AQ.
Each person picks a theme for their CJ. I am already in a couple of other CJ groups and the themes picked for those have been along the lines of
"The Beach", "Animals", "Music", "The Seasons" etc, etc.
Each person then interprets the theme in their own way by using colours, papers etc that they feel best matche the theme.
In my recent CJ I chose "The Beach"....to me the beach means an uncontrolable force because when I think of the beach instantly I think of the sea and how little control man has over it. All the colours I choose were blue and have a very raw and natural feel....BUT to someone else they think of the beach and think of candy floss and deck chairs...so their LO would represent that.
Piccies are included but they arent snap shots of johnnie smiling for the camera. The pictures should represent how you feel about the theme...so if someone chose Music as a theme the piccies could be of your favourite album cover, or a sheet of your favourite music or song lyrics, or a piccie of your favourite singer.
You end up with a book back that is filled with pages that have been made using so many different techniques that you wouldnt see in a mag and having them there to physically inspect makes such a big difference.
The CJ's I have done have all been made using sarah books as they do not weigh very heavy and make postage less expensive....sarah books cost £3.50...but can be difficult to get hold of...I have a pile sitting in a box going spare
Alteratively you can make your CJ out of a paperbag book, which are so easy to make and look fab when decorated.
this is one way you can make a paper bag book
HTH.