I was thinking about how I scrapbook.
There's lots of different ways I scrapbook: big pages + small pages, mini-books, random notes jotted down on leftover paper, words + photos, projects with lots of technique and others that could not be more simple. One of the most consistent things throughout my projects is an emphasis on telling the story.
One of the ways I like to tell our stories is to write to Simon.
Essentially, little love notes that describe a scene or situation.
I write to him telling him what sorts of things
he is "into" right now, what challenges he is facing, what we are
celebrating, how proud we are of him, how happy we are that he is in
our lives, etc. Many of these things are stories we have told him or
things we are in the midst of telling him (or working through). It
feels good to have them written down – out of my head and onto the page. From me to him.
I've shown this layout before as an example of using a divided page protector (for basics on working with divided page protectors click here ); today the emphasis is on the journaling:
[ from Creating Keepsakes, March 2008 : Supplies : Page Protector: Close To My Heart; Fabric Brads: K&Company; Rub Ons: Scenic Route, Fontwerks, Creative Cafe ]
THE STORY : One of the most amazing things I have learned about being a parent is living on the periphery of another life. / Yes, we are here with you – especially in these early years – but you are, and always will be, simply you. You are an individual. You are your very own person with your own thoughts, opinions, passions, and wants. / And so we watch. / We watch you as you find these passions, develop your own opinions, and assert your independence. In fact, we celebrate these moments. / Your Dad and I often sneak glances at one another or grab the other so we can watch you from a distance as you do something wonderful, silly, or naughty. You are learning there are consequences for your actions – both positive and negative. / And so we watch. / Now that you are in kindergarten we watch and wave as we leave you at school each morning. We watch from the window for you to come home on the bus. We watch as you giggle with the neighbors and ask them to chase you around and around. We watch you grow right in front of our eyes.
Many of my projects are essentially paper stories with love notes tucked into every nook and cranny.
[ from Creating Keepsakes, May 2008 : Supplies : Dot Mask: Heidi Swapp (used to create the painted polka dot pattern on the left); Circle Numbers: everyjotandtittle.com; Metal Edges: 7gypsies (these are really cool - they can be cut to size and have adhesive on the inside); Pens: American Crafts ]
THE STORY : Just a very good time. You and me. In the kitchen, gathering ingredients, measuring and pouring, Lots of pouring on your part. And the excitement building towards your favorite part of the entire process: eating the dough. This was always my most favorite part too. You are not interested in a glass of milk, just the dough. And then while you snack we load the first round into the oven. In ours right now it takes 13 minutes for the most delightful cookie to emerge. By the time they are ready you have usually moved on to something else.
Sometimes my love notes are thought-out and more complete than others. This second example, with handwritten journaling, was completed quicker and is more loose in terms of my writing style. I started in the top section and kept writing until I got to the end. It is a more organic process than typing my journaling on the computer.
For your next project, consider literally writing a love note to your child, parent, partner, self, etc. as your journaling. Say those things you have been wanting to say.
I think I will do this today.
![Two Peas](http://www.avantlink.com/gbi/10513/24901/21775/26723/image.jpg"width="120"height="240"style="border:0px;"alt=)
Thanks Ali for the inspiration to be a better scrapper. I always need a reminding that this is why I scrapbook – so my kids can know my thoughts and feelings. I love your layouts. Thanks again for the daily inspiration!
Ali-
I love these LOs. I started a journal to my 4 year old son when I was pregnant. Then it was about telling him about his family and now it is about telling him about our adventures as his mom and dad and the things he loves and the things he isn’t too fond of. I love going back and reading different entries and reflecting on the past. I know how important these memories will be to all of us in the future.
Ali – Thank you for sharing your life – your thoughts/views/ideas make me a better person.
love your inspiration ali
Humm I don’t usually comment but this struck a cord, I think that’s what it is that I really like about your journaling style your telling it to Simon (or to someone) I think that’s why I’m not so keen on my own actual scrapbooking journaling – I’m fine talking on my blog but when it comes to writing on a LO I seem to freeze up! So that’s what I will do I will talk to the viewer of my stuff whom ever they may be (I don’t have kids of my own & am highly unlikely to so I just scrap for the joy of it) Thanks for that light bulb moment always a joy to see what you’ve come up with can’t wait for your new book to be available over here in the UK I expect it will be Xmas we are always so behind! Seeya Hugya *G*
Oh My goodness! I was thinking about this today! I have a 16 year old and was thinking it might be good to write letters to her about some of my innermost thoughts on life ( I lost a son 6 years ago and i want her to know what is in my heart and how i really felt when it happened).
This is the prompt i needed to actually do it not just think about it!!
Thanks
Thanks so much for always sharing so much of you with us. I finished reading your book Life Artist about a month ago and you inspired me to create some art for my room to focus my creative process. You can see a picture if you follow the link.
Oh- I’ve also started using my blog entries as journaling because it captures where I was at a moment in time. An example is also found on this link.
http://withoutfilters.blogspot.com/2008/07/taking-plunge.html
Monica
What a great reminder to leave our children with a glimpse into how we’re feeling at this very moment. Thank you Ali!
Ali,
This resonates with me more than any other description of scrapbooking I’ve ever heard or read about; a love note. Man, I get that!
Thank You!
Michelle
I love the way you put that: “love notes”
Sums it right up.
I’m always wondering what your pages say; thanks for giving us that close-up into your own love notes so often. I learn so much from everything you do.
Ali, your teachings have changed my life! my focus is now on telling my story! when i first scrapbooked i just put photos on a page(as many as i could!) and maybe wrote a title or few word but no story! i am now in the process of redoing some of those earlier albums and making pages that tell a story, it is very exciting for me. my only daughter is 17 and i feel sad about all the stories and photos i will never have of the everyday things (which have become my favorite because of you!) Simon is so blessed to have a mom who records so many wonderful priceless everyday treasures like the pages you shared today. thank you from the bottom of my heart, julie
Thanks so much for sharing this part of yourself with us. Simon is a lucky little boy.
What great timing (in my life) for this post! I have made it a habit to write each of my boys letters on their birthdays. My oldest turns 8 in 2 days. Time for another letter
and maybe some pictures this time!
i don’t have children (yet) but I sure do love this idea. love notes to the future. that’s just so dreamy.
Just thought I’d share…
I have 4 beautiful girls: 10, 5, 3, and 1 (today is her 1st birthday). During the school year, I write a love note to each of my 3 older children and I slip it into their lunch/snack bags. For the little one, it is usually one word written every day for a week (as they learn to read) and I draw a picture. For the 10 year old, I write a letter wishing her luck on a tryout, a test, or to touch base especially if we had a disagreement the night before. Every day. This is our ritual. I did not realize the impact until at the end of the year, my three yr old’s preschool teacher handed me an album full of her year’s love notes. She created this album for her to look at, especially if she has a rough day at school. They keep them all and read them over and over again. The simplest gestures and kindest words make the hugest difference.
I am so thankful you posted this today. Our daughter just turned 4 and this month we have been standing back a lot just watching and giving her room to grow. She is becoming very independent. It’s been hard to sit back and watch, rather than help her. Thanks again for the inspiration. I need to scrapbook this time in her life and ours.
Wonderful as always!!!
I’m hoping you’ll share your chocolate chip cookie recipe!!!
I just ordered some American Crafts pens to do a better job with this. I think having poor pens has really inhibited my confidence writing on the papers.
I remember seeing this chocolate chip LO in CK–probably because I share the cookie dough passion with Simon! It’s hard to forget a good spoonful of dough. It’s really interesting to me that you’ve made this post–I have always been fond of your work, but I seem to have very different style. So why the attraction? Then, you said it: you write TO Simon. This is how every one of my albums, LOs, mini albums are written–TO the intended reader, recipient. I find it helps me say the things I forget to say in the monotony of life.
Also, wanted to say thanks for soliciting the comments about preserving. The winning comment about Alzheimers really struck a chord due to my grandfather, and after my father’s unexpected passing last month I’m finding my project focus this month is capturing perspective from family members–before they aren’t with me anymore.
Thank you, thank you. Constant inspiration in your books, blog, articles really cannot be repaid, but please know it’s appreciated and makes such a difference to me, and many others I’m certain!
this post is so timely & matches up with my latest favorite song – “Say” by John Mayer. It is the ending song to the movie “the Bucket List” — which I loved & so did my husband and parents. You can hear the song on the Bucket list website http://thebucketlist.warnerbros.com/.
Enjoy : )
As always, Ali…you are always an inspiration to me. I write most of my journaling to my son as well.
Ali, I love the naturalness of your approach. I too journal like you but it doesn’t seem to look as good.
Dear Ali,
About two years ago,I asked myself the question, why do I like Ali Edwards’ scrapbook pages so much? I like the way you design your pages of course, but once I made the connection that you write directly to Simon, I started writing directly to my daughters. It has made scrapbooking even more fun for me and I feel even more connected to my pages when I write to my kids. I’m really happy that you blogged about this subject because I hope more people will write to their loved ones. Thank you!
Fabulously inspiring.
This sums up what I *want* to do…now I just need to do it.
I love my children. Even when life gets tough. Even when they are driving me absolutely crazy. Even when my teen girls are being teen girls. Even when my sweet boy isn’t being so sweet. I just need them to know that it’s okay…..to be them…and that I still love them. I did before, I do now, and I will always. I’m so blessed. I want and need for them to know it.
Thanks Ali. I need to write my children letters….saying what I wrote here but giving more details about the “why” of it
Ali,
this is how I have always journaled. It may not be the best journaling in the world but it’s what I want my boys to know when they are raising there own family. Again thanks for the reminder on why we love this craft so much. Love your stuff as always.
I love this layout of yours. Actually I lifted it some times ago:
http://ordetpaabordet.blogspot.com/2008/03/scrapqueen-2008-5-udfordring.html
When I scrap I am all into telling the story. That is what is the base for every layout I do – the story.
Sometimes in my journaling I write TO my children (or others). Sometimes I write ABOUT them.
One thing that I do every year (new years evening) is to interview my 4 kids. It is (almost) the same questions from year to year, and it is so funny to see their development from the year before, through their answers.
So that is a third option when scrapping – to journal through others….
Simon, I’m with you– the dough is the best part!! It looks so yummy!
I love the cookie layout… It brings back so many memories of my kids…
The lay-outs are realle lovely.
It’s look a lifestyle magazine!
Kind regards from the Netherlands,
Odetta Donners
Hi Ali, I am one of Tricia’s UK subscribers and regularly read your blog – just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS – hope all goes well with baby number 2!