Using the Webster’s Pages Lullaby Lane paper I’ve been hoarding for years – I created this simple layout with one of the first photos snapped of our little one. So precious – swoon! Okay, I know… it’s always YOUR kid that is the cutest and most adorable… I get it! Anyway, I love the photo so much, I wanted it to be the main focal point. Embellishments are minimal with just a few banners I hand-cut. The white line you see is actually a line of glue with white glitter sprinkled on top. I’m trying to actually use my stash of items, so it was a totally random addition, plus the line turned out way thicker than I intended.

The page turned out nicely anyway, so I’m happy with it. I would define my style as a bit more than clean and simple. I tend to want to add more, but it’s never much compared to most scrappers out there. So in addition to scrapping photos of our baby, there’s also a lot of cards and notes that we have been receiving. I want to keep this ephemera, so created a pocket out of patterned paper to hold them all in. I really like the effect of a pocketed page with one side semi-transparent.

It’s really just a giant envelope that I will actually punch holes in to slip right into my scrapbook album, like another page as you flip through. Once side is decorated with the cute turtle wrapping paper a gift came in – yup, wanted to keep even that! The other side is a semi-transparent patterned paper so you can see the cards within peek through.

I created the pocket page on a whim and was surprisingly delighted by how it turned out – no measurements or anything. Just cutting and gluing – because that’s pretty much how I roll now – just do it!

I suppose my boldness is due to the fact that I have limited time. So I jump into action these days, making the most of my short spurts of available time. I’m finding that limited time actually gets me to act immediately Is this natural mommy time management?

How do you find time to scrapbook with a busy schedule?

Our Baby Ephemera Scrapbook Page and Pocket is from BackToPaper

It made me think about how different journaling is at the moment of the event and afterwards in retrospect. All those around me sort of lamented for me and I would brush it off, because I didn’t think it was a big deal. But then after a while I realized, okay, maybe it was a bit dramatic, especially for others who were worried for me. But I don’t want to remember the experience in a negative way. Hmm. Have you ever wanted to change the journaling on one of your scrapbook pages after the fact?

So it took me a while, but I finally sat down and typed out the birth story. It was actually quite easy to do and perhaps I didn’t include all the details, but it was sufficient. Perhaps it is better to let some time pass for certain stories… what remains to be told is probably what you want to remember and retell.

The journaling took up a lot of space regardless, so I created a hidden journaling flap to contain it all, while still having space for the photos. The design is a bit here and there as I pieced things together on the fly… but I’m happy with the way it turned out in the end. And most of all, I’m happy to have scrapped the story, scary parts and happy parts all together. I suppose the moral of the story is that whatever the experience, it was totally worth it. Who isn’t in love with their babies, right?

Have you ever had to scrap a difficult story? Do you usually journal in the moment or much afterwards? Or have you ever rescrapped a page because you wanted to change the journaling or add to it?

Your Birth Story Scrapbook Page is from BackToPaper

As a scrapbooker, I automatically collect the ephemera from my daily life. Restaurants cards, event flyers and tid bits from trips we take. My family knows not to throw away stuff before asking if I want to keep it! Sometimes I use the elements I collect, but sometimes I don’t. I’m not always certain if it’ll have great meaning in the future or not, but I just like to keep them regardless.

It’s as if the items – even if mundane – help to bring back the memory of that event, don’t you agree? Like setting the scene. With the card, ephemera and design of the patterned paper – I didn’t feel the need to add more to this page. I cut out a little banner to anchor the photo card, attached with brads and cut out a heart – hand journaling in the phrase “love at first sight.”

This is simple scrapbooking at it’s best to me. Let the materials you have scrap themselves. How about you? Do you collect ephemera and use it in your scrapbooking? Do you sometimes toss certain things out after a period of time?

Love At First Sight Scrapbook Page is from BackToPaper

A while back I printed out the Choose Happy design by Paper Coterie and felt that it was perfect for my summer bucket list. I think the act of writing out a list helps you to actually get those things done. With our little boy, I want to make sure and do even more family trips together and to get outside generally – I’m normally such a homebody!

It’s a simple list to tackle, but I love the “Choose happy” element the most… because ultimately that is the sentiment that sums it all up. Must remember to CHOOSE happy! The whole page was pretty simple to create, printing out my list and hand-cutting the little banners. Still back to the basics for me on this scrapbook layout. Simple and happy – it makes me smile! Do you have a summer bucket list?

Choose Happy Scrapbook Layout – A Summer Bucket List is from BackToPaper

I’m really enjoying creating these graphic cards for memory keeping. It’s super fun for me and I’m able to get them completed as my little one naps throughout the day. I know that you ask why I don’t create full kits anymore – but it’s because I rarely use them. I used to design under the conventions of “digital scrapbooking” but soon broke free and create only what I want myself. Is that too selfish?!

NEW : Home Graphic / Journaling Cards is from BackToPaper

It’s so easy to forget the details of our everyday lives. To keep them alive, I scrapbook.

I’ve always been a pretty simple scrapbooker and now with limited time, I’m going even more back to the basics. If I have more time, I can elaborate – but I know that it’s not necessary for me. It’s fun to play with supplies and learn new techniques, but ultimately I know that I’m not trying to impress anyone. I scrapbook for me. It only matters that I’ve gotten the memory down. It makes me happy to be able to flip back to them over time.

I suppose this weekend has helped to REVIVE my scrapbooking motivations. This is a lovely hobby, isn’t it? Why do YOU scrapbook? Have YOU stopped to think about the details and the motivations behind your scrapbooking?

Back to Basic Scrapbooking is from BackToPaper

Photo Frame Love Graphic / Journaling Cards in the shop… is from BackToPaper

On Social Media Graphic / Journaling Cards in the shop… is from BackToPaper

I’ll be joining in the festivities by catching up with my scrapbooking this weekend, but wanted to share some brand new and revised digital goodies with you. Slowly but surely, I’m finding moments between caring for my newborn to design and scrapbook. Hopefully my designs will inspire you to scrap this weekend because it’s all about happy memory keeping – that’s what I want to spread out into the world. I’m currently into the bright pastel color palette .. as if you can’t tell, right?

What will YOU create with these lovely products? Enjoy!

Happy interNational Scrapbook Day & Weekend! is from BackToPaper

The Pixel and Paper Series highlights digital techniques and products for scrapbookers like you and me. I believe that everyone should consider digital elements to be a part of their scrapbooking toolbox, so let’s learn together what the possibilities are. Each week, I’ll be sharing the opinion of a real-life scrapbooker to reveal how they use digital in their scrapbooking. Each post will also offer a freebie download to help you get started on your pixel and paper journey. Enjoy!

Introducing… Lisa Truesdell

I have heard and seen the work of Lisa before, but was truly introduced to her through Two Peas In A Bucket and most recently bought her e-courses there as well. I love to watch her videos and check out her projects for inspiration, so definitely wanted to hear her take on the digital versus paper divide in scrapbooking. She blogs as gluestickgirl and shares a lot about her process, from traditional scrapbooking to project life.

Lisa says:

I am very much a tactile scrapper, so I like to find ways that I can bring the digital side into the physical world. One of my favorite digital products are printable journaling cards and accents – I love that I can buy a set & print them out no matter what time of day it is. Total instant gratification. I’ve also had a lot of fun recently experimenting with photoshop brushes of stamp designs – they’re a great way to add a little something to a photo before you print it. And let’s not forget the Silhouette Cameo. Being able to create a title or a fun accent from any font or image that I have on my
computer is just too cool.

Instant Gratification

I think Lisa hits on a beautiful point regarding digital tools – it’s nearly always instant gratification! When you need something, you can quickly check online, download and print – wahlah! Pretty cool huh? There’s also the matter of multiple uses given the nature of digital products. In a sense, the possibilities are endless.

I know that Lisa often uses digital frames and digital journaling cards for her photo printing and project life scrapping. You can see great examples of her scrapping style that is very tactile and paper – even though she uses digital tools as well.

via Lisa’s blog

Try It For Yourself

I’ve decided to create some cute frame journaling cards as a freebie download for you to try out. You can fill it in with a photo, add an embellishment or journal inside – lots of possibilities. I hope you enjoy and feel free to share in the comments below.

I hope you have enjoyed the entire Pixel and Paper Series as I wind it down with this post today. Ultimately, digital is simply another tool and perhaps one day we will no longer segment ourselves as a digital or paper scrapbooker.

We are simply all memory keepers who care about documenting our lives and sharing.

Whether it be with old fashioned pen and paper or with the latest social media technologies – the important thing to remember is to open yourself up to possibilities and have fun along!

Pixel and Paper Series – Lisa Truesdell is from BackToPaper