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CZ Design

A School Album Solution, 2010-style

March 18, 2010

A School Album Solution, 2010-style

How many of you remember my kids' school albums? A show of hands? Anyone?

The albums were outlined in Clean&Simple: Part Deux, and looked like this:

Original album a
Original album 

Last weekend, I decided to pull out Aidan's album and put the finishing touches on it. Afterall, she's halfway through 8th grade. No time better than the present!

The process was like buttah. I simply pulled out my materials file that held the papers and embellishments I've been using over the years, and printed out my page titles (saved on my computer in a digital document), and got to work.

A2 

A1 

The best part was updating the title page.

A3 

How fun to see at a glance the progression of Pre-K through 6th Grade, all in one spot. (Or heartbreaking. My baby will be off to college soon. HELP MEEEEE!)

Both Cole and Aidan's albums are hybrid in nature; they use bits of computer help to complete the process. I've had numerous requests since I started designing digital templates to create a digital set based on this album design, and that's exactly what I've done. 

For 8.5 x 11 scrapbookers:

CZ_SchoolAlbumPREV8

And for 12 x 12 scrapbookers:

CZ_SchoolAlbumPREV12

And now I've got a dilemma. While Aidan's album is essentially done, Cole's album has only been worked on through the 1st grade. The thought of going back, and digging out photos to fill in the photo pages, when I have these brand spankin' new templates right in front of me…well, you see where this is going.

Long story short: I'm switching Cole's over to digital as of Second Grade. Here's what I've got so far:

2ndGradeTitlePage 

Ahhhh. So simple. So clean. So dang adorable. I picked out a handful of papers to work with, and set out to quickly capture the year.

Because I organize my photos in month and date categories using iPhoto, finding shots to use on the photos pages was a snap.

2nd_photos1 

2nd_photos2 

The idea behind this whole concept is that you only need 4 pages to document a year but you can add more if you need to. This album idea came from Simple Scrapbooks, the book, and the School of Life concept from Stacy Julian. Those of you who follow Stacy know she's a genius when it comes to a process that is both simple and do-able. Here's the way it lays out in the album:

There is a main title page:

TitlePage 

And then the grades follow in spreads:

2ndGradeTitlePage 2nd_photos1 

2nd_photos2 Cole2nd_SchoolPocket 

That's the general idea, but you may be thinking: "Cathy, a pocket page shouldn't be digital, should it be?" And my reply is, "Mine is SORT of digital." Let me show you.

In the digital package, you get a pocket page that looks just like that last image above. You simply print it out onto photo paper, and then build a pocket. Because I am using a digital kraft background, I simply used a real sheet of kraft paper upon which to build the pocket.

Pocketdetails 

Finishedhybridpocket 

The orange looks off in my photos, but rest assured, it really is orange and not rust!

By adding a few brads and putting a line of adhesive on the bottom of the page, I created a pocket page to store just a few things such as report cards, and drawings from the year.

You could also print out your digital background paper separately onto a sheet of photo paper and use it as the base for building your pocket page for a perfect match.

I'm really looking forward to working on Cole's earlier years in this new format. I don't normally go back and re-do my scrapbook pages, but hey, if a scrapbooker can't change her mind once in a while, tell me, then where has the fun gone? Onward!

If you have any questions about this project, please post in the comments and I'll do my best to answer!

SUPPLIES:  School Album Set (Cathy Zielske) • Just Linens No. 4 (Michelle Martin) • Krafty No. 7 Paper Pack, Notebook Paper Pack (Katie Pertiet) • Avenir font • brads (American Crafts)

EDITED TO ADD: I will be creating a Word Art/PNG Pack featuring both higher grade levels to add to the template set, including those of you overseas who go by "Year 1, Year 2" etc. Look for that set this weekend at Designer Digitals.

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Comments

  1. Leeann says

    March 18, 2010 at 5:27 am

    I just have to thank you for keeping it simple. Sometimes I lose sight of what scrapbooking is really about. While I worry about the “beauty” of a page it is the pictures that should be the real stars. You remind me that simple can be beautiful. Love your book, btw.

    Reply
  2. Kate says

    March 18, 2010 at 5:55 am

    These are fab! I have a whole pile of my own school photos that are just crying out to be scrapped and now there is a lazy digital set to basically do the hard job for me, how could I refuse!

    Reply
  3. Lee says

    March 18, 2010 at 5:59 am

    Brilliant! I too have lost sight of just getting it done. Any album can still look wonderful without every page being a new and original work of “art”. I really should get my kids books done! Thanks (again) for the inspiration and kick in the pants, Cathy!

    Reply
  4. Jennifer L says

    March 18, 2010 at 6:06 am

    Cathy, you ROCK! I’m not sure I’m ready to go full blown digi, but you’ve definitely inspired me to get started on those school albums for my boys. And I love how you labeled the pictures. Thanks again for the inspiration!

    Reply
  5. Nancy says

    March 18, 2010 at 6:13 am

    Another great project to put in the “To-Do” pile… thanks for sharing your technique 🙂

    Reply
  6. scrappysue says

    March 18, 2010 at 6:19 am

    Cathy, you have totally saved me from the agonising task of trying to scrapbook 7 years of Primary school from scratch for my 11 year old twins. Thank you so much for creating these; I feel like starting RIGHT NOW! In fact I might just do that. Did I mention before how much you ROCK!!!

    Reply
  7. scrappysue says

    March 18, 2010 at 6:24 am

    Oh dear, I have just realised the titles wouldn’t work for my kids as our system is Year 1, Year 2 etc. Can these be changed in the templates? Thanks Cathy.

    Reply
  8. Christy says

    March 18, 2010 at 6:33 am

    You, my dear, well,……..you’re a rock star. I’m not sure I can bring myself to re-doing a school album or not though. DS1 is done through 4th grade and he is now in 6th. What I may do is finish him until 5th grade and then do his middle school years this way. The younger one? Only in 3rd grade and his album is so not done. This has been on my mind……….. thanks Cathy.

    While we’re on this subject…..how about volume 2 with grades 7-12? Pretty please? You could plan ahead for Aidan. Please?

    Reply
  9. NeseScott says

    March 18, 2010 at 6:34 am

    CZ! I Love you, man!!!

    Reply
  10. Mercedes says

    March 18, 2010 at 6:42 am

    Cathy those are great! It’s actually funny you posted these because a bunch of us in Stacy Julian’s Library of Memories class (I’m taking that as well as your Design Your Life right now) were bugging her a couple of weeks ago to do a “school of life” class at BPS to help us deal with all of our children’s school pictures. I’m really not good with digi (don’t have PSE or the computer to run it LOL) but I love the look of those kits!

    Reply
  11. Kim K says

    March 18, 2010 at 6:44 am

    yeah, baby!

    Reply
  12. Stephanie Howell says

    March 18, 2010 at 6:58 am

    i swear you are going to make me go over to the dark side eventually. every time i read your blog it makes me want to try digital. this is phenomenal. and his cute lil’ second grade face KILLS me. i taught second grade and that is the best age in the world. love it.
    happy thursday! xo

    Reply
  13. Molly Irwin says

    March 18, 2010 at 7:08 am

    brill! especially like the pocket.

    Reply
  14. renaissance costume says

    March 18, 2010 at 7:21 am

    wow.. very nice.. it sure is a great way of making an album.. thanks for the post! cheers!

    Reply
  15. Kristi K. says

    March 18, 2010 at 7:44 am

    About a month ago I built the base pages for my children’s school albums based on your book. I opted to go with the 2-page spread per year approach, though, because I don’t have a lot of candid school photos of my kids 🙁 But I LOVE the pocket idea to hold the odds and ends I’ve saved over the years. Now, I just have to fill it up. This was a great project to take to a crop, because I didn’t have to pack up tons of supplies to do it. Highly recommend this project for a crop event.

    Reply
  16. HeatherC says

    March 18, 2010 at 7:47 am

    LOVE THIS!!!! I think I will rethink my ideas for my kids — I like the clean and simple thing! You have probably answered this before, but what albums and page protectors do you use for something like this?

    Reply
  17. Natalee says

    March 18, 2010 at 8:00 am

    Thanks for making these! Love them.

    Reply
  18. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 8:06 am

    Well, thank you!

    Reply
  19. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 8:07 am

    Sue, i just saw your Tweet. Email me at czdesign@comcast.net. I could add an overseas word pack to help out our overseas scrappers!

    Reply
  20. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 8:08 am

    Christy, i’m planning to add a simple add on word art pack with 7 through 12. In fact, i’ll try to have that up at the store this weekend.

    Reply
  21. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 8:08 am

    Shhh. Dan will find out.

    Reply
  22. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 8:08 am

    This is totally Stacy’s approach!

    Reply
  23. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 8:09 am

    If you come over to the dark side, remember: black capes are required.

    Reply
  24. melissa says

    March 18, 2010 at 8:16 am

    Ok Z, you know how bad I want this. And no, I didn’t closely at the details. But, I’ve got surgery on Monday and a 2 week recovery time afterwards…. depending on the pain, I’m thinkin’ perfect chance to work this out. SO, hook me up 🙂 with whatever you can to make this easier. It’s beautiful, and I’m determined to work it out. ~ Melissa

    Reply
  25. Kim says

    March 18, 2010 at 8:25 am

    This is genius….simple, effective, yet great to look at! Good design at its best. This will definitely be in the works when my girls start preschool next year.
    As for changing & going digital with Cole’s album, Edward De Bono is quoted as saying “If you never change your mind, why have one?”

    Reply
  26. christine says

    March 18, 2010 at 8:28 am

    Cathy, what type of paper do you use to print on?

    Reply
  27. JudyN says

    March 18, 2010 at 8:43 am

    Cathy, these are just fabulous! I’ve done “School of Life” albums (ala Stacy Julian) since my kids started school, but since going digital, I’ve stalled. These are perfect! My question is this: will there be a follow up for middle school and high school? Or are the templates editable so I could just make those changes? Thanks so much for all the great inspiration and tools!

    Reply
  28. Elizabeth says

    March 18, 2010 at 8:51 am

    Gotta say you have two really cute kids.

    Reply
  29. heather says

    March 18, 2010 at 8:53 am

    oh so perfect and simple! My son is graduating hs this year, I can do this in no time! Thanks Cathy!

    Reply
  30. Donna says

    March 18, 2010 at 8:53 am

    Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I have loved your elementary school album idea, but as a digi scrapper I was kinda bummed. I have three little kids all a year apart. My oldest is in her second year of preschool. I just knew your album idea was the ONLY way I would ever have school days books for them, plus I just love the simplicity of them. Now there are digital templates! Bless you! Heading over to get them now!

    Donna

    Reply
  31. Kristen says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:04 am

    I am SO doing this immediately. I have been stressed out over the design of my kids’ school albums, and trying to keep ’em simple. Thanks for saving the day. I hope I don’t get a job in the next two weeks so I can spend entire days at Archiver’s.

    Reply
  32. Nicky from Canada says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:21 am

    Love it love it love it!!! Amazing you are.

    Reply
  33. Janice says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:21 am

    I’m inspired to get busy too! Love everything about this concept.

    What brand are the albums you used in the first photo?

    Reply
  34. Baggsy says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:27 am

    I bought the school album pack just yesterday when I one of those sudden urges to buy something after a long day of ironing and housework.

    When I saw your blog post (and having a nice clean house and some guilt free scrapping time) I went and dug around in the box under the spare bed where the six years worth of school stuff ( x 3 children) has been waiting. Thank goodness I did! All the plastic packages with the school photos in were starting to degrade and stick to the pictures. You have never seen me run to my scanner so fast! All is saved and I now have three lovely neat school album files sitting on my desktop and the title pages done and up to date.

    So easy to use! Thank you!

    I’m another who would love if some UK titles were available. I tried to make my own but they don’t look half as good as yours. Thank you so much. Such a great project.

    Reply
  35. Cynthia Friese-Hassanein says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:33 am

    Cathy Z. I loved this project when I read your 2nd book!!!!!!!! And I don’t even have kids:) After DYL I am going to tackle jr. high and high school days inspired by yours truly.

    Reply
  36. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:33 am

    Thanks, Molly. that’s secretly my favorite part too!

    Reply
  37. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:34 am

    Okay, i LOVE that quote. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  38. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:34 am

    Christine, i print on Ilford Gallerie Smooth Pearl, when i print at home.

    Reply
  39. Diane says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:35 am

    OMG….you soooo rock!! I’m a newbie to scrapbooking…literally. Still needing to do my first layout. Have your books, Stacy J.’s books, follow yours and Ali’s blogs religiously…have been for at least a year now. I’m a graphic designer for a retail company so I thought I wouldn’t do digi ’cause I’m on the computer doing layouts all day. I love to craft but I’m a single mom of two high-energy boys so time to sit down with all the elements and glue and paper etc. just didn’t seem to work either. Therefore stuck with doing NADA. BUT now that I saw this layout you designed – I’m going hybrid for sure. What pushed me over the fence, your pocket page. You totally did digi layout but just doing that little bit at the end with the simplicity of the brads and cardstock was perfect. Soooo simple and easy! Thank you for inspiring me to move my butt and get scrapping. Love to see you in the Northeast sometime 😉

    Reply
  40. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:35 am

    Judy, i’m working on an add on pack of grade titles (also for overseas scrappers who call grades different things) to sell at the Designer Digi store. They will be added this weekend!

    Reply
  41. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:35 am

    Awww. we think so too! : )

    Reply
  42. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:35 am

    Donna, be sure to let me know how you like them!

    Reply
  43. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:36 am

    They are by the now defunct Scrapworks and unless I’m mistaken, you can’t get them anymore. : (

    Reply
  44. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:37 am

    Baggsy, you got it! i will work on them today, and they will hopefully be in the store by Saturday night at DD!

    Should they say Year 1, Year 2?

    Reply
  45. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:38 am

    Thanks, Diane! Glad you’re getting the groove!

    Reply
  46. linda says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:42 am

    Wow, that is the coolest! Wish I had such albums for my school days. I love how the pages are neat and simple, but still lots to look at…it’s like a perfect balance!

    Reply
  47. TaraM says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:47 am

    ok so you just proved you ROCK again. I love this and was trying to get product together to do an album for my oldest (who’s in Grade 2) and no luck. I have been leaning towards digi LO’s because I have more time and less mess and seem to get more done. So this is perfect! You Rock thank you!

    Reply
  48. Fletch says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:48 am

    Love love love it! well done…I am going to see if I can go back and recapture memories from my childhood. I have all the little pictures. And do my school years in this fashion…this is inspiring!

    Reply
  49. lori says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:53 am

    Hi cathy.
    What is your favorite adhesive? I see the kukuyo tape runner – if that is it, where do you get these from since they are hard to get now?

    Reply
  50. Baggsy says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:55 am

    Oh you are so good to us, thank you!

    Would be fabulous if you could do the following titles:

    Nursery, Reception and Year One through to Year Six

    Many thanks.

    Reply
  51. Molly Irwin says

    March 18, 2010 at 10:05 am

    I think it’s that I like to see brads being used FUNCTIONALLY. They work decoratively, of course, but here you’ve placed them in such a great PRACTICAL way. I might have to replicate that bit.

    Reply
  52. Jen Cox says

    March 18, 2010 at 10:15 am

    I’m inspired. I’ve recently gone digital and am not looking back — thank you for creating these must have templates to help me document by boys’ school days.

    Reply
  53. Mary Mitchell says

    March 18, 2010 at 10:16 am

    Oh Cathy……this is so wonderful and sad at the same time. My kids are now in their 20’s and I would have loved to have done something like this for all of them. While I have some photos of them when they were young……I know I don’t have every year of school and very few photos of each one individually. Seems like I could never take a photo of one at a time….they all wanted to be together in the shot.
    Then there was that period of time when my camera was broken and I relied on hubby for pics. Well you can only imagine…..not much recorded.

    But I love the templates and maybe it can be a project for the future…..if I’m blessed with grandchildren years from now.

    Reply
  54. gwen says

    March 18, 2010 at 10:18 am

    Love these Cathy. Wow. Totally inspiring.

    Reply
  55. Kristen says

    March 18, 2010 at 10:31 am

    You are so awesome! I love the simplicity of it. I have 3 kids (4th, 1st, and kinder) and while I’ve saved a bunch of their school work/projects & taken tons of pictures, none of it is in albums. I started to, but I couldn’t keep up with it. You can imagine how well I keep up w/ my regular scrapbooking, when I can’t even keep up w/ a once-a-year update one. I would love to do it digitally as you have, although my computer is so slow it might take less time to do it the regular way. :o) Either way, thanks for this post which has given me hope to try again. You’re the best.

    Reply
  56. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 10:34 am

    Perfect! thanks for this info. I will add it to the set. Where are you? In England?

    Reply
  57. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 10:34 am

    LOL! I hear you.

    Reply
  58. Laurel says

    March 18, 2010 at 10:51 am

    Brilliant! Simply brilliant!

    Reply
  59. Baggsy says

    March 18, 2010 at 10:52 am

    I’m in London. You are welcome to visit!

    Just had another thought on the school run. We don’t call it elementary school here. It’s called primary school. I forgot about the front page title. Can’t think of a snappy title to replace “It’s Elementary” though!

    Reply
  60. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 10:56 am

    Why not, Its Primary? Ill add it!

    Reply
  61. Kristen says

    March 18, 2010 at 10:58 am

    I thought of a question.

    I’ve never done digital scrapbooking. If I have a stone age printer that I barely trust to print out word documents, how do I print my digital scrapbook pages? Are there any printing services where I can order it online and have it shipped, that you know of?

    Reply
  62. Jo says

    March 18, 2010 at 11:30 am

    Cathy, another fabulous template set that I so NEED to have! I swear, you’re like my drug dealer and your templates are like crack. I’m addicted. *lol* My son starts preschool in the Fall and I’m determined to be ready. 🙂

    Reply
  63. AngieS says

    March 18, 2010 at 11:37 am

    Just wanted to say “thank you” on behalf of the overseas scrappers for including our words!! And to Baggsy for listing all the words I need, such as Primary School, Nursery, Reception, Grade One, etc.. I, too, am in London. Can’t wait to get started!!

    Reply
  64. Donna says

    March 18, 2010 at 11:40 am

    There are some on-line services, but I am not too familiar with those, I print mine at Costco. The matte finish is lovely. Cost is $3.99 for a 12×12.

    Reply
  65. Stacia says

    March 18, 2010 at 11:49 am

    Cathy, these are really cool! Just one quick question: does your kit include those little numbers for the photos or did you get those somewhere else…? Thanks! 🙂

    Reply
  66. Tess says

    March 18, 2010 at 11:49 am

    OMG Cathy! I’ve been trying for years to think of a way to chronicle my kids school years and you’ve just solved that problem for me! You are the best! Has anyone told you that? Well, you are!

    one question… what kind of printer do you have that prints all the way out to the edges of the paper?

    Thanks again! =^)

    Reply
  67. Lynn Herrick says

    March 18, 2010 at 11:50 am

    I have been waiting for this Cathy – I loved your approach when I took your class (I think we even exchanged an email about it). I love the idea of going all digital with this, but I have not really mastered scanning with my printer and the Mac, so I will need to work on it. Also, I just noted that your son’s middle name is “Asher.” My youngest son is Benjamin Asher Herrick. The Asher is after his great grandfather and I have never seen another kid with the same name. I knew we had more than a love for design and Weight Watchers in common . . . .

    Reply
  68. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 11:51 am

    Lori, i’m pretty sure that scrapbook.com is now going to sell it, but i think it’s under the scotch brand, but it’s almost identical!

    Reply
  69. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 11:52 am

    Kristen, yes. I use ScrapbookPictures.com to print when i don’t want to do it at home, which honestly, if i do the early years, I’m sending them out to be printed.

    Great service, great pricing, great quality, in my opinion.

    Reply
  70. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 11:52 am

    Digital Crack. Hmmmm. I may borrow that.

    Reply
  71. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 11:53 am

    Yep. I’m working on them now!

    Reply
  72. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 11:53 am

    So wait, do you want Grade One AND Year One? Just want to include everything!

    Reply
  73. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 11:54 am

    The numbers are included, and you can change the color of both the numbers, and the circles!

    Reply
  74. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 11:54 am

    Well, i have to thank Stacy Julian for this concept, which is where it comes from initially.

    I have an HP PHotosmsart 8750. A few years old now, but i love HP!

    Reply
  75. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 11:55 am

    I really wanted Asher as the first name. Sigh. I just love it. : )

    Reply
  76. Jan says

    March 18, 2010 at 11:58 am

    I am completely in love with this! I so, so, so need to get caught up and do this! Thanks for inspiring me.

    Reply
  77. Melinda Wilson says

    March 18, 2010 at 12:12 pm

    I love this digital aspect of the project. I just wish digital was big a few years ago – LOL.
    I completed a BPS class a few years back called Graduation Album by Laurie S. I used her idea of going back and completing at least a one page layout on each year. I have two sons, age 20 & 24, and I finally completed the older sons but still have to complete the 10th and 11th grade year for the younger one. I jumped over these two and did his senior year while I could remember it. I have all the stuff still together; just need to complete about four pages and insert them into his book. I’m glad you reminded me I need to do this – LOL! Have a great day!

    Reply
  78. Penny Grimsley says

    March 18, 2010 at 12:25 pm

    I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW EXCITED I AM ABOUT THIS!!! (note my emphasis!) I haven’t been happy with what I started for my boys and it is on the RE-DO list and they are in 9th and 8th grade – so this is perfect timing!!! LOVE IT!!! SUPER EXCITED about rolling out the 2nd half, too!! THANK CATHY. U DA BOMB!

    Reply
  79. Sherry F says

    March 18, 2010 at 12:27 pm

    love it! as i’ve already started on their elementary school books, maybe I’ll use the ideas on a few pages for my family album. love the ‘it’s elementary’ page!
    i’ll use the idea on my siblings and my school pics too! if my mom ever gets those organized!

    Reply
  80. Yolanda says

    March 18, 2010 at 12:29 pm

    I LOOOVVVEEEE this kit!

    And I don’t even have a use for it…yet.

    My daughter is only two, so we a have a little while before we dive into school. but what I love about this—and what so many moms who are overwhelmed by the “right” way to document their kids’ school years l will appreciate about it—is that it has a defined space. How many pictures? It’s answered. How much paperwork to save? Whatever fits in the pocket.

    Sure, you can always keep more. But sometimes, twelve images and a report card are enough. And it’s much better than a whole pile of intention with no results to show for it. Thank you for putting this together! I’m definitely passing this on to some moms who *need* this.

    Reply
  81. LoriHudson says

    March 18, 2010 at 12:33 pm

    I’ve been meaning to do this and you just did it for me! Now I will actually have to work on the album.

    Reply
  82. Mary Rogers says

    March 18, 2010 at 12:36 pm

    this I can do!!!
    thanks for the inspiration Cathy : )

    Reply
  83. Etta says

    March 18, 2010 at 12:41 pm

    I LOVE this! I made a seperate album for my son’s kindergarten year, for all the many “special events” in K, but now that he’s in first grade, I would really like to streamline the process, otherwise, I’ll never get it done! I love this idea because it incorporates the school photos and has room for special event photos and loose ‘stuff’ too! I can’t wait to purchase it!

    Reply
  84. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 12:43 pm

    Hey Lori, nice to see your smiling face!

    Reply
  85. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 12:43 pm

    Go Penny!

    Reply
  86. Jesa says

    March 18, 2010 at 12:58 pm

    Cathy it’s becoming dangerous visiting your blog on a daily basis. You have way too much talent and we are just going to suck you dry. I SIMPLY love everything you do and all these fabulous ideas. Your two books are part of my collection and I am so looking forward to seeing more amazing designs resurrect into digital form! Yay Cathy!!!!!!

    Reply
  87. Katie says

    March 18, 2010 at 1:03 pm

    Darn It Cathy….I am in love with that brain of yours! Don’t die and keep blogging!

    Reply
  88. alyssa says

    March 18, 2010 at 1:16 pm

    So dang cool! Just might have to do this for my old school pics… 🙂

    Reply
  89. TracieClaiborne says

    March 18, 2010 at 1:17 pm

    So are you keeping Cole’s K and 1st Grade in the album as is and are they different colors? Curious minds want to know. LOL

    Reply
  90. lynda paredes says

    March 18, 2010 at 1:30 pm

    Well now, just color me “green” for jealousy. I haven’t even begun a school album for my kids. My son is 1-3, and daughter 9! Yikes. Right now I have my head so wrapped around a mini I’ll be throwing together for my sister. Sound like this will be a spring break project to tackle!

    Lynda

    Reply
  91. Janne says

    March 18, 2010 at 2:06 pm

    Hi Cathy! Love this – so “clean”. I’m from overseas – Denmark …. doing it in english is not a logic option …. can you make a blank one maybe?? We have the words like “vuggestue” – “børnehave” – “børnehaveklasse” and so on :O) The letter ø is not in your alpha…..

    btw: LOVE ALL YOUR STUFF – AND YOUR BLOG! Read it every day – even if you don’t blog every day – I just read earlier blogs – a good way to spend the day! :O)

    Janne

    Reply
  92. Antoinette says

    March 18, 2010 at 2:38 pm

    Two Thumbs Up! So sad to see the end of DYL… Will you be doing another workshop or lesson on BPS soon??

    Reply
  93. Kirsty says

    March 18, 2010 at 2:45 pm

    Thank you for accommodating us overseas scrappers. In New Zealand our kids start in Year 0 (or Year 1 depending on their birthday). Can you please include Year 0 through to Year 13? Thanks 🙂

    Reply
  94. Maegan says

    March 18, 2010 at 2:53 pm

    Love it. I’ve been doing the same thing with my daughter’s school pic’s but using a different photo template. The SOL album is definitely her favorite to look through and it is SO easy to put together. Thanks for posting your pocket page. I have been trying to figure out a clever way to do that. Apparently I was making it harder than it needed to be. LOL!

    Reply
  95. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 3:13 pm

    Sorry. I will do some more posts that involve NO possible spending! LOL!

    Reply
  96. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 3:13 pm

    I will do my part.

    Reply
  97. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 3:15 pm

    I haven’t quite decided. I think i WILL keep them, because think of it this way: when he is 30, i don’t think he’s going think, “MAN! I am PISSED! Why did she DO it this way!” LOL.

    But, part of me wants to redo, because i could add in more photos. I was fully digital by the time he started preschool, so i’ve got so many more shots i could squeeze in!

    I’m thinking of doing it all this coming weekend, then sending out a big order to scrapbookpics.com to get the prints done.

    Reply
  98. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 3:16 pm

    Janne, you can simply delete the layers with the type, and add your own Text Layer, type in your school grade info, then simply do the same on all the other title pages. (You can do save as and rename for each grade, so you only have to create a title look one time!)

    That font that the title is in does not come with the set. It is an artwork layer so you are able to open on any computer!

    Reply
  99. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 3:16 pm

    I am planning another workshop in September! I am running: Me: the Abridged Version again!

    http://www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com/meatoz.php

    Reply
  100. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 3:17 pm

    Whoops! I just finished it and had Year One and Year 12, but not those others.
    Will add to the set before they go onsale!

    Reply
  101. Rochelle says

    March 18, 2010 at 3:26 pm

    Merci Beaucoup! Ils sont magnifiques!

    Reply
  102. AngieS says

    March 18, 2010 at 3:30 pm

    Now you’ve got me!! I am actually an Australian living in London and clearly I am a little confused. I am pretty sure that here in the UK I need “Year One”…my son is only four and in Nursery Class, so no good asking him!! I think the “Grade One” slip on my previous comment is because when I went to school in Australia, it was “Grade One”. Sorry to cause such confusion, but maybe there are some Aussie’s that need “Grade One” out there, who knows!!

    Reply
  103. Laura Liddle says

    March 18, 2010 at 3:56 pm

    You are incredible! You don’t know how much I look forward to chumming off of your GREAT ideas! Is it possible for you to take a screen shot and/or describe how you actually organized your photos in iphoto??? I have a hard time visualizing your organizational system. I am somewhat new to iphoto, but I do copy others’ ideas really well!!! ; )

    Reply
  104. Annie says

    March 18, 2010 at 4:28 pm

    This is such a great idea. I must do this for my daughter!

    Reply
  105. amymerry says

    March 18, 2010 at 4:57 pm

    My kiddos are in 2nd and 3rd grade–I’ve studied your school albums + Stacy Julians + Becky Higgins school kits + Ali E = and this is perfect! Thank you. So glad you also included Preschool. (and are working on middle/high school) Heading to beach in April for mom’s birthday and wanted to bring scrap stuff–but haven’t scrapped-on-the-go in so long…now I know exactly what I can work on–digitally! One question, did you scan in the school photos? Thank you!

    Reply
  106. Helen says

    March 18, 2010 at 5:54 pm

    Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ve just been re-reading your books these past few days and admiring your school albums and wishing I could make my daughter’s school album like that but not knowing how to translate what you did into digital stuff (I’m a digi-scrapper) This will be perfect!

    Oh, and I’m taking your Design Your Life class now, too. I’m a little behind (around lesson 9) but I’m loving what I’m learning!

    Reply
  107. heidig says

    March 18, 2010 at 5:56 pm

    My girls’ school albums are done as one is in college and the other is a senior in high school. But you know what? I love this! Who’s to say I won’t use it in the future and that’ll give me plenty of time to brush up on my digital scrapbooking (I’m not very good at it). I’m sold! Thanks Cathy for the inspiration.

    Reply
  108. Kristin Jordan says

    March 18, 2010 at 7:59 pm

    Cathy,
    This is awesome – thanks! I’ve been wanting to do this for a few years now, thanks to your the idea I got in your book. (With 4 young kids, my ideas haven’t been put to paper yet, though!) Quick question, I was hoping to add the first years of life (before school years) also to each of my kids albums. Same concept… 4 pages per year. Is there any way you would make files that read “one year old, two years old…” or something like that (can’t think of something more creative than that.) I’m looking for something for the first 4 or 5 years of life and then I’ll go into the school years as you have designed it.

    Thanks!
    Kristin J

    Reply
  109. Jennifer says

    March 18, 2010 at 8:01 pm

    Rockin’ it as usual, CZ. Love the albums…so simple and cool! 🙂

    Reply
  110. Emma says

    March 18, 2010 at 8:23 pm

    Totally love them!!

    Question: Could the 12×12 be scaled to 8×8 or 9×9 or would all the photo sizes be wonky?

    Reply
  111. Shawna Zervos says

    March 18, 2010 at 8:31 pm

    I may have missed this, but what album are you using fo
    r this awesome project? I made a “cutesy” school album for my oldest (7) a few years ago. It is finished through high school, just add photo and journaling each year. Now that I have a new baby (gasp, I’ll never get them through college) perhaps digital is the way to go, although I have never used Photoshop (another gasp!)
    Thanks for brightening my day with your humor and insight. You rock!
    Shawna

    Reply
  112. Jinny KL says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:01 pm

    Love the new template! School photos are stacked & waiting to be put into an album, but could never decide what it should look like! Thank you for a great & easy solution!

    Question: Do you have any suggestions on how to include an annual class picture (w/ the teacher & all the students standing in rows together)in the album you’ve designed? The class photo is usually about 8 x 10.

    Thank you for sharing your brilliant designs & inspiration!

    Reply
  113. Heather says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:11 pm

    Love it! This is just great and I love the simplicity of the format, but that it allows you to include so many details!

    Reply
  114. Katemeri says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:40 pm

    I love this so much! It *almost* makes me want to have kids… Ooh, what did I just say! Maybe I could do it for our nieces and nephews. You rock Cathy!!!

    Reply
  115. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:43 pm

    De rien!

    Reply
  116. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:44 pm

    That’s not a bad idea for a future video post!

    Reply
  117. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:45 pm

    I did scan them in. : ) I figure, you have paid for them and you can scan for scrapbooking purposes, you know?

    Reply
  118. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:45 pm

    Oh good! Good timing! You’ll have time to finish up at DYL! Remember: forever access.

    Reply
  119. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:47 pm

    Kristin, that’s a great idea, actually. To do another Word Pack that just has ages. Hmmm. I will try to get it into the store the weekend after next (I have missed the deadline for this week’s releases!)

    Reply
  120. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:47 pm

    OH sure. The only part that gets wonky is the type sizes on the journaling might get a bit small, so you may have to adjust. But you can go in and size the entire document down and proceed.

    Reply
  121. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:48 pm

    Shawna, it was an old Scrapworks album that is no longer made. Sigh. I loved this album too!

    Reply
  122. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:49 pm

    Yes! Just scan it, and drop it into one of the larger photo slots. One of the photo pages has one larger photo, and three smaller ones. It would fit very well into that larger slot. I just dropped Cole’s into a smaller area, but you could do the aforementioned easily!

    Reply
  123. cathy says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:49 pm

    LOL! have kids just to do the album! sure! hehe.
    : )

    Reply
  124. Carmel Keane says

    March 18, 2010 at 10:08 pm

    Yay re. Me: the Abridged Version – will be in for that. Cathy you are so good to supply the Years for us Overseas gals! I am in New Zealand too but my DD’s first five years were in Ireland at an Irish speaking school – you should see the names they had!!!! I don’t want you pulling your hair out so am happy to go with the years…

    Reply
  125. Leora says

    March 19, 2010 at 6:19 am

    THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I guess I know what my next project will be. Hey, you posted a day early, right….and I am a day late. You are the best. Thanks for sharing this with all of us.

    Reply
  126. Lisa D says

    March 19, 2010 at 8:07 am

    You just made my day…my oldest son graduates from 8th grade this year and I have been trying to think of a way to display photos of him from Preschool – 8th grade at the party. The second I opened your blog I knew I found what to do for those photos!

    BUT…always a but…I am wondering if you could just whip up an add-on package to the set that I coudl purchase for 7th and 8th grade years. My children go to an elementary school that is K – 8 so I really need to have all 9 years together. I know I could go in and replicate something similar on my own, but that, my dear, would require my brain to function. And when I have a 14 year old boy in the house along with a 11 year old hormonal drama queen, and a 9 year old stubborn mule, the old brain isn’t in tip top shape.

    I would be so forever in your debt….
    🙂

    Reply
  127. cathy says

    March 19, 2010 at 8:13 am

    Lisa, it is done and will be up in the Designer Digitals store on Saturday after 5 p.m. The word pack has all those grades and is sized and ready to drop in.

    Reply
  128. Sandra says

    March 19, 2010 at 8:28 am

    Hi Cathy!
    Thanks for sharing. I was admiring the quality of the printing for your elementary pages and was wondering what printer you were using?
    I have an older Canon that I wanted to upgrade soon.
    Have a great day!

    Reply
  129. Kate says

    March 19, 2010 at 8:35 am

    You couldn’t put a “Reception”, “Sixth Form” and “Playschool/Nursery” in the pack too could you? How very inconvenient of our schools to name classes so randomly. My primary school called the classes after colours…!

    Reply
  130. DanaJ says

    March 19, 2010 at 8:41 am

    finally!!!!! if i hadn’t told you before, i’m telling you now—I LOVE YOU! (and notice i used all caps which i don’t even usually do normally even for words that should be capitalized!) i love your templates, but i haven’t bought any as of yet. but, THIS, i have been waiting for. i will most definitely be making my first purchase. thanks so much! my three poor girls (preschooler, 4th-, and 6th-grader) who as of yet have not a page in a school album, (although everything is organized beautifully in accordian files, thanks to stacy julian), thank you, too! let’s just say that you made my day!

    Reply
  131. Johanna Hörrmann says

    March 19, 2010 at 9:57 am

    I can SO relate, Diane! I had this epiphany a few days ago. Awesomeness.

    Reply
  132. Laura Liddle says

    March 19, 2010 at 10:07 am

    Cathy – I LOVE your templates and have them all! Any chance you will add to these templates for 7-12 grade??? Also, can you tell us/show us (maybe a screen shot) of how you organize your photos in iphoto? thanks!

    Reply
  133. Kimb says

    March 19, 2010 at 10:11 am

    Kathy your templates have given me the kick start I have needed for a very long time. My whole “learn how to scrap” idea started with the desire to scrap my kid’s school years. That was 5 years ago.. I have tons of pages under my belt now but never got at those school years pages..Definitely a hit with me and I am so glad to hear you are adding 7 through 12 add ons to your product lines. I Love you and your simple style!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  134. Lisa d says

    March 19, 2010 at 11:04 am

    I heart you

    Reply
  135. Heather Wunsch says

    March 19, 2010 at 3:09 pm

    I just spent an entire “sick” day going thru my daughter’s photo box where I keep all her old school pics and all her awards that never fit my traditional chronological scrapbooking. Your books are the perfect solution for what to do with all this “stuff”. I have it all organized by year and even scanned alot of it that day – maybe, just maybe, I’ll go digital on this one!! Thanks for the idea!! You rock!

    Reply
  136. Heather Crawford says

    March 19, 2010 at 3:28 pm

    Question about the title page..do you wait to print it when it’s full or do you print once a year? Know what I’m sayin’? Ideas? Love this by the way..I had started my son’s album based on yours in the book, but have only gotten to preK..so perfect time to switch over and do it digitally!

    Reply
  137. Tracey says

    March 19, 2010 at 4:32 pm

    Cathy you are sooo good at this stuff – wish I could borrow your brain for a week and get all my stuff sorted.I definitely need to buy iphoto and get myself organised and learning all the digital stuff would be handy to. Thanks for your great blog your comments always leave me with a smile on my face.

    Reply
  138. Amanda Diaz says

    March 19, 2010 at 4:44 pm

    That is so funny. I just read this article in your book today during my lunch break today and thought what a clever idea and here it is re-introduced on your site. I will have to tuck it away in my memory when I have kids of my own 🙂

    Reply
  139. Andrea W. says

    March 19, 2010 at 8:39 pm

    Hey Cathy –
    The school digital pages are great. They will be so much fun to work with and get the school books together – finally!!!
    Would you consider doing a similar set for baby books – maybe “One Month Old”, “Two Months Old”, etc.? Maybe then I would finally have the motivation to complete baby books for my boys who are now ages 26, 23 and 19.
    You are amazing!
    Andrea

    Reply
  140. JillS says

    March 19, 2010 at 10:29 pm

    I’m thinking through a strategy of how to have it go up to 8th grade (since that’s how my son’s school works) but I love the inspiration!

    Reply
  141. Beth S. says

    March 20, 2010 at 11:07 am

    Fairly new to this digital scrap world. Is there a way to print these pages in Shutterfly or some sort of place like that to have a book for the school years instead of a scrapbook? I’m really drawn to the bound book idea… they seem to take up much less room than regular scrapbooks. I’m trying to SIMPLIFY!!!

    Reply
  142. JoLynn says

    March 21, 2010 at 1:21 pm

    These are FANTASTIC, Cathy. I have done nothing for my 13 year old (I have LOTS of stuff and no journaling… grrr.) These make me feel like I can make something slick with what I can recall and it will still be worth his while. Now Max is JUST starting Kindergarten next year, so GIDDY UP! This is a great idea.

    Reply
  143. Heather P says

    March 23, 2010 at 7:27 am

    THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!! Just in case you haven’t heard it enough yet… THANK YOU! I have both of your books, and they are worn from me constantly pouring over them, dreaming of the day that I’ll be decisive enough with my layouts to actually finish a page. You just made that dream a reality! You really are a HUGE inspiration 🙂 Thanks for all you do!

    Reply
  144. Staci says

    March 24, 2010 at 1:33 am

    Oh my gosh! I wish I had kids! (I will some day long story.) Super cute album and ideas.

    Reply
  145. Joh says

    June 15, 2010 at 5:29 am

    i’m doing “it’s prep to primary”

    Reply
  146. Joh says

    June 17, 2010 at 11:06 pm

    what is the pattered paper you used for Aidan’s album???

    Reply
  147. Megan says

    July 5, 2010 at 12:22 pm

    Have no idea if you will get this, but I was cruising for ideas, and it says you will answer questions in the comments, so here goes: The background of Cole’s page, that says ‘I will not chase girls’…is that digital paper or is that a photo? I’ve been looking for realistic ‘black’board digi-paper…that is exactly what I need!

    Reply
  148. cathy says

    July 5, 2010 at 2:11 pm

    Megan, that is an old patterned paper and i have no idea who makes it. But it’s not digital!

    : ) I bet you could recreate it by finding a blackboard background, and using a chalk like font!

    Reply
  149. Colleen says

    July 7, 2010 at 10:34 am

    I don’t do much digi mostly because I don’t have a program for it, but this has inspired me! Have been trying to figure out what to do with my son’s stuff since last year (he just finished Grade 1) and I think I have some ideas on how to simplify things for myself!

    Awesome! Thanks!

    Reply
  150. Colleen says

    July 7, 2010 at 10:36 am

    I don’t do much digi mostly because I don’t have a program for it, but this has inspired me! Have been trying to figure out what to do with my son’s stuff since last year (he just finished Grade 1) and I think I have some ideas on how to simplify things for myself!

    Awesome! Thanks!

    Reply
  151. Colleen says

    July 7, 2010 at 10:37 am

    Oops sorry! lol Not sure how that happened as it said it timed out the first time I tried?>

    Reply
  152. gout treatment says

    November 30, 2010 at 8:59 pm

    This is wonderful. I hope I can create nice things like this one.

    Reply
  153. chanelD says

    October 12, 2011 at 2:30 pm

    Cathy,

    what brand of album are these? and where did you buy them?

    Reply
  154. cathy says

    October 12, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    These are no longer made. Sigh. They were box style albums from Scrapworks. I LOVE them. Such good quality of an album.

    Reply
  155. Gail says

    February 5, 2015 at 10:51 am

    So what do I do with my kids grade level photos that are actual physical photos–do you scan them into the computer in order to use with the templates? any suggestions for me?

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      February 5, 2015 at 11:42 am

      Gail, that is exactly what I do! I scan ’em in, and use them in the digital templates. 🙂

      Reply

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