handbook

When Studio Calico asked me if I would be interested in doing a feature on the Handbooks, I jumped at the chance. I have been wanting to get one but had not had the chance- this was the perfect opportunity! I honestly didn't have a project in mind to start, but as I started flipping through the pages I realized this would be the perfect solution for Project Life. I have been wanting to move away from the 12x12 size and to something smaller, easier for the kids to handle, allows for travel, etc. Handbook was my answer. What really sold me was the spine. It's as thick as my regular scrapbooking albums so I knew it would last me a while into the year.

What does any scrapbooker jump to when given a clean canvas? AQUA! Oh wait no.....inspiration. Yes, inspiration! I wanted something clean and not to fragile, the kids look through my PL album all the time. I want to continue to encourage that, so I knew I needed to keep it simple. I decided to just paint the whole thing AQUA and then emboss the year along the side, then I added a pink heart for good measure.

For the opening page I wanted to do something different from last year. I decided to make it one large image instead of doing the pocket pages. I loved the idea of using the sequins from the Pioneer Drive add-on along with the "hello 2013" card from the Project Life kit. I wasn't exactly sure how I was going to create the "floating" effect until it hit me - laminate them! I put the sequins and card inside the laminating pocket and ran it through.

I was slightly nervous (you know when you have an idea you want it to come out how you have imagined) and when I pulled it through I loved it even more. You see, the heat had slightly melted the sequins. I LOVE how they turned out! You can't really see here, but I tried my best. Give it a try - I think you will like the effect.

A couple of my spreads went up in my Jan. gallery but I wanted to show you how they looked in the Handbook albums. 

I used the laminating idea again in the album. Using the Handbook for my Project Life I need to come up with ways to add a little extra where needed. I love using the laminated pockets because they are very sturdy when you punch the holes to add them to the album. I can't wait to use this idea throughout the year.

Since I was using my album for PL I wasn't really sure I would use the album inserts, but I quickly fell in love with them. I like the idea of taking a moment to highlight a special event, award or just something we are excited about.

One of the things I really liked (as I mentioned) about the smaller size for PL is I now have the ability to travel with it when I want to. We are in and out of town a lot, so this was a HUGE plus for me. As you can imagine over the holidays we traveled a lot, so I just packed up a small tote with some basic supplies, added my handbook and my little  Canon Selphy and I had PL- to go.

This spread was done on the road. No sewing machine, no Cameo, no *gasp* trimmer. I used my family's printer to print out the journaling and the rest was basic supplies. That is one REALLY nice thing about the die-cut frames from Studio Calico, is that you can kind of get the diecut effect when you need something quick and easy.

To add a little hidden journaling and extra "real estate" to my spread I created this flip pocket journaling. Inside there is journaling that is more in detailed, things that not everyone would be interested in reading. 

(supplies-  Journal Cards & Wood Veneer Label Stickers: Studio Calico PL Kit, Pattern Paper: Studio Calico, Classic Calico V3 6x6 Pad,  Embelishments: Sequins: SC  Pioneer Drive, Polka Dot Pocket: SC Woodbrooke Road, Diecut Frames, Long Hexagon Stickers, number paper clips, wood veneer speech bubbles: Studio Calico Yearbook Collection, Speech Bubble Chipboard Sticker: Studio Calico Darling Dear, BG Alpha: Studio Calico 34th Street , Arrow Veneer: Studio Calico Block Party, Album, Studio Calico Handbook , Page Protectors, Studio Calico 6x8 Page Protectors Adhesive: Tiny Attacher; Glue Glider Pro; Glue Pen Digital Supplies: Studio Calico Block Party Digital Stamps, Studio Calico Hop Digital Stamps ,Cut Files from Day by Day Class.  Stamping: White Zing; Versamark Watermark Pad Other: Washi Tape & Brad from October Afternoon, Binder Clip)

If you are thinking about using Handbook for your Project Life, don't forget to pick up a couple extra page protectors. My favorites are the 6x8 page protector #4 and 6x8 page protector #2. Enjoy!

- Shanna

Comments

[Angie Murray]

LOVE this project!!! I would love to know more about the laminating...I looked at my local Staples and there are a few different kinds so I am just wondering what works best? I have no clue about laminators and would love to purchase one but want to make sure to get a good one that I know will work well! Your project is amazing...thanks so much for sharing!!

[Shanna]

Good morning Angie! I purchased mine at Costco (a couple years ago), and it is the Purple Cow version. I Love that it came with all different size pockets including 3x4! :)

[Kim]

Your layouts are amazing! I was going to try using a handbook for my PL but chickened out :( I will definitely give it try for my next album :) Thanks for sharing.
xx
ps. Love the laminating idea. x

[Melinda T]

Love it! I think I'll get it for my 7yr old, she wants to do her own pl!

[Erica Hettwer]

"What does any scrapbooker jump to when given a clean canvas? AQUA!"

Yep! LOL!!! Love this post! And I love Melinda T's idea for kids. Brilliant!

[Tresa Overfield]

I'm also using the handbook . . but not for PL . . just for some every year events, like birthday, christmas etc. The one thing I don't like about the 3x4 protectors is the spacing of the inserts are not the same . . hope they correct this when the new products come out; otherwise, love the handbook and inserts.

[Lauren Taylor (readysetLove)]

This turned out awesome! Love the idea of laminating!

[MichelleGB]

Love this book! You've really inspired me to think about doing PL this size instead of 12x12 - this seems so much more "doable" for a couple and a pup. Thanks for sharing this!

[julie k]

This makes me REALLY want to try out a handbook!! Thanks for the inspiration! :)

[Jen C.]

I used a handbook for my DD, but what a great idea for a PL book. Makes the whole idea seem much more manageable. Thanks!

[Becky Monmaney]

Love your PL Handbook! Very nice.

[julie weis]

yep, you've convinced me. i'm going to do PL. i think this is very doable for me. love every single page, shanna!

[Julie {CalleLillyCafe}]

I love how this turned out!

[clippergirl]

So in love with your PL! Love the simplicity of your cover page too!

[Marti Richards]

Looks awesome, Shanna! Thank you for sharing the inspiration!

[Lindam]

Already started using 12x12, but I'm going to switch to handbooks for 2014! Thanks for your awesome inspiration Shanna! Love the laminating idea!

[Suz]

ah-ma-zing! Ah-ma-zing, ah-ma-zing! :) Love it all! :) :) :)
So happy I bought those Handbook inserts now!!

[Adel]

So glad you are leading the way with the smaller size album for PL.

[malika]

I totally love it, Shanna! You are off to a great start!

[Jane]

Shanna this is exactly what I needed I have been toying with the idea of doing PL and using the Handbook thank you lots big smile here....

[Christy Harris]

I am so in love with this album! Can you tell me what color and kind of paint you used for the aqua album, it's so perfect!!!