I was recalling that when I got married nearly 9 years ago - before I REALLY scrap booked, but rather used real old-school (like your grandmother had) scrapbooks to attach photos and other memorabilia - that I had a hard time finding a photographer. See - what I really wanted, more than the posed shots, were candid photos that really told the story of what we did that day.
I did find a great photographer and he delivered just what I wanted. While I love having the group shots - you know, the ones where we all stand on the alter and smile pretty - my favorite photos are of all of us during the service and reception - particularly one of all of us hanging out on the front lawn in a big pile after taking a pyramid shot.
Thinking back to that, I have come to realize that my focus hasn't changed. I got a bit caught up in scrapping the events, but the stories I really like to tell, the photos I really enjoy taking, are the candid ones. What we are doing every day. What our individual stories are as well as our family/relationship stories.
This is where my focus is going to lie this coming year as I document our lives.
That being said - I have some individual projects that I am going to work on throughout the year to do accomplish this:
1. Monthly Mini books. Sometime ago, I purchased the Little Stories kitfrom Creating Keepsakes. I had been struggling with what I wanted to use it for, and recently decided that I am going to document the year, month by month, with it, but not in a detailed way. Instead, I am going to highlight some of the little things that made up the month. Mostly photos that probably wouldn't make it into my big albums, but the little things that I want to remember (i.e. Ryan reading on the couch while Dominick sleeps in his arms; Madeline reading a book to Dominick when he was sick; me on the couch with all the kids - two human, one furry - on my lap). I already have most of my January photos cropped into 4x4s and am excited to get this project started. Adding some digital elements to these as desired...
Digital Brush: Ali Edwards You Word Art
2. Family Book. Before Dominick was born, I mainly scrapped in Madeline's book (and a bit in Vegas's, too), with a few mini-books here and there to highlight other big things (summer, holidays). It made sense - most of what we had going on really seemed to revolve around our lives with her. Of course, not EVERYTHING was about her, so I started a year in review album to make sure I didn't forget about the rest of us. This 8x8 album consisted of a 6x6 collage and 4x8 photo (highlight photos of the month) and a 4x8 text block detailing what we did that month. When Dominick was born, I made a conscious decision that I would NOT scrap events twice - once for her book; once for his - and the family book was born. I am so glad, too. It has opened up a whole new avenue for documenting - about us as a family, our shared events, as well as just about me, or Ryan and me. Or, yes, the dog. So, after printing off December 2009, I have decided to nix the highlight book and instead incorporate a monthly summary page into our book. I am thinking right now that I am going to use divided page protectors (there are so many options, and I currently liking the multi-pack from We R Memory Makers. It has so many different configurations, which I like, particularly since I moved to a three-ring format album (best decision). I have not yet decided what format these summary pages will take, but they will be consistent throughout the book - just for ease on my part.
3. Document the Little Stuff. I love reading Ali Edwards and her direction/philosophy has truly influenced how I document in a positive way and honestly taken the stress out of scrapping. It is supposed to be fun, right?? I am working to document the little things - and document them in a simple manner. Doesn't mean that they can't be pretty, or that I can't play and be creative. It just means that my focus is going to be to document our lives right now in whatever way makes sense at that particular moment.
Cardstock: Bazzill Swiss Dot; At the Farm Card: On the Farm by October Afternoon; letter stickers: Doodlebug Design; threading water punch - Fiskars; ticket - MM Vintage findings.
4. Play with Hybrid and Digital. I have been playing more and more with hybrid and digital scrapbooking. I don't think I will ever switch to completely digital - I like to play with textures and paint and ephemera - but, I have been appreciating the convenience (and cost savings) that digital elements allow.
Digital Element: Title and Journal Overlay by Ali Edwards; heart - Martha Stewart; ticket - MM Vintage Findings; Paper: Crate Paper
Digital Elements: Twill and Love You Overlay: Love Embellishments by Ali Edwards; Date Stamp: Katie Pertiet Dated Journalers; Swirl Stamp, Sticker, Staples: Shabbyprincess.com
5. Track Life/Blog regularly.I don't really care if anyone ever reads my blog (well, I don't care MUCH). I am doing it mainly for me. It's helping me to keep track of what we are doing. I am working with my Log Your Memory book on a daily basis - tracking the little things, seeing what stories I want to tell. I am also documenting our lives in this blog. It helps me to keep in the now and gives me a basis for many things I want to document elsewhere. The text for the above layout is taken directly from a post. Additionally, I am journaling in a small book about Little Man (will talk more about that at a later date), which sometimes makes it into his big book, sometimes not.
So, I am going to be busy this year, but am very excited for the different ways I am going to document out lives. It's going to be a fun ride.
