Creative Albums

by Donna Downey

What do an old cigar box, a stack of used CDs, and a bunch of shopping bags have in common? To author Donna Downey they are all scrapbooks--yes scrapbooks. In Creative Albums, her first book in the "Yes, It's a Scrapbook" series, Donna shares 25 "out of the box" ways to capture your most meaningful memories. And best of all, you can finish most albums in an afternoon or over a weekend. Each project clear, how-to instructions, step-by-step photos, full color photos of projects, and a complete list of supplies and tools needed.

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction, Art

120 pages, Spiral-bound

First published May 30, 2005

About the author

Donna Downey is a bestselling author, instructor and all-around creative force as a mixed-media artist. In 2000, she got into scrapbooking as an extension of her paper product and photography addiction. This was only the beginning. From working as a popular columnist for Simple Scrapbooks magazine, to traveling the world inspiring women to push the boundaries of their own creativity, to developing her first mixed-media scrapbooking line with Prima in the Spring of ‘09, Donna is consistently on the leading edge of taking creative risks the push the creative envelope and empowering others to do the same with their art.

As a mixed-media artist, Donna is a born experimenter, blending and transforming both traditional and unexpected items into meaningful pieces of self expression. A former elementary school teacher, she has synthesized her first love of teaching with her passion for craft and brings this to women via workshops at scrapbook stores and events, writing books, and through her popular blog and website.

Donna lives in North Carolina with her husband, and is a mother of three exceptionally blonde children, a chihuahua and one blonde dog.

Reviews

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard not to love Donna Downey. She sees what other people might discard (like those floppy discs that really flopped) and finds a way to make a scrapbook. Her directions are clear and easy to follow, and there are LOTS of pictures. She also uses found items that real people actually have lying around the house, not items that require trips to antique stores and expensive shops. For example, I had a pile of used CDs haunting my desk, filled with podcasts that I'd already listened to. How could I throw them in the landfill after one listen? The first project in this book was a CD album, and now I find myself looking for more CDs that I don't need anymore so that I can cover them with paper and photos. I highly recommend this book.

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. As the title says, the book is about non-traditional, creative albums. Some of the ideas are cool for gift giving, but the author seems to use non-archival materials in abundance (like cardboard.) While possibly attractive, (or at least unique), the acid in cardboard will eat up the photos in time. Same with a Rolodex "album. "I also do not want to use a drill when creating my albums. Oh, and almost everything uses a Xyron adhesive machine.

[Lain · Rating 5 out of 5]

How fun is this book?? Donna D. will open your eyes to what a scrapbook is, and exactly how to create one from the ordinary and everyday items you find around your home. Forget about heading to the scrapbook store -- dig through your office supplies or the junk drawer instead! Inspiring.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Donna Downy rocks!

[Revlie.schuit · Rating 5 out of 5]

i've got all 5 of her books. pearls to me. but i'm biast.

[Sandybear76 · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute smaller albums. She used various items to make small scrapbooks. One item was a cigar box. She used CDs for the first album in the book and the last album was made with floppy disks.

[Rose Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the detailed supply list/instructions, etc.
I've made several projects from her books

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donna is creative scrapbooker and I love her books.