I love quotes.  They convey messages in a compact way, which somehow just appeals to me. Quite frequently, I use quotes for inspiration.  When I first started designing, I had the following quote taped to my computer screen:

“Never give up on something that you can’t go a day without thinking about.” (unknown)

Of course, not all quotes are serious or inspirational.  I also love the quirky and whimsical quotes that just make me laugh…. like:

“Housework can’t kill you… but why take a chance?” (Phyllis Diller) or

“A two-year-old is kind of like having a blender, but you don’t have a top for it. “ (Jerry Seinfeld).

My granddaughter, Emily, is now 9 years old….. Stay with me here … this will all make sense in a minute…..

When Emily was 2, she thought she was a Princess. Really.  She believed that Snow White and Sleeping Beauty were her BFFs.  The costume gowns that little girls wear to play dress-up?  She thought those were her real clothes.

It was adorable.  But then she was 3.  And her wardrobe was still the same…. And as she headed toward 4, we thought…. While this is still cute, it’s not going to be very cute when she is 14 or 21!  So for her 4th birthday I created a photobook for her. I entitled the book The ABC’s of Becoming a Princess.  I wanted it to be simple, with the focus on photos I had taken of her, along with inspirational or encouraging quotes, focusing on the positive qualities in life that we would like to see her strive toward.  The book turned out beautifully, and Emily loved it!

Over the past year or so, the idea of translating that positive experience for us into a digital product has been rumbling around in my mind.  The results of those rumblings is “The ABC’s of Life Quick Album.”

So what does this mean for you?

The ABC’s of Life Album was designed to help you create a lovely, meaningful album in under an hour.

Backgrounds papers were designed in muted, swirly colors to mimic professional photographer backdrops.  Quotes are provided for the characteristics that I included in Emily’s book. Titles are included (i.e.  A is for Achievement), however, I have also included a complete alphabet set so you can create your own titles if you wish.  Basic Quick Pages are included, so you can simply drag a quote and title onto a Quick Page, add a photo, and your album page will be completed in just a matter of seconds.  I have included templates of those basic pages, so you can change background papers, and embellish your pages as much or as little as you wish. The ABC’s of Life Album is versatile enough for both the beginning scrapper and the more seasoned scrapper.

Here is a sample, provided by Norma (yorkiemom), which includes 4 different levels  of complexity.

In the first image, she used an ABC’s of Life Template.  She chose a few papers from one of her favorite kits to use as her background, and then colored her frames. She then simply placed an ABC’s quote and title on the page, added a Divider, added her photos, and she was done.  She had created a lovely page in mere seconds.

Norma then continued to embellish her page, adding just a few more personal touches with each version.  I think Version 4 is just as lovely as Version 1.  It all depends on how much time you wish to take on your album pages. If you need something quickly, Version 1 is all you need.

ABC albums are perfect for so many things!  What I truly like best about them (beside the fact that they are quick and easy!) is that their simplicity allows my photographs to really make a statement. And many times, that is my goal.

This is the Quick Page Template that I started with, to create the page above:

With the addition of a Title and a Quote from the ABC’s Album, a pre-made cluster from one of my kits  (Apple of my Eye) (collaboration with Mad Genius Designs), and the addition of 2 paper strips and 2 buttons, I had an album page completed in just a few minutes.

Use of the Quick Page Base files, along with pre-made clusters that you probably already have in your stash, is just one more way to utilize what you already own!

I hope the ABC’s of Life Album will help you create Christmas gifts, Birthday gifts, or just every-day albums quick and easy!

You can find all of the individual ABC’s of Life products on sale for 30% off thru December 18th in my store: SnickerdoodleDesigns

Or pick up the entire Collection at a 55% savings!

Credits: Thanks to Norma for her layout samples!  Kits used in the creation of her samples:  Unforgettable, Walk with Me, Artist in Me, Take Me Away