I'm back to share an album that I just had printed by AdoramaPix. I received a coupon code for a free 14 page 8x8 inch book (I had to pay shipping). By happenstance, I just finished scrapping 16 pages of our recent camping trip. So in a total display of spontaneity, I decided to use the coupon and print my book. I'm not trying to write a formal review of the book here, just sharing for anyone who might be interested.
How did I fit 16 pages into a 14 page book? One of the pages was a title page, so I used that for the front book cover. Two of the pages were "bonus" pictures, and I simply had to leave one of those pages out of the album. Now that I think of it, I guess I could have used that 16th page as the back cover of the book. What I actually used for the back cover was the solid paper that is the background of every page.
The book is very nice. It has a lay-flat binding. And I also believe that the prints are true photo prints that have been mounted back to back. They aren't printed with ink on paper - it's the actual chemically developed process of photographs. I believe you can use these books to scrap 2-page spreads without losing anything in the middle. The cover is very vibrant and shiny, and to my eyes almost has a metallic look to it. The scientist, however, said, "It doesn't look metallic to me." I'll just get to some pictures now.
Spine.
Front Cover.
Bottom Edge. Notice that white scar right on the corner? That is the one defect that I saw in this book, and it was noticeable within minutes of unpacking. The paper (on all corners of the book) has rubbed or torn where it folds around the cover.
Some inner pages. 1 and 2
3 and 4
5 and 6
9 and 10
13 and 14
Close ups of the lay-flat binding seam. I can't tell if the two sides of the pages have been printed separately, or if the spread was actually printed as a 8x16 and then creased down the middle.
Back cover.
A drawback of this type of book is that in the book creation, all pages are 2-page spreads. You don't really have a way of making a right hand side title page at the beginning of the book.
Besides just being an exercise in spontaneity, I do have a purpose for this book. Our elementary school has a fund raising auction every year, and I have considered donating the creation of a scrapbook album. I didn't participate in the auction last year because I just didn't have time to figure out how I would make this work. But I think I've got it all figured out for next year. I will donate my services to digitally create, and have printed, a 14 page album of memories from AdoramaPix. I will submit this book of mine as an example of what the auction winner will receive. Hopefully this book will be so impressive that a generous family will be happy to pay lots of money to have their very own custom album. The winner will provide me with photos, and possibly some journaling. I will create the pages (properly observing TOU for any kits used) and have the book printed, and then deliver it to winner. I think that would be a nice auction entry.
The main digital supplies I used in this album were:
- Simple Journal Card Inspired Templates 1 and 2 by Scrapping with Liz
- Alpha: Woodland Wonder by Jenn Barrette (from May 2013 BYOC at The Lilypad)
- Other May 2013 BYOC products from The Lilypad
- Bountiful Buttons 1, 2 and 3 by Karah Fredricks
- The two trees on the cover: Nature's Goodness by Faith True
- Wood background paper: Photobooth by Paislee Press (I made it a little redder to match the redwood theme)
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
