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Am I completely insane???

QuiltyMom

QuiltyMom

I'll never run out of things to do!
Joined
Feb 3, 2012
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I'm leaving June 19 for a trip to Sweden. I've been spending months gathering genealogy stuff from family, scanning photos, making a packing list, and getting my backyard and garden cleaned up and presentable before I leave (this is why I've not been here much lately). My family there doesn't have much information on my grandfather, who left there when he was 16, way back in 1901. The plan was to have gathered the info and some scans, place them on thumb drives and pass them along to everyone. I had thought about making mini-albums of him and his family, but I pushed the thought aside.

Suddenly I'm thinking I should do this so they'll have something printed (especially photos), along with all the scans. But this means I'd need to get this album done in TWO DAYS, and my DD graduates from high school next weekend. Yikes!

Am I completely insane, or should I not worry about making an album for now, but print and ship them out later? (I'm not thinking about what shipping books to Sweden would cost...)

Soooooo ... should I let the insanity take over?
 
I had to reply because this is so what I would think :) Then my husband (who is a reality check on these things would say What?!). I don't know you and your family well, so am hesitant to advise, but I would say no to the photobooks. It sounds like you have plenty on your plate already. As someone who orders photobooks from overseas for myself - shipping is ok (just wait until a sale) and then you could enjoy the process of making the books rather than slamming them out in the next two days. Enjoy your trip - what an amazing experience!!
 
bbymks5 said:
Maybe you can make an ebook and if they'd like to print they can do that on their own?
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I thought about this, but I'm not sure they would print them.

willimena said:
I had to reply because this is so what I would think :) Then my husband (who is a reality check on these things would say What?!). I don't know you and your family well, so am hesitant to advise, but I would say no to the photobooks. It sounds like you have plenty on your plate already. As someone who orders photobooks from overseas for myself - shipping is ok (just wait until a sale) and then you could enjoy the process of making the books rather than slamming them out in the next two days. Enjoy your trip - what an amazing experience!!
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So, we're kindred spirits? This is probably what I should do, and just keep on scanning images and gathering the genealogical data. It's good to know that shipping isn't too outrageous. I should've done this months go, but I have the habit of leaving things to the last minute! ha!
 
I think perhaps you'll want to make albums after your visit because you'll have more info and you'll have new photos to add to what you've already dug up (the info and pics you have). So instead of stressing about albums, enjoy your DD's graduation and all that comes with such a big event!
 
Well, if you make them beforehand, you have to account for the weight in your luggage. And the space. Not to mention the stress. So, I'd go with wait.
Now, me being me, I might make a double layout of the basic highlights of his life with some 3x3 or 3x4 photos on it to give to them. That would be super easy to put together, and easy to pack. And I mean stick to highlights! Birth, Marriage, Kids Births, job photo perhaps? And call it good. Although, with 2 days....maybe you should let it go.
 
bestcee said:
Well, if you make them beforehand, you have to account for the weight in your luggage. And the space. Not to mention the stress. So, I'd go with wait.
Now, me being me, I might make a double layout of the basic highlights of his life with some 3x3 or 3x4 photos on it to give to them. That would be super easy to put together, and easy to pack. And I mean stick to highlights! Birth, Marriage, Kids Births, job photo perhaps? And call it good. Although, with 2 days....maybe you should let it go.
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We’re only taking carry on luggage for the trip. I was thinking of doing 8x8 soft cover books with just photos of Grandpa and his (my mom’s) family. There aren’t many photos, so it wouldn’t be too difficult to do. I’m just a perfectionist when it comes to making books so it won’t be as simple as I think!
 
QuiltyMom said:
We’re only taking carry on luggage for the trip. I was thinking of doing 8x8 soft cover books with just photos of Grandpa and his (my mom’s) family. There aren’t many photos, so it wouldn’t be too difficult to do. I’m just a perfectionist when it comes to making books so it won’t be as simple as I think!
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Jan, I would wait until you return. I agree with the small books you can have printed with perhaps photos from the trip too and they will be happy.. Give them the thumb drives when you are there and say I wanted to give you something now and will ship you the book later :) I am sure they will be thrilled! Enjoy your Daughter's graduation, and enjoy the trip with your Sister to see family :)
 
Yikes ... I could not do it. But if you are a fast scrapper maybe you can get it done. Good luck ... sounds like you have a lot of fun things planned coming up! Enjoy ... can't wait to see your Sweden photos when you get back.
 
Oh, I just had a thought! Are you bringing your phone and/or an iPad or other tablet? Because instead of printing, you could just show them the pages on your phone/tablet. That way, in the upcoming weeks you can focus on your DD's end-of-school stuff/graduation (and whatever else June is throwing your way) and you can get some pages made whenever you have a chance before you leave on the 19th. No rush to make a printing cutoff! That's what's so great about digital scrapbooking: we don't technically have to print in order to show off our work. (Although don't get me wrong: we should all print our pages!)

I'm sure you're going to have a great time, and your extended Swedish family aren't expecting printed albums, so you don't have to feel pressure about making them. I bet they're going to be thrilled at just seeing you and your sister.
 
I'm also going to second @Tree City Sara's idea! Tell them you can have it printed if they want and see who WOULD want them, then you only have to make that many WHEN YOU GET BACK and with any new information or pictures you pull up. :) Enjoy the graduation (it only happens once from that school with that child!!) and the trip! You can make pages and books at any time!
 
I too would wait until you return, but I totally get wanting to present them with a gift.

Here’s a thought- you could do a beautiful layout of your family tree and have it framed for them. This is something that is still one-of-a-kind, but you could knock it out much quicker.

I’m on my phone, so I can’t grab the pics as easy, but here some links to family tree templates in the store:

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Family-Tree-templates-M3.html

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Make-Like-A-Tree-Dressed-Up-Digital-Scrapbook-Template.html

Good luck with whichever you decide to do, Jan! @QuiltyMom
 
Thanks, ya'll for your input. I have a very difficult time trying to think through these things when I'm under pressure!
Tree City said:
Oh, I just had a thought! Are you bringing your phone and/or an iPad or other tablet? Because instead of printing, you could just show them the pages on your phone/tablet. That way, in the upcoming weeks you can focus on your DD's end-of-school stuff/graduation (and whatever else June is throwing your way) and you can get some pages made whenever you have a chance before you leave on the 19th. No rush to make a printing cutoff! That's what's so great about digital scrapbooking: we don't technically have to print in order to show off our work. (Although don't get me wrong: we should all print our pages!)

I'm sure you're going to have a great time, and your extended Swedish family aren't expecting printed albums, so you don't have to feel pressure about making them. I bet they're going to be thrilled at just seeing you and your sister.
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I never thought of this. If I get something done then this will be a great idea! I'd only print up one each for my cousins (4), and see if other of the extended family may want it. I'm going to have a list of family-related questions when I see them, so I can always incorporate that into it all after I come home.

londoncuppa said:
I too would wait until you return, but I totally get wanting to present them with a gift.

Here’s a thought- you could do a beautiful layout of your family tree and have it framed for them. This is something that is still one-of-a-kind, but you could knock it out much quicker.

I’m on my phone, so I can’t grab the pics as easy, but here some links to family tree templates in the store:

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Family-Tree-templates-M3.html

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Make-Like-A-Tree-Dressed-Up-Digital-Scrapbook-Template.html

Good luck with whichever you decide to do, Jan! @QuiltyMom
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Huh. I never would've thought of that in a million years! It's a great idea. Now to see if I can pull it off. I have the complete family tree, but I'm having a difficult time deciphering the language and handwriting.
 
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