Becky's Blog

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Monday, July 20, 2009

life story pages to print

Last week I got to be a part of helping about 160 teenage girls in our church (and 40 youth leaders) get started on writing their life story. This took place at Girls Camp, which is an annual Summer tradition for the girls in our church, ages 12-18.



They decorated a cute & quick cover, including a current picture of themselves.



The rest of the time was spent starting to fill in the blanks in their life story. I encouraged them to finish most of the writing at home, on their own ... when they weren't around other people. I think minimal distractions = better writing.



I wanted to share this with you too, in case you want to do this with the youth in your area, or with your kids, or whoever you want. Remember: This is very specific to teenagers. And it can work for boys too. You can always just take the concept and create your own version.

TEEN.life.story.pdf

And I know some of you still need to write your own life story. This condensed version of an autobiography is quite simple. A fully-detailed life story, complete with pictures would certainly be ideal. But let's get real. Most of us haven't made that a priority. So this is better than nothing. In fact, it's great. If you were gone tomorrow, this would be absolutely treasured by those around you. I encourage you to print it & put it in a little binder & fill it out sometime soon. No one can tell your story better than you can.

That said, here's the version for adults. In other words, those whose teenage years are behind them. : )

ADULT.life.story.pdf

By the way, the binders are "half pint" binders, or in other words, they hold papers that are 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" (which is half the standard size). If you can't find them at your local office supply shop, look online. Just do a search for "5.5 x 8.5 binder".

109 Comments:

Blogger tchrtiff said...

Thanks for sharing your documents. I've saved them and plan to use them. :-)

July 20, 2009 10:58 AM  
Blogger Chastity said...

I love this! Thank you so much for sharing.

July 20, 2009 11:17 AM  
Blogger mommy2boys said...

I cannot thank you enough for your post! We are homeschoolers and involved in a co-op. I'm teaching a scrapbook class this next school year and we are doing a book of me. The documents you have shared are perfect and exactly what I had in mind to do with these kids! They are 6th through 12th graders so it will be perfect! I'm also going to give them all the printouts of the adult ones and have them ask their parents to fill them out for their parents pages in their books! Thank you again! They are perfect!!!!!

Tammi C

July 20, 2009 11:38 AM  
Blogger MommyMe said...

I love this idea!! Can't wait to get started! I'm giving one to each of my teenage neices!

Thanks so much!

July 20, 2009 11:38 AM  
Blogger Julie said...

Thank you so much. Will do this with my YW for sure.

July 20, 2009 11:39 AM  
Blogger Ashley said...

What a cute idea! Thank you for sharing this!

July 20, 2009 11:47 AM  
Blogger Kelsey said...

Thanks SO SO much for sharing these! I too am in YW and am always looking for fun and meaningful (and cheap) activities. We'll be doing these for sure! THANKS AGAIN!

July 20, 2009 11:50 AM  
Blogger Scrapbean said...

These are awesome! Thank you for generously sharing your talent and ideas Becky!

July 20, 2009 12:05 PM  
Blogger The Buffats said...

I love when I see a new activity idea and can hardly wait to share it with the YW! These pages are perfect- the fun fonts make them trendy and the girls will love that! THANK YOU for being willing to share and give of yourself- I hope you always feel it is worth it! :)

July 20, 2009 12:39 PM  
Blogger Carolyn said...

Thanks Becky these are wonderful!!

July 20, 2009 12:58 PM  
Blogger Andrea said...

Thank you so much for sharing your great idea. You've made it so easy to write a life story.

July 20, 2009 1:00 PM  
Blogger Christina Thomas said...

This is great! I'm going to share this on my blog...I hope that's ok!

July 20, 2009 1:03 PM  
Blogger ArlaMo said...

Thanks so much for sharing!! I am the YW pres in my ward and I am definitely going to use this with my girls.

July 20, 2009 1:14 PM  
Blogger laurarodz said...

Hey Becky!
I love this idea & plan on using it. I was looking it over & noticed some typos. Can we edit it ourselves or do you have to do this? Thanks! Laura

July 20, 2009 1:44 PM  
Blogger laurarodz said...

Oh, I forgot! The paper that you used for these books, who are they by? Thanks! -Laura

July 20, 2009 1:47 PM  
Blogger shan said...

what a great idea! I just finished a week at girls camp as the "craft lady" too. I'm definitely tucking this idea away, in case they want me back next year. :)

I'm wondering . . . what was the theme of your camp? I was trying to read the back of the girls' t-shirts and I thought I saw the word "life"?? I'm just curious if you did this project because it went specifically with the camp theme or just because you came up with a great idea & wanted to do it. Thanks!

July 20, 2009 2:34 PM  
Blogger xander's mama said...

Thank you for including the adult version! What a great idea and template! This is something I've been meaning to do and now I have no reason to put it off! Thanks again!

July 20, 2009 2:45 PM  
Blogger Katy and Landon said...

Thanks so much for the adult version - I will keep the teen version on file for my future teens (many years from now) or in canse I work with teens again in church.

I can't wait to show this to some of my friends and have us work on it for a crop night sometime! Thanks for all the work/time you put into it to give it to us!!

July 20, 2009 3:38 PM  
Blogger Katy and Landon said...

Oh, and that looks like Camp Orchard next to Camp Lomia. I grew up in AZ and have been in wards where we stayed at Lomia and the adirondacks at Camp Orchard - fun place!

July 20, 2009 3:41 PM  
Blogger TracieClaiborne said...

Becky - you are so awesome for sharing that. I shared it with our Youth Leaders and I might use it for our homeschooling group too. Thanks so much!

July 20, 2009 4:15 PM  
Blogger Lisa said...

Becky - I want to add my thanks. You are very generous with your gifts! Thank you Thank you

July 20, 2009 4:24 PM  
Blogger Michelle said...

Thanks Becky, this is awesome!

July 20, 2009 4:49 PM  
Blogger Time to relax said...

thank you for sharing, ill be printing that out and doing that might print the teen one out for my niece to do

July 20, 2009 5:23 PM  
Blogger Kelly said...

Thanks for sharing these Becky, I'm a high school teacher and although I teach Biology, I'm involved in an after-school program and will defiantly use these with my students.

July 20, 2009 5:48 PM  
Blogger Julie Trout said...

Thanks so much Becky for sharing this.....gonna have to tackle this project with my kids soon!

Have a great week and thanks again for sharing your talent with us!

Julie

July 20, 2009 6:13 PM  
Blogger Mel said...

Thank you for being so willing to share your talents with us! I saved the teen one in my YW file and I'm going to see if we can do the adult one for an Enrichment night (I'm the leader and always looking for ideas!)

July 20, 2009 6:33 PM  
Blogger Anna said...

What a great idea. Thanks for sharing your pdf files.

July 20, 2009 8:02 PM  
Blogger Kristyn Knits said...

thanks so much Becky!
you are so generous and willing to share!
I'm planning an "all about me" scrapbook. this adult version will be perfect to use as a guide to journaling.

July 20, 2009 8:11 PM  
Blogger Katherine said...

Your sharing is extremely generous and speaks worlds for who you are.
Thanks for helping us all journal our stories.

July 20, 2009 8:12 PM  
Blogger Pretties 4 You said...

What a wonderful girls camp project! Ours were never that nice! You are so blessed with your talent and skills that you are so willing to share with others! I bet those girls are so thankful that they got to do such a cool project!

July 20, 2009 8:41 PM  
Blogger Cynthia B. said...

Thank you, Becky! I'm turning 40 this year...I think this is the perfect time to fill in these pages (seeing as how I've never gotten any traction working on my Book of Me album). Thanks so much -I'm also going to save the teen version for whenever my kids get older. Such a GREAT idea!

July 20, 2009 8:52 PM  
Blogger A said...

Thank you so, so much for sharing this. Amazing.

July 20, 2009 9:52 PM  
Blogger Shanna said...

OMIGOSH BECKY!!!

How did you know? LOL

I just got put into YW as THE ONLY advisor cause we don't have THAT many girls but this is PERFECT! Love the size too! I can't wait to do these with them!

You're the BEST!

Shanna

July 20, 2009 10:12 PM  
Blogger Lindsay said...

I so need to be better about family history! What better place to start than with my life story! Thanks so much for this wonderful idea! I will be passing the teen version onto my YW Pres! Thanks again!

July 20, 2009 11:35 PM  
Blogger Brenda said...

This is something I've been looking for. My Dad did something similar for me many years ago, and it's something I treasure. What a gift you have given! Because you thought to post these gems, many, many families will have precious memories of their loved ones, young and old. Thank you so much!!

July 21, 2009 4:54 AM  
Blogger DeniseHunter said...

This is fantastic! Thank you so much. I can't wait to give it to my children to do as they grow older.

July 21, 2009 5:21 AM  
Blogger Jade said...

Thank you so much Becky this is a wonderful addition to me telling my story this year in scrapbooks. I am so excited to start I have already printed the pages out and cropped them down, I plan to stick them down into an 8x8 album.

Jade from Australia

July 21, 2009 5:21 AM  
Blogger Suzanne said...

Thanks for sharing these files - I have been working on my story for my children, and I am planning on asking my mother to fill in one for me.

July 21, 2009 5:29 AM  
Blogger Brandi said...

This will be a great compliment to my 10 plus years of genealogy and the books I've made from all my research. I'm going to give a set to my parents and my hubby's as well. Thank you!

July 21, 2009 8:06 AM  
Blogger Krystal said...

Becky,
I am amazed at your generosity to share your documents with others! I really want to do this with my seventh graders this fall as a getting to know you activity. I work in a public school and can't have them write about their favorite scripture...is there anyway that I can edit that one statement?
I really love your work and what you do...thanks for sharing!

July 21, 2009 9:01 AM  
Blogger mariajim said...

Becky,
Thank you SO much for this pdf for teens! I can't wait to have my daughter (13) and son (14) fill it out for me. What a perfect memory for this "special" time in their life! I think I am going to make a book using my bind-it-all for this.
Maria
PS: Still going strong on my Project 365! Love it!

July 21, 2009 9:04 AM  
Blogger Natalie said...

Becky,
I am trying to print these pages, but none of them will print correctly. I have tried moving my printer margins, but some of it is still getting cut off. Please help! I love these pages and want to print them!

July 21, 2009 10:43 AM  
Blogger Just Rhonda said...

sweeeeeet! I just got called to YW and we are sooo going to use this! Thanks a lot!!!

July 21, 2009 11:03 AM  
Blogger ShellyJ said...

Becky, you are just too awesome! thanks for sharing this with all of us :)

July 21, 2009 11:31 AM  
Blogger Tracie said...

Thank you for sharing!!! Such an awesome idea!!!

July 21, 2009 12:23 PM  
Blogger Anna said...

Thank you so much for sharing the .pdf files for this awesome project! I so cannot wait to start one for myself. Thanks again!!

July 21, 2009 12:58 PM  
Blogger Chris, Michelle, and the girls said...

You are such an angel for making these anf then sharing them. Thank you!!

July 21, 2009 2:34 PM  
Blogger Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

These are FABULOUS! What a great gift for girls. I'll be linking to this.

July 21, 2009 3:25 PM  
Blogger Shane, Megan, and CJ said...

Deja Vu! I just got home from LoMia last night and it looks like that's where you were too! We must have been there right after you!

Thanks for sharing this. I am so excited to give this to my teenage nieces when I go to visit them in UT next week!

July 21, 2009 4:01 PM  
Blogger JenBrown said...

LOVE it!! I am going to use this in my class throughout the year and then give it to the student at the end of the year. Thanks so much!!

July 21, 2009 5:07 PM  
Blogger Christine said...

Thank you so much for these pages!
Your designs are the best! I know I'm not the first to say this, but, please start your own paper crafting company. We want your kits
to be available all the time, not just a few months out of the year.
Thanks again,
Christine

July 21, 2009 7:07 PM  
Blogger Judy said...

You are so giving and kind. Thanks for sharing this with us!

July 21, 2009 8:41 PM  
Blogger Heather said...

Becky,

Thank you so much for sharing this GREAT idea. I plan to have a party for my girls, and this is what we are going to do!!

Thanks for sharing your amazing talent!!

Heather Kemmey
Fredericksburg, VA

July 21, 2009 9:07 PM  
Blogger Ginny said...

I love this, thanks. I have a couple of these smaller binders that i picked up really cheap that are empty. Perfect project for them!

July 21, 2009 9:11 PM  
Blogger Jade said...

I have posted my progress so far on putting this project together as an album if anyone is interested.

http://superorganizer.blogspot.com/2009/07/your-life-story.html

July 22, 2009 4:29 AM  
Blogger Jodi said...

Becky,

I love it. Thanks.

Jodi

July 22, 2009 5:08 AM  
Blogger Julie said...

Becky,
Thank you so much for be willing to share with us the things you create. I am looking forward to finally writing my personal history in a doable version. You rock! Thanks!
Stacy

July 22, 2009 6:07 AM  
Blogger Jewel said...

This is a great idea!! Thank you for sharing the .pdf files with us. You are so creative and giving.

July 22, 2009 6:38 AM  
Blogger scrappinkay said...

love this, will be sharing it with my family and friends. It's a great thing to do and tuck away for future generations.

Thanks for your talent and inspiration.

July 22, 2009 7:57 AM  
Blogger JenniferL. said...

Thank you for sharing these, they are fantastic! I am gathering things to create a "me" book and this is great. I also printed the teen version to do with the student government kids at school.

July 22, 2009 8:25 AM  
Blogger Amy said...

Thanks for the documents! Great idea! I'll be sure to use them in the future!

July 22, 2009 10:46 AM  
Blogger Sarah Doyle said...

I love that you always share your ideas and documents with us.. thank you!This looks like a great idea!
on another note.. curious if you will be making a christmas card kit this year. I have used them the past couple years so I really hope so but haven't seen anything??
Thanks, Sarah

July 22, 2009 6:55 PM  
Blogger Tina said...

Thanks so much Becky for sharing this. I'm the secretary in primary and am going to share this with the Activity Days advisor and YW. I am also going to do one for me.

Thanks!!

July 22, 2009 8:06 PM  
Blogger Emily R. said...

Thanks so much Becky! I am working on a Growing Up Alubum about myself and these pages will be so helpful! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

July 23, 2009 3:11 AM  
Blogger Jackie Flaherty said...

A big THANK YOU for the great downloads. These are awesome. I liked them so much I posted this link on my blog and on Twitter
http://www.lettersandjournals.blogspot.com/

July 23, 2009 5:08 AM  
Blogger Tiffany Hewlett said...

uggghhh! I wish I would have known you were doing crafts for girls camp earlier! I am in charge of mine for a stake girls camp next week, and I had the hardest time coming up with an idea! These are so great, and would have been an ideal keepsake! Maybe next year if I'm crazy and say yes again! Thanks for the inspo!

July 23, 2009 9:09 AM  
Blogger Karen said...

Wow what a great idea! I am going to share this with the readers on my blog because I think it's a great Teen Summer Project.

Thanks for sharing with us!
Karen
http://www.frugalrimama.com/2009/07/summer-teen-project-making-a-life-story.html

July 23, 2009 12:15 PM  
Blogger ronee said...

Amazing..our girls camp this year...not as exciting!

July 23, 2009 3:10 PM  
Blogger Robyn said...

Hey - Quick request....any ideas where you can buy this size binder in bulk? I will definately do this for a Relief Society Enrichment group with moms and daughters, but will need lots of binders.

If you have a minute in your busy day, would you let me know your source?

July 23, 2009 3:53 PM  
Blogger {The Castaways} said...

Thanks for sharing your work, Becky. It's nice to not have to reinvent the wheel! : )

July 23, 2009 8:08 PM  
Blogger cynthi said...

Thank you! I am the YW President in my ward and needed a great combined activity idea. This is wonderful, they'll love it! What a fun way to get a journal started.

July 23, 2009 9:42 PM  
Blogger erin said...

ok - like you will have the time to respond...but i can't find the binders for less than $5.50 a piece, any suggestions?!?!? thanks!

July 27, 2009 9:48 AM  
Blogger Jana said...

Becky you are awesome!! Thanks for sharing this wonderful idea.

July 28, 2009 1:16 PM  
Blogger Shaquanna said...

Thank you Becky for sharing this! I really appreciate being able to have and save them.

August 3, 2009 10:39 AM  
Blogger Now It's Just Camie... said...

these are darling - I have just made an example for my girlscout troop and my mia maids to make this month! thanks for sharing your amazing talents!!

August 4, 2009 1:23 PM  
Blogger Michelle said...

These are great. I wish I had them for my personal history lesson! I definately plan on using this for myself and passing it on to my Beehives. Thanks!

August 5, 2009 1:04 PM  
Blogger Staceybug said...

These are awesome the teen and adult. I'd LOVE to do one for younger kids as well. I teach 2nd grade and this would be a GREAT open house project and something they can keep to look back one when they are older.

August 8, 2009 12:02 PM  
Blogger Bethany said...

I love the site and my fav is the pink paisley sleeve for sure

August 11, 2009 6:47 PM  
Blogger Brenda said...

Brenda
Zeeland, MI

August 12, 2009 8:14 PM  
Blogger Lisa said...

I think this is wonderful for you to share. I think I may make a book for my family for Christmas to do. Thank you so much!!!

August 15, 2009 7:53 AM  
Blogger Gretchen said...

this is so perfect to make for the teenagers in my family for Christmas. thanks!!! You are such an inspiration.

August 23, 2009 2:03 AM  
Blogger Scrapbookers in Greece said...

thank you soooo much for sharing this!!! beautiful work!!

September 7, 2009 5:25 AM  
Blogger Andi Walker said...

Thank you so much, I've been looking for something like this for a while now, so grateful I found your blog. Thanks again. Please visit my blog: ldscreativitycorner.blogspot.com.

September 15, 2009 9:48 AM  
Blogger Tiffany said...

I would love to get the life story documents but I cant' link to them. Any advice.

September 27, 2009 8:50 AM  
Blogger Michelle said...

The links say they're no longer avail. Any help????????????? Thanks! :)

September 30, 2009 6:17 PM  
Blogger nic said...

Would love to get copies of these life story docs... can I link to them somewhere else? Thanks! 8]

October 1, 2009 7:28 AM  
Blogger Beckie said...

Wow! What a fun idea! The links don't seem to be working though. :( Is there another way to link to the pages?

October 1, 2009 1:44 PM  
Blogger Lisa Marie Hall said...

This is such a great idea! I tried clicking on the link to download the pages and it didn't work is there another way I can do this?

October 6, 2009 9:54 PM  
Blogger Tiffanie said...

Ya- I would love to do this idea too but the link doesn't work. Can you email it to me? :)

October 9, 2009 11:18 PM  
Blogger Jennifer said...

The links don't work anymore. Can someone email them to me? jenniferadarby@gmail.com :) Thanks!

October 11, 2009 4:04 AM  
Blogger Lizzy said...

I would Love these also..[lease help!

October 12, 2009 6:16 PM  
Blogger Tanya Dow said...

I was going to use these for an activity tomorrow and now they won't print. Anyone have them or able to help? tmdow@hotmail.com
Thanks!

October 13, 2009 8:35 AM  
Blogger jen said...

Dear friend I too went to print a copy today for an activity and the link won't work. Please help or email a copy jenericallen@aol.com thanks.

October 13, 2009 1:31 PM  
Blogger Katy Nelson said...

Just wondering if I could get a copy of those pages too! The link wouldn't work for me!

katarinaviolin@gmail.com

Thanks,
Katy

October 14, 2009 12:21 PM  
Blogger Val said...

I'm also really really wanting a copy of the pages...valtheurer@hotmail.com
Thanks so much,
Val

October 14, 2009 1:50 PM  
Blogger Lisa Marie Hall said...

I would love a copy
lisa.h.10@gmail.com

October 14, 2009 2:55 PM  
Blogger suelee said...

I too would love a copy for my girls to do and of course mommy to...thanks

suelee@telusplanet.net

October 14, 2009 3:03 PM  
Blogger WYO Smith's said...

I would like a copy as well please. We are trying to get our parents to update their lives for Christmas. Thank you. macaroon95@gmail.com

October 15, 2009 11:36 AM  
Blogger Nielsen Family said...

I would also love a copy!
ashleyac5@hotmail.com

October 17, 2009 3:10 PM  
Blogger Debie said...

I saw your wonderful idea earlier and was planning on making for Christmas but now I am unable to open the files. I am really hoping that I can still get a copy! Thank you so much for sharing your amazing talent! debiewilliams@comcast.net

October 17, 2009 3:44 PM  
Blogger Susan said...

I am desperated for the Adult life story file since I have an activity already planned to use it this Friday Oct. 23.

Susan
gsbond2@comcast.net

October 19, 2009 8:09 AM  
Blogger Annette said...

I would also love a copy of both!

October 19, 2009 10:13 AM  
Blogger The Harris Family said...

I would also love a copy!
scharris21@gmail.com

October 19, 2009 1:37 PM  
Blogger Tyler and Jessica said...

I would love both files. Any hope for getting them to work again? SDJeannieZ3@gmail.com

October 19, 2009 6:57 PM  
Blogger prinnyyy. said...

i too would appreciate both files!!

s.joelle@hotmail.com

October 20, 2009 3:42 PM  
Blogger Jessica said...

This project sounds wonderful! I was just called as the YW President in my ward and I have bookmarked this for a future activity. The link isn't working for me to download the files though. Can you help me??

Thanks! I love your blog! : )

October 21, 2009 11:33 AM  
Blogger Robyn said...

I saw these on a blog but the link isn't working anymore. Is it possible to get them via email? Thanks so much- what a great idea!

craftsandcoupons@gmail.com

October 21, 2009 2:18 PM  
Blogger siobhan said...

i lost these when my computer crashed. can anyone e-mail them on? i'd be forever grateful!

siobhan.downing@gmail.com

thanks!

October 22, 2009 8:28 AM  
Blogger Mary said...

Thanks so much for sharing this! This is such a wonderful idea! Hope you don't mind, but I linked to this project from my blog. Thanks again for sharing!

October 29, 2009 6:07 PM  

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