Do you enjoy making memories, but don’t know where to begin with all those pictures? Good news . . . I have a solution for you.
First of all, you can’t scrapbook every photo or even put them all in photo albums. Either print your pictures or store them on CD, or both (I recommend printing all of your pictures). Label them and keep them organized in archival-safe boxes.
Next, find out what specific pictures or important events you want to scrapbook, which pictures should go in an album, or stored away in boxes . . . and start today! You can always work backwards, but it’s easier to work forward and start with something recent. Your family will absolutely enjoy these scrapbooks, and you’ll be able to look back at your most treasured moments beautifully designed on paper! Once you get started, you won’t want to stop. Plus, you will experience fun creating memories for your family. Of course, there is also journaling that will help to record the important details we most often forget.
Here is what I have done. I have four kids, and each child has their own Birthday/Individual Special Events (first haircut, their sports pictures, something specific just for them) book. I also have one Christmas, one Easter, and one Vacation/Outings book that includes the whole family. In order to keep up with my books, I make sure I have their pages done before their next birthday, holiday, etcetera. These are goals I set for myself. We also go to Disney World every year, so I have an entire book from each vacation. You can find Disney embellishments just about anywhere. I recommend the “Busy Scrapper’s Solution – Disney Papers”. You can purchase at Michael’s for about $14.99 or go to www.paperpizazz.com. This product makes it very easy to accomplish your pages, if you go to Disney or want a Disney theme in your book.
Items you will need to get started:
- pictures (of course)
- ZIG blue glue (in a couple of different tips)
- scissors
- cardstock paper
- stickers
- embellishments.
I suggest going to Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, JoAnn Fabrics, or Archiver’s. Please, before you enter one of these stores, have a specific project in mind, or you will get extremely overwhelmed with all of the scrapbook supplies you will find. At these stores, you will also find starter kits that make it very easy to complete your scrapbook pages and there are many books to get ideas from, too.
Last, come to my Ladies Scrapbook Group every other Tuesday, from 7:00-9:00 PM. Call me for information. My phone number is: 708-478-6833. You will be able to get ideas, share tools, and equipment . . . and just get help, getting started. You will be amazed on how much you’ll get done in only 4 hours a month! See you there, and bring an unsaved acquaintance!
Submitted by Cindy Shefts. Cindy is the wife of Chris. They have four children ages 9 – 3 years old.