual map.
____•FONTS are one thing that really needs to be the same, or virtually the same, throughout the entire album. Just as a novel uses the same typeface from chapter to chapter. If you want to tell a story, you can't make the reader work too hard for it. If you choose to use your handwriting, great! Just try to keep it formatted similarly from page to page.

__EMBELLISHMENTS: These are the 'spoonful of sugar that helps the medicine go down'; the 'variety is the spice of life' element to make your pages shine. Find a way to make them relate, using the same concepts already mentioned, and have fun with it! It seriously is up to you. You can keep it clean and uncluttered, or cozy and 'full' depending on what you like and what the album calls for. Think: Brads, ribbon, diecuts, tabs, bling, charms, photo anchors, flowers, buttons, labels,

GATHER
Using the plan you've outlined, get together all the items you'll need to create the album, including enough adhesive, pens, and relevant cutting tools you'll need.

EXECUTE
Once you have your plan in place, go for it! The great thing is that, since you've already got it planned out, you can leave it alone and pick it back up right where you left off. I even will designate a box or basket for all my "album" stuff, just so that it all stays together until I'm finished. Or in case I want to drag it out to my living room to work while my son does some "art" of his own. ;)

EXAMPLES

•Page 2: too much for one layout!
•Page 3: gathering photos
•Pages 4-6: gathering supplies
•Page 7: lest you think i scrap so organized...a look at my messy table as I progress!
•Pages 8-12: pages from my album (I left room for the recipient to add her own journaling with thoughts from the day.)

•I am also including links to two other albums I already have in my Garden Seeds where I used this kind of organizational method to curb my madness. ;) Linked below:

___Themed Album in 8x8-ringed book.

___Chipboard 3-ring Album in 5x7 with some computer-aided additions.