You've probably heard this a time or two today...and it is so true. If you read my blog or have checked out my newest class at BPS, you know that I LOVE mini albums. L-O-V-E in all caps LOVE.
So imagine how happy I was to see this book in the magazine aisle of Target the other day?
I couldn't wait to get it home and devour it. I've yet to buy a special issue of SIMPLE that hasn't totally inspired me. I knew this would be no exception. Before I could settle down to read it, I got an email asking me to be part of this little blog tour. I was SO excited!
As expected this book does not disappoint. So many mini album ideas in one place and all totally DO-Able. I thought I had a long list of mini-albums that I wanted to create in the near future, but the list just got longer thanks to this book.
I love to create albums of all sizes and this book is broken down into sections by album size...and from start to finish there are examples of albums of every size and shape which is totally cool.
I am so excited that they sent me 3 copies to give away, as well as those cool little buttons pictured above. If you don't happen to win, you can pick up a copy on newsstands now, or order it here.
So leave me a comment about what challenges you most about mini albums, and I will randomly choose 3 winners. Since I'm a late night blogger, I won't choose until 10pm Pacific time tomorrow night!
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What challenges me is just picking out the design and just rolling with it (at first), then someone once told me to just let go! ;0) Also, picking which mini theme to do! I'm like you- i have a list a mile long!
Posted by: lacey | July 29, 2008 at 11:55 PM
My challenge is just deciding on a topic, so many ideas running through my head and trying to pin it down is hard :) Finding supplies is sometimes a challenge as well, two of our LSS have closed down in the last year and I am not patient enough for mail order!!!
Posted by: Krista | July 30, 2008 at 02:09 AM
My greatest challenge of doing a mini is just sitting down and doing it. I always struggle with the paper I should us and if I should stick with one line or mix it up.
Posted by: Kim | July 30, 2008 at 03:25 AM
I'm not good at mini albums. I find it hard to match papers and photos. Should all pages in a mini album be co ordinating(same range)papers or anything. Topics is another issue I have a lot to work through.
Posted by: leone | July 30, 2008 at 03:28 AM
I just don't know where to start with a mini album because I have never done it before.
Posted by: Amber N. | July 30, 2008 at 04:52 AM
My challenge is to see how many pictures I will need and what size and also what papers I would want to choose. I have only made one mini album before and would love to learn how to create more.
Fran H
Posted by: fran heupel | July 30, 2008 at 05:02 AM
With mini's, I have a hard time narrowing down my pictures to use! ... I just love so many of them when it comes to my daughter, it is hard to pic just a couple :) I've been trying to get my hands on this book, and I can't seem to find it! must be a hot item!
Posted by: ShellyJ | July 30, 2008 at 05:46 AM
Biggest challenge: to finish it! I start it with all the best intentions, but take some time to complete it. Thanks for the chance to win an issue.
Posted by: Heidi B | July 30, 2008 at 06:17 AM
My challenge is the same whether it is a scrapbook page or a mini album...getting started!
Posted by: Vicki Arnold | July 30, 2008 at 06:26 AM
My biggest challenge is getting it done. I have lots of ideas running through my head but never seem to sit down and finish them.
Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Michelle | July 30, 2008 at 06:30 AM
My biggest struggle used to be trying to fit too much in. I was worried I couldn't say enough or include enough pictures. Or I might forget something that I should have included.
Then I remembered that Stacy says scrapbooking is fun;)
NOw, I think my biggest challenge is not taking too long to finish them. I always try to do different things in a mini book...things I don't do on scrapbook pages...like using paint!
So excited about this issue. Thanks for the chance to win it!
Posted by: Dina | July 30, 2008 at 07:12 AM
Hi Lisa,
what challenges me most about mini albums is containing my story into something small and bite-sized. I tend to get too big too fast. And will also want to put all the photos of something in it rather than just the ones that tell the short story.
thanks for the opportunity to win this fantastic book on Mini Albums. It definitely would be put to good use.
sharon f. oakland, ca
Posted by: Sharon F. | July 30, 2008 at 07:28 AM
My challenge is to actually get started! I have so many ideas on my list of albums to do I get overwhelmed and can't get started!
Kari D. Chico, CA
Posted by: Kari D. | July 30, 2008 at 08:10 AM
I absolutely love mini albums. I think my biggest challenge is just getting started with a sketch and narrowing down my paper selection so that the album pages all go together nicely.
Sue in Alexandria VA
Posted by: Sue | July 30, 2008 at 08:14 AM
Most challenging would be to find a way for each page to look different. Adding different unique embellishments, while having it look like they all belong together. I don't want every mini album I make to look the same.
Posted by: Terri Paulson-Sasaki | July 30, 2008 at 08:21 AM
My biggest challenge is pciking to many supplies for a mini album project. I really am more creative if I narrow my focus.
Posted by: Heather M | July 30, 2008 at 08:23 AM
I make a lot of mini albums as gifts. I often have a hard time giving them away. I love tiny books you can finish in an evening or two.
Posted by: Melinda | July 30, 2008 at 08:35 AM
Mini's are my absolute favorite!!! I've never even done a full-size layout! It's challenging finding products for mini's sometimes. I think more and more companies are coming out with products, though, that are just perfect for using with mini's. I'm so excited for Making Memories Slice to get to my LSS. I think it's be AWESOME to use in my work!
Can't wait to see this latest special edition publication. Hope I'm chosen!
Posted by: Jenny D. | July 30, 2008 at 08:40 AM
My challenges are finding time to do a mini-album and also choosing how big (little) to make it.
Posted by: Susanne | July 30, 2008 at 08:53 AM
Looks like this issue will be another great one! My challenge is ... being prepared! Getting my photos in order - cropped & printed small enough, etc, always takes more time than I think it will. Since that's not the most fun part of the process for me, I tent to put it off... but I'm working on it.
Thanks!!
Posted by: alyssa | July 30, 2008 at 09:27 AM
My biggest challenge is scaling it down to a specific topic - really thinking of WHAT I want to share, on a smaller level. Love them though!
jen in WA
Posted by: jen | July 30, 2008 at 09:58 AM
The hardest part for me is finding the photos I want to use to tell my story. The construction of a mini comes easy for me. And I usually know the story I want to tell. But I struggle over the photos.
Posted by: ConnieC | July 30, 2008 at 10:17 AM
I love mini albums!!! I am also a mini quilt maker, so small is good. My challenge is that I don't know when to stop. Hard to select just the right amount of pictures to tell the story.
Posted by: DanelleB | July 30, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Just let me say your work totally inspires me. So glad I was introduced to your work in the first Product Playground at BPS.
I think the thing that challenges me the most with mini albums is narrowing the number of photos I want to include in something. Especially if it is a mini-album of a trip. I am starting to get better but love to have ideas. I have learned don't do the whole trip but a section of the trip. Or a list of 10 things.
Posted by: Cheri | July 30, 2008 at 11:05 AM
My biggest challenge with mini-albums is finishing, I'll have a great idea and pull pix and kind of map out what I want to include but then life intrudes and my best intentions kind of fizzle out and it gets set aside. KellyM in MN
Posted by: KellyM | July 30, 2008 at 11:48 AM
What challenges me most with mini's is basically the same as with any other creative project... when to STOP!!! I have difficulties with stopping and letting something be finished. I like to keep adding finishing touches, extras embellishment, etc.!
Jenny
souperme@hotmail.com
Posted by: Jenny | July 30, 2008 at 12:22 PM
my challenge. . .perfectionism. . .i feel like I can't start until I have just the right pictures, just the right plan and just the right amount of time to do it. . .needless to say, my unfinished mini book stack is BIG. . .LOL
Hillary
Posted by: hchybinski | July 30, 2008 at 01:04 PM
What challenges me most is getting started!
Posted by: tape | July 30, 2008 at 01:12 PM
my challenge is having them laying around, I know that sounds terrible, but once I get one done, I feel like it just wonder where I can keep them all together and organized like my 12x12's
Posted by: erika | July 30, 2008 at 01:51 PM
FOr some reason I have a hard time getting my mind into "small mode" because I love doing 12x12 pages so much. But when I do start a smaller project, I love it. Thanks for the chance to win!
Posted by: Marne | July 30, 2008 at 01:58 PM
The only mini books I have done have been in classes. I have a hard time coming up with ideas on my own. where do I start? what should i use? there are sooooo many options out there!!
Posted by: Keely | July 30, 2008 at 02:08 PM
I LOVE to scrap mini albums! My biggest challenge is narrowing down what photos to use, I want to use them all!
Posted by: jenny oberholzer | July 30, 2008 at 02:21 PM
I totally need a copy of this Mag (will have to pick it up for sure)! I love doing mini albums, and have recently gotten into acrylic ones (which are super challenging because of being able to see through to the other side of the pages)!
Posted by: Catherine | July 30, 2008 at 03:25 PM
What challenges me most about mini albums is deciding on a size OR finding pictures!! I am taking a class Saturday on making your own theme album and I decided on the theme okay, and then spent an hour picking out pictures to print!! I will need to narrow them down again once the pages are done! Cropping the pictures is a challenge, too.
Thanks Lisa!!
Posted by: Robyn :) | July 30, 2008 at 03:36 PM
I would love to have this book. I think my challange is getting a design into my head. I like that this mag will give me so many ideas to inspire!
Posted by: Denise in AK | July 30, 2008 at 03:37 PM
My challenge is making them child proof for little hands. I also struggle with resizing the photos or should I say finding the time to resize the photos.
Posted by: Teresa | July 30, 2008 at 03:59 PM
My biggest dilemma..deciding what to leave out! I usually have so many pictures and so much "stuff" that by the time it's done, it's not a mini, but a biggie!! Which doesn't make any sense, because it's supposed be a mini!!
ha, ha.
Sandy
Posted by: Sandy | July 30, 2008 at 04:42 PM
my biggest challenge on mini album is to start doing it.
I start scrapbooking on mini album but ever since I venture into 12x12, I found it quite difficult to go back to small projects.
However, I love mini albums because I feel, it can tell stories of that vacation, that celebration… etc…
Posted by: Irene | July 30, 2008 at 06:27 PM
I guess an issue for me is space. I have too many pictures I want to include.
Posted by: Debbie Lucero | July 30, 2008 at 07:39 PM
You don't have to include me in your drawing as I already have a copy b/c one of my own mini albums is in this issue!!! It was my first publication ever, but my challenge is that I have so many mini book ideas and so little time to get them all done. Those pins are super cute! Where can I get one? ;)
Posted by: Jennifer A | July 30, 2008 at 10:24 PM