I recently got a huge order from Shutterfly (where I get my snapshots printed). Because it had been months (five) since I’d had any photos printed I needed to re-organize my storage binders (based on the Library of Memories/Photo Freedom concept taught at Big Picture Classes).

These binders hold my printed photos by year (and further separated by season). When I want to/get to scrapbook I can pull photos out of these binders or from category drawers that hold various pictures of things that we do, people we love, places we go, etc. The idea is that after five years any photos left in a binder would be either tossed, filed into category drawers, or put in cold storage. I’m way over simplifying here and there are great classes/books about this topic (and recently a paper-clipping podcast). I really have loved using this system for the last four years, but the one thing I don’t like is the waste when I toss pictures. Now I keep the leftovers for a little scrapbook buddy who is not so picky about the pictures she works with so it’s not as much of an issue. When I was re-organizing the other thing that I was thinking about is the fact that Tuesday is only 2.5 years old. We have a lot of living with her and documenting her to go and what am I going to do with all of these photos/layouts?!?!?
Sarah and I recently had a scrapbook day (love them!) and I whipped out eight layouts. It was fun, and they were super simple. I got the stories down that I really want to remember. This blog helps a lot to remember details (and I have the date printed on the back of each photo to help me remember that). All my layouts were multi photo. I admit I love showcasing one photo and cool techniques, but I was feeling the space crunch and I wanted to use more photos.

Now there really isn’t much to this layout. It’s super simple, but it works. My car was one of the things I was thinking I wanted to remember but didn’t have a layout about it. Oh how I loved this car! Two photos didn’t make this layout (and I already had them printed) one got put into a category drawer under vehicles and the other one was tossed into a box for my glue stick happy two year old.
Think I can’t get simpler? Well this one took me all of 15 minutes.

I like remembering this crazy project because I don’t stay up until 3:45 AM to finish baby-shower gifts much any more.

Something I’ve been wanting to scrapbook for a while…

The journalling about driving through Portland on the way home from the airport and general thoughts on the city are tucked in this envelope.

I think it’s important to record big achievements and this sweater was one of mine. I debated cropping the bottom right photo, but I like seeing the little bits of my ubiquitous tote, the iron and blocking process, and the TiVo in the back. I’m sure those things will date this (in a good way).
I’ll continue with some of the (16!) layouts I’ve made this last week tomorrow, but I want to hear from you. What do you think about all the layouts you made or pictures you print. Are you worried about storing them? Are you staying mostly digital? I love the idea of Tuesday flipping through books but I am a little torn. What did your parents do? Do you wish they saved more or less? Let us know in the comments!