Scrapbooking Through the Tough Times

I started scrapbooking many, many years ago.  I wanted to do something special with my photos.  I wanted to enjoy the opportunity to be creative.  And most importantly I wanted a way to share my story.  There is A LOT involved in our stories....from the little details of our lives to the big occasions from the happy times to the sad times....it is ALL part of our story.  We choose what we want to share every time that we sit down to create or to document something about our lives.  What we share is important.

We all love to capture that perfect photo and tell about the happiest days of our lives.  But what about the other days...the saddest days...the days that you wouldn't ever want to live through again.  Those days are part of our story as well.  They make us who we are and one day will tell others about the qualities that we possessed to get through the rough patches.  Life is not always easy.

In all honesty, we have had a very difficult summer.  We have watched our beloved English Bulldog Wiley's health deteriorate and it has been so difficult.  My close friends and family know how much I have struggled with this.  He was our "first child" and we ADORED him.

As our family has grown, Wiley has loved, protected and played with our children.  He was constantly by their side.

On Monday, we said "good-bye" to our beloved Wiley and it was one of the most difficult things that we have ever gone through.

The last few months have been a painful journey but I am certainly grateful for 11 wonderful years with Wiley.  He was such a special dog.  I find great peace in knowing that God is taking very good care of him now.  I woke up in the middle of the night and created a page for Wiley so that I could get my feelings down on paper.

Wiley is a very special part of my story.  I certainly want to remember all of the happy moments that we have shared but I also want to document the difficult journey we have been on over the last several months.  The difficult times tell us a lot about who we are, what is important in our lives and how we get through it. Scrapbooking is about being real and sharing yourself with your loved ones.

What lies behind us, and what lies within us are tiny matters,

compared to what lies within us.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

I want to encourage you to think about the struggles that you have had to overcome and tell that story.  I think there are so many benefits to sharing the difficult stages of our lives.  It gives you the opportunity to voice what you have been through and how you have gotten through it.  It gives you the opportunity to use creativity to help you heal.   It gives you an opportunity to appreciate the amazing gift of life and to savor the incredible journey that we are on.

Give the ones you love an extra hug today.

Back to School Photos

It is that time of year....back to school shopping, open houses and putting our children on the bus or even in their new dorm room.  It is a season filled with anticipation, excitement and all different kinds of emotions. My kids will not go back to school until after labor day but I know many children have already had their first day.

As a mother and as a scrapbooker, I always think about what I want to capture each back to school season. I think it is very important to think about it BEFORE the actual first day of school and to capture shots that will truly tell your child's story.

I think we all take the traditional back to school photo of our child with their backpack or school bag.  I always try to think about where I want to take the photo before I engage my children.  It has been very easy for us because our back patio is surrounded by woods and lots of shade.  It is a great spot for lighting. Thinking ahead can really help you get the best photos.

I always take photos of my children individually as well as together.  When I am telling their story, sometimes I focus on the group and other times I focus on each child.  I like to have everything covered.

Other photos that you might like to consider would include back to school preparations.  Such as the following types of photos.....

• a photo of the kids and the shopping cart full of school supplies
• a photo of the kids racing to the mailbox in hopes of finding the card that tells them who their teacher will be
• a photo of the kids signing their name on their new school supplies
• a photo of their signature
• a photo of the kids backpacks, tennis shoes, folders, or first day of school outfit
• a photo of the kids going to school or getting on the bus

When I am photographing anything, one of the things that I am most focused on is capturing emotion.  A first day of school is packed with emotion.    Here are some photo ideas that might allow you to capture that emotion....

• your child leaving on the bus.....child's emotion or your emotion as a parent
• the excitement of seeing friends again after the summer break
• the end of the school day when your child rushes to you or a sibling

One of my favorite layouts  is the layout below.  It was my daughters first day of school and my son who was home all day with me missed them so much.  The photographs are not great because of the lighting but they bring me right back to the emotion of that day.

What photos and emotions are you hoping to capture this school year?  I think it is important to think ahead and anticipate where you are going to capture the photos that truly tell your child's story.

Speaking of going back to school....did you hear that Digital U is back?   It is on Tuesday, August 20th at 9:00 Eastern Time.  We will be discussing how to document the school year.  If you are new to Digital U, it is a free seminar that we host at Creative Passion once a month.  We discuss various topics and it is a whole lot of fun.  You can register here.  We hope you can join us and best wishes for a great start to the school year.

New Class - Making Memories with Children

Hello.  It has been awhile since my last post.  I have been very busy working on my new classes for fall.  I'm excited to tell you about my latest class, Making Memories with Children.  As many of you know, I am very passionate about documenting my children's lives and my new class is all about capturing your child's stage right here and now.  Do you know what is the coolest thing about this class?  It is geared toward children and their loved one.  It is a joint project that will guide you in creating an album together. Let me tell you that putting this class together has also been a joint project.  My daughters, Ellie and Mia are helping me with the class and we are all very excited about it.

Do you feel like your child's stages are flying by at rapid speed and it is a struggle to keep up capturing let alone documenting their lives?  Are you looking for an efficient method of recording the details of their life?

Making Memories with Children is for you.  This class is designed to give you and a child in your life the opportunity and tools you need to create an album together.  Your special child will be in the driver's seat and you will be the co-pilot.  The goal of this class is simple.  We want your child to be the author of their album and for the two of you to share this fun journey together.  The sales page which includes a short recording regarding the specifics of the class is up at Creative Passion.  You can check it out here.  As a new school year begins with lots to document, we are excited about what is ahead for you and your child.    I hope you can join us.