Andrew's First Year - The Complete Story!

About 4 months ago, I embarked on a project...a mini album titled Andrew's First Year. 

As he was only 8 months old at the time, I had to pre-assemble the layouts for the remaining 4 months, so that I could just insert the photos at every month. 

It was the first time I had attempted a prospective project, 

so I didn't want to make it too complicated.

I used matching products for the entire album and a template for 

the pages, which meant that it was quick and extremely 'doable' to complete all 12 months worth of pages in a few hours.

Well...Andrew is now 1 year old, and I've put in the last photos!

I've also added quite a bit of journaling...not the usual milestones type of information...I figure I'll be putting that into my 12x12 album...but more anecdotal type of journaling. 

I really wanted this album to be a personal memoir of his relationship with his sisters, as well as the little quirks in his character and behaviour which make him the lovable, and much loved, little boy that he is.

Oh yes, he is starting to be less of a baby, and more of a little boy already...and a really cheeky, mischievous boy at that! 

5 Reasons to Love Scrapbooking

If you've been visiting the Smidapaper website, you'll know that we recently put out a 'Love x 5' layout challenge.

For those that haven't already seen it, I chose to make a page documenting the 5 types of Mac computers we love right now. Pretty geeky huh? It was different though, to make a page about things we like, rather than what we are like, but interesting too.

I initially wanted to make a layout about the '5 reasons I Love Scrapbooking', but couldn't find photos that I liked enough to use on the page. I'm going to have to put this page idea on hold until I find/take the photos I want. But in the meantime, here are my 5 reasons anyway:

1. I love that I'm giving my family a tangible piece of our lives, not just memories which might fade. 

2. I love that by putting heartfelt journaling on my pages, my family are able to share a part of me that may not otherwise be apparent.

3. I love that scrapbbooking gives me the freedom to explore my creativity...after all, there are no judges, and the toughest critic is myself. The family seem to love them all, even those that include what they feel are 'embarrassing photos of them!

4. I love that I can turn to scrapbooking as therapy in my crazy, hectic life...to ground me, and more often than not, help put things into perspective.

5. Last, but not least, I love the fact that my enthusiasm for scrapbooking has led to my meeting and becoming friends with a fantastic group of people ( you all know who you are)! 

 

 So even if you don't participate in our challenge, or even if you don't scrap, why not see if you can come up with 5 reasons why you love something/ someone, or 5 things that you love right now.