Every project is different, but on average it takes between 3-4 weeks to complete a scrapbook.  You may contact me anytime if you would like to have an update on your scrapbook's progress.

A 20-page scrapbook can hold up to 125 pictures.  If more pages are needed to complete a project, an additional charge will be added to the total price. See the pricing page for a summary of charges.

Email me anytime at elizabeth@outoftheboxscrapbooking.com, or you can call our office at (214) 227-7603.  For more info, visit the Contact Us page.

This depends greatly on your distance from my office.  On average, the price for shipping ranges anywhere from $15-30, and delivery time is between 2-4 days.  Of course, you have the option to upgrade this if you choose.  You may also purchase insurance to protect your photos if they are lost or damaged.  (See also Question #14 below.)  I will discuss shipping options during your consultation.

Acid causes paper and photos to disintegrate.  Lignin is the natural bonding element which holds wood fibers together.  For example, newsprint contains lignin.  You've seen how brittle and yellowed a newspaper becomes after just a few days.  The aging process is slowed significantly when acid and lignin are removed from paper and scrapbook products during the manufacturing process.

Scrapbooks come in all shapes and styles, but I use post-bound albums. The pages of a post-bound album are bound into the album with three expandable posts. These posts allow for easy addition and removal of the pages, and can be extended if your album needs to grow.

“Crop” means to trim your photos to improve the composition.  This might be cropping out distracting elements or coming in closer on the main subject.  If you have certain pictures that you would rather me not crop, tell me so in your consultation.  A photo “mat” is a layer of paper that is between the photo and the background.  A mat can be thick or thin depending on the look that is desired.  It acts as a frame for your photos, setting it off from the background.  The mat can be solid cardstock or patterned paper.  Photos are usually matted in colors that bring focus to the picture.  When the pictures are “mounted” in your album, I will use acid-free adhesive to place them on the pages.

Embellishments are the little touches of creativity, used to add character and flair to the pages of your scrapbook  Examples are stickers, brads, eyelets, ribbon, fibers, beads, etc.  Check out the sample pages in the Portfolio Page to see examples of embellishments.

Journaling is simply the handwritten expression of your thoughts, feelings, recollections, emotions, memories, quotes, one-liners, meaningful words, or expressions.  (The list goes on and on.)  Journaling is everything and anything that you have to say about the moments you have in your scrapbook.  An entry can be long and profound, or short and sweet.  Journaling can be done in a word, a sentence, a paragraph, or a page.  I can leave blank spaces in your scrapbook for you to journal after you receive it.

I strongly suggest journaling to tell your story.  Your handwriting is unique to you, and it makes your scrapbook a finished keepsake.  BUT... I will give you the choice to have journaling spaces.  If you don’t want them, I will leave them out.

I won’t do lengthy journaling for you, but I can add titles to each page, as well as a short description of the event if you provide summaries.

Out of the Box does not offer a monetary refund for a completed project.  Instead, I make every attempt to ensure satisfaction through the creative process.  After you receive your completed scrapbook, you have seven days to request changes be made.  Out of the Box agrees to redo a total of two complete pages and/or make adjustments to up to four pages.

Yes. Gift certificates are a great gift idea for someone you know who needs to get “Out of the Box” with their photos.  Contact us to discuss what would be best for them.

When shipping your photos, at a minimum, I recommend that you insure your the package for the amount it would cost you to reprint your pictures.  Of course, some photos are irreplaceable.  So I also strongly recommend that you make copies of these special photos before you ship them.  Do not send me your negatives.

Not at this time.  I am not equipped to receive and reprint a high volume of photos.

I can still scrapbook them for you, but you need to send them to me already printed.  If you do not have access to a high quality printer, I recommend you checkout one of many online photo printing shops.  Companies like Winkflash^®, Shutterfly^®, and Kodak EasyShare Gallery^® can print your digital photos for a reasonable price.  There is a multitude of other fine companies to choose from as well.

A "layout" is two pages, i.e. the left and right pages that face each other. All layouts include embellishments, space for journaling, and titles. Each page averages 3-6 pictures. Some pictures will be matted.