When I lived in So Cal, I used to scrapbook. Not diligently, not particularly creatively, but I did get simple books done. I used to go to a scrapbooking "class" that met once a week, except it wasn't really a class. It was a evening with friends... gossiping and getting a page or two done in a scrapbook. My friend Kyle and I used that class as a way to stay in touch as I become a stay-at-home-mom and she is a big whig for a huge municipality. I treasured those classes and I like the books that got done in them.Fast forward almost five years and I have to confess that I haven't done ANY scrapbooking since we left So Cal in 9/2005. Not one page. I have tons of scrapbooking paper, two empty albums, a lot of stickers, and a number of punches. I have the stuff that helps me cut circles, ovals, squares, and rounded corners. The stickers have been used for other craft projects and the punches have been used as well. But scrapbooking? Nada.
Until recently, I held onto my scrapbooking stuff by telling myself it doesn't expire, it doesn't hurt me to just hold on to it. Now, however, I feel like I need to use it or get rid of it. It takes up space (but I definitely have the space for it) and I feel disappointed with myself for not making scrapbooks for my kids. I have tons of pictures that I need to either get into albums or scan into my computer. If feels as if getting rid of the stuff means I'll never do anything with the pictures. I go round and round in my mind and haven't quite resolved what do. So I'm putting it out there for you to weigh in.
What do you think I should do? Do you think I should get rid of the stuff? Keep the stuff? Get rid of some of the stuff? What are your thoughts?
14 comments:
You could always get rid of it, if it makes you feel better to unload it and if you ever get the urge to scrapbook again, get a digital scrapbooking program. It takes up a lot less room, it's very easy and all right there on your computer. Thats how I do it.
Well, you homeschool right? And scrapbooking is an art right? And you do have a daughter at home now right? Why not set aside one hour each week for art class and you and buttercup work on a scrapbook page together? It could be time just the two of you have together. The scrapbook could be the assignment, but if it took all year to get it done, so be it, the real purpose would be bonding with your daughter and teaching her a skill you love so much. Otherwise, I say chunk it. You can always buy more should the desire to do it again strike. I think the reason you quit left wasn't because you got tired of scrapbooking, but because the relationship with Kyle was gone.
I haven't scrapped booked in 3 years, but like you, I hope to get back to it. I am not sure if you should keep it or get rid of it.
Blessings,
andrea
PS: Sitka has an award for you at All Gods Creatures.
Does scrapbooking bring you JOY, Erin? If it does, then by all means take generationsgoneby's advice above. If not? Give the stuff to your daughter and let her play with it. She'll be in heaven.
I used to scrapbook, but I didn't enjoy it at all- I did it out of duty. I've decided that life's too short and sweet to waste my time doing something that I don't love. So now I slide photos into plain Jane albums (which is ok really, because when people want to see pictures, they want to see pictures, not necessarily scrapbook art) and then blog as a way to joyfully keep record of our family life.
Oh! And happy sunshine!!! Isn't this weather *glorious*???
"I think the reason you quit left wasn't because you got tired of scrapbooking, but because the relationship with Kyle was gone."
Awwwww....this is exactly what I was thinking, too, Erin. I haven't done any scrapbooking either since you left...how weird is that!? But, I'm keeping mine, because I remember how much I DID enjoy it, and I will definitely get back to it sooner rather than later. I like the idea of making it part of the art curriculum of homeschooling. I have a friend that scrapbooks every Wednesday with her other girlfriends. I only wish they did it at night.
I miss you kiddo. So, I vote to keep the stuff!
Kyle
I think you should hold on to it. Maybe the time will come when you are ready to do another page or two... or get caught up. You wouldn't want to have to buy the products all over again. I haven't scrapped in a long time either, but I sure enjoy looking through the books that I have completed. If you want to get more pages done, find some friends that want to get together. Or talk to Kyle and say that by each Friday you need to have a page done and then over the weekend you tell each other about the pages you have completed.
Don't have an answer for you b/c I'm in the same boat. I haven't scrapped since 2005. I do use the tools for other projects though. In my mind I have to finish my son's baby book so he has one like his siblings and he asks 'where's my book?' all the time.
I vote to hold onto it! You may decide to scrapbook again down the road and then you would have to buy all of the materials again. I don't scrap book, but I wish I did. I have boxes of photos, ribbons and prizes won, certificates of achievement, etc. Someday when I don't have little hands around to help me, I hope to start scrapbooking.
I had to wait and see what some others commented because I am in the same boat -- I did enjoy it but have to have it organized to do it (silly) -- I do use the supplies for other things but---- will keep it a bit longer and get some more pages done!
Add me to the "boat"! I was the unofficial photo-recorder of Robby's "Mommy-and-Me" class and I chose to do it via scrapbooking. I took my "job" very seriously and bought tons of supplies and made beautiful, creative albums for 3 years. Then...Nada! I still have all those supplies and materials because I think I may get back into it someday "when everything else settles down." (And how old is Robby now?!) But I say, if you have the room to store it, keep it. It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. I like the art class idea!
Ordinarily I'd be the first to say "Get rid of it!" However, I haven't scrapbooked in over ten years, probably. But I am holding onto mine.
I think that once my children are gone, I am going to really want to sit down and scrapbook and enjoy those precious memories.
Right now I am busy making precious memories, so I don't want to stop and scrapbook them now. I'll get to 'em someday. If I don't, THEN is when I'll give it away.
Moms the word...I loved your sentiment. I really agree with it. Make the memories now; scrapbook 'em later.
So, Erin, what's it gonna be?
If you have the time, totally do some scrapebooking! If not get rid of it. Time is the key. jeje. I don´t take the time to scrapebook so I have been scanning and making albums online then printing books for family. maybe I will get to printing books for me too. I did scrapebooks for each boy when they were babies. miss doing albums but just don´t want to do it anymore. MOre fun with the digital and less mess. But I too have scrapebook stuff and I have found they make good decorations for gifts and cards through the years.
There ya have it. my two cents for what its worth. ;)
I think that you should hold on to it because it is something that you enjoyed doing. I foresee a time in the near future that things will be slower and you might want to have this stuff. As a compromise, you can consider keeping the tools you have acquired and get rid of the rest.
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