Making Gift Scrapbooks in a Snap: 20 Perfect Presents for Fammily and Friends (Memory Makers) [Paperback]

Pam Klassen (Author)

Book Description

Series: Memory Makers | Publication Date: April 2004

While a full-sized scrapbook can take months to put together, the charming gift scrapbooks in this guide can be created in a few days, allowing scrapbooks to easily share their craft with those they care about most. Pam Klassen, a long-time editor for Memory Makers, teaches readers how to construct smallformat scrapbooks, perfect for gifts, through concepting the gift book while maintaining quality and creativity. Offering readers dozens of dynamic ideas for themed albums, including books for new babies, weddings, teachers, and anniversaries, this guide provides scrapbookers of all skill levels with valuable techniques and inspiring ideas.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Pam Klassen is a former editor for Memory Makers, During her tenure at Memory Makers, she oversaw the creation of thousands of pieces of artwork and helped concept new techniques that impacted the course of modern scrapbooking.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Memory Makers Books (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1892127369
• ISBN-13: 978-1892127365
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #572,562 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A basic guide to creating quick little scrapboook albums, May 29, 2004

By 

A. Ryan "Merribelle" (Westminster, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Making Gift Scrapbooks in a Snap: 20 Perfect Presents for Fammily and Friends (Memory Makers) (Paperback)

Three and a half stars for a job adequately done.

The title of this book brought up all sorts of expectations for me: yes, I know, you'd think I'd learn by now, huh? Well, when "gift", "scrapbook" and "In a snap" are in the same sentence, my mind makes connections before I know it. These expectations were:

1. The book would focus on small scale scrapbooks (smaller than 8&1/2 by 11) suitable for gifting
2. I would learn how to plan such an album from start to finish
3. The author would teach ways to organize my time so that I could finish the album quickly
4. The book would thoroughly picture some examples of complete gift scrapbooks and/or layout plans, from the first page to the end.
5. I would be shown both how to complete a variety of ready-made albums and also how to make our own albums from scratch
6. The layouts featured inside would be the same kind of high-quality, cutting-edge styles found in Memory Makers magazine

I'd say most of these expectations were fulfilled. I did learn a lot about how to plan my gift scrapbook before I started, tips on how to unify the look of the album and how to cut down on unnecessary materials so that I could work quickly. There were some cute mini album projects detailed in the last section which are to be made from scratch. There were a lot of ideas for theme albums that I wouldn't have thought of on my own, but which I will use to make great gifts for my family and friends in the years to come. I really wasn't surprised that the looks of the scrapbooks that author Pam Klassen used to illustrate these methods were on the simple side-it makes sense that simpler means faster. Not a collage style clutter in the bunch (which suits my style perfectly).

The two that weren't fulfilled do bother me a bit, though. Numbers 4 and 6 just didn't come through for me. We see a few object lessons illustrated with more than one page from an album, but never the whole thing: I wanted to see how a gift album should flow from start to finish. It's one thing to read about it, quite another to see the pictures. At the very least I thought there should have been some flow charts or diagrams to guide me in the final organization; I wouldn't have to follow them slavishly, but they would have helped me with the "big picture" much more than just text. This is a visual medium, after all.

My opinion about that last one, number 6, is based on having read most of the other books that Memory Makers has ever produced. I am familiar with their publications, which usually have at least a few layouts that "wow" me and many more that make impressions on my own layouts long after I am done reading. Making Gift Scrapbooks in a Snap had some nice but unimpressive layouts compared to those other books. I just didn't come away inspired. As any scrapbooker knows, that's half the reason to buy these books!

So, this is a good solid guide to the basic concept of making quick gift scrapbooks. I suspect that beginning scrapbookers will be the ones to get the most out of this, while the more advanced album crafters will be wanting a little more.
-Andrea, aka Merribelle.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Don't judge a book by its cover..., December 20, 2004

By 

Ashley Gunn "pleasantone" (Colorado USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Making Gift Scrapbooks in a Snap: 20 Perfect Presents for Fammily and Friends (Memory Makers) (Paperback)

I bought this off of Amazon without getting a chance to actually look inside of it first, so I was going by 1) other reviews, 2) the description and 3) the cover. After looking over all of these, it sounded like the book might have some interesting, fresh, "funky" ideas for gift books. So I ordered it. When I got it, though, I was quite disappointed. It DOES have some fresh ideas... *some*. There is one chapter that contains these, but most of the book consists of what I think to be rather typical scrapbooking. Nothing wrong with that, if that's your thing... but it isn't mine, and everything I saw really led me to expect something more interesting. I guess I should have expected a typical scrapbook book, since it is from Memory Makers. I have a few issues of their magazine, and the items featured in that are a lot more interesting that most of what I saw in this book.

Still not a book I mind owning, but not what I expected. I might have paid $4 or $5 for this used, but I would never have paid this price for it new had I actually seen the inside first.

So, buyer beware... if you're into fresh, funky, vibrant, altered sorts of art... the cover is a bit deceiving, and this book may not be for you. Get a look at it, at a library or a bookstore, before you buy!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for those who prefer to give personal gifts, June 12, 2004

By 

Julie Lovisa (Indiana USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Making Gift Scrapbooks in a Snap: 20 Perfect Presents for Fammily and Friends (Memory Makers) (Paperback)

There is nothing more appreciated than a gift from the heart, and making a keepsake scrapbook for a family member, friend, or really just about anyone who touches your life is a gift that will be treasured.

MAKING GIFT SCRAPBOOKS IN A SNAP is an indispensable book for ideas for small themed scrapbooks and for techniques (which many experienced scrappers will probably already know about) to include on the pages. However, for someone crunched for time, or a simple scrapper like myself, having step-by-step instructions to follow is exactly what is needed.

Some ideas included in the book are: year-in-review, bridal shower/wedding, timeline (i.e. for a pregnancy or baby's first year), family history, calendar of events, memorial, ABC albums, children's storybooks, altered books, and a brag book; but really, this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of themes presented.

With 20 projects included and an additional 50 album ideas to inspire you, you will never be at a loss for ideas to show those close to you how much you care.