DIY Disney Autograph Book

Make a personalized Disney autograph book for your child!

Do you want to make your toddler smile from ear to ear on your upcoming Disney trip? Meeting Mickey and the rest of the Disney gang will be a memory they will hold with them forever. A sure-fire way to get them to interact with their Disney pals is to have an autograph book on hand. For our shy three year old, it gave him a few minutes to take in the overwhelming size of his favorite characters before being rushed into a hug. It made a world of difference.

Here is a simple project for your Disney trip – a personalized autograph album for your child’s Disney Character Meetings. This is a unique souvenir for your kids to treasure their magical moments meeting their Disney pals.

SUPPLIES
-5 1/2” x 8 1/2” Sketchbook, 100 sheets, 50 lb. weight paper
(Note: Paper weight refers to the sturdiness of the paper. This type is a little thicker than regular copy paper but not as heavy as cardstock. Autographs won't bleed through this thickness as easily.) 100 sheets means your toddler can get tons of autographs, or they can reuse the book over a few trips. Don’t underestimate the number of pages you will use. My toddler couldn't meet enough Characters. We used half the book on our week long visit!
-Staples Clear 5 ½” x 8 ½” Sheet Protector for Small Binders and Organizers, 25 pack
These sheets can also be used to protect your park itinerary, which I will cover in a future post.

Clear Sheet Protectors

-Scrapbooking Adhesive Runner
If you don't scrapbook, this is basically a double-sided tape dispenser. Available in the Scrapbooking Section of your local craft store.
-Ruler
-Scissors
-Ball point pen
-Clear tape
-Access to a computer, a Word program, the Internet, and a printer
Note: If using a computer isn’t your strong suit, you can still design a creative, personalized book cover. Craft stores sell sticker sheets of alphabet letters and Disney stickers in the Scrapbooking section. This alternative decorating method is a fun activity to do with your child as a way to prep for your Disney Trip. You can also dress your cover up by using scrapbooking paper with a Disney background.

COVER DESIGN
Time to get creative!

-Select A Font
You can use fonts that are already in your Word program, but if you want Disney style fonts, pop onto Google and search “Free Disney Fonts” or your favorite character and the word "font". Here are some samples of font faces that I found.

Samples of free Disney font faces found on the internet
This is a small example of what is available on the internet. There are fonts for the princesses, Monsters Inc., Alice in Wonderland, etc., so get onto Google and search for your kids' favorite characters. There's bound to be a font!

Most sites that offer free fonts have simple download instructions. Follow the directions to install the font to your computer.

-Choose Characters
The next step is to search Google Images for your child’s favorite Disney characters. Try key words “Free Disney Images”, “Free Disney Clip Art”, “Disney Heads” or a specific character’s name. When you find images that you like, save them to your computer.

-Designing Your Cover
Open a new Word document. Insert the character images and arrange them to your liking. Add some personalized text such as "Timmy's Disney Autographs", "My Disney Autographs", "Disney Memories", "My Disney Trip - 2013" - whatever inspires you. Make sure to use that new font you downloaded!
IMPORTANT - Save your Word document! You can reuse it or modify it down the road without redesigning the entire layout. Change the text, font, characters, or simply reuse the same cover for your next Disney adventure.

-Print And Assemble
Print your design to fit the cover (5 1/2” x 8 1/2”). Leave yourself at least a 1/2" margin on all sides of your final design. The simplest way to line this up to print properly is to design your creation on the top portion of the Word document, with the bottom half blank. When you print, use a regular sheet of copy paper (8 1/2" x 11"). You don't have to line the paper up in any special way. Print as you normally would and just cut the paper to size.

After trimming your creation to fit the cover, put the scrapbook adhesive on the front of the sketchbook and adhere your design to the cover.

-Protective Sheet
Measure the cover of your sketchbook. Measure the plastic protector to fit the cover. Note: The holes of the protector should be matched up to the spiral binding of the sketchbook. Cut the measured excess off of the top portion (the side with the holes) of the protector.

Place protector over sketch book cover. Use clear tape on the open side of the protector. Put the tape on the front side of the edge of the cover, and fold the tape over to the back side, sealing the open portion shut.

Tape on open side of protector (right).

One final touch: put your name and your cell phone number on the front inside cover of the book. If the book gets left behind at a Character Meeting Spot, you have an excellent chance of getting it returned.

Your child now has their own personalized book to collect Character autographs.

Look at this beaming face - totally worth it!

TO COMPLETE YOUR “AUTOGRAPH KIT” FOR YOUR DISNEY TRIP
-A multi color pack of Sharpie Retractable Fine Point Permanent Markers
Buy the regular size, not minis. Characters will not be able to manipulate the mini markers or very thin pens.
Get Fine Point, NOT Ultra Fine. The Ultra points are so thin that the autographs are very light and hard to see.
Get the retractable type of Sharpies so you are not keeping track of pen caps. As a toddler parent, you’ve got enough going on!
A variety of colors is a fun way for the kids to get creative with their autographs. For you fellow scrapbookers, it’s neat to match the autograph to the character’s outfit or surroundings.
-A flat, flexible pencil pouch to hold the Sharpies. Who has time to fish around for a pen in the bottom of your purse or overstuffed backpack?

I bought this plastic one at Staples. No chance of pens leaking on anything in my bag.
-A one quart Ziplock bag to protect your book while in the park from excessive handling / dirt / water / sticky fingers.
-A Post-It Note to use as a bookmark. When done with your current Character Meeting, just pop it onto the next empty page. Save yourself the hassle of leafing through the book every time your toddler wants an autograph. Always make things easier on yourself!

Post It Used as Page Marker

BOOK USEAGE TIPS
Use one page per autograph. There are a few benefits to using a single page.
-Sharpies bleed through paper. You don’t want to ruin another autograph on the back of the page. The 100 sheet sketchbook gives you plenty of sheets for single page autographs without being too cumbersome to carry around.

Daisy's signature is bleeding through the back of the top page,
but Chip's birthday wishes are untouched.

-You can keep the autograph book intact and post photos of the corresponding character on the opposing page from the autograph, creating a one of a kind souvenir book for your child to enjoy.
-You can tear out individual autograph pages and put them into a scrapbook. A photo of your child with Mickey will be even more special with Mickey’s autograph alongside it. You don't need to sacrifice Minnie's signature on the back of Mickey's for this scrapbooking idea - just use one page per autograph instead!

Replace the original protective sheet on the cover with a new one when you get home from Disney. The old cover is definitely going to have some wear and tear and could use a fresh sheet.

Let’s see your creativity in action! Post a link to your book in the comments section. I'd love to see your inspiring designs. Start making those memories!

Past Tense

Here is the second post from my first attempt at blogging. From here on out there will be fresh material. I can’t promise that I won’t ruminate, but that will not be the main focus.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

You Are 32 Weeks, 4 Days
(Or, 52 Days Left Until I'm Someone's Mom)

I always thought those online countdown clocks that expectant Moms used were soooooo corny, yet today I found myself adding one on my Facebook profile. What I initially thought to be a sappy, trite action swiftly mutated into a reality check of epic proportions. In less than eight weeks, unless Baby decides to come sooner, I'm going to be Someone's Mom. Obviously I realized this when I chose to have a child, but the magnitude of the responsibility and changes that lie ahead crystallized once I saw the “time left” on that silly ticker.

Considerable changes occur during the last stages of pregnancy. During these last weeks, you can’t help thinking about being pregnant because you feel it 24/7. Baby is running out of room and each movement makes me ache. The ever increasing weight causes discomfort when I sleep at night. Sitting or standing for long periods of time can be downright painful. I get ridiculously tired doing the tiniest tasks. Don't get me wrong - I'm not complaining. I've had an excellent pregnancy. I’m doing better than most, especially considering I've only got a few weeks left. But all of these components give me a daily reminder: everything is going to change in a very short period of time. EEK.

I’m an older Mom-To-Be so I've done exactly what I pleased for a long time. If I wanted to skip dinner, go out to a midnight show, or make last minute weekend plans, it wasn’t an issue. Now there will be Someone Else to plan for and around. Honestly, for a while I was pretty bummed about losing that freedom. I've come to realize that the only way having a child strips you of your good times is completely dependent upon your mindset. Although it definitely scares me, I’m looking forward to the changes to come. Being a parent will afford me new experiences and adventures. It will allow me to see things I’ve already done through a set of fresh eyes. It will set my inner child free. (Who am I kidding - I never really grew up, as all of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer action figures and gigantic stuffed Tigger in my office prove. A child just gives me an excuse for watching my Looney Tunes DVD collection without being judged as harshly.) Am I still scared and nervous about the changes and sacrifices around the bend? You bet.

Bring on Day 53.

Blast from the Past

I've already been dishonest with you so I want to come clean. I started my very first blog before I had my son, but once my John came along, me-time became practically non-existent. I wrote two posts before becoming temporarily overwhelmed being a First Time Mom. Even though they don't fit my current vision of this blog, I wanted to include them as they are a snapshot of my mindset before becoming a parent. Here is the first of the two.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Perspective

I was reminiscing today about the path that John and I have ended up on together. When I think back on our first dates, it amazes me to see where we've been and where we are now - together eleven years, married four, and now starting on a new journey together of having a family.

If you would've told me back in 1998 that we would've ended up here, I wouldn't have believed it. Casual drinks with coworkers after work morphed into dating. Dating turned into moving in together. That happened very quickly and initially I don't think either of us was ready to take that step when we did. Good thing it turned out well. Moving in developed into discovering new things about each other - both good and bad - and learning to compromise. Learning how to live under one roof helped us to grow together which led us to where we are today: taking the next step and having a child.

I am lucky to have met this man at all, let alone end up as his partner in life. I am grateful that our child will have a father that is not only able to impart wisdom and guidance, but that can also share his silliness and big heart as well.

Not all men are secure enough to show all sides of themselves. I'm thankful that I found one that can.

Welcome

Writing has always been something I've been itching to attempt. As with most new things, I found an endless supply of excuses to put it off. My conscious mind finally fessed up to the reason I was procrastinating: If I don’t start something, I can never fail at it. True, some of the blame falls on my toddler. They do tend to take a bit of time out of your day, but I’m finding I can actually squeeze things in between Gymboree, cleaning the bathroom, and creating finger paint masterpieces with my son.

What am I trying to accomplish? I’m not positive but I do feel like I have Things To Say.

Two of my friends inspired me to throw my hat into the blogging ring. One is convinced that I would be a great technical writer. She said I had a knack for writing simple and clear “How To” directions. My other friend wanted to pick my brain about my recent Disney trip. “What do I need to know about taking a toddler to Disney, from A to Z?” I joked that I had so much information I should just write a blog about it. Her response was a resounding, “You SHOULD!” It got me thinking – I have wanted to try my hand at writing. Why not?

My initial plan is to focus on what is close to my heart: thoughts, tips and tricks that I find work for me as a Mom. I have other interests and plenty of opinions (just ask my husband), so I’m sure that this will evolve into something entirely different along the way.

Should be interesting to see where it goes. You are welcome to join me for the ride.