kabobs & questions
Speaking of grilling ... one of favorites lately is KABOBS! Grab some skewers, soak them in water for about 20 minutes (so they don't burn on the grill), cut up some favorite vegetables (mushrooms, bell peppers & such) and some marinated steak. Or try chicken with fresh pineapple. Also really good.
A couple of interesting questions came up on the CK message board the other day, in reference to my Start to Finish online article. One reader wanted to understand why I chose the colors I chose for the birthday layout (because she would have never chosen those herself). Another reader wondered if I'm getting sick of scrapbooking after all these years of constantly doing layouts "for work". Valid questions. I'm sharing my message board response here:
--
Why blue? I guess I would answer - Why NOT blue? I don't try to match my pictures. I try to complement them. And since I wanted this layout to feel "boyish" ... that's what I went for.
To be honest, my color selection (and often my product selection) rarely takes much time at all. I just do not dwell on those decisions. I grab colors that "feel good" right then, and just go with it. It's not scientific to me.
Someone asked about me getting tired of scrapbooking. Do I really enjoy scrapbooking anymore? Oh my. Let me be really clear about something: I LOVE SCRAPBOOKING.
Yes, it was a hobby-turned-career for me (never in a million years did I see that coming) but it is first and foremost my HOBBY and I'm immersed in it. I embrace it for what it is - a wonderful outlet that not only allows me to express myself creatively, but allows me to also organize & preserve my family's stories & experiences. It's just a perk that I get to share my work "professionally" as well. And because it happens to be my work as well, I am constantly challenged to keep creating. And I love my job for that.
So no - definitely not sick of scrapbooking. (But it's a great question, because I can see how one might think that!)"
--
And back to a few questions from you guys ...
[ clipboard ]
Luann asked about the double clipboard I used to display my layouts (see July 24th blog entry). That was part of the June KOTM, and it's no longer available. If you're not up-to-speed on the KOTM program, you should definitely check it out. CK offers a new kit each month and they are really a lot of fun.
[ children's journals ]
Susan asked about the journals I keep for my kids. Something a lot of moms do, I imagine. I just have a journal for each of my kids and try to write in it every so often. Sometimes the journal entry is an update of what they've been up to. Sometimes it's a very heartfelt message to them about my love, my personal testimony, the desires of my heart. Sometimes it's a quick note about something funny they said. I know that they'll appreciate these journals as they get older. I started them when they were born and I have no intentions of stopping.
[ baby album ]
Jenny is "desperate" to find pictures of the 6" x 6" baby album that I've made several times over. It can be found in "Our Family Scrapbooks", the book I did with Lisa Bearnson. I'll also give you a glance at Porter's entire little album here.
SO simple. Pick two favorite pictures of Baby for each month of their first year. No journaling, way simple design, super do-able! It's kind of a show & tell type of album, something fun to look at. My version doesn't have journaling because all of that is in Porter's big scrapbooks & his journal (as mentioned above).
BUT - I will note that if this is the ONLY baby book for Baby, then there absolutely should be some journaling. At least quick notes & highlights from each month. If you're doing this as a gift for someone having a baby, they will be so grateful to have an adorable album already created for them. All they have to do is add the pictures. What a perfect gift for a new (overwhelmed, tired) mommy.
Darn it. I don't mean for my blog entries to get this long.
Peace out.
A couple of interesting questions came up on the CK message board the other day, in reference to my Start to Finish online article. One reader wanted to understand why I chose the colors I chose for the birthday layout (because she would have never chosen those herself). Another reader wondered if I'm getting sick of scrapbooking after all these years of constantly doing layouts "for work". Valid questions. I'm sharing my message board response here:
--
Why blue? I guess I would answer - Why NOT blue? I don't try to match my pictures. I try to complement them. And since I wanted this layout to feel "boyish" ... that's what I went for.
To be honest, my color selection (and often my product selection) rarely takes much time at all. I just do not dwell on those decisions. I grab colors that "feel good" right then, and just go with it. It's not scientific to me.
Someone asked about me getting tired of scrapbooking. Do I really enjoy scrapbooking anymore? Oh my. Let me be really clear about something: I LOVE SCRAPBOOKING.
Yes, it was a hobby-turned-career for me (never in a million years did I see that coming) but it is first and foremost my HOBBY and I'm immersed in it. I embrace it for what it is - a wonderful outlet that not only allows me to express myself creatively, but allows me to also organize & preserve my family's stories & experiences. It's just a perk that I get to share my work "professionally" as well. And because it happens to be my work as well, I am constantly challenged to keep creating. And I love my job for that.
So no - definitely not sick of scrapbooking. (But it's a great question, because I can see how one might think that!)"
--
And back to a few questions from you guys ...
[ clipboard ]
Luann asked about the double clipboard I used to display my layouts (see July 24th blog entry). That was part of the June KOTM, and it's no longer available. If you're not up-to-speed on the KOTM program, you should definitely check it out. CK offers a new kit each month and they are really a lot of fun.
[ children's journals ]
Susan asked about the journals I keep for my kids. Something a lot of moms do, I imagine. I just have a journal for each of my kids and try to write in it every so often. Sometimes the journal entry is an update of what they've been up to. Sometimes it's a very heartfelt message to them about my love, my personal testimony, the desires of my heart. Sometimes it's a quick note about something funny they said. I know that they'll appreciate these journals as they get older. I started them when they were born and I have no intentions of stopping.
[ baby album ]
Jenny is "desperate" to find pictures of the 6" x 6" baby album that I've made several times over. It can be found in "Our Family Scrapbooks", the book I did with Lisa Bearnson. I'll also give you a glance at Porter's entire little album here.
SO simple. Pick two favorite pictures of Baby for each month of their first year. No journaling, way simple design, super do-able! It's kind of a show & tell type of album, something fun to look at. My version doesn't have journaling because all of that is in Porter's big scrapbooks & his journal (as mentioned above).
BUT - I will note that if this is the ONLY baby book for Baby, then there absolutely should be some journaling. At least quick notes & highlights from each month. If you're doing this as a gift for someone having a baby, they will be so grateful to have an adorable album already created for them. All they have to do is add the pictures. What a perfect gift for a new (overwhelmed, tired) mommy.
Darn it. I don't mean for my blog entries to get this long.
Peace out.
at
10:10 AM
14 Comments:
I like the long blog entries. Keep 'em coming!! :)
I love your scrapbooking style! Thanks for sharing more of it with us.
The album of Porter is adorable!
You're a great writer and your Blog is fun to read, plus, we have lots of questions...
What a nice baby book for Porter to look at - I think I feel a "lift" coming on!
Hi Becky! Thanks so much for answering my question about the journals. I really appreciate it! Porter's album is really cute...great idea! A friend of mine suggested a "chair" book for the kids. This is an album (I did mine for the first two years of each of my daughters' lives). You take a picture each month in the same chair to watch their growth. I also wrote their milestones as well as what was going on in our lives each month. It's a lot of fun to see them change so much!!!
that's it?? it is like a good book you can't put down and then... peace out. you know i am going to check this 100 times before your next update. feel free to go as long as you like-- i am sure i speak for everyone... we love reading your blog!
Questions for you, my friend...what is the best way to lighten a photo in photoshop?
Also, do your 12x12 album pages need to be trimmed at all to fit into the sleeves? I'm going to track down the albums you use...loved your blog...NEVER too long...can't get enough of your cuteness. :)
I do a gift album like that for friends. Just like yours, it's a two page spread in a small album. I have titles and journaling boxes that I typed up with the numbered month and "Height, Weight, Milestones, Favorites." Very simple and easy to give as a gift that the busy mom can fill in with pictures and vital info.
Hey Becky. Just wanted to say that I am really glad that I found your blog a few months ago (after looking for it for what seems like a couple of years, lol). Love reading about what you have been up to and what you are scrapping these days. Do you know whether David and Mary from Kiwiscraps are getting in your L&B line at all? Love the design and idea from this.
Take care. Love Kate
Becky,
Can I just say YOU ROCK!! I mean, recipes, ideas, answers to our questions, what more can we ask for!?!?!? :)
Keep up the GREAT work!!!
Love ya!
Mary
I would never question your love for scrapbooking. You have been "in it" for a long time, but continue to inspire so many women, so please do not stop.
Hi Becky,
I have a question about a recipe you posted a while ago. The one with the ring taco. It called for 1/3 cup taco seasoning. Do you buy that in bulk or just dump in enough packets to get to 1/3 cup? I haven't ever seen the seasoning in any larger package than the packets.
Thanks, Krista
Hi Becky! I love the album. Those are the type of album I make to give to friends and family.
Are you kidding?? Long blog entries...the longer the better! Thanks for being so dedicated. Your thoughtfulness and kindness is truly evident in all of your responses....much appreciated. It's always such a delight to read what you have written. :) Mahalo nui!
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