NEWSLETTER
INSPIRATION
DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKINGInspiration ~ Let’s be REAL.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Hi everyone! Beckie here with you today :)
I typically bring you lots of photography posts, and one thing I’ve learned from perpetually viewing the past 2 years of our lives through the lens of my camera, it’s that our lives are FULL of thousands of incredible moments. I’ve spent hours trying to master technique, work on composition, and create incredible portraits of my family. I’ve captured the smiling faces of my kids, the happy moments like parties and birthdays, and all usual big moments each year. I’m SO thankful to have the shots I have! But when I look through my scrapbook pages, I feel like something’s missing. I feel like someone looking through my album 40 years from now won’t get a true sense of what we’re all really like.
I feel like I have lots of photos and pages that capture what we are, but not enough that capture who we are.
So this year I’m making a conscious effort to document REAL LIFE, as it is right now. Imperfect and amazing and overwhelming and even a little messy. But I want it to be true and honest, and I want someone looking back through these pages one day to know that my husband is an amazing dad because he sits and plays with the kids, really pays attention to them, every day. And that my amazing, beautiful daughter has a shy side that I sometimes don’t understand. That I worry that some day she’ll get taken advantage of or pushed around by the more aggressive kids. And how about me? I think I’m only in two photos in all of last year , and there’s truly nothing in my albums that gives any indication who I am. That I’m strong, independent, and brave – but also disorganized, impatient, and sometimes overwhelmed by everything going on.
So – This year I’ll be making a few changes.
1. No more waiting for the perfect moment to take a photo. My son has ketchup on his face and chocolate milk on his shirt? Yep, that sounds like him. So it’s a perfect photo of him right now. Clutter on the counter on a Wednesday night while my daughter is doing homework? Yep, probably. It’s a perfect time to take a photo of what our evenings are like – because it’s our real lives and I never want to forget these days.
2. More thoughtful journaling. I’m going to try to avoid the obvious “so cute, so loved, growing so fast” comments I tend to make in my journaling, and really focus on including little bits of who they are right now. That my son is obsessed with potty words and my daughter absolutely loves to be tickled when I wake her up in the morning for school.
3. Pages without photos of people. Or perhaps even pages without photos at all! Not every page as to have an amazingly cute shot of one of my children smiling. Seriously. I want them to be able to look back and have a sense of what life was like – including the things that make up our lives right now.
So my theme for the year is going to be REAL. I want to capture real moments, real things, and the real thoughts that make up the essence of who we all are right now. I created two new layouts to get started!
This one is so important to me. I can’t believe I haven’t scrapped about my husband’s diabetes before now – it’s something very big that we live with. It’s also amazing to me just how far medical treatments have come in just the 15 years we’ve been together! I love the idea of having a little time capsule of what it is like to live with diabetes today. Wouldn’t it be amazing if some day, in our children’s lifetimes, they find a cure?
And on a more lighthearted note, this is another page I’ve been wanting to do for quite some time. The pics aren’t perfect for sure – but they perfectly capture him as the true pack rat that he is. He’s grabbing loads of sticks and leaves that he wants to keep, to take home to add to his “collection” (collection of JUNK, that is). We hope it’s just a crazy phase he’s going through, but regardless – right now he is obsessed with keeping things.
I hope some of the things I’m sharing here today encourage you to share a bit more about yourself and your loved ones in your scrap pages! If you have any layouts you’d like to share, please link back to them here in the comments so we can go leave you some love – and get inspired in the process!
Thanks for stopping by today! The FEBRUARY project SCRAP 2012 templates will hit the blog tomorrow…so be sure to look out for them!!
Feb 25, 2012 @ 23:51:37
I really appreciated reading the journaling on your layout about your husband’s diabetes. I know that wasn’t the point of the post, but it had great timing for me. I just drove our babysitter home for the evening, and she was telling me about her mom having to take her dad to the hospital last night because he wasn’t breathing (he was recently diagnosed with type 1.5 diabetes). Anyway, I had no idea what a daily struggle it was, and I, too, am amazed at how things have changed. Thank you for sharing, and reminding all of us to record the memories and not just the basics.
Feb 25, 2012 @ 08:31:29
If you should like to see my free word art for the day on Diabetes. You can find it on 2-8-2012 titled “I’m Loved”. And if you haven’t visited my site before. I want to welcome you to it. I am also one that believes in the art of journalling. I have been writing in a journal (actually my 32nd one) since I was a teenager. I write every single night … just a few words. My children grew up seeing that and now that they are adults, they tell me all the time that one day they’ll get them. See, what I wrote. Now, 62 years later …. it is fun to just sit down at times and read what I wrote at different times in my life. Hugs, Sue
Feb 25, 2012 @ 08:11:24
I hadn’t been for a visit to your site for a couple of weeks and when I saw that you had a new blog …. I went to see.
I am so glad that I did. First of all your layouts are wonderful and your journalling is really touching. Your scrapbook page about your husband and his diabetes really caught my eye. You see, I have been just diagnosed with diabetes at Christmas time 2011. I am still struggling with the knowledge that I am now a diabetic. I am a retired nurse, so I am very familiar with the disease …. what I didn’t know or realize is that when it is you … it is so different. I am finding it hard to really come in grips with the reality of the changes I must make. I think I am my worst enemy right now. So, you see …. this isn’t easy for me to write. I did a free wordart on my site concerning this disease. It was and is my way of trying to come in grips with it. My family is really supportive and I am proud of the things I am doing to try to help me control this disease; such as exercise. Now, the food is another thing …. I still haven’t been able to wrap my brain/actions around doing what is right. Your layout really hit home. I told me, how much easier it is than it was for your husband years ago. Thank you so much for the inspiration. Hugs, Sue
Feb 28, 2012 @ 21:14:57
oh Sue, I’m so sorry to hear about your diagnosis :(
It’s such a life-invading thing, too. Every single thing you put in your mouth you’ll be thinking about, feeling guilty if it isn’t healthy, worried (or irritated) that others are judging what you’re eating – not to mention the struggle to keep your blood sugar in check and in a healthy range. And for my husband, the times I suggest that he might have low blood sugar because of his behavior or irritability…but then he turns out NOT to be low, he gets kind of frustrated at me. Think about it – it’s kind of like a man asking if we are PMSing!
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I will definitely check out your site. I hope you find peace with your new lifestyle and good health for many, many years to come!
much love <3 , beckie
Feb 22, 2012 @ 22:40:51
Awesome post Beckie! I am doing exactly what you’ve suggested this year. Getting real and scrapping about us, warts and all! The good, the bad and the ugly!!! After I wrote the post here on the blog about scrapping imperfect photos, it made me realise that life isn’t perfect and we’re not always going to get the perfect shot, so just go with it and document the ‘memory’ – that’s the most important part isn’t it?! And I am making sure that I am in more photos this year (again, as I said, warts and all!!) Thanks for your brilliant post :)
Feb 22, 2012 @ 19:36:41
Love this post, Beckie! I’ve been looking forward to it ever since you alluded to it in one of your posts a few weeks ago (when I shared the “Kairos” article with you, I think?) — and I’m so happy to finally get to read it. Yay! I’ve been trying to do more of this, also, this year… more recording the “everyday life things” and less of the “here’s the best photo I could find, even if my kids never look this neat and tidy and I almost can’t recognize them with their hair all combed straight!” LOL. It’s been fun recording some of the messy moments so far in 2012, and I know I will love looking back at our album in future years and seeing ALL of our life, not just the cute parts! :)
Feb 22, 2012 @ 20:14:41
Thank you Laura! Your Kairos layout was spot on for me because it was so HONEST. I know it was an article, not your own journaling, but ‘fessing up to the realities of being a parent is something we rarely do, and I loved it.
I just need to keep thinking it’s about WHO we are, not WHAT we are. things we think about, say to each other, do for fun, etc. If nothing else – I will be sure to put meaningful journaling behind those really cute pics from now on, LOL!
Feb 22, 2012 @ 14:55:36
I have been where you are for a while now. I started scrapbooking doing only double page layouts and mostly event scrapping. Then I realized I’m missing some of the special everyday moments in our lives. I started scrapping a lot more of those, so I have “events” like Christmas, birthdays, Halloween, etc. for two or three years back that haven’t been scrapped. I share your new obsession/passion with the here and now, with the personalities that are important to remember, with the stages our children go through and how their likes and dislikes change so quickly, with the relationships within our family, etc. I have always journaled from the very beginning. Some of it is much bether than others, but it’s important to me that there is more than the who and the when on a layout. Since I finally got an iPhone a few months ago, and the 4S has a decent camera on it, I am loving the quick, current moment type of pics I can gather with it.And, finally, I have started making an All About Me album.I don’t have a lot of photos of me either, but I scrap about things and people that are important to me, about things/events/people from the past, So far I have 38 layouts printed for my own album.
Feb 22, 2012 @ 20:11:43
Valerie that is AWESOME – an all about me album.
*sigh*. I really want to do this, because it’s hypocritical of me NOT to, but I feel a bit overwhelmed just keeping up with regular life without starting that too.
One the other hand…if I cut down on a tiny bit of the time I spend web surfing – browsing pinterest, reading photography blogs, checking for good deals on Woot…lol…I’m sure I’d have plenty of time!
I also realize that I need to scrap about my hubby more – so hopefully this diabetes page is just the beginning :)
Feb 22, 2012 @ 12:57:45
Becky, how truly inspiring. What ‘real’ looks like- to each person- is a vast & ever-evolving subject. I particularly appreciate the encouragement to ‘dig deeper’ in journaling & pour ourselves on to the paper. Thanks for the perspective. And your layouts are awesome- each meaningful in their unique way.:o)
Feb 22, 2012 @ 12:59:24
whoops, I meant, Beckie (not Becky), lol… sorry! :o)
Feb 22, 2012 @ 20:08:44
thank you Lu! No prob on my name, LOL….
I was afraid that poking on journaling would add stress to some folks, because I realize that journaling is the hardest part of the process for some people. But really, if you pick a topic on what you want to say, having a REAL story to tell makes journaling so much easier. THe journaling for these two pages took no time for that very reason! Yeah, I know I have typos, LOL. But my family knows that’s me – quick and impulsive. My hubby is the “measure twice, cut once” type of guy – but I’m more of the “if I have to follow instructions I’m not interested type”, LOL. <3
Feb 22, 2012 @ 09:25:49
This is so true. There are many things I don’t scrap about because I don’t think anyone cares. But years from now I’m sure my grandkids or whoever will love reading about just about anything regarding our lives now. Thanks for the point of view.
Feb 22, 2012 @ 20:05:44
YES, they will care! Think about how fast life changes. I mean heck, now everyone has cell phones, tablets, computers. When I was growing we had to use payphones! when was the last time someone used a pay phone, LOL! Yeah, and I’m ONLY 37…so imagine how much more the world will change in my lifetime. So yes, scrap it all!
Feb 22, 2012 @ 08:02:22
Wonderful post, Beckie! I love your tips on capturing the real. The one on more thoughtful journaling is really a challenge for me. Love your pages!
Feb 22, 2012 @ 20:03:38
<3, thank you Rosy!
Feb 22, 2012 @ 07:23:00
Love the post, that’s exactly what I’ve been thinking lately. I’m trying to lay off of the photoshop to some degree with my personal pictures because, if I photoshop them all, take all of the leftover mustard off my kids’ faces, it’s NOT really them, us, everyday! Great post!
Feb 22, 2012 @ 20:03:16
thank you! :) Besides, we need something to embarrass the with later in life, right?! ha ha!
Feb 22, 2012 @ 07:11:57
p.s. I mentioned to my friend that real life includes pimples too (my twins are 14 and have their share..) and she responded with, “That’s why I love photoshop!” and I guess that’s what really made me sad, because my life isn’t photoshop. Photoshop has it’s place in the world, but to the point that we won’t show a photo without it?
Did I mention I love your real life inspiration?? :) Have a great day!
Feb 22, 2012 @ 20:00:51
oh Leah, I’m SO GUILTY of this. Only I don’t bother with photoshop. Most times, if the focus isn’t nailed spot on, or if the picture isn’t amazing I don’t bother with it. I guess I shifted my focus away from scrapping to photography – which is forgetting why I started all of this in the first place.
Since I typically do photography posts here on the blog, I feel like me scrapping a bad photo doesn’t speak well for the information being shared here, LOL! So I guess from now on I’ll just scrap the pics, bad ones and all, and ask for forgiveness -ha ha!
Feb 22, 2012 @ 07:08:04
I love this post and the thought of scrapping real life! Your pages are great. :)
You’ve kind of touched on a new pet peeve of mine…As I learn to be a better photographer and watch my friends becoming better photographers I’m noticing a trend where ladies don’t want anything less than a perfect smile and lighting when they take a picture, or at least a picture they save. Well, my life isn’t full of perfect smiles and lighting, so I don’t mind capturing a picture where my kids aren’t looking or the lighting isn’t all that great…because it shows where we are right now. Well, and maybe…it’ll show that’s my life as a new photographer. :)
Anyway, I think as scrappers we have to be careful not to wait for perfection, but enjoy the everyday that is going on. I have a friend that I offered to make a digiscrap something for her birthday, but she told me she’s looking for nice pictures of her and her family because people will see it. It’s been almost two months and she hasn’t given me any photos. oh well… right?
Thanks for this wonderful post, Becky! I hope others take something away from it that struggle with wanting the perfect pictures for their albums.
Feb 22, 2012 @ 05:48:17
Sorry forgot to add…Love your LOs too! love that you scrapped about your husbands diabetes, awesome!
Feb 22, 2012 @ 19:57:01
thank you – it’s something always with us, so I can’t believe I haven’t done it before!?? Kind of proves my point about my current scrapbook not at all capturing WHO we really are, I suppose. :)
Feb 22, 2012 @ 05:46:11
Inspirational post Becky, thanks for thte tips, I see so many LOS in the gallery with such darling photos of young children and because all my children are grwon up I don’t tend to have ‘cute’ LOS as my kids were young before the digital era so don’t have the variety of photos and we have only seen out granddaughter twice, so hard to take baby/ toddler photos.
Thanks for sharing with us.
Feb 22, 2012 @ 19:55:57
Thanks JoAnne! I will tell you what I’ve told my mom for years – PLEASE stop scrapping pics of my kids and start documenting YOUR life! I told my mom that all I want for Christmas next year is an album about her. About what her life was like growing up, about her favorite memories, about the poor south where she grew up. I want to know as much about my mom as I can and want my kids to have the chance to know her that way, too! So I say, forget photos and just journal! make a beautiful journal about your life to share with your family and just put in whatever photos you can find, if you have any. What’s most important is documenting YOU for your family! <3