Friday...More on Memorabilia

Thanks for all your great comments and e-mails on my memorabilia post. I by no means have a comprehensive system, but it's working for now (we'll see when we have a second baby - that poor child will probably have no record of its childhood!) I wanted to show you a few more pictures and also a few more ideas for how I memory keep (outside of scrapbooking).

This is the folder I keep all of Charlie's memorabilia in before it either goes in the storage book, gets laminated and goes in the scrapbook, or gets tossed.

This is another snapshot of the storage box, and his itty-bitty newborn diaper. It was fun taking these photos yesterday and going through all the stuff I'd already forgotten was tucked away in there. I also have all the newspapers and magazines from the week he was born (this box is big, so it's the perfect size for all that stuff!)

Something else I do is every night before bed, I write in this book. It's usually something Charlie did during the day, something I'm thinking about. It's easy. And it's a great reference too when I am scrapbooking, say I'm doing a page about when he was 8 months old and I can't remember a detail, I can go back to this book and look back at that point in time.

Lastly, I have all of Charlie's photos developed in wallet size. I don't scrapbook all of them (the ones I do plan on scrapbooking, I usually print in a larger size), but the ones that don't get scrapbooked get put in these baseball card holders. They fit perfect into my album from American Crafts.

I hope this gave you some ideas for things you aren't already doing to save some of your memorabilia...I'd love to hear any ideas for what you do too. Have a great weekend, everyone.

Laura

tutorial : building a mini

Hi all!! I'm here tonight with a tutorial on how I made the mini album in my Continental gallery. I've been holding these Fuji Instax Mini pics from our February trip to Kansas City, just waiting until the right kit came along. As soon as I saw this Making Memories packaging in the Magellan add-on, I knew it would make a perfect cover. The packaging had more of a faux suitcase shape, but I opted to trim it down into a rectangle. I then backed the opening in the front with a transparency and added a couple die cuts and Basic Grey studs to the outside.



Next, I spent some time thinking about how I wanted to construct the inside of the album. Since I was dealing with original photos, I wanted them to be protected - but I needed to keep the pages on a fairly small scale so they'd fit within the cover. Once I came across these divided page protectors (we keep them on hand for the boys' baseball and Pokemon cards), I know I could turn it into individual pages.



I began by cutting the page protector with my trimmer - I left one row of pockets intact, cutting about 1/2in beyond the dividing line. I repeated the cut on the other side of the middle row, which left me with two strips of three pockets. I then cut those strips into three pockets each - one divided page protector will give you six mini album pages.



My next step was to cut three pieces of kraft cardstock to 4x5inches. I scored them 1/2in from the edge and then added one to the back side of my album cover. I then used a hole punch to punch two holes through both the kraft cardstock and the cover.



Using the punched cardstock as my guide, I punched each of my page protectors as well as the two remaining pieces of kraft cardstock.



Since I knew the title page would show through the window in the front of the book, I laid it in place inside the album as I worked on it, and made sure to shut the album to see how it all looked before I stuck everything down! Once I'd finished, I wanted to hide the backs of the staples from my tiny attacher and the stitching, so I layered a second piece of kraft cardstock behind it. If you have additional journaling you'd like to add to your book, both the back of the title page and the back page of the album would be perfect - just stamp some journaling lines and write away!



Now came the fun part - working on the pages! I cut kraft cardstock to the same size as my Instax Mini pics and built from there. Each page got a label stamp stamped with pumice stone ink and punched out with my photo label punch, and a mix of products from the kit.



To bind the album, I simply stacked up all of my pages and threaded a length of twine through the two holes. I looped it around three times and then tied it off at the back of the album.



My boys have enjoyed flipping through this album - the size is perfect for little hands!!

scrapping memorabilia : pocket page

Woohoo, it's the weekend!! =) I'm getting ready to spend my day at the ball field - Alex & Ben both have their first Little League games of the season this afternoon. But first, I wanted to share an easy way to get your memorabilia into your scrapbooks.

I've had this stack of cards on my desk since Alex turned 9 a couple weeks ago. I was going to throw them into the drawer with his other keepsakes when I had an idea for a quick pocket page.



I started with a base of 12x12 cardstock. I attached the card that I'd made for his birthday to the center of an 8.5x11in transparency, and then added a Sassafras banner sticker and some stars punched with my medium and large Fiskars twinkle twinkle punches. I added a few gems and a strip of patterned paper and then stitched the transparency to the cardstock. I love that all of the cards are contained, but that you're still able to get a peek at them without taking them all out of the pocket. This would also work well for other memorabilia - I know that I have a lot of brochures and the like from trips that are too big to incorporate into a layout, but that I'd like to have on display.

Challenge - Use those Holiday cards

Oh Christmas Card. Oh Christmas card (sing with me now). It seems like there is the same dilemma every year. Create your own with your blood, sweat, and tears? Order one from an online service and try not to feel guilty about it?

After all that hard work in deciding what to do, what happens? You send them all out and are left wondering if the stress was worth it. Does anyone really care if you make it or buy it, as long as you send one? You know, not there's anything wrong with NOT sending one....

This is not something to be worrying about this time of year!

One dilemma I have had is what to do with the Christmas cards I have received. Steve's grandmother used to date hers every time she sent us a card for any occasion, which made me feel she must think we intend to keep them. Now don't get me wrong. I don't throw all of my cards away. I keep the special ones. But after a while, they tend to pile up, don't they?

What do you do with yours?

My challenge for you this week involves your Christmas cards, either the one you sent, or the cards you've received.

Below I have some very VERY old projects to share with you, ideas on what I've done in the past. Be nice.

In this first one, I took the photo I used for our 2005 Christmas card (I was about 20 weeks pregnant with Payton here) and put it in the center of my layout. Then I trimmed squares (no square punch for me at the time) from the Christmas cards I had received, and layered them around my photo. How fancy. Do I want to rip off those Quickutz alphas right now and switch them for something bigger? YES I DO, lol. I will work to restrain myself though. heeeeeee.



If you are the type of person who likes to save your Christmas cards, though, especially if they come from Grandma and have a special message, you might try making a special notebook.

The following project is Morgan's card book. I simply trimmed two pieces of chipboard, covered them with paper and embellished them a bit, and then attached them with jump rings. Every time she receives a card, be it for her birthday, Valentines, or just because, after it's been displayed for a bit, I punch holes in it, and put it in her book. This book is currently getting full and needs bigger rings, but it's a great keepsake and fun to look back on the cards she's received, from Congratulations at her birth to a random postcard she received from her Grandmother.



I know it might be a busy week at your house, but my challenge to you is to think about those Christmas cards, and do a project with them. Make a mini album, create a layout, etc. I plan to create a layout with my 4x8 photo card and will share it later this week.

You have until Saturday night at midnight, PST. I'll then draw a winner for that weekly $5 gift certificate to the SC store. It'll help with those star punches that work perfectly with the main kit coming up. This one. And this one for sure.

She Is With Us

Every day we think of Aleida and her family.
I know we all do.
And I know we all miss her terribly.

This month, many of the design team members did a page either lifting Aleida,
or inspired by Aleida.

Nicole Harper did a wonderful tribute page,
see below in the "In Memory of Aleida" post.

I want to share the other tribute pages with you guys.

Joy lifted this gallery page by Aleida:

Me, Myself and I

Here is Her Version:


And here are the other girls' special layouts:










Please take a moment to look at each page, each though, each declaration of love for Aleida and her memory.
And please continue to share your tributes in our gallery.

We miss you, sweet girl.
xo

In Memory of Aleida

Layout by Nicole Harper

On Friday, September 12, a dear friend of the Studio Calico community passed away. Aleida Franklin will always be remembered for her kindness, her wit, and her reminders to treasure each day we have with our families. Our community has been inspired by her life and memory.

We invited a few ladies to share the personal impact that Aleida had on their lives. Here is a list of the questions I asked. Please feel free to leave comments of your own for her family to cherish.

What lasting impression has Aleida left on your life?
What have you learned about friendship and motherhood from Aleida?
What is your favorite memory of Aleida?
How has Aleida changed the way you view scrapbooking?


What lasting impression has Aleida left on your life?

April Foster: To me, Aleida was the type of person who truly valued life. She made efforts each day to make others happy, whether it was leaving praise on a layout, making us laugh on the message board, or sending a personal email.
She valued life and as a result, left a lasting impression. She helped me to relax, to de-stress, and to enjoy being lost in a moment. Since her passing, I've thought a lot about the brevity of life and the importance of enjoying the moment, taking the time to relax, breathe, and just take it all in and have made positive strides in that direction.

Jessi Gribbin (Jessig99): It’s so difficult to put into words how knowing Aleida affected me. She inspired me to live my life without regret and without reservation. She showed me there is more to scrapbooking than just putting pictures on a page. It's an artform and an outlet for self-expression too. She also taught me that sometimes it's ok if it's all about me. I always look at my scrapbooks and think I don't want it to be so full of me… there should be more pictures of my fiance or my family...whatever. Looking back now, I realize it's just as important to capture myself and memories of me as it is to capture my loved ones. She has also taught me to live with no fear. It doesn't matter if a million websites and magazines reject your submissions...your work is still special. It doesn't matter if that crabby customer says "I'm glad your store is closing..." You still did your best to help her. And the most important thing I learned from Aleida was to make sure those you love know it, and make sure they know it every day. I'm just glad she heard it from me before it was too late.

What have you learned about friendship and motherhood from Aleida?

Liz Mataraza (akaliz): The experience of knowing Aleida has made me realize that it does not matter where a person is, you can still cherish them as if there is no tomorrow.

Rita Oliverio (rmoliverio): Having the privilege to know Aleida through the Studio Calico community has taught me many very important life lessons. The first is that, in order to be surrounded by friends, one must first BE a friend. Aleida extended her friendship to so many of us without expecting anything in return. She was always quick to offer a warm welcome, a sincere compliment, encouragement and just make us laugh. These are the qualities of a true friend.

Aleida also taught me to never take a moment with my children for granted. I, like many of her blog readers, was very moved by her pictures with her beautiful daughter Bella. I can count on one hand the number of pictures I have of my children and me. It is very easy to get caught up in the day-to-day activities of being a mother and forget how precious each moment is. She has inspired me to overcome my own insecurities so I can be present in every aspect of their lives. Her love for her children was so obvious to anyone who knew her; I can only hope I am doing enough to make my children feel the same way.

What is your favorite memory of Aleida?

Denise Nichols (nichoda): It is really hard to single out one favorite memory. Trying to keep it clean, because we all know she truly wanted her blog to be re-named The Naughty Scrapping Rican, helped a bit. I guess the memory that made me laugh the most was when she would call or email me pretending to be mad that I was getting too close to her post count. She would say what are you trying to do? Make everybody like you better? I would answer they already do. Then we would laugh. It became an ongoing joke/competition. Just one of many memories that makes me chuckle without making me blush.


How has Aleida changed the way you view scrapbooking?

Scarlet Namvong: After Aleida’s death, I was inspired to organize my scrapbooks in a more meaningful way. I have always arranged my layouts by design team or by kit, which has absolutely no meaning to my family. I tore apart my albums and made new ones for each of my kids, one for myself, and one for other family and friends. I also put all of my favorite and most meaningful layouts together in a special album. In the future, I want my children to value my scrapbooks not because it was my job to create them, but because of the special messages they hold.

Nicole Samuels (NicoleS): Aleida taught me a lesson that I will forever be grateful for... that I should be more present in my scrapbooks. Whether it's getting out from behind the camera so that I can get in the pictures with my kids or being sure to include real, heartfelt journaling on my pages, she made me realize that life is precious and our scrapbooks will one day be our legacy for our family and children. I don't want them to just remember that I used pretty paper and took nice photos of them... I want them to know that I loved them dearly and that we did this thing together. So, thank you Aleida, for telling it how it is and causing me to rethink this crazy little passion called scrapbooking that we all share. Your words will stay with me always.

Sneak Peeks and a place to gather

Thanks Nik for the title...its perfect!

Join us on Studio Calico tonight to remember our friend Aleida. We'll be gathering to exchange stories and tell what we love about this amazing lady! She reminded us to enjoy the day, live for the moment, and to make sure we put ourselves IN our lives (our books, our photos, our lives.) She loved the sneaks and reveal nights...they were FULL of her wit and antics. She is a jewel we won't soon forget.

At Midnight EST we will be unveiling a sneak peek of our October kit, and let me tell you, it is gorgeous!!

If you are looking for something to do for Aleida's family, here are a few links to things people are doing at Studio Calico.

Share memories

Send Cards through Studio Calico

Help Judy put together a scrapbook of memories for Aleida's family

Help print her blog as a book for her children

Add things you've made for Aleida's family to a special gallery

We Will Never Forget

Tell us about your 9/11 experiences on our message board.