I Hope...

{Buck up, people. This is going to be a long post.}

On occasion, I get asked if I have a favorite album. I usually respond by saying that it depends on the day. But hands down, my favorite album to make for someone else and give as a gift is the "I Hope..." album.

I can't tell you how many I've made. If I had to guess--somewhere between 20 and 30. When you see the photos below and the patterned paper that was used, you'll see for yourself. I started out doing them for nieces when they became teenagers--their 13th birthday. Now, it is my standard First Communion or Confirmation gift. No two have ever been alike, and they generally suit the person intended. I made the one below as a class sample a couple years ago. I saved it because it will be my son's when he makes his First Communion, and all I have to do is add pictures.

The concept came from way back when Rebecca Sower came out with her first book and she was it. She did a mini with the same topic, and anything she did, I did. So the concept grew. I took a few of her "I Hope..." statements and made them my own. I added and deleted and modified them all, and have quite a few in my repertoire now. You'll get the idea.

I almost always make these 8x8 albums. There is a dedication page. And after that, on every left page, an I Hope statement. On every opposing right page, a photograph(s) of the person. It is always better to make the photos snapshots, and random--over a span of time. You'll want to grab photos that capture the person's personality for this one. Next, come up with a color scheme, lots of patterned paper and a handful of embellies. Be sure you have either a cutting system or several coordinating alphas too--so you can spell out specific words.

So here goes...the dedication page (fill in the blank area with the person's name, of course.)

Now, every "I Hope" page begins with just that. Then, select a word in the statement to highlight and make it bigger than the others using stickers, die cuts, etc.

This is what the right side with the photo looks like...




And of course, I always take the last page and leave them on this note...
Okay, so that was more of a masculine version, using mostly KI Memories papers. Here is the same version using red, orange and yellows, using the exact same concept (4 layouts in one photograph).
I sometimes decorate the covers of the albums, and for the above album for my niece Taylor, here is what her cover looked like...
Now, I know many of you out there are celebrating First Communions and Confirmations here soon with friends and family members. Give this a shot. Come up with 10 "I Hope" statements and use what you have--and you'll be done in no time at all!! I promise you, once you make one you'll be hooked...

Now, as some of you know, my own daughter is getting ready to celebrate her First Communion soon. I had intentions of making one of these for her and I never got around to it. And then it hit me.

Why not use the 7Gypsies Photo Carousel? It doesn't have to be in the confines of a book.

So I uploaded about 200 photos of her to Costco and picked them up today. I will simply adhere the photos back to back, and place them on the photo carousel. And the "divider" sections will be 4x6 cards with "I Hope" statements on them. And to kick things up even more, I printed out 4x6 cards that all say "I Hope" on them and "Love," on the bottoms, and they will be available for people to write their own I Hope statements for her during her party. The carousel will be given to her as a gift, and it will be on display in her room after the party to hopefully inspire her whenever she feels the need.

I have to tell you, when the thought hit me, I couldn't sleep. I was so wired about the whole thing, I got up and started right in. And I've been surfing that wave for 3 days. I LOVE how it is turning out. I promise I'll post finished pics next week after the party...

And I know my daughter will be over the moon excited when she sees this. She's just as sappy as her dear ole mom...I can't wait til she sees it!

My apologies to Jen, Val and Tina who are sick of hearing about it already and want me to shut up about it, I'm sure...LOL!

Thanks for sticking around long enough to read this one, and have a super day all! :)