[CoryEllen]

Hi Guys!

I need to update my hardcopy profile (I can't believe I have been waiting a year already, and yes, we've changed a lot). I realized when I was going through pictures that I have never seen another person's profile, and I don't really know what to do. My CW just says "do whatever you want."

On my first one, I just put a bunch of pictures with captions under them, printed them on photo paper on my home computer. I tried printing at Kinko's, but the ones I did at home looked better (?!?!) I have heard that other people make scrap-book style pages, I just want to know how you go about doing that, where and how you copy it for best picture quality, do you put captions under each picture etc. Also if any of you have a digital copy that you would like to share I would love to see it! I tried searching the internet for ideas, but so many other agencies do life books, or 10 page profiles, so it was hard to get ideas for just 2 pages that LDSFS allows.

My DH tells me not to stress, that the Spirit will guide our pbmom to us whether our profile is the spiffiest one in the book or not, but this is the only thing I feel like I have any control over, KWIM? Please help!

Thanks, this site has been such a help to me so far, to know I'm not the only one stressing over these issues!

[Mom2Max]

Well I wish I had a digital copy to share with you, but I just have the hard copy. I chose to do the "scrapbook" style and I chose 3-5 pictures for each page. I didn't want it too crowded. I went to the local scrapbook store and had the ladies that work there ( they know a lot more than me) help me choose a color theme and supplies that wouldn't distract from the pictures. They suggested laying the pages out on white with color accents . So I ended up doing white paper with red and black ribbon accents. If you are in an area with a store like that to help you, or if you have a friend who is a scrapbooker, I think it was nice to get some help. I mean, I ultimately decided on the pictures and colors, but I am clueless when it comes to the layout of these sort of things. I agree with the DH....Don't worry about it and try to make it a fun project instead of a stressful one. Your pbm will love you for you!

[CoryEllen]

thanx, Mom2Max, I hadn't thought of that going to the professionals! How and where did you copy it? Was it pricey and do the copies look good?

[Mom2Max]

I got lucky and UPS Store was having a color copy sale when I got mine printed. They will adjust the colors to your liking. The copies turned out great! I had them print a couple off to test it out and make sure they looked "right" before I paid for them. I paid about 40 cents per copy. ( i think?)

[wannabeamommy]

There is a local print shop in my town and the owner is an adoptive parent. They offer a 50% discount on anything homestudy/adoption related. When I went to have our profile copies made their color printer was down. I waited 2 days but they still hadn't fixed the color printer. I was really anxious to get them turned in so I went to Kinkos and talked to the manager and told her I was making copies for our adoption profile and could she offer me a discount like the other shop and she didn't even hesitate and gave me the same 50% off. Not just of our coppies but I bought some supplies too and fully expected to pay full price and tried to, but they wouldn't let me, they took 1/2 off of everything. They have a loyal customer for life now!

Anyway my point was that it never hurts to talk to a manager and see if they are willing to give you a discount. Tell them about your profile and what it is for and I bet they will be willing to help.

[HelloImKara]

Hi CoryEllen:

I also did a collage style 2 pages. I pretty much made a title of "Our Family" and then had about 4 or 5 photos on each page. I didn't really put any captions under them but I did write my favortie quote on the page. I also printed our dear birth mother letter on some pretty backgroud paper that matched the photo collages. Hope this helps!!!! I don't know if this is true or not but our caseworker said the majority of potential birth moms look online at the profiles mostly so try not to worry too much!

[CoryEllen]

I spent what seemed like hours staring at my computer and I finally came to this site: Digital Scrapbooking at the Digital Scrapbook Place! Computer Scrapping is the hottest new way to preserve your memories! from which you can download free (or cheap) scrapbook pages and graphics. I just saved them as photos and put them in Microsoft Word, and created a beautiful scrapbook-style page that looks like I used fancy paper and stamps, but I printed it on "best" quality on my HP printer and they look fabulous!

There are other sites that have free downloads for digital scrapbooking - I may be hooked for life - good-bye scissors and tiny paper scraps!!

Thanks for all the advice! I love the support I get on this website!