Newbie needs shopping help for photobook project (long)

[juli001]

Hi everyone!

I really need your help choosing the right kits for my project, but since I’m new here let me introduce myself first: My name is Julia, I’m 19 years old and have just finished high school. I live in Germany, so forgive me if I make any language mistakes in this post. I’m almost completely new to digiscrapping, although I’ve already read a lot about it, like tutorials etc. I found out about Sweet Shoppe a few months ago, when I had my handwriting made into a beautiful font by Darcy.
So now on to my project: When I was in 11th grade I stayed in the US (southwestern PA) for 6 months as an exchange student. Of course I took many photos during that time and now I finally want to scrap them. I’m planning on printing those layouts in a photobook. I’ve already looked for kits in the shoppe and found just too many I liked, so I need you to help me pick the right ones!
I don’t want to shop for more than $70 but on the other hand I don’t have anything to scrap with other than a few (ugly) freebies. So which of the following kits are the most versatile? I have all kinds of different photos (NY, host family, school, Christmas, baking cookies, Halloween, their dog etc) However I don’t want like a school or Halloween themed kit. I hope you know what I mean.

So here’s my list:
Bloom & Grow by Zoe Pearn
C’est La Vie by Zoe Pearn
Mistletoe Magic by Dani Mogstad
Rustic by Zoe Pearn
Shabby Sugar by Zoe Pearn
Summer Sorbet by Zoe Pearn
Sweet Nothings by Zoe Pearn
Winter Wishes by Zoe Pearn
I already tried to narrow it down, but here are the ones that are also on my list:
All About Her by Kristin Cronin-Barrow
Hawaiian Sunset by Zoe Pearn (love the colors of both kits)
True Blue by Dani Mogstad (I think I need an American style kit)
Kissable by Traci Reed (again, love those colors)
Little Joys by Zoe Pearn
Some Like It Hot by Zoe Pearn

So what do you think I should buy for an at least 90 page album? What would be a good mix of colors, patterns etc.? By the way, how do you choose a kit for a photo you want to scrap? Are there any other kits you think would work great for my project?

I’m really looking forward to all your suggestions. And thanks for reading this long post!

Julia

[mkcdaisy]

Here's my suggestion on starting with kits when you are new. Sweet Shoppe has some GREAT quarterly assortments. Many mini kids (and usually and template and a font) for 3.99. WELL worth it.

Check them out here. It would give you a little bit of all kinda of things to work with and there are six assortments right now.

You might also considering joining in for the Monthly Portfolio Challenges to work up for a Discount. Check that out here

Hope this helps

[ColleenSwerb]

If I were going to tackle something like that, I would go through my photos first. Decide which ones are really scrap worthy, group them together like I think they might go on a page, and then start looking at kits, etc to buy.

You picked out some really great kits already. I would suggest just buying 2 or 3 kits that you LOVE and HAVE to HAVE in your album. Scrap at least 2 pages with each kit, and then go from there. See what works for you, and what doesn't. All our designers are amazing, and trying out the quarterly sampler is an awesome suggestion from Amanda.

[taracotta7]

Wow. You have listed some great choices! I own several of those kits. I agree with you.....I think you need a "America" kit and True Blue by Dani is a great choice. I have that one and really like it.

I normally just make sure the pages that are next to each other coordinate or match. I don't make a whole book that carries on the same colors. That is just how I scrap though.

Some of the kits that you have mentioned that I love and personally use are:
C'est La Vie, Shabby Sugar and Some like It Hot by Zoe Pearn. All great choices and you can use them many different ways.

There are so many great kits. Maybe a travel kit also to scrap about your trip to and from the States? Or your small trips once you were in the states? You tend to like Zoe Pearn design so how about one of these?


Or maybe something like this?

[juli001]

Thanks for the suggestion concerning the quarterly assortments. I'll have to check those out!
As for the photos I already went through them and realized how many differnt color schemes I have. That's why I have a hard time deciding on kits

Tara, thanks for the suggestions. I already had a look at Away We Go, but I really don't like the orange and the teal in that kit. The other one looks good though.

[ColleenSwerb]

Originally Posted by juli001

Thanks for the suggestion concerning the quarterly assortments. I'll have to check those out!
As for the photos I already went through them and realized how many differnt color schemes I have. That's why I have a hard time deciding on kits

Tara, thanks for the suggestions. I already had a look at Away We Go, but I really don't like the orange and the teal in that kit. The other one looks good though.

Convert to black and white or sepia

[juli001]

Originally Posted by ColleenSwerb

Convert to black and white or sepia

Right! Why do I always forget about those little things? I have seen so many beautiful layouts with black and white or sepia photos! Thanks for reminding me