Sunday, September 2, 2007
5:13 PM
Two scrapbook layouts I finished recently. I'm like a turtle when I scrap- I spend too much time in my shell, agonizing over color choices and paper and accessories, and then I get nervous over how I am not very good at this at ALL.
Then I pop my head out and start the process, agonize some more, and then finish.
Very slow going.
I think if I am going to continue this obsession without becoming completely frustrated, I need to deal with a few issues:
- I need to stop worrying about what everyone else is doing.
- I'm not published. I'm not on a design team. I may never be.
- There are some VERY talented people whose work I see regularly in the magazines I read and the forums I visit. I don't need to emulate them. I don't need to be on top of this hobby.
- It's okay if I use old supplies, especially old paper lines.
- I'm doing this for me, for Gracie. I'm doing this to document our lives, and share important stories. The bottom line is to get the photos on the page, and into the book.
- It's not about supplies, or latest embellishments, or being "good enough". It's about documenting a life and enjoying myself in the process.
It took me a long time to realize those thing. It's okay if my scrapbook pages are not with the most up-to-date styles, I don't need to try to stay ahead of the trends and be published. I love my scrapbooks and Gracie will love yours and that's all that matters.
BTW- I love both layouts, especially the first one! Very cute!Posted by Colleen @ September 2, 2007 05:31 PM
Scrapbooking came to a big halt for me when I got divorced and I had to leave ALL MY SUPPLIES behind. I haven't been able to regain my enthusiasm about it. But your pages are awesome! :-)
Posted by Bea @ September 2, 2007 11:03 PM
great pages. I agree, it is less about doing what is 'cutting edge and in style' and more about getting those memories down. With that said, though... I think your pages are very current and cool! :)
leslie
Posted by Leslie @ September 3, 2007 08:25 AM
It takes me way too long to make a scrapbook page. That is why I do mostly digital now. It goes faster for me, but I still prefer the textures and hands-on of doing it myself with paper.
I've always loved your scrapbook pages. And you're right, it should be for you and your daughter. It doesn't need to be the newest techniques and papers to be special.
Posted by Melinda @ September 4, 2007 02:32 PM
:) I hear ya, Sister!
Posted by lil @ September 6, 2007 10:59 AM
You scrapbook so well! I think your jewelry making has blessed you with such a creative brain. Gracie will forever love photos of herself as a little girl, it won't matter what products you used or what technique you were proficent in. When I teach scrappin' classes I always ask, "how long do you want your memories to last?" For me, I don't need or care if my scrapbooks last 350 years. If they last for my children and their children I would be happy. I add ticket stubs and newspaper clipings and *gasp* they are not acid free, but I don't care if in 2100 the albums are deterioated. The chances of some distant relative having this massive desire to know what life was like in the 'olden days' won't matter to me then. By then, everything will be preserved on some new and fancy means of preservation. Okay, I'm stepping off my soap box now.
Posted by Melanie @ September 10, 2007 02:31 PM
