Oh- I forgot- I don't want to spend 40 or 50 dollars on a bottle of archival mist, either. I want to be as cost effective as possible. Thanks again! -Sarah

I found some really great "calligraphy" pens at Michaels. I can't remember the name or brand, but they have a pen tip at either end...for a smaller and larger calligraphy look. You have to practice some to learn how to hold the pen but I really love the look much much better than my plain hand-writing (which I HATE when I journal). They provide a more personal touch (look) to the page then printing calligraphy style on the computer (which is also a nice idea). Like Jill, I usually like to matt what I journal, depending on the page. If your cousin just graduated from Med school, could you somehow incorporate something from her "soon to be profession"? Perhaps you could make (scrape) a nice looking professional business card with her name, the date she graduated, her title etc.? I'm not too up on graduating med students so maybe she has to complete her residency, but maybe you could include smaller photos of where she will work or complete her residency on the page (in the background or superimpose photos of her on top of these smaller ones)? For something a bit more comical, maybe you could get a photo(s) of her with friends or family "using" her medical tools from her black bag with a humorous title page or a funny lyric or poem? I love to matt a lot of my photos and I also love to try (try being the key operative word here)and make up poems or rhyme when I journal. I think you could have a lot of fun and still have some very elegant and "fun" pages. Good luck! Send us a link for your completed pages so we can save the ideas...I'll need one in about 14-16 years!

hi i havent posted on here in forever but you really should get your photos in acid free scrapbooks and there will be loads of space to journal about your photos also should be be done with acid free ink. Check out www.gracefulbee.com for some ideas or feel free to email me with any questions i have done 30 acid free albums in the past 6 years and i just finished my wedding album ( i just got married in oct).

I never understand why decks are not the whole width of the house but I need to see what you are doing with the windows and please no round window on that house. I need a lot more info and some clue as to your style . BTW pretty big to be called a cottage what is the blocked off space on the left ? IMO hot tubs are best when they can be accessed from the master bedroom and I need better pics all the windows should match I see dark trim on some not on otheres really not sure what the plan is. I have no problem with the railing and think it will look fine with thegray siding . Are those all sliding doors on the top floor to the deck?