I need help from you scrapbooking mavens!

HELLLP!!

I would really love to create a birthday scrapbook for my sister, who is turning 40 in May. We are throwing her a surprise party (a Cinco De Mayo party) and I'd like to have it completed by the end of April.

I know this can be a daunting task, trying to compile the pictures, stories, etc. and have the layout finished. Does anyone have any ideas or advice? I'm talking layouts, cute nostaligic ideas, adornments, anything you can come up with I will appreciate!

I have already asked my mom for permission to dig through our 'photo vault' and copy the pics, and I have my BIL on the case for their family photos. I am thinking about having each of my family members write down a funny story to include, maybe surrounding a picture if possible. I am a little afraid of opening this up to everyone who will attend the party because I just don't think I'll ever get it done that way.

Anything can you offer.....THANK YOU!

First, I think this is a wonderful gift and your sister is going to love what you put together.

For a first album that needs to be done rather quickly, I would go with a smaller album like 6x6 or 8x8. K&Company has a line of 6x6 albums with coordinating papers and accents that is just beautiful!

Isabella is my favorite. But there are others.

You can put the photo on one page and some journalling on the facing page. I often print journalling on vellum and it can be adhered with photo corners.

Look in the galleries of sites like www.lifetimemoments.com and www.twopeasinabucket.com for some layout ideas.