Scrapbooking: How thick should you let your book get?

Question

I'm fairly new to scrapbooking, and am doing a scrapbook about my travels (geared toward young schoolchildren)...so this is basically a book that will be worked on infinitely and is getting out of control with thickness and weight.

I've already had to get post extenders and I use spacers, and right now my book is 4" thick, obscenely heavy, feels wobbly like it'll just give way and fall apart, and I am not even halfway finished with the places I've been to so far, and my summer travels are just getting started!

Is there a suggested thickness one should let their book get? I have no problems buying another book (Wal Mart has them dirt cheap), I was just wondering what some people consider a decent thickness for their books, especially mine seems extremely thick to me.

Thanks so much!!

Answer 1

You probably don't want it thicker than the spine of the binder.  See if a child in the age range it's geared for can lift it and turn the pages.  Make sure you have everything secure so you dont have to stick stuff back on 20 times :-p.

Answer 2

I have this problem as well, since I scrapbook my daughter's pictures and go one year at a time..

Since you are scrapping things that have a definite beginning and end.. can you put one adventure into each scrapbook... or if that gets insanely out of control of cost put maybe 4 travels into each book.

How big of a book are you working with?  I do 12x12's and I know my daughter (she's five) has to sit and hold the book on her lap in order to look at it. She can't carry them though because of the weight.  

Another idea, if you have been to the same place several times, put all the layouts of that place together in one book, maybe saying what different things you did each time you visited, or how it changed.  

Have fun and happy bookin'!

Answer 3

Ahhh, throw away those metal posts and go out and buy

Pioneer Snap Load

They can replace any metal post in a scrapbook ablum.

Once you use them you will replace all your metal posts. It is so much easier to add pages, your pages will lay flat when you open your album, and your alblum can get thick without being heavy or falling apart.

I have gotten mine at JoAnn Fabrics, Hobby Lobby and Archiver's