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| Tue, 11-16-2004 - 9:32am |
I was going through DDs baby book as she wanted to look at all of her pictures and keepsakes. I am mad at myself now because I bought a Pooh memory book at Wal-mart 5 yrs ago and now it's falling apart!. I have to tape the inside spine-it just isn't holding up well at all. I should get a new book, but that's the one I filled out when she came home from the hospital. What are some other ideas for books? TIA Ann

My first suggestion is ... can the book be dismantled into neat pages and then reassembled into a sturdier album? Or re-bound? You could literally take the original pages out of the book ... either by carefully dismantling the binding by hand or by using an x-acto knife and a straight edge to trim the pages out (depending on the condition of the disintegrating book) ... and then you could re-attatch the originals to the pages of a new, larger (more archival-quality) album. If you are sqeamish about this surgical manuever, you could take the book to (a place like) Kinko's and color copy the original pages and then put the copies into a new album.
I caution to you to be sure that you use archival-friendly adhesives and other supplies from now on, how ever you solve this issue. Some glues and tapes will de-grade and discolor paper and photos over time ... and many papers also contain chemicals that will work against preservation in the long run. Products that will hold up well over the years should say 'archival' on the label. Regular old tape is a big NO NO. Can you picture some old recipe card or other scrap that your grandmother taped years ago ... now all yellowed and stained? Nasty stuff in the long haul.
I am not a scrapbooker, but as a designer (who has made a lot of my own baby announcements and christmas cards) I am BLOWN AWAY by the explosion of fantastic supplies that are now available. In my town, we have a pair of stores owned by the same woman that provides the most mind-boggling selection of excellent-looking supplies for projects like yours. My head bubbles over with the possiblities when I browse in these places. The chain Michaels also carries a good selection of albums, bindings and decorations. Joann (fabrics) here has turned into a craft superstore as well. They compete with Michael's and carry similar stuff. The website listed below is a pioneering manufacturer in the scrapbooking industry. I think the founding entrepreneur was featured on Martha Stewart at one time. She may have books that provide instructions and ideas. Martha Stewart's site is also good for brainstoming. Go to your local bookstore (and/or amazon.com) and browse the art/craft section. Inspiration for solving this issue should be easy to find if you look in the right places. Do key word searches on the web. Albums, bindery, art supplies etc. Take your time, look around, investigate ... ask questions of retailers ... and 'experts' if you can find them.
http://www.creativememories.com/index.aspx
These are two of my favorite direct merchants for these kinds of supplies. They are also great for personalized photo-gifts:
http://www.exposuresonline.com http://www.lightimpressionsdirect.com/servlet/OnlineShopping
You could also check out ofoto.com ... it's owned by Kodak and they have an online store of albums and services.
There is a board for scrapbookers ... either on parents place or parents soup. Not sure. Those folks would have good suggestions.
There are probably people online who rescue books like yours ... but it would come at a price and you'd have to hunt them down. They might call themselves bookbinders. Professional photographers might have vendors who create and bind albums. Graphic designers and calligraphers might help. Is there an art school in your area? People who have this kind of expertise love to use it and as long as you are respectful of their time, you might someone to guide you.
These guys are in a town where I used to live, and they might be able to help you -- do the job for you. Call them and pick their brain. They are in a town with two great art programs and a lot of talented students work there:
http://www.broadwaypaper.com/
Also try:
www.stamppeddler.com
and http://www.hollanders.com/
If nothing else, you could email them for suggestions.
If you were in my town, I'd be glad to help you. Feel free to email me or post here if you need to brainstorm more or if you need advice.
GOOOOOD Luck.
Edited 11/16/2004 12:13 pm ET ET by donachiara