Summer Family Reunion Scrapbook

Creating a scrapbook will generate even more interest from your loved ones in those pictures taken at a reunion. It can be a shared project where everyone compiles their photos in one "all dressed up" photo album. But this isn't the old dime-store album of plain, clear vinyl pockets in a grid where you insert your 4X6's. If you're the "lucky" one who gets to amass this family treasure I can help you get started.

Here's How "Scrappers" Do It

During the summer family picnic, or shortly thereafter, ask grandma or grandpa to write a handwritten reflection of the day's events. If they can jot down things family members mention that are going on in their lives at the time it adds a nice, newsy touch. Keep a copy of the invitation to the reunion showing where it took place.

Keep artwork the kids created. Be sure to include a group photo since it shows the size of the family. To add more journaling you can record some fun facts to your scrapbook memories. Some ideas: What games and sports were played. Who traveled the furthest. Who makes the most popular dessert. Who grew the most since last year (taller that is!). Who's the "sore loser" at card games. Who's the biggest "ham". Who sneaked in a nap. Are we having fun yet??

The photo collection you pick from could be sent to you or emailed as files for you to print yourself. The advantage here would be your ability to print them at a size best suited for your "creative genius". Often a somewhat small size works for a number of the photos as there may be a lot of them. It depends on whether or not you receive vast numbers of pictures. The group photo should be at least 8 x10" in size.

There is plenty of space for it as long as you get a 12 x 12" scrapbook. You could get a smaller size book but the large size lets you place numerous photos on a page with enough room for photo captions. To arrange photos on a page you can place them at various angles and overlap them a little. This adds a casual feel, lets you pack more onto a page and avoids the monotony of a traditional album.

Don't be afraid to crop some of the photos with only 1 or 2 people in them. At an event like this many of the photos will have similar backgrounds, and cropping captures what is important. Cut around the people with precision. Then you can place the cropped shape on a pretty or bright background. Little secret here....if that fiance keeps showing up in photos you can crop said newcomer and put in the scrapbook. Removal is easy if they don't become a husband or wife after all. Gosh...had to say it though.

If your family is very large commit a page to each individual family to make it clear which kids are offspring of who! It may seem obvious now, but wait until children change and the years pass. Any members of your clan who didn't make the reunion can send a current photo to contribute.

Also, write the ages of all the children so you can get that perspective of how they change over the years. The backs of photos are not a good place since they will be glued down. Make a pocket and place the "Lil' Ones Facts" in it or enter as "Emily at 4." by their pictures.

A color theme for this scrapbook would be the bright, cheerful hues of summer. I would not choose pastels as they denote newborn babies instead of the natural brights of fruits and vegetables, pools and green lawns.

Patterns on papers you incorporate could be red-check tablecloth or linen textured. Embellishments and stamping you add can run the gamut from grass and trees to apples and watermelon to baseball, volleyball or beach toys. Handwritten labeling may be appropriate for much of it to keep it informal. The title of the scrapbook should be in die-cut, stenciled or stick on lettering.