When Is Scrapbooking More Than Just Craft?

Elizabeth writes for Mom It Forward today. She is a super-busy mother of three boys, with one new baby due in April. When she’s not chasing after her children, she’s getting paid to sing at weddings, she's knitting, or she's scrapbooking. Elizabeth has been a Creative Memories consultant for two years (MyCMSite.com/egrant). Her blogs are: Suzy Q Homemaker and Suzy Q Crops.

The very first time I sat down to scrapbook, I was probably about 10 years old. My mother had all her old theater programs in a pile with an empty scrapbook and I asked her why she never put them in it? So I offered to do it for her. I spent time organizing each program by date and gluing them to the pages, fascinated that she had done so much before I was ever born. So of course, I had to ask for my own scrapbook.

Over the years, I only added my school awards, concert & theater programs, and movie tickets from my soon-to-be husband’s dates. It wasn’t that I planned to make scrapbooking something I do, I just found it hard to let go of things that meant a lot to me and I wanted all of those things to be in one place.

These days, scrapbooking has taken on a whole new meaning for me. Not only do I use scrapbooking as a means of preserving memories and stories of my growing family, I use it to connect with the people closest to me. Scrapbooking is not “just a craft.” It’s a social event, a reunion, or therapy.

My oldest sister and I are not close in age at all. I was still in elementary school when she graduated high school. We shared a room a few times while growing up, but there really wasn’t much that we had in common other than being a part of the same insane family. But we both started our own families around the same time and she was the one who introduced me to Creative Memories. At that time, I had no idea women actually scrapbooked together. It was always a private ritual to me, something that I never would have thought to do with other people around.

I realized then the importance of scrapbooking with others: it’s about sharing our stories. When my sister and I get together to scrapbook (and we do so on a semi-regular basis—meaning: when our children aren’t sick or driving us crazy!), it’s a time for us to catch up on each other’s lives. Even if we only get one page done during the entire time we’re together, it’s time that we’ve spent together. There’s something special about sitting down to remember those good (and sometimes horrible) times.

Scrapbooking brought me and my sister closer than we would have otherwise been, I think. Sure, we have 7 (going on 8) children between the two of us, and they all drive us crazy. Sure, we both have “interesting” family members to dish about. Getting together to actually create something with those stories is what makes our relationship even stronger.

How Do You Show Your Inner Silly With Your Digital Projects?

Linda Sellers guest posts today for Mom It Forward. She is a mom of 3 teens and consultant for Rodan + Fields Skincare. She can be found blogging at Short Pump Preppy about her love of digital art and product reviews, and is the Buzz Editor for BlissfullyDomestic.com.

Kids today grow up in a digital world, and thankfully with the programs today you don't have to be the artistic type to have fun and engage with your kids. Chances are they already know more than you do. I first got involved with digital design and Photoshop because my kids played around with it when they were pre-teens. They got me started in what has become a hobby for me. And a way to connect with my kids...

We have used digital art in fun and crazy ways in our family. If you've ever seen my blog, you know I'm not afraid to Photoshop my head on anything. This began as a family tradition making placecards for holiday meals. Technology has improved and so have the cards. Mr. Turkey looks better from year to year! (I know, the "izzles" were big a few years ago...I make no apologies.) The kids pick out their head shot and whoever has the time, designs and prints the cards. Guests find it quirky, but the "non-traditional" is so much more fun for kids, and really sets a fun tone to the holiday meal.

...why yes, thank you, I do look better with age...

Inexpensive or free programs like photobucket and gimp provide a lot of the same photo manipulation tools that Photoshop does. Instead of buying traditional cards, taking the family photo and sending the classic cookie cutter versions, (which are wonderful and Grandma probably needs one of those), engage the kids in some digifun with the holiday cards. I had the kids each make their own portrait with a user friendly filter and print cards for relatives one Valentine's Day. This was a group project and they worked together to create the designs. Even the Big Guy! They turned out so cute, we printed them and framed them for our gameroom hall.

Family includes pets! Kids love animals and what better way to engage them than having them decorate photos of their animals. Look for free clipart online or check out inexpensive clipart sites like my favorite iclipart.com. Have the kids actually draw on the photos in free programs like paint. Frame fun pictures of the family pets for the kids rooms or common areas. Many people have photo printers or access to inexpensive printing and how cute to frame your cat in a bowtie or hat?

Sometimes it's the quirky, fun, and unexpected that will stand out in your kids minds and make the memories they take forward. My daughter is now giving similar gifts. Her friends photoshopped as the Spice Girls was a hit as a holiday gift. We do what we do for our family and friends, to connect and bring happiness into our lives and the lives of our loved ones.

Don't be afraid to think outside the traditional with digital art. Even when it seems they are laughing at you, I'll bet they are also laughing with you... So put on your silly face and create some fun memories.