by Sharon | May 2, 2016
Are they still popular?
Do people even do them?
Or have they become scrap books or mini-albums?
I remember having many of them — through junior high and high school. Yes, I am that old!! We had junior high — not middle school.
As amazing as it seems, I do remember being that young — full of dreams . . .
Everything was a major event — going to the beach, movies, dances — saving ticket stubs and everything else that would go into the memory book — lots of pressed flowers . . . even bottle caps . . . gum wrappers . . . all those insignificant things . . .
Just think of all the things you’ve thrown out that would be interesting to put in a memory book you could share with your child . . . It could be a memory book of “firsts” — the first time you went to Starbucks . . . or took a plane ride . . . went to a play . . . a movie . . . and the crazy things you collected . . . as well as the ticket to different amusement parks . . . plus all the pictures . . .
I don’t remember many of the names of the people in the pictures. Maybe it was because we moved around a lot. But it did give me new opportunities to make new memory books . . .
Maybe that’s why I’m still looking for something new . . . exciting . . . different . . . And why none of my memory books have been completed . . .
And . . . what happens when a memory book is completed . . .
Is it a good thing?
Does it allow you to move on to new things?
Or are memory books open-ended?
I guess, if you decide to create one . . . you’ll decide how many editions you’ll create . . .
An easy way to begin for your children is having a memory book for each school year. Maybe you would like to have one for each year in your life. Starting in January and ending it at the end of December. The school and the annual ones could be quite large . . .
I think it’s great to see the growth one has made in their life when it comes to decisions and direction . . . I like the idea of combining pictures and memorabilia with journaling . . . giving you insight in later years to tell your story of what was going on and how you felt about various things.
Life is a great journey . . . enjoy every twist and turn and the bumps along the way . . . The bonus is the people you meet . . . and the influences they have on your life as well . . .
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon
by Sharon | Apr 28, 2016
Are You Familiar With Flip Books?
These are primarily for pin pal creations that you send through the snail mail service.
They’re relatively small books that include a letter and a mail tag where you ask questions or give information — it’s your choice. The pages are decorated much like a scrapbook page with various embellishments. There are also little fun gifts or goodies included.
So, it’s a paper craft project you intend to put in the mail. It is more than a card . . . it is much more elaborate.
A flip book is typically 3 double-sided pages put together with washi tape. You can make it much larger if you wish. It would be worthwhile for you to check on YouTube for a video tutorial. There are several wonderful videos that will get you started.
They remind me a bit of a scrapbook — the old fashioned ones where you find interesting things and do some writing or stamping or cut out letters to put together to spell out your own sentiments . . . there are many things you can add to it.
I Initially Thought Of Using This Concept As A Mini Album
Then I thought it wasn’t the purpose.
But, then again, it is a craft that you create and you can use the flip book concept and do as you please. You’ll notice that of the various YouTube Videos on the subject that everyone has their own way of embellishing them. The one true thing is that it is to be mailed to someone . . . or given to someone . . . But I see no reason why you can’t make them for yourself on various topics.
These may be good to make and include with recipes with your various cookie exchange programs or whatever you’d like to “swap” with others.
I think it would be fun to use these for template swaps . . . and with the various pockets you put in them, there would be plenty of room to tuck quite a few in them.
Much depends upon who you’re swapping flip books with . . . people may have very specific “requirements”. If it’s just to do your own thing, then you can do them however you wish and the recipient will be overjoyed.
I’ve Seen This Concept In Mini Albums
Many people add flip-ups, flip-downs, and flip-outs — either right or left . . .
It is natural in mini albums to add pockets and belly bands . . . and add other page attachments, thus the flips.
I’m sorry if my confusion about flip books isn’t making this concept clear. I’ll try to explain it again. Flip books are for mailing . . . communicating with another person much like a greeting card, but with a much more creative flair. People use stickers and they can make their own paper decorations with ink or watercolor, stamps, etc. It is excellent for multi-media creations.It’s an excellent way of sharing various craft ideas with other crafters . . . paper crafters primarily, but it may not be limited to that . . . It is amazing what people can put together in a flip book.
And to add to the confusion . . . Remember those flip books that were animations? They could be a stick man running or a ball bouncing . . . little pieces of paper stapled together and you’d flip through them . . .
That’s not what we’re talking about here . . .
But, it’s worthwhile to bring up. Names have changed meaning over the years . . .
To be honest with you, I hadn’t made the connection until I was searching for images to include in this post. I do remember making them. We’d use a tablet and draw illustrations on the bottom of the page, with each picture a slight variation . . . it looked like the man was running or the boat was rocking or the waves were rising . . . or the ball was bouncing . . .
Actually . . . now that I remember them, they were quite fun. You could have your stick figure dancing or climbing a mountain . . . They were fun and quite amazing to flip through. You’ll need a lot more paper, but I imagine if you want to try it out get a bulldog clip and fasten it to a post-it-note pack and have some fun drawing . . . then flip through the pages rapidly with your thumb . . . and it’s animated!!
Wow!! Going down memory lane is quite enjoyable!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon
by Sharon | Apr 13, 2016
Something you make is much more meaningful than anything you could buy.
That may be an exaggeration, but it’s about being sentimental. Sure the cards you buy are special, but something you make is definitely from your heart.
Moms and Grandmoms are always fixing up good things to eat. Or they found a great deli and bakery.
I think a day out with Mom during the week of Mother’s Day would be a wonderful way to spend quality time with your mother. I know Mother’s Day is special for many and you have everything planned out . . . but for others it seems to be just something one has to do.
It can be a bit awkward. It can be very special.
I think making a mini-album for Mom would be another way of expressing the love you have for your mother. It can show pictures going way back.
I remember finding old pictures of my mom and making them into an album was truly the highlight of her Mother’s Day. It was a gift she couldn’t stop looking at . . . she kept it close by throughout the year.
Being a mother is special . . . and remembering . . . and being told . . . and shown through pictures of how special she is . . . is truly priceless.
Just something to think about.
Flowers and candy are nice, but they’re flowers and candy . . . give something from your heart.
Sharon
by Sharon | Apr 4, 2016
This is a delightful image for a card or to make a 3-D house.
It all begins with the concept.
Then you can use clip art or stamps you colored or make 3-D flowers . . .
You can find plenty of templates and free printables for whatever project you decide to create. YouTube is also very helpful.
I find I enjoy learning from the free paper crafts available on-line. But the idea of creating something of my own is what I truly want to do. I found the image on the right to be quite inspiring. I wanted to make this concept my own.
I’ve watched a lot of how to videos and have been amazed by the confidence people have when building their own templates. Then continuing on to make it original and exciting.
I’m sure these people have gone through a lot of trial and error before they got the concept down. Some use die cuts or punches to give them some help . . . while others don’t care how long it takes, they want to master the concept.
But you can do it yourself. You may need to fold a paper in half to get the angles right on the cottage and for the roof, then you decide whether you want to use the image for a card or a 3-D free standing model.
Once you get started there is no telling how far you’ll go with your project.
This works well with scrapbooks. Building up a scene to go along with the pictures of your family and friends . . . on vacation.
You can also write about it and include that in your card, mini-album or scrapbook page. There is always a story to tell.
A picture or sculpture would remind my father of a place he visited when he was a boy . . . he knew the details of the place and the people . . . even a song someone made up when his brother was stung by a bee.
Pictures are magical . . . you never know what creative things you can make . . .
Here are some helpful links:
I always get a bit carried away. This will get you started creating some great cards and paper craft projects.
Thanks for stopping by.
Sharon
