questions

"In the books they emphasized to use just copies of photographs and not the originals. I think this might not look so good. How do you do this? Are

copies acidfree? If you use copies, what kind of paper do you use for the copies? photopaper? Regular copierpaper? Is this acidfree?"

Really? I've never heard this before. I use my originals. That's what the photos are for, anyway, IMO.

"How strict are you with acid/lignin free stuff anyway? Some things are

labeled with signs saying they are safe but some are not. Do you always go and ask or do you trust that a scrapbooking shop just carries acid free

stuff? How about pens? Do I have to buy all new pens? "

I'm not super strict about it. Most, but not all stuff in sb stores are acid free. It's up to you on how strict you want to be. As far as pens? I would just get a few Zig writers. Those are my favorite and they are acid free. Don't go too crazy buying all different colors of pens. IMO, I have a stash of colored pens that are collectin dust. I use pens only for journaling now.

"How do you get your titles on you paper? I know a few different ways like stickers and rub ons but if I would like a special font what do I do? I

think the paper is to big for the printer."

Oh, goodness! Let me count the ways! Stickers, rub-ons, personal die systems like quickutz, good old fashioned handwriting, and of course, computer journaling. I don't really do computer journaling for main titles but some people print them mirror image then cut them out with a craft knife, some use an 8.5x11 piece of paper and make a title block out of them. HTH

JennP.

I think when they say use copy of photos they me get "twin pics" is what they call it here when you get the pictures developed. My developer doesn't charge extra for 1 extra set. I do it all the time. Not to save them, but to give them away. I keep the negatives if I need an additional copy.

I do try and make sure everything is acid/lignin free, so if I find that occasional object that isn't I can feel free to put it in and not worry about the whole album being riddled with questionable things.

As for pens for many years all I had was a black scrapbooking pen. I was perfectly happy. With the color in papers, stickers and other embellishments why buy a bunch of colored pens.

As for special titles with special fonts I use laserjet vellum to get my titles done for the scrapbook. I attach it usually with some eyelets over some paper that coordinate with the page and it looks great.

Hi Suzanne - I use the original photos. It's either use them in a scrapbook, or have them sitting around in boxes. :-)

Most of the things you will find at a scrapbook store are acid free. If you aren't sure, just ask. I do add thing to my scrapbooks that aren't acid free, but I make sure to keep them away from the pictures. When I first started scrapbooking, I bought several different colors of pens, but find that I use mostly black and brown for journaling.

When I want to print titles on my computer, I just cut a piece of cardstock to fit my printer and then print. I can either use it as I printed it, or cut out each letter. You can also reverse the printing in Word and print it on the back of your paper and then you won't have any black lines showing when you cut out the letters.

If I don't have a double print I scan the original photo and have a print made up. You can get a print made up at Walmart or some photo and/or drug stores or online. I don't use my printer for photos, but if you want to use yours you might want to print out your photos on a good quality photo paper.

I try to stay with acid/lignin free stuff so I don't have to worry. Most scrapbooking stores will have acid/lignin free papers but you can always ask to be sure. As for pens I guess it would depend on how much writing you plan to do. I very rarely handwrite anything so the set of 8 zig writers I bought have been more than enough. My daugter in law writes on all her layouts so she needs a larger assortment of pens.

If you are using 12" x 12" paper you would need a wide format printer to print directly on the paper. I usually use sizzix or quikutz alphabets or sometimes Lettering Delights alphabets. Once in awhile I get creative and mix and match different letters for the title. You can also print on vellum using a regular 8.5" x 11" piece using landscape and attached it with eyelets or brads. If you want to use different fonts then open a document in your word processor and select the font. You can make the title that way or print the letters and cut them out. Sometimes I use a font, mirror it, print it out on cardstock and then cut out each letter.

Well, I'm sure I read it a couple of times but of course now I can't find it again. They propably meant to make copys of old photographs.

You're probably right with this. I just had in mind that I sometimes use some colored pencils and I couldn't find out yet if they are acid free. I probably will use them not very often so I thought it's not worth buying new ones. I will just be carefull to not use them to close to the photos.

Susanne

That might be true. But they were talking about really old pictures of which one might not of any negatives anymore. I'll just use the originaly and be careful with them.

You're right with this. I'll just buy a few, like a black and a blue one.

Thanks, Susanne

I think so too.

Black and brown sound like enough. Maybe also blue. I have a few colored pencils wich I might want to use to color the edges of paper. I couldn't find out yet if they are acid free. But I think if I use them not to close to the photos it will be ok.

Thanks, Susanne

Are photos actually acid free?

I don't think I'll do much handwriting since most times I don't like the outcome too much. So a one or two will certainly be enough for me

Thanks for your answer! Susanne

If you like to color edges of paper, try these as alternatives...

1. Drag/brush the edge of the paper across an stamping pad.
2. Rub the edge with chalk (I use a cotton swab).

Both give very nice effects and are very easy.

Have fun!

-- Amy L.

Susanne -

No - photos are NOT acid free, and depending on a variety fo factors (quality of paper they were printed on, for traditional photos the quality of the chemichals used, etc) they will start to yellow over time - sometimes within only a few years. For photos you scan and print from a computer, you can buy acid free paper.

Acid free products for scrapbooking are highly reccomended because they will not contribute to the yellowing process, and some acid free papers can "buffer" to help slow it down, or keep it from spreading. (Creative Memories makes this claim about it's pages)

And speaking of scanning photos -

negatives >anymore. I'll just use the originaly and be careful with them.

If your going to use the originals - I STRONGLY reccomend using photo corners, and not cropping or cutting them, or gluing them. Certain old photos (old polaroids especially) will fall apart if trimmed, for one thing. And someday you may want to get copy negatives made. (this can be pricey, but a great thing for archiving ) And, with originals you only have ONE CHANCE.

Otherwise, if you want a lot more freedom in your ability to crop, resize, etc. I strongly suggest scanning your old photos, which will give you the option of resizing, cropping, reprinting and an electronic archive. If you don't have a scanner, you can usually get a decent one for around $100-150, and color printers for about the same. Or - there are photo labs out there that will scan them and print them. (getting your own may be cheaper, but the lab can often do higher quality - even though it's not so much higher quality that it's worth it - and your printer and scanner will serve you on many future projects.....)

Usually I am not one to tell people how to utilize their creative process, but I REALLY am passionate about preserving original historical photos. My mom owns a photo lab - and it was ingrained at an early age. :)

She is one of those labs that can do the scanning and the printing and even copy negatives - but she's here in Seattle. She may be able to reccomend some in other parts of the country.

So - that's my input. Otherwise - have fun and create create create!

Jessica

I am sorry - I reread this and it "sounds" so, well, less than friendly. I am a really nice person-honest!!!!! :)

I just got really nervous at the thought of all those old photos possibly being cropped or glued - They're not mine, I know. :)

Anyway, WELCOME to this wonderful group - and please don't take my bluntness in the previous message too seriously.

I hope you have a great time working on your heritage album!

Jessica

Thanks for the advice! Susanne

You didn't sound unfriendly to me! Thanks for your advice and all the information! I understand what you had in mind with your posting. I think I wouldn't crop those old picture. I don't really like the idea of cutting something off of any of my pictures anyway. I always think I might want to see stuff I cut off later. :) But I also don't like the idea of copied photos. I'll probably just make copies if I want to resize the pictures or I'll use a window mat. I have my own scanner and printer and so I can play a little with the pictures bevor I have to decide...

Susanne

You can buy photo paper that is acid free but it is hard to find out from the various printer companies if the ink used is acid free. Nevertheless the reason you want acid free paper is so that your photos are not damaged from the acid migrating and because the acid in paper causes it to loss color over time as well as its structural integrity.

You are welcome.

You can have your photos and all of those old 35mm slides our grandparents still have buried in their basement. Try

Brent

Jessica wrote:

negatives >anymore. I'll just use the originaly and be careful with them.