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This Is Why (Ann Scrapbooks)
This Is Why (Ann Scrapbooks)
| This Is Why (Ann Scrapbooks) |
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| Written by Liv Esteban | |||
| Monday, 13 July 2009 19:00 | |||
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As I prepared to enter into the sixth decade of my life and retirement (I am now 64), I found scrapbooking. Or I should say it found me. I had all my photographs in nice boxes, all mixed in together. I had filled these boxes since my daughter was born; she is now 37 years old. A young friend invited me to a scrapbook party. I sat there fascinated, my heart pounding, thinking of all the possibilities. It was love at first sight! I bought a blank album and a few starter supplies, came home and spent all night thinking and planning album upon album. And as the dawn shone on the horizon I knew I had found a passion that would stay with me forever. I made my first album in three days, and while I worked on it, I watched my daughter grow again from a baby to a gangling grade-school child to a teenager and then into a wonderful young mother. Why do I scrapbook? As I look at my photographs I welcome the rekindling of old memories as one would welcome home a long lost friend. Scrapbooking is a kindred spirit, and my gift to my family and myself. As I work on my pages, my mind is already racing with the possibilities that will become the realities new albums. I think that creating lasting memories for my family is the best way to let present and future generations view a special part of me. My scrapbooks reflect the best part of me and provide a window into my loves, my joys, and my soul. Scrapbooking is personal. It is also communal. It is a time for personal joy and tears. It is a time to socialize and share at crop-meets and online galleries. It is a time to gather family around--laughing, crying and reviving good times and great memories. My circle of friends has expanded, my outlook on life is rosier, and my heart has grown younger, and it is all due to some paper, some pens, a little glue, a good computer, some old photographs, and boxes and boxes of memories. Trackback(0)
Comments (37)
 
WoW! I love how you worded the art of scrap-booking! It brought tears as I read it! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I do take them to heart! Memories are precious things & to be able to share them with other adds that special element to that memory, Awesome!!!!
 1
July 14, 2009
Hi Ann, I have just joined this website and I couldn't believe your article, it is so close to my own introduction to scrapping it is uncanny! I am of a similar age and retired not all that long ago. I have boxes and boxes of photos of my two boys and older photos of my mother's and my husband's families. To produce all of the "inspirations" that come to me (usually in the middle of the night) will keep me scrapping for many years to come. I can't believe I have become so passionate about something so quickly. I was introduced to digital scrapping by my niece who is certainly addicted and contributes to many websites and is encouraging me to do likewise. Sorting through the photos of my two beautiful boys has rekindled many happy times when they were growing up. Scrapping the older photos of my mother and father and my grandparents has given me an insight into what their lives might have been like and the way they lived particularly during the times of the depression and the war. Documenting the "family tree" in this way I hope will give my two boys an understanding of their parents and grandparents and strengthen the bond with their family in years to come.
Happy Scrapping Regards Meredith 2
July 14, 2009
I am the 37 year old on the other end of the spectrum ... watching my babies grow and creating those same memories and feelings for myself and my little ones to enjoy and experience! I love your story, Ann - it made me smile and feel the joy you feel in your scrapbooking!!!! Thank you so much for sharing it today
 3
July 14, 2009
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ann. I love how you called scrapping both personal and communal--I love those memory moments to myself, but then once I create something I want to share!
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July 14, 2009
 My circle of friends has expanded, my outlook on life is rosier, and my heart has grown younger, and it is all due to some paper, some pens, a little glue, a good computer, some old photographs, and boxes and boxes of memories.I could not have said it better myself. thank you for sharing your thoughts, insights and words of wisdom. 6
July 14, 2009
I love how you found a new passion that will last forever and how scrapbooking is a gift for yourself & your family! It is! I loved reading your story Ann and a rosier outlook on life and a younger heart just makes me feel good inside! Your words were inspiring and thank you for sharing it with us today!
7
July 14, 2009
Ann, this is beautifully written. What a great reminder that we never know when a new passion will come our way. Thanks for the window into your thoughts!
8
July 14, 2009
I enjoyed reading about why you scrapbook. I'm approaching my 63rd birthday and have been scrapping about four years and, as one young woman who is part of the design team at the scrapbook store where I practically live says, I'm beyond obsessed! Thanks for sharing, and keep on scrappin'!
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July 14, 2009
Thank you, Ann, for sharing so much of your self in this story. I am turning 60 this summer and I wish I could retire so I had time to scrap as many hours a day as I currently work. I started scrapping with paper when my second grandchild was six months old. He's turning 12 this week. I couldn't have expressed how I feel about scrapping any better. I'm so happy for you that you've discovered something so important to you that you so thoroughly enjoy.
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July 14, 2009
How well you stated the reason you scrapbook. I also started in my sixth decade and have found a whole new circle of friends who share my new found craft. We are all ages but we have the same goal, which is to help save family memories, so we also do not leave behind boxes of photos that other generations have to figure out. That is my greatest disappointment, the boxes of photos from both families that have no names attached to them and no one around to let me know who they are.
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July 14, 2009
Your story of how you came to be a scrapbooker is so similar to mine. I have been scrapping for 12 years now and my first introduction to this new world was at a creative memories class. Peggy Wenger taught this class and when she began to talk about preserving our memories for our children and their children she captured my heart totally and I said to myself right there, "I have to do this". And so I did, and I have never looked back. My husband says I am obsessed!! I have never had a hobbie that I was so totally consumed by. I am hopelessly addicted and never want to quit. I have two daughters and I have gone back and scrapped all their childhood pictures into their own albumns and I have two grandsons and one on the way. I figure if I don't slow down they will need a moving van to haul their albumns in. I love photography and I am always trying to read up on new ways to get good photographs for my layouts. I am so emotionally attached to my photos and I am always taken back to that moment in time when they were taken. I love trying new techniques and buying all the stuff but I am and will always be drawn to the photos above all else. I find it hard to do layouts of just one photo because I love them all!! I am 59 and no longer work and most of my time is spent scrapbooking. I have only been in Clinton for six years and the friends I have made thru scrapbooking are wonderful and without them I would not have been able to transition 4 hours from my daughter and grandsons so easily.
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July 14, 2009
Absolutely eloquently stated! I think all of us who scrap, no matter which method, share your reasons on the "why" of it. It's addicting and yet emotional, and it's nice to have the online community to share all of this with!
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July 14, 2009
It's so funny how we all can relate to one another. I think we all like it for the same reasons. You have been a great friend to get to know through this hobby of ours!
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July 15, 2009
What a kindred spirit you are. I found scrapbooking when I accompanied a friend's daughter to a scrapbooking store. I could not resist. One year later I am loving this walk down Memory Lane and this unique way I can relate family history. It is also a pleasure to know someone else who waited until they were 60 to get started. You are also fortunate to have found others with whom to scrap and share your love of scrapping. Because of dissabilities the closest scrap stores are just a little too far for me to drive, but I know somehow I shall figure this out.
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July 15, 2009
Ann, I loved reading your story; you so eloquently put your feelings into your story.
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July 15, 2009
Oh.. how I feel, and said so eloquently! I sat, reading, and thinking of how many times I too, have started crying while working with pictures of my little ones.
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July 15, 2009
It's so good to hear of another older scrapper. I'm also in my 60's and discovered scrapbooking about 9 years ago. It has given me new friends of all ages, a new outlook on my world, loads of layouts that tell the story of my family, and a creative outlet that I never knew I needed.
23
July 15, 2009
What you say about scrapbooking seems to be the way I feel too. It gives you moments to pause in past memories. I love the the creative moments of scrapbooking to. it is all perfect for me.
24
July 15, 2009
Thanks for sharing your lovely memories and for expressing so well why we love doing this...it's a great way to relive fond moments.
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July 15, 2009
I just logged in and there you were.
 Thank you for those words about scrapbooking. I find that once I get started I can't stop. It must be an addiction or obsession, or both. I made two layouts for my brother's and sister-in-law's birthday (same day), and they both were fascinated with the results. 26
July 16, 2009
This is the best description of how compelling scrapbooking is, that I have ever read. It mirrors my feelings exactly. The fact that your life situation is so much like my own is part of it. The big difference is your awesome speed at getting your albums done. I'm a long way from there! Thanks for sharing these thoughts.
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July 16, 2009
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and fire for our shared passion. I feel very much the same, but you have put it all on paper for me. Thank you!
28
July 16, 2009
Thank all of you for your kind words. I cherish all of you and know that we share so many similar feelings about scrapbooking. You are all now part of my world and I of yours. Isn't that a wonderful thing?
29
July 16, 2009
Beautifully stated- my favorite explanation ever. So happy you found this wonderful and rewarding hobby!
30
July 17, 2009
so beautifully said! Thank you so much for sharing that! :-) I agree 150 percent!
31
July 17, 2009
Typical for me, I'm a few days late reading your words. Hah! :-) But I had to comment anyway - I needed to hear what you had to say and you have reminded me, a widowed middle-aged woman with no children, why my scrapbooking efforts matter. I loved your words -- I'll be reading them more than once.
32
July 17, 2009
Beautifully written! Thank you for sharing@
33
July 17, 2009
Well said.
Scrapbooking keeps me sane, almost. I have made so many good friends through scraping. I have always loved to take pictures, now I can preserve them in a fun way that tells our family story. 35
July 18, 2009
Your explanation of scrapbooking is wonderful. I can relate to everything that you mentioned.
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July 20, 2009
Oh my gosh...you are me! I have been in a terrible funk, trying to figure out why I scrapbook and wondering if it were a waste of time and money. Then, your essay! I too am in my sixth decade and I too have only been scrapbooking two years. I love it, but lately it has been depressing. Many people and pets that I am scrapbooking have passed on and sometimes it is very sad. Now, I can look at it differently...thank you. I am going to pass on your essay to my scraping partners at the next get-together. Again, thank you for the "new" perspective that was just lurking near the surface for me.
Judy Sanza in Fernandina Beach, FL on Amelia Island 37
July 28, 2009
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