Hi, everyone! Welcome back to Life on the {Scrap}beach & Happy National Scrapbooking Day!
In honor of the "holiday," I thought I'd tell you all how I got into scrapbooking. I was married in August of 2006, and one of my shower gifts {from my mom} was a scrapbook album kit and some things like adhesive, stickers, decorative scissors, etc. I remember thinking when I opened the box "What the heck!?" I was not a scrapbooker or a crafty person. Creative? Yes. Artistic? Maybe. But not crafty in the slightest.
I endeded up ignoring the box of scrap supplies until the fall after the wedding. I came across them again as we were merging our households and thought that I should at least use what was given to me. Number one reason on my mind was that my mom would ask me about the stuff and then I would feel bad if the answer was "Oh, those? They're under a pile of extra towels in the bottom of the linen closet." So I started messing around with them. My first pages are ... really bad. Really, really bad. They're fun to look at & they've shown me how much I've grown, but they are definitely not going to win any awards.
It's my personality to research things in which I'm inexperienced, so I requested {and received} Scrapbooking for Dummies for Christmas 2006. I read the entire book, and it taught me about archival safe products, design principles, etc. I started applying what I read and I got a little bit better. From there I found DIY Scrapbooking with Sandy Genovese on HGTV and recorded them on my DVR and watched loads of those episodes after work. I got even better.
Next I turned to the Internet for inspiration and found Scrapbooks, Etc.'s "Scrapbook Lifestyle" webcast. I loved those! This was scrapbooking like I had never seen it before -- artistic, thoughtful and really creative. It wasn't just about putting photos down in an elaborate album. It was about expressing myself creatively and enjoying the entire process not just the end result! I couldn't get enough! Sadly, the show ended, but not before Angela Daniels mentioned Two Peas in a Bucket on one of the episodes.
That's when I discovered the wealth of information online -- message boards, galleries, blogs, YouTube videos, etc. It was exciting! I got carried away with all the products and techniques and eventually I was in deep! I applied for and was accepted to a design team, I made wonderful friends & it was all great, but the money I was spending was just too much.
When we moved to Miami this past September I was sad because I lost all my scrapping buddies, so I decided to reach out to other women through the mediums I so enjoyed: the internet and videos. I got my groove back and I am having more fun than ever and I am so glad to be sharing it with all of you!
Once again, I just have to say how grateful I am for your support and your kind words. You have made this National Scrapbooking Day seem more special than ever! And, if you've made it this far into the post you certainly deserve a reward! So to thank all of you, I've decided to do a little giveaway! Do you guys remember the "Love" mini album from these videos?
Well, I never personalized the album, so I think I will give it away to one of my readers instead! {Because I LOVE you guys, of course!} Just leave a comment on this post by 9:00 PM EST on Friday, May 8, 2009 with what you love about scrapbooking, or how you got into the hobby, or what your National Scrapbooking Day plans are, or just say "hi!" and I'll use a random number generator to choose the winner and post their name & comment next Saturday!
Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
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I enjoyed reading how you got into scrapbooking. I also got a kit from some friends years ago when they were throwing me a "going away party" since I was leaving for China for a month. When I got back, I had tons of great pictures and memoribilia, so I started my first scrapbook. I also look back at that and laugh at how basic it all was. I've grown so much since then and scrapbooking is my number one hobby and the way I unwind and relax.
ReplyDeleteThat was so nice of your Mom to give you a gift of creativity! I got into scrapbooking when I was 14, I used to stick photo's and memorabilia in a book and then when I was 18 I saw a show with Anna Griffin (I believe) on QVC, since then my style has changed a lot, but it's nice to go back and look at my old 'scrapbooks'.
ReplyDeleteFor national scrapbook I spent time on Tally Scrapper with my online friends, doing challenges, scrappin' and chattin', you should come over and check us out, we have sooo much fun!
I have been scrapbooking since I was little. There were no scrapbook stores back then it was pretty much just construction paper, stickers, ticket stubs, postcards, and anything I could come up with to decorate my pages. Oh can't forget the photos made with the 35mm film. Boy have we come a long way.
ReplyDeleteKathryn, it's great to hear how you got into scrapping. It's amazing that you've only been doing it for less than 3 years (yet another inspiration for me). I took a couple of stamping (card making) classes this past Dec.(2008)and really enjoyed it. Then I discovered youtube, blogs,scrapbooking, mini-albums and YOU. I have become a shopaholic. I have all the gadgets, supplies and even my own space in my spare bedroom, but my actual production of projects in very slim. I get all excited, then I get overwhelmed. Yesterday, I had the whole day to myself. I thought ok, today's the day...
ReplyDeleteI did play. I tried this and then that. At the end of the day, I was quite disappointed. I had a whole bunch of bits and piece of nothing.
Enough of that... I do really enjoy watching and reading with you. You make things look easy and I think to myself..."I can do that" I just need to focus on one project, organize and DO IT!!!
Thanks again Kathryn. Brenda
What I love about scrapbooking is being able to be creative and express myself, seeing the finshed project and being able to involve my family. This is such a great hobby where you can make the process as long or short as you want. You don't have to feel like you are just looking at the wall waiting for the paint to dry. Thanks for all the inspiration, your projects are true works of art. Brandy
ReplyDeleteWow, I am so glad you mentioned this post on the ATG post, I missed it as I spent the w/e with my 28 y/o daughter and grandaughter. We were junk/altered art diggin at Canton First Monday trade days in Canton, TX --- what an experience, if you ever have the opportunity to go I highly recommend it.
ReplyDeleteThis is my 4th go around at this craft, over the last 30+ years. Life gets in the way and it will take a 5 year rest and then I start craving the craft and it all gets drug out again.
I just completed a 88 page layout that took me 3 years and 2 attempts to make...it was a "wedding" book from dd destination cruise 7 day wedding. The book has been a labor of love and a journey I wouldn't give away if I could.
However, the next project is going to be a mini-album of the grandbaby! (thank goodness)
Thanks for all you share; knowledge, shortcuts, ideas, and inspiration.
Have a great week!
~Jill
I just rewatched the making of the love mini-album. I had never seen the "tip" of taking off the guard on the ek success corner rounder to make scallops, I just tried it and LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteYou've done it again.
Thx,
~Jill
Hi, everyone! It was so awesome to hear how you got into scrapbooking -- I really enjoyed reading all your stories! Thank you so much for participating in the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteTiffany, those travel journals sound amazing! I took several major international trips before I was into scrapbooking or even owned a camera. I put all the photos I took with disposable cameras into albums, at least!
Danz, I am indeed grateful that it all orked out. My mom was not a scrapbooker at the time she gave me the supplies, but I eventually got my "revenge" and brought her into the hobby and now she is just as addicted as the rest of us!
Samiam, scrapbooking evolves incredibly! Just in the time I've been scrapbooking it has grow and changed, which I think is incredibly cool.
Brenda, you CAN do it! I collected supplies for a while and didn't really ever feel happy with what I had finished. I felt that way until I found my style and learned what was comfortable for me. I know you'll get there -- just remember to keep having fun!
Brandy, thanks so much for the compliments on my projects. I also love that this is a hobby where the results can be shared with family and friends. I love to look through the books and relive the memories!
Jill, that wedding book sounds amazing and I'm sure it is something your family will treasure for a long time -- you must be so happy to have something like that completed so you can enjoy the fruits of your labors! Have fun with scrapping your grandbaby!
Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.