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Why do I scrapbook?

There are the usual reasons why I scrapbook (which are probably nothing new to most of you): the creative outlet, the stress relief, the telling of my family’s story, et cetera. But the main reason why I scrapbook? It is because I am selfish. Yep, that is what I said. I’m selfish.

Let me expound a bit:

• I love to have an excuse to take nonstop photos of my husband, kids, friends, neighbors, pets... actually, everything.
• I love owning a DSLR and being thrilled by all that it allows me to do.
• I love knowing that I can shoot in manual and that the photos will come out looking better than if I shot in auto.
• I love shooting in RAW, but love even more being able to say that I shoot in RAW. It just sounds cool. And smart.
• I love technology (sung in the voice of Skip in Napoleon Dynamite)
• I love to speak compy-language with my friends and sound smart.
• I love clipping masks and layers. (How did I function without them?)
• I love that all I need to do when I want to scrap is grab my chair and a cold drink and seat myself in front of the computer.
• I love it that Jessica always wants us to have a cold drink.
• I love that there are no piles of paper, stickers, scissors, adhesive, and so on and on and on. Which are bound to be messed up by my children. And to be put away in three hours when it's time for bed. When only one page has been done.
• I love that going digital means that I can use that cute paper thousands of times and only had to pay for it once... if I had to pay for it at all (Yeah for freebies!)
• I love that I wanted an external hard drive and a wide-format printer for my birthday these past two years, and my hubby happily obliged.
• I love that the said wide-format printer prints gorgeous layouts and photos (even though I have yet to put them in albums or frames).
• I love completing a page and watching it come off the printer, fresh and beautiful.
• I love being able to whip up a super-cute invitation or announcement in about five minutes and amaze my friends and family. (If they only knew how easy it really is!)
• I love that when my son had a modified book report due for school, his teacher allowed us to do a digital 12x12 layout about the book! He got an A, of course.
• I love the Spraground and all it encompasses.
• I love that Jessica Sprague thinks I'm awesome. (And she even announces it to everyone! See for yourself: it's right at the bottom of the pages on her website!)
• I especially love my dear friends that I have found here on the Spraground. I can't imagine my life without them. (Long live the PP!)
• I love that I had the courage to get on a plane last summer and fly to Chicago to meet in person a group of women that I had only previously met online. And lived to tell about it. What amazing women! And great shoppers, too!
• I love knowing that the red dot on my forehead means that Liv is always watching out for me, along with the Superiors.
• I love that I will be in Utah in September to see the Chicago Babes and other Spragmates!
• I love having my BFF (and Spragmate) Kari be my guinea pig and try out all the new gadgets. If she loves them, then I'll consider saving up for them... or better yet, I'll just run over to her house and borrow them!
• I love that Kari introduced me to the digi world and led me to the Spraground. I will forever be in her debt.

But more seriously-

• I love capturing my children's faces in their everyday moments, and especially so during their not-so-everyday moments.
• I love recording their words so that I can read them over and over again for as long as I live.
• I love watching my kids pull out their scrapbooks and giggle and laugh over their pictures and stories.
• I love it that when my kids see these pages, they remember that they actually DO love each other.
• I love remembering the happy times so that the sad times are easier to get through.
• I love recording the yesterdays and todays so that I can remember them tomorrow.
• I love knowing how to do all of these things, as they help me feel needed and appreciated.
• I love that scrapbooking shows that I am not invisible, even if I am not in any of the pictures.

So you see,  scrapbooking is such a huge part of me. It really is all about me, what I love, and how it makes me feel. Does this make me sound selfish? If the answer to that is yes, I'll gladly live with the label, maybe even nod my head and agree with it. After all, what is that compared to all the wonderful gifts that scrapbooking has given me, right? (wink!)

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Comments (21)

Kari Holt: ...

That's right ... you are FOREVER in my debt!!! And you ARE selfish - I *LOVE* that about you Makes me feel so much better about my own selfishness!!!! You're welcome to borrow whatever I have (as long as I'm not using it which means the Mac is off limits )

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June 02, 2009

Joan Samuels: ...

Awesome Tori!!!

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June 02, 2009

Jana Holden: ...

Oh you selfish girl you! I wouldn't want you any other way! Although it seems I saw you wearing a T-shirt last summer that said you were "Perfect!" LOL! I love how you made this awesome list! I'm so glad you had the courage to get on that plane a year ago! It was just great hangin in Chicago with you. Can't wait to hug you again in Utah Sistah!

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June 02, 2009

Janie Holmes-Davis: ...

Tori - this is wonderful! So all-encompassing and so fun to read! I am now looking even more forward to meeting you in Utah in September. Till then, thanks so much for being a member of this community and for sharing your talents and thoughts. I really enjoyed reading your article. Warmest, Janie

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June 03, 2009

Kendra: ...

Tori, you encapsulated this perfectly. This is wonderful. Thank you. (And clearly I am very selfish and proud of it, too. Awesome - but you knew that.)

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June 03, 2009

Meg Stocks: ... http://digimegsworld.blogspot.com/

Wow - Tori - you said it all & better than I could have....TFS, GF! Can't wait to see you in Provo in Sept!!

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June 03, 2009

April Saunders: ...

Great writing Tori - I love the last line about not being invisible even though you aren't in many of the pictures. I relate to that one!!! Keep on scrappin' and thanks for inspiring the rest of us.

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June 03, 2009

Laurie Pecotte: ...

Rock on PP!!! Great job, my friend! Miss you so much that it hurts. Mwah!

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June 03, 2009

Valerie: ...

I love the way you captured everything you love about our hobby and then captured what it allows you to do. Really wonderful story.

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June 03, 2009

Bedie Price: ...

Tori, you made me cry!! You are so awesome.

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June 03, 2009

Kim Branson: ...

Loved learning more about you, Tori -- and you can add me to the list of "selfish digi-scrappers" I'm trying to convince my Hubby to let me attend DSE in Sept, so maybe I'll get to meet you there!

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June 03, 2009

Debi Putnam: ...

Way to go sistah!!!!! But you really do need to stop being so humble!!! LOL

Love your article. It reminded me of how much I enjoy your company. You are such a special friend and I love you dearly!

My dilemma ... after you, Kari, Jana, Laurie, Janie and Liv .... what am I gonna write?????

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June 03, 2009

Debi Putnam: ...

OK, why doesn't my photo show up???????

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June 03, 2009

robyn marais: ... http:// This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wow, what a stunning view of what goes on in your head. Hope you're going to scrap this insight for your children to read someday

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June 04, 2009

Liv: ... http://livestories.wordpress.com

Tori, my dearest: you may be "selfish" by scrapbooking standards but in real life you are the least selfish friend we have, ever! YOU are one of the best gifts scrapbooking has given me! Love ya, PP GF!

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June 05, 2009

michelle seizys: ...

Tori, love that! thanks for writing it down. and i ditto Liv, you are one of the best gifts this site has given me!!!

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June 05, 2009

Lisa Davolt: ...

this was really a great article. I love the way you put the whole thing together.

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June 05, 2009

Beckie: ... http://www.blue-kangaroo.blogspot.com

I think you expressed everyone's thoughts. I feel smart when we speak in digi-language too. I wish everyone else would find out how easy, relaxing and FUN it is too!
Thanks for sharing your talent with me.
When I grow up I want to be just like you! Just taller.

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June 05, 2009

Tori Johnson: ...

You guys are awesome! Thanks for all your kind words! Jana - my shirt said "Popular" not perfect, but that is close enough. lol And Beckie, thanks for the reminder that I come to your elbow when standing next to you.

I went to dinner last night with my brother and my hubby to a Chinese restaurant. You will never believe what my fortune had to say!!! This is what it read, "You are never selfish with your help or advice." LOL!!! Perfect timing, huh? I love it.

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June 06, 2009

Amy LeJeune: ... http://amylejeune.typepad.com

Tori girl, you are too funny! I really enjoyed reading this!

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June 07, 2009

latz: ... http://latzeng.wordpress.com/

and I love that I had the opportunity to give you hugs in person and hang out together at the airport--love ya!

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June 07, 2009