[EileenSTJ]

I was really excited to read Ro's newsletter today. I had seen the 8.5x11 papers in the Boutique & have added a few to my shopping cart. I may not post a lot (can't remember the last time I did), but I believe I spend enough in the Boutique to receive a "Major Award."
I, too have a hard time designing layouts in the 12x12 format. I have more plain layouts created with white backgrounds in letter size than square ones rather than trying to squeeze or cut 12x12 digital paper.
I have a rather unique job description. I am the school nurse/photographer/graphic designer for a Catholic elementary school in Massachusetts. My world is a rectangle, not a square. My bulletin boards, classrooms, health office, printer, paper, bandaids, etc are all based on the comfortable shape of the rectangle.
Ro, you have rocked my world today & I will not longer feel I have to fit a rectangular peg into a square hole.

[Sara Arell]

I loved, lovedl, loved Ro's article too and since I use onl 8.5 x 11 layouts it wa a breath of fresh air for me! Thank you, Ro - I can't wait to see all of the goodies avaiable for those of us who choose this format!

Wonderful article, btw - thank you for always giving me something to think about.

[Becster]

I found this article fascinating! I, too, was right there with Ro in my clunky design and cutouts on my original 8.5x11 pages. I still shudder when I look at some of them, and how creative I thought I was being in trimming my photos into clever shapes and edging them with the multitude of cutesy scissors that still exist on a shelf in the closet.

I switched to 12x12 because I love to include as many photos as I can on a LO, and yes, there were so many more wonderful papers available in that size. And the albums - oh MY GOSH!- the beautiful 12x12 albums that were available and looked so much more professional than a notebook I got from the office supply store.

All that being said, since I now scrap digitally I doubt that I'll ever go back to scrapping in 8.5x11, but I really appreciated that Ro showed us how to take our existing LO's and scale them down for printing. THAT is something I can get behind!!!

My thanks, Ro, for such wonderful and sensible and practical ideas! I can't wait to see more about it.

[Nutmeg]

I'm so excited about this! I recently saw some amazing 8.5 x 11 albums that inspired me to try that size, and now I'll be able to!

[BarbaraC1977]

Thank you, Ro, for your decision to give 8.5x11 and 4x6 formats your support, in addition to 12x12. As a sometime art student, I had a hard time with square layouts--every teacher in every watercolor, pastel and drawing class I took asked students to work on rectangular pages, and to avoid squares. In addition to the longstanding guidance about the Golden Mean, they felt "It's hard to create a sense of movement" with a square canvas.

I think that's why I felt guided to work mostly with double-page layouts when I first started--they got me back to an (elongated) rectangle, and I could make it flow. And then I decided to go to 8.5x11 for everything, mostly landscape format. While I wish I could find more binders in this format (Pioneer makes one, http://www.archivalu...m/kt811cbf.html), MyPublisher did a FABULOUS job printing my recent landscape format book. I love being able to view my layouts on our digital photo frame, my phone, and my computer monitors without adjustment. For planners, and other "life book" tasks, I think 8.5x11 portrait is definitely the way to go, as well as for many other layouts, too.

I really appreciate that several of the designers are taking the time and trouble to make both portrait and landscape orientations of their 8.5 x 11 papers; that's a huge help. Thanks again, Ro, for being open to change and adding this format to the beautiful array of Scrap Girls products! You rock!

[Art-C]

When I started scrapping digitally back in the olden days around 2005, both 8.5x11 as well as 12x12 papers were included in most digital kits. Soon the 8.5x11 size faded away. I have a passion for vintage photos and teach a Heritage Foto class locally of how to scan and repair old photos so that these treasures will be preserved. Integrating the old photos with genealogy documents (wills, deeds, census reports, etc.) is a natural! The 8.5x11 is the best way to handle all of these documents. Ro said something (actually she said a lot!) that struck a cord with me. She said, "The 8.5x11 size gives them a magazine-like feel and increases their readability." Right on! Others WILL have an easier time relating to the layouts and that's one of the reasons we do this. I'm impressed with the program and as usual, Ro has been figuring out every angle. I look forward to the direction this program will take. Thanks, Ro. Today's my birthday (not saying which number) and this is a great gift.

[satippetts]

I too am so excited about this. I can totally relate to the artist in you Barbara that paints, watercolors and does everything in rectangular shape, and the golden mean! I am almost finishing up my first 8 1/2 x 11 album of the last year and it has been soo much easier and faster for me to do it. I am actually so happy I finally have a years worth of histories and memories documents... Yeah!! I loved reading the newsletter this morning and can't wait for the next few!

[mimes1]

I too found the article very interesting. My first ever layout was 8.5 x 11, and I quickly switched over to the industry standard. For years though, even though I was scrapping in 12x12, I printed in 8x8. Then I just didn't trim the page, and inserted the whole thing into a plastic sleeve and slipped it into a regular binder. I have 4 of 5 albums FULL like this. Then, fairly recently, I decided to start buying the little 8 x 8 albums and print in 8 x 8 from costco. Funny thing, the pages come 8.5 x 11 and I still have to trim off that little bit to get them into the 8x8 albums! LOL!

So this is all very intriguing to me. I'll keep an eye on the product line.

My first ever layout in 8.5 x 11

[Durin]

I love 8.5 x 11 scrapping because there are so many beautiful ~ and inexpensive ~ photo albums in that size. I toss away the "magnetic" photo protector pages and add inexpensive office supply page protectors, which allow you to slip memorabilia in your scrapbooks too.

So excited about these new sizes! Great move, Ro!

[Smiles]

That's a great idea, Durin! I stopped even looking at those years ago.

I'm excited about 8x5 x 11 also. I have done a lot of adjusting papers to 8.5x11 and 4x6. Some are easy and some are pretty impossible. But it certainly is time consuming.

It was interesting looking in the new boutique categories today - so many of the older easy pages and templates came in both 12x12 and 8.5x11.

One thing I wish the designers would add in the descriptions of the new life book items is whether they would work as actual planner pages, or only to be included in a layout. I see Angie has reformatted some of hers. With Ro's new Life Book idea, I'd love to see more products that will actually fit in a binder or planner, like Pebbles Jones' Life in Action planners.

[jenrou]

All I can add to all of your comments is, "me too!" I really enjoyed and agreed with Ro's article. Since I haven't scrapped much, it's a good time to make that decision. I've bought a "ton" on supplies, but I think most can be downsized if needed at this point. I'm lucky if I get a photo or two on a sheet of paper! I also appreciate knowing about the Canon printer. My small Lexpro el cheapo drinks ink! It will become my RV printer when I can replace it.
Jean

[Garden_Girl]

Well I can definitely get on board with the rectangle size for the new year!! It's what I started with, but I have been using the square shape for the past 4 years. This is coming out at the perfect time, just in time to start 2012!

So do you make your pages 8.5X11 or 11X8.5? Tall or Long? Do they print books that are oriented the tall way?

[Ro]

I just did a little poking around at 6 companies that print photo books. All of them, but one, print 8.5x11 books. Two of them print either horizontal or vertical books. Three of the, only print horizontal books. So it looks to me that you can do pretty much what you want to do! Just search the term photobook and you'll find tons of options.

Because of what I am going to be doing - making life books that have everything but the kitchen sink in them - I'll be printing mine out on my printer. But it's all good!

[KayMitch]

I'm so excited to find out more. It all sounds wonderful. Thanks Ro for being "On The Ball" We do so appreciate it. Kay

[BethLang]

I loved this article, Ro. You have given me the courage to try layouts in 8.5 x 11 now! I have been told by many a social worker that it is best to do my adopted kids' life books in 8.5 x 11 and put the pages in a binder so that THEY can add to their stories too, adding pictures that they draw, or things that remind them of something special about their stories,etc. I CRINGED at having something so precious inside a BINDER *I still can't get there* but can finally understand the versatility of this, from reading your article and seeing how you did it. I am going to practice putting all Annabelle's layouts in a binder now by shrinking the 12x12 layouts so I can put 2 on a page as you did. I will start there.

I have a question about templates though. I had bought my baby book templates in 12x12. Can I resize them or do I need to repurchase them, or ask a designer to remake them if they are not available in 8.5x11? I used the EHI_SS_DLOTmpAlbum_BabyBook1 and 2 in 12x12 and do not have it in 8.5x11. There are other templates I use as well, that I only have in 12x12. Are the templates going to be offered in both sizes, packaged together in the boutique? And what about the monthly club offerings?

Thanks, Ro! Thank you for getting me to try something I have been afraid of!!!!

PS our new adoted son is Aaidan, and he is getting a life book done this way! Whoo hoo!! Layouts coming soon!!!

[candyK]

Printing question please- I have been using 12x12, but after 3 years have only printed one layout! (when costco began offering this size.) Not being able to print has always been my weakest part of scrapping. I don't like having to 'save up' until I have enough pages to print an entire book be my only option-as currently. I also considered just getting my photos printed 4x6 and using some of newer plastic sleeves to fill binders, adding paper tags for journaling. I was considering reducing to 8x8 and printing that way until I read Ro's article--6 times over during the day.

I'm excited for this to be the year I actually get my work printed out---However I don't see any printers(costco, walgreens, etc) doing the 8.5x11 size. They offer 8x10 or larger.

So to do this you have to plan on printing your own? OR shipping out to a book maker? I just want to be sure I understand before I get my hopes up. My current home printer is less than adequate for photo quality. I would need to pick a new printer and the associated ink costs IF home printing is the only way to get this size.

Advice appreciated!
candyK

[NanaB99]

hmmm, haven't gotten a newsletter since dec. 24th - thought maybe Ro was taking some time off but it appears something must be up with my email!

[av8orchk]

I am also super-jazzed about the news! I absolutely love the 8.5x11 format ... landscape in particular.
I started a topic HERE to discuss the products we'd like to see in this "new" size.
My apologies if there was already a thread started. I couldn't find one, but I haven't visited here in a while.
Hope it helps!

[Ro]

Beth: Tell you what... I'll do some tutorials very soon about how to adapt 12x12 layout templates to 8.5x11 layouts.

Candy, About printing 8.5x11: We'll put together a printing resource listing of companies that print that size and will keep it in th SG Blog where it is easy to maintain. Just yesterday, we located places that print individual layouts and places that will print bound books in either portrait and/or landscape. We want to make this possible, easy, and fun.for you.

I'll also look for resources that have cooler albums for that size than just 3 ring office supply binders.n I have seen them on !mazon. I'll do tutorals of how you can fancy those office supply binders, to. All in good tme, though!

Nana, if you can't find the email from the 27th, send an email to Angie at hello@scrapgirls.com and she will forward it to you.

[candyK]

Ro-
You are amazing! I don't think I've heard replies to my questions from any company as quickly as ScrapGirls--but even the CEO? too cool. You rock-and enjoy the treadmill! I'm still figuring out the presentations, so I'm anxious to get some goodies while this great sale is on.
Thanks,
candyK

[kimmybutton]

Hi Eileen!! So happy to see YOU and EVERYONE ELSE seems to be thrilled with the decision to add more 8.5x11 papers, etc. to the Boutique! Can't wait to see the Gallery filling up with this great size!

he-he ... you made me giggle with your comment about no longer trying to fit a rectangular peg in a square hole!

[candyK]

FYI: Binders,sheet protectors on sale at scrapbook.com including many 8.5

[Durin]

This new size is going to save us all so much $ with printing and album and page protector costs.

[Smiles]

AnnBK is an experienced fancier-upper of three ring binders - maybe she will share some of her secrets with us. They involve a glue gun, as I recall.

[BethLang]

My First 8.5x11 Layout!
Here is my first attempt at an 8.5 x 11 layout....I think I am going to like this size!

And Thanks Ro, for thinking to do some tutorials on how to resize 12x12 templates. Whew! You rock!

Another layout...oh, this size is FREEING! and easy. I really like it!!!!
Sibling Layout

[NanaB99]

a few 8-1/2 x 11 scrapbooks links

http://www.joann.com

http://everythingscr....aspx?k2=z9h100

http://www.pfile.com...ks-Memory-Books

http://store.scrapbo...lbums&t4=8+5x11

http://www.acmoore.c...7&showall=false

also - check out your local Michael's.

another company's albums I liked was Westrim. Page protectors aren't the best but liked their post bound albums. (Most pages protectors are interchangeable between different albums)

for what it's worth - American Craft products were always very good quality. I've never had the chance to see their albums but everything else they made was good so I'm going out on a limb and thinking their albums and protectors are probably good also.

I currently use We r Memory Keepers page protectors because I really like the quality of them - slightly heavier than most and come in a non-glare finish - I also like their albums.

I'm using Pioneer's 12x12 3-ring scrapbooks right now because I don't do my pages in chronological order and the 3-ring is easier to change pages around. Pioneer (in my opinion) is an ok product - not the best at holding up to a lot of handling, but it's conveniently available in some Michael's and ACMoore stores and works ok for me for what I want right now - which is basically a place to store pages until I get caught up then I think I'll get different albums for the finished product. Oh! Another source you can check out is the Creative Memories line - it's a home-party type business - I have an album I bought from them years ago and it has held up very nicely - they used to make 8-1/2x11s... A lot of companies have gone with 12x12 and 8x8 and eliminated the 8-1/2x11 but there seems to still be some good ones out there!

Hope this helps....

[Syndee]

I am so happy we are re-discovering 8.5x11! It's my most favorite size and I was so sad when the paper companies stopped manufacturing it. I will let you in on a little secret, I have really really struggled with my layouts for the past few years, I really only do layouts for my products - I don't think I have done a family layout for at least 3 years! The reason? I just have such a hard time with a square 12x12 surface. So when I started doing letter size again I was actually having fun and loving the results for the first time in years! WOOHOO!

[candyK]

IF like me, you cannot print at home here is one place that prints 8.5:

http://www.scrapbook...sp&SUBHEAD=home

in single pages--not just books. Hope we find some others as these prices seem a bit high.

candyK

[Cheri T]

scrappingsimply.com prints on photo paper, super high quality (I've used them for about 2 years now), and offers 8.5 x 11. They have a twice yearly sale (25% off and a deeper discount if you sign up for their newsletter). I simply save all my new layouts since my last order with them in a new folder, print all those, then sort the printed layouts in the folders I want them in (I do it by year, or by family for heritage pages) and start fresh with an empty not-yet-printed folder.

[luckyladybug]

Cheri T, on 29 December 2011 - 12:31 PM, said:

scrappingsimply.com prints on photo paper, super high quality (I've used them for about 2 years now), and offers 8.5 x 11. They have a twice yearly sale (25% off and a deeper discount if you sign up for their newsletter). I simply save all my new layouts since my last order with them in a new folder, print all those, then sort the printed layouts in the folders I want them in (I do it by year, or by family for heritage pages) and start fresh with an empty not-yet-printed folder.

Fantastic tip, Cheri!! I'm right on this.