JessicaSprague.com

Whew! I'm so excited. I've been working for what seems like forever creating a Shutterfly album for a big family vacation we took last summer to Disney World to celebrate my mother-in-law's 70th birthday.

I made a version of this book for myself (which included a pre-vacation vacation we took before Disney) and another version for the family who treated us to the week at Disney. (What a great birthday present my mother-in-law gave to the whole family for her 70th birthday!) (I ended up sending 4 books to print today ... I can't wait to get them back!)

I know the family is going to be so happy to have the book (no one has printed any photos yet!) so that'll be great fun. I also know though that they're not scrappers so I just know they won't realize quite how much times goes in to creating these books. (And that's fine, I created the book as much for myself as for them.) Anyway ... I thought I'd share my bigger book here since I know I'm sharing with fellow scrappers!

Thanks so much for looking!

(I have two versions on my blog at www.barbaraunzen.blogspot.com)

Here's the Shutterfly link:

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AZNG7do3bs2TDug

Oh my gosh - that looks amazing just by the cover! I will check it out and leave a comment- I too just posted a 8x8 book in the Shutterfly Gallery last week - check it out by my name kapwithboyz - it should be under the tab of digi scrapbooks / family / new.

What did you think of using Shutterfly? I went back and forth as I really struggled with their website. The blank templates were fine, but it really seems like they are set up for people who want to use their own "paths". I'm sure it would be easier the next time around, but wondering what you thought... I want to do more books and would be open to any companies that allow you to use your own designs.

Congrats on getting this project done for yourself and family - I know how much work this must have been. NOw you can just sit back with your fav beverage and look through all the great memories~ good for you!

Wow! There are going to be some happy recipients! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks! I'm going to head over and check out your album at Shutterfly!
I really like Shutterfly. I think their quality and customer service is excellent. I've printed several books with them. I don't use their pre-made books. I too like to create my own 12x12 pages and then upload them as a full page "photo." I really like the Shutterfly guides. They are so helpful in figuring out the bleed, etc!
I'm gonna head over and see if I can find your album now.
TFL!

I'm sorry. I can't seem to figure out the Shutterfly share site. I can't find your album. Wonder what I'm doing wrong? Maybe you can post a direct link to your album?

Barbara....I LOVE your album! I appreciate the HOURS and HOURS of work you put into it! Did you create your own template with masks...I love the way it looks! You got SO many photos in there!
-Kathy

Thanks Kathy!
Yes. I made a general template layout then decided on photos and orientation (landscape or horizontal) and then created the masks accordingly. It was a LOT of using the PS grids to nudge things and keep things evenly spaced.
I kept showing my kids where the pages were consistent, etc. (figuring no one else would notice. They were very patient with me.). I made each day of the week a different border color and used a different tag and date coloring for every day of the week. For my portion of the trip (the 1st half of the book I used one background paper and then when we hit Disney where the rest of the family joined us - I switched to a different background paper. Then for the 2 different "books" I also used different tags (the first half Crystal's adorable clouds and the 2nd half the brackets). I figure no one will notice it ... but I know I will at least!
Now I need to decide if I should catch up on scrapping some regular events or if I should start my next Shutterfly album. (I'm 9 months tardy on finishing this book and I've got a different trip to scrap!)

Barbara....I recognized you had some papers/alphas of Crystals! I love her designs! They are always happy and bright! Well I commend you on the 70 page book! I've never made one that big....wonder how thick it will be when you get it. Seems like it would look like a real substantial book...I'll bet it'll be 3/4 of an inch thick at least!
-Kathy

Beautiful book! I can't believe you made all your templates as well as creating 70 pages!! You did a terrific job. I needed the inspiration to start a book on our cruise, and you've given me a push in the right direction.

This is an awesome work of love!

I couldn't get it to allow me to comment on your book - these are the things about Shutterfly that make me a little nut-nut!!!!
Your books is truly inspiring- you've created something that you will be able to enjoy for years. I am now addicted to making these books -can't believe I had never done one before.... I thought that they would be more expensive, but I got a great coupon for an 8x8 from Creative Keepsakes which helped.

I don't know how to create a link to my book... but you should be albe to go to:
My Shutterfly - sign in - move down until you see the Community tab - then on the right it says View Gallery - then on the right again it says Browse - select Digi Scrapping - and the recent tab (mine always defaults to featured). My book is still on the first page and is titled Spring Memories- thanks for looking- or at least trying!

For some reason I'm so confused by the Shutterfly share sites. Try as I might, I can't find your photo book. Argh!
Thanks for trying to make a comment on my book on Shutterfly. I always just link to it on my blog and figure maybe I'll get a little love there. No big deal!
The way I get the share links (and the link I use to post books on my blog) is when I'm in the photo book I click on Share (on the left I think) then there are a couple of options where you can get the codes/links for blogs, etc.
Thanks for trying! I really wish I could have found your book! If you find the share codes section, post back here. I'd LOVE to see it!

Thanks Barbara - I'll give that a try - I've always wanted to know how to show a link to things - Enjoy your book- I'll be looking for more coupons and will post something here if I come across any good ones! Happy book making

Amazing. I just ordered the books on Monday. I ordered them regular UPS Ground service. I just got an email from Shutterfly and tracked the order and they're going to be here Friday already. Whoo hoo! Perfect timing. My in-laws are coming in town for the weekend so I can give my MIL her book Saturday already. I love Shutterfly!

What a wonderful book you have created...truly a labor of love to put together so many pages. Your family should be thrilled with the final result.

Maria in WA

Just thought I'd share ... I got the books back today already (5 days after I ordered it ... amazing!). I measured the 70 page book. It's not thick at all. It's still only 1/4 inch thick. A great size!

Barbara, you did an awesome job on your disney books. I might have to steal some of your ideas when I do my next scrapbook. Love the continuity of them and also the added touches to differentiate between days, etc. I've never really created my own templates but I think that is my new idea for the next project.

You book is AMAZING! Wonderful Job.

You have inspired me, I may be making a book for our scout group and was going to use their designs, but I may have to look into their templates.

Question:

Where are Shutterfly's templates?

I made a book in the past using Pattie Knox's templates, but if Shutterfly has their own, that probably would be better.

Thanks!

Hi Joann, Thanks for your nice comments.
Shutterfly does have templates. I haven't used them though. I've always made my own pages/templates for the bound books. I think their templates do look nice though.
If you decide to scrap the pages yourself in Photoshop/Elements, Shutterfly does give you "templates" that give you the exact size you need the pages to be PLUS if you turn on the guides it shows you the printable areas, etc. I use those guides all the time to set up my Shutterfly pages.

This album is awesome, I just went to shutterfly and checked it out, great job.
thanks for sharing.

Your book is simply amazing. Your family is very lucky to have someone like you to create the memory books for them. I like to design my own pages also and have yet found a place that I'm comfortable with in uploaded and making sure that everything will print properly. I did search there site but could find any information on margin or anything like that. If it's not too much to ask could you point me in the right direction.

Thanks
Michele

Hi Michele,

Thanks. I got the books on Friday and my in-laws were in town. They were so excited. That's part of why I scrap ... that wonderful reaction! Makes all the time and effort worthwhile!

I just went to Shutterfly and the design specs were hard to find. I did a search of "Design Specs" on the Shutterfly page and that's how I found it. Here's a link to the design specs so I hope that works. If it doesn't the search should work though.

Here's a link to the general design specs (so you can choose the size book you want to make):

www.shutterfly.com/digitalscrapbook/scrapbook-design-specs.jsp

Here's a link to the 12x12 specs:

www.shutterfly.com/digitalscrapbook/scra...k-design-specs.jsp#1

I hope this works!

Barbara

Thank you so much.