Mini Layouts on a Keyring

[Meryl]

This idea was shared by Shellyrae in the Computer Scrapping (Yahoo) group. It is such a fabulous idea that I though I'd show you the one I made, in case you missed it.
I collected up all of Josh's latest layouts, reduced them in size to about 3 1/2 inches square and had them laminated. I then punched a hole in the corner of each and threaded them onto a large splitring and attached to a sturdy but fun key chain. Josh is so thrilled with it, and loves looking through it telling us all about the pages. I must say it is so nice I'd like to make one for myself!
Thanks Shellyrae for the wonderful tip

Josh's Key Ring (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=36418)

[Margie]

those are awesome meryl!! i so need to do this! :)

[elizabethlmccoy]

I did one too for my mother in law's mother's day gift. SHE LOVED IT!!! I forgot to take a picture though (why does that always happen like that?) I'll have to see if she can take a picture for me.

[elizabethlmccoy]

oh yeah...those mini albums in the store are PERFECT for this (you know the business card sized ones) easy to laminate and really the perfect size.

[samandsophie]

What a fun idea! thanks for the suggestion.

[bpalmer]

great idea! Thanks for sharing! :D

[WyoGal]

Meryl! Thank you so much and thank Shellyrae in the Computer Scrapping (Yahoo) group, too for the fantastic idea!

[Starling]

I really do need to make one of these for Diego, my grandson. He loves photos and has discovered the layouts I do because he has seen them online. I think he would love to have some of his own.

[Yvette]

I finally got around to trying this. I used a metal eyelet to make them a little sturdier and they look great!

Yvette

[janevdoviak]

What a great idea - I am definitely going to make some of these!
Jane

[pixelpixie71]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/pixiemom71/Blinks/thumbsup.gif Very cool idea! My MIL & my Mama both have a birthday coming up! I'd be willing to bet this would be a hit with them! Thanks for sharing!

[melodiustenor]

I got plastic key rings from a plastic store and inserted my miniatures. My DD and her friend have matching ones for their sports bags - which they take on the competition floor when they do gymnastics. Goes along nicely with their other doodads.

[lvg4him]

WOW! This is too cool!! Did you reduce the size from 12x12 layouts to 3 1/2? I am so wanting to do this!! Thanks so much for not only sharing the idea, but the picture of the final product too!!

[Meryl]

WOW! This is too cool!! Did you reduce the size from 12x12 layouts to 3 1/2? I am so wanting to do this!! Thanks so much for not only sharing the idea, but the picture of the final product too!!

Thanks, so glad you like the idea :) I alway work 12 x 12, so yes, just sized down, had printed and laminated - little Josh loves them, and get so excited when I give him new ones to add.
Good luck with yours!

[pixelpixie71]

Meryl - do you think this idea would work with 2"x2"? I'm thinking MIL would prefer something a little smaller.

[Meryl]

Meryl - do you think this idea would work with 2"x2"? I'm thinking MIL would prefer something a little smaller.

I'm sure you could, just remember though, if they were designed at 12 x 12 pictures and especially journalling will probably be very tine - on 3.25" that I do, I don't think any journaling is legible - but give it a try!

[lvg4him]

Meryl, do you print them at 3.25 or 3.5? In your first post (or maybe it was on the photo comments) I thought you had said 3.5". When I print at this, I was able to read all the journaling (even on this one (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=43957&cat=500&page=1) !!). It took some eye squinting, but I was able to read every word. Not sure that 3.25 or even 3, I would be able to read anything on that one.

I gave my dc their own card (I printed a layout of each child for each child just to see how big it was and how it looked and all). I must say that they LOVED them, even though they were not on a key ring. So even if you don't have the keyring, but have kids who love flash cards or playing cards, they will love a printed out 3.5 card.

[Karen]

I took a photo of the one I made for my grandson Dylan, instead of putting it on a keyring I put it on a lanyard so he could wear it around his neck....its a little long but he still loves it :)

Dylans Layouts (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=44632&cat=500&page=1)

[Meryl]

Meryl, do you print them at 3.25 or 3.5? In your first post (or maybe it was on the photo comments) I thought you had said 3.5". .

Sorry - not sure but it is 3.25" I print (we use metric here so everything has to be converted LOL) but you could do wather size suits you I'm sure - so glad yours are a success!

[Meryl]

I took a photo of the one I made for my grandson Dylan, instead of putting it on a keyring I put it on a lanyard so he could wear it around his neck....its a little long but he still loves it :)

Dylans Layouts (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=44632&cat=500&page=1)

This is lovely Karen, and what a cute grandson you have :) I looked for a lanyard but non to be found at all!

[Karen]

This is lovely Karen, and what a cute grandson you have :) I looked for a lanyard but non to be found at all!

Thanks Meryl :)
Those lanyard thingees seem to be all the go here at the moment all the young ones are wearing them with something hanging on the end :)

[Starling]

I'm in the process of doing this for my grandson. All of the layouts are printed, and laminated. I'm cutting around the laminate and am about half way done.

The layouts look so good this size, which really surprised me. I'm very happy with how this is turning out.

Now that I've bought the laminating machine, I need new project ideas. Anyone have any?

[Lauren]

I must say mine have been noticed by lots of people _ I use it as my key chain - theyve lasted quite well too - been using it for nearly 3 months now and showing no sign of wear really. Mine are 3 inches square ( a little large but I need a big keychain to find it in my purse anyway!!!)

[pixelpixie71]

I'm finally ready to show off my first one!

My Mama's Birthday Present (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=47549&cat=500&page=1)

Thanks again, Meryl!

[Starling]

I made one for my grandson. It came out wonderful, but for some reason we didn't take a picture of it before we gave it to him. Dumb!

Mine were pretty big. I scrap letter size. I downsized them so I got 4 layouts to a letter sized page. I used PIXresizer to resize them for me so they would all be the same size and it did a great job. I created pages in Photoshop with 4 layouts to a page and then printed those pages out.

I bought a cold laminator at Staples, and it did a wonderful job for an exceptional price -- much cheaper than the more famous scrapbooking brand and easier to actually find one to buy. It was so much fun to use that I am probably making bookmarks for Christmas presents with it.

[Butterfly24]

Wow I love this idea! Can someone tell me if you do this with single sided pages only or if you can do it double sided?

[Starling]

I did it single sided because the laminating was hard enough to do without adding a second piece of paper inside the two laminating sheets. If you used glue to stick the two pieces of paper together I guess it would work.

[lvg4him]

I am sure you could do double sided if you turned the printed one over and printed on the back (making it one sheet). It would take some thinking (my printer isn't double sided , and it is difficult to turn it around and get it to print on the back EXACTLY where it would need to so when I cut it, it would look right (in other words one would not be upside down on the back). You would also want to print lightly so it doesn't show up on the other side. I know when i use my best quality printing, that the darker spots (like black) will show up on the other side. So it all depends on if you can make it work. I would say go for it (it would save paper).

[Butterfly24]

What kind of paper should I use for this? I have alot of white cardstock or would photo paper be the best?

[lvg4him]

i used cardstock simply because i had a lot and it was cheap. it you were giving this as a gift to a special person (like Mom), then I would prolly use photo paper (just because it would look nicer and last longer). That's just my two cents. I made a book for each of my children (and they love it).

[Starling]

I used the same photo paper I use for my layouts. I got 4 of these little guys from a sheet of paper and yes I know he is going to mess it up.

I think if I was going to buy paper, and I wanted something less expensive, I'd get some of the heavier than normal ink jet paper that is intended for presentations. It is a lot cheaper than photo paper, and if you are going to laminate the little layouts (and I think you should) the result should be heavy enough. I used to use this paper for presentations back 10 years ago or more and the results were worth the cost which ran about 10 cents per sheet. And you should be able to buy it in reasonable quantities.

[Audrey]

I had seen this thread earlier and then forgotten all about it! This is such a great idea!! I'm going to try this for myself, as well as for my kids or my MIL & Mom!
Thanks for sharing this, Meryl, and for all the great suggestions everyone!!

[Meryl]

I have used the same paper i use for my layouts, not a heavy paper at all, as the lamination makes it very stiff and strong. I do them use single sided.

[Tina]

I did this for myself tonight! I do a lot of my layouts 8x10 tho, so I did the keychain layouts at 3.50x2.34.

I'd like them a bit smaller tho I think. They are on my actual car keyring. Little big. Have to be careful what you use tho, no journaling so tiny you go myopic trying to read them ;)

[hoskinsjan]

I'm finally ready to show off my first one!

My Mama's Birthday Present (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=47549&cat=500&page=1)

Thanks again, Meryl!

Omg meryl. That's gorgeous! I really have to do one of these.

Jan :D

[Biffylady]

Oooooo, I see Christmas presents in the making!