"generic" scrapbook ideas? A party vent!
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Carousel96 · 01-27-2010, 11:04 AM

As I've said in another post, DD is having a scrapbook party for her 10th birthday.
On the invitations, I asked folks to RSVP and let me know what kind of pictures their daughter will be bringing. As I've told the parents I talked to, I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to do with that info -- I'm not going as far as making a full customized scrapbook kit for each girl, but I also know I need to be prepared if 10 girls are going to show up with hockey pictures.
I bought the 6 x 6 albums from the Archivers "hot spot" and each one holds 20 pages. I thought I would buy a couple of sheets of paper to go with the specific theme, and cut it into 6x6 pages, so they have some theme specific papers, but not 20 pages worth. Maybe a sheet of inexpensive stickers. They can use plain cardstock for the other pages.
Anyway, this has worked with the 10 girls who did RSVP. But another 10 haven't even responded. They are girls from DD's school class, so we don't have contact info from the parents. Based on past experience, I expect them to show up. I can return the photo albums, so buying extra isn't a big deal. But what should I do about pages?
Part of me wants to play dumb "Oh! I didn't know you were coming!" but that doesn't seem quite fair to the girls.
Any ideas on what I should ready have for these girls?

GingerJ · 01-27-2010, 11:54 AM

Bummer! I hate it when people don't RSVP, too. I've found out, though, that the people who don't call usually don't come.
I know you'll want to be prepared just in case, though. For boys (I have 2 sons) , I'd pick primary and jewel colors, but it's trickier for girls, isn't it? Why don't you pick some pretty paper in jewel colors with a subtle background pattern, that you would use yourself if they don't show , and wait to cut it until they show up. I don't have girls myself, so it's hard to advise, but you might get some flower stickers in colors that coordinate with the paper, or maybe even buttons if you use those and are comfortable with them.
That's the best I can do, except to wish you luck!
Ginger

mom2twingirlies · 01-27-2010, 12:13 PM

I too say, have something generic on hand and not cut until they arrive. Unfortunately there isn't much else you can do.

Mommy Princess · 01-27-2010, 12:17 PM

I agree with the others. Maybe have some patterned papers (polka dots, stripes, paisleys, etc) on hand, but don't cut them until during the party. My guess is the girls will be so proud of their pages, they won't care if the stickers and papers aren't very specific. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

jenifermg0 · 01-27-2010, 12:23 PM

Do you or a friend have a Cricut machine you could use?? The cartridges have a HUGE variety of stuff you can cut out on demand in whatever color or pattern. Or maybe pick up some inexpensive templates of a variety of subjects from hockey to fru-fru flowers and have the girls trace the design and hand cut it.

Michaels tends to have $1 a spool ribbon that comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns.

You can typically also pick up pads of paper with lots of different stuff in it (use the 40% off coupon from Michaels or Joanns) that would probably be something you could also use yourself.

I agree with the button idea also. You could also get some flatish silk flowers.

Have a variety of solid colored paper that you would also use for yourself - just don't by the expensive stuff - again, Michaels and Joanns have some nice inexpensive stuff that would suffice.

GOOD LUCK!! You are braver than me!!!

GATechGal · 01-27-2010, 12:27 PM

As for embelishements (if you're going there) I'd get anything flowers and/or bling. Girls will put flowers on anything. A set of stickers with a genric theme would be great too. Also, some basic shapes are really useful too. You could make just about any type of ball out of a circle. (Or a hidden mickey for that matter). You can make a package or a TV out of a square. You get the idea.

**chezp** · 01-27-2010, 02:35 PM

I'm with the others on this. Isn't it annoying when people don't RSVP?

lazanya · 01-27-2010, 04:32 PM

Being a former scrapbook teacher, (I used to teach children's birthday or troop parties at my local scrapbook store) I've found from teaching lots of classes and obviously lots of children starting from 7 yrs on up, the best thing to keep on hand for the girls is lots of solid card stock in a variety of colors and some patterned paper packs that you can pick up cheap at Michael's, Hobby Lobby or Joanne. When I was teaching the parties, the girls were to bring in several pictures to scrapbook. The problem was, most of the girls were bringing in various pictures with no "real theme". So, it's better to keep a wide variety on hand to hopefully work with what pictures the girls will be bringing in with them than to have a limited selection.

Having to use my own supplies for the parties, it was better to pick up the sale stuff from Michael's or wherever you prefer to shop and use that rather than the good expensive stuff. The girls won't care if it's the sale stuff or expensive. And believe me, they went through the paper and stickers rather quickly. Also, another idea is if you have any scrapbooking supplies you no longer want or use (ie. papers, stickers embellies) let the girls use them for their books. I've done that too and it helped clear out unused product.

mpwife153 · 01-27-2010, 05:01 PM

Whenever loose paper is on sale at Joann's or Michael's I always pick up extra for "just incase." I usually go with patterns that I can use for anything. It never hurts to pick up a "Stack" either, with a coupon of course! I have 3 that I really on wanted one or two patterns, but have ended up using most of them for small gifts for others. Check you local dollar store too. The Dollar Tree's by me have scrap stuff & you can get some cute paper packs & embellishments for $1!

**Colexis Mom** · 01-27-2010, 06:16 PM

Good luck with your party!

kmurburg · 01-27-2010, 09:43 PM

For my neices, they like bright colors and just about any kind of embellishment or sticker. While we may not think they have a theme, the girls seem to have their own ideas about their theme and I love to hear them explain how everything fits together. I think your DD's friends will have a great time just working with whatever you have out for them! I love that you found some great little albums for them to use! Sounds like a really fun party!

travelin n scrappin sara · 01-27-2010, 10:10 PM

have fun and good luck!
Basic colors, cheap letter stickers, speech bubbles maybe! just a thought. Have packets set up for the RSVP'ers, and cut a little extra so they are not breathing down your neck waiting for their packet, then cut the rest as you get the time when they have started working on the first few pages.

Marv · 02-06-2010, 09:33 AM

Hey Carolyn, just saw your post now. Wondering if you've had the party yet and how it went!! I can't imagine having that many girls over at one time.

Course you know I'm the mom of two boys...

pixiemom · 02-06-2010, 01:26 PM

I am also curious to know how it all turned out and if you got any pictures!?

Carousel96 · 02-08-2010, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixiemom

I am also curious to know how it all turned out and if you got any pictures!?

We only had 12 show up -- the ones I knew were coming. The other 6 who ended up not responding didn't come.
The girls had a great time. One was doing vaca pics from a summer trip and said to her mom as she left: "I didn't know scrapbooking was so much fun!"
The girls from the neighborhood want to come back to do it again. So we'll have to pick a date. They wanted to scrap again on Sunday, but none of the moms had spare pictures to do another book!

But the ultimate irony -- I didn't take a single picture during the party!