Doing What I do...

...Totally scrapbook related so if you aren't one of my scrappy readers, you will probably be bored :)

Anyway, just thinking a lot about my scrapbooking, why I do it, how I do it.  There are thousands of scrapbookers all over the world and really, we all do it for different reasons. Those reasons overlap but I think each of us has a priority of reasons.  For some, the creative endeavor is of utmost importance.  Telling the actual stories in a way that future generations will know the who, what, when, where and why may not matter to them.  The art, the process, and the fun use of products is most important.  For others, the showcasing of great photos is most important.  There are many people who won't scrap a "bad" photo.  For others, the most important part is getting the photos on a page with a description, and moving on.  There are those whose goal in scrapping is just to make time for themselves, to do something they love, to enjoy DOING it and not worrying about the results.

The thing is, none of these reasons are WRONG.  I can't say, "Oh that is a bad scrapbook page because I have no idea what is going on" or "that is a bad photo, she never should have scrapped that!"  Each of us needs to now why WE want to scrapbook and even though there may be more than one reason, we need to make sure the most important reasons stay at the top of our list.  Ali Edwards has had a couple of great posts on the subject lately (here and here).  It has been good to reminded to think about what is most important to ME and to stick with that.

I also realize that my priorities change from time to time.  There are days that I scrap just because I NEED to...I need the creative outlet. That's okay.  However, that isn't the main reason I do it...in the great scheme of things.

I scrapbook because I love to REMEMBER.  I love to hear/read STORIES.  I love to listen to stories about who I was as a kid and to see how those themes of my personality run through the course of my life.  I wish I knew more of the stories.  I wish I could remember. I scrapbook because I want to record the stories of my life and of the lives of people I love because I want to remember.  I want to remember the thoughts and feeling of specific times and I want my kids to remember what they did and how I much I loved watching them do it.  I want all of us to see God's hand working in and through our lives.  I want to somehow capture on a page all the love I feel for my kids when I watch them.  I want them to know the silly things they did and said.  I want them to know how much their dad loved to play with them and how much their little personalities started to bloom from day one.  I want to remember.  I want them to remember.

And so I scrapbook.  It is MY way of remembering.  And so naturally, I want my pages to reflect the stories and not jut the perfect photos or the latest embellishments.  Those are great things and I love shopping for new supplies as much as anyone.  But in the end, I want to look through my albums (or even more importantly, I want my children to look through my albums) and to read/see the stories of our lives.

Knowing all this makes me realize there are definitely things missing in my albums.  I have not told some of the BIG stories.  Stories that if I were to die today may never be told.  Stories of how Jason and I met and fell in love, stories of my children's births, stories of what a normal day in our family looks like.  I need to remedy this.

Funny how all these thoughts seem to be coming at me from all side.  Posts like Ali's (mentioned above).  The opening of {we are} storytellers. Articles in magazines. My own reflections as I take walks at night after everyone is in bed.  All reminding me that no matter how pretty the paper is and how much I enjoy the process that most of all, I want to REMEMBER.  I need to forget about having the perfect photo and forget about how it will look sized at 600 pixels and just create pages that record what is important to me.

Anyway...just thoughts running through my head :)

**************

Anyone else see the lunar eclipse last night?  INCREDIBLE. We had such a good view...I got to see almost the whole process.  We have such an amazing God!

**************

Here are two pages for you...

SWEETNESS kit by Meredith Fenwick at Prima Hybrid.  Stitching by Shabby Princess. Stamped alpha by Nancie Rowe Janitz.  Swirls by Miriam Lima.  This page is a total life of THIS ONE by Ana at Little Dreamer Designs.

STARSTRUCK paper pack and Naked Stamp Sheets by Meredith Fenwick at Prima Hybrid.  Staples by Shabby Princess. Stamped alpha by Nancy Rowe Janitz.  Cardboard Overlay by Linda GB.

*****

Happy day to all of you!

Comments

[Laura]

yup. i've loved those posts by Ali too, and i love this one by you! couldn't agree more. one of the reasons i've always loved your scrapping is because you're always telling a story. thanks for the inspiration. :)

[joelsgirl_Kellie]

That's why I scrap, too, Janet. Well, really, because I want my *kids* to remember, and that's why I can't wait to get all my photos from growing up scanned. i want them to know what I was like when I was a kid. It's such a wonderful hobby. Great post today; I enjoyed reading it.

[MandaKay]

A good reminder to me to remember why I scrap - it is fairly easy to get caught up in the latest and greatest stuff, but I LOVE getting the stories down. I have such vague memories of my childhood for some reason, and I want my kids to remember theirs! Something you inspired me to think about is to somehow keep journaling/scrapping their spiritual walk too!!!

Amen to an awesome God - what an amazing thing the lunar eclipse was!

[Joy]

Funny how I've been thinking that lately too! In fact, at the SA blog last Monday, that's kinda the challenge I gave. and I've written about it in my blog this week too. But you;ve written it more eloquently though! LOL! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Sadly, we did not get to see the lunar eclipse. It had been raining here the whole day and there were still thick clouds last night. Oh well... I got to witness a solar eclipse back in the Philippines when I was in 5th grade. A science lesson right in the school field!

[JanMary, N Ireland]

Great post, and great topic. Like most I have a variety of reasons I scrap - to record the little every day moments, as well as the BIG occasions (weddings etc). Somtimes it's the photo, other times it is because I have just bought a wonderful element I must use!

Whatever the reason, blessed be the children of scrapbookers, as they will inherit the albums. :)

[Jacq]

Hi Janet! Oh I also did a page about Thailand last week! You can find it here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jacqscrap/2268799249/

[Michelle Filo]

Agree 100% Janet!!!
and that Layout by Ana is gorgeous, great lift!!!