I never meant to get hooked.
It started at a party.
When #1 was born in 2001, some well meaning mom-friends invited me to a scrapbook party. You know the drill: Meet at a friend’s house, eat some appetizers, have a drink, buy whatever too-cute-for-words-but-way-more-expensive-than-you’d-normally-pay stuff they’re helping their friend sell.
I did a page.
Then two.
Before you know it, I had an entire 12 x 12 album full of photos of my precious newborn. Not only photos, but stickers and tags and letters! Cute paper and fancy shapes and corny titles! (Splish Splash in the Bath? — gag) By the timeย #1 was 3 years old I had FOUR full scrapbooks documenting life with a toddler. I believe that boy is the most photographed child in history. ย He’s practically a Kardashian.
I assumed that when #2 came along, I’d slow down.
It just got worse. ย Now there were brother photos to scrap! ย Swimming, Soccer, Aquarium, Beach… I couldn’t stop!
To add to the madness, the social aspect of a “crop” gave me much needed girlfriend time. ย My friends and I literally spent a weekend in a house doing nothing but chatting and working on pages.
At first I was committed to one brand of products, out of loyalty to my dealer — I mean, consultant. ย As my graphic design skills got better, I branched out. ย I developed a style. My photography improved.ย I began to do gift albums. Then digital.
When #3 was born, I made the most artistic Pinterest-worthy baby book ever created. ย Coordinated colors, letters, stickers and patterns. ย My firstย digital “year in review” book was in 2007. ย I ordered a copy for my parents, one for husband’s parents and one for us. ย It’s a sickness.
Many of my friends stopped scrapping so much once their littles got older. ย It can be time consuming — and expensive.ย I buyย WAY too much scrap stuff for my own good. (I recently spent $75 on 4 different kinds of glue). But I couldn’t stop.
I no longer just doย pages about the kiddos. ย I’ve featured my fitness journey, Husband’s building projects, the 2008 presidential election and the LBJ Presidential Library. ย I’m telling our story.
These books have become treasures to us. ย Not only to Husband and me, but to our families. My parents are in Chicago, and Husband is from Los Angeles. ย These books are their connection to my sons.
Love it!! I’ve tons of scrapping myself!
That’s awesome, Mary! I’d love to see some of them sometime. I love scrapbooking..or the thought of it. I have all the supplies, but nothing to show for it ๐ Kudos to you for keeping up with it all!
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