To the untrained eye, this may seem like a store. But to the veteran scrapbooker - this my friends - is a goal to be met for the home "Office".
Did she just say "scrapbooking"? Is that even a word? To scrapbook? Scrapbooky? Scrapbooker? Scrappity Scrap-o. Yep, it's all real.
Most people learn that I scrapbook and are a little confused. "Wow, Les, I thought your edgy cynicism and the way you wear that thick black eye-liner and steel-toed boots - I would have never guessed you for a - what did you say...Scrapbooker. Doesn't really match your love of gangsta rap either."
Super - thanks. Make fun of it all you want, but I scrapbook for many reasons. First of all, the shoe boxes holding all of my pictures were starting to crumble. Something had to be done.
Secondly, I'm the youngest in my family. So, it's a desperate attempt to right the wrongs in my childhood... And if you're the youngest in your family, you know what I'm talking about:with the youngest, there's pretty much a picture when you were born, maybe if you're lucky and your parents were still talking enough to communicate to get the polaroid out, there's like your first birthday picture or first day of school picture, but that's it, and certainly not both. Then, after that, there's a few pictures of you with pals in high school, but it's only two-thirds of your face because you are literally taking your own picture. Luckily, I'm the youngest of the two of us. So, it was only THAT bad. I SCRAPBOOKED a book of my grandmother's ELEVEN children for her 80th birthday. Child #1 had about 7 double-layout pages of beautiful pictures and professional portraits. By the time I got to #11, he had a baby picture, and a deep sea fishing picture from his 30s. I have the book, it's documented, I'm totally not even exaggerating. Because the youngest child NEVER exaggerates. EVER.
Thirdly, I scrapbook for the same reason I blog. I have to document these things or I will forget. Because I am like Dory from Nemo...look, something Shiny! In my experience of early motherhood, I was sleep deprived, hormones were everywhere, no sleep, couldn't even remember if I'd brushed my teeth that morning, very tired, and had only my camera to help me document each moment.
"How much did Max weigh?"
"I don't know, let me go check."
"The birth certificates?"
"Oh, no, the scrapbook, it's in there."
"When did Lucy roll over the first time?"
"Dunno, here, I'll get her book too."
"You have Max's first bowel movement listed in here."
"It's publishable, leave me alone."
Many a days, we've referenced the scrapbook for infinite reflection and enlightenment is all I'm sayin.
I also like to scrapbook because I have my "dealers". I may or may not have a few. I simply support the at-home business moms. And they, in return are JUST LIKE a good drug dealer. They score me my dime-bag of tape-runners or emergency paper packs on a moment's notice. And yes, on occasion, it's an emergency. To fuel the need and keep me coming back for more - they slide a little extra something in there for me to try - to experiment with - to fall in love with and buy more of...and I love them for that!
Finally, I scrapbook because yes indeed, it's a good get-away. At some point, a scrapbook retreat came into the mix of my life. Now I go twice a year. And the very people who poke fun at my scrapbooking crafty craft, bask in their own misery of jealousy and lack of sleep. Because I've actually heard, "Wait, you go - all weekend? Friday through Sunday? You have a chef cook for you, and your own bed in a cabin? And snacks all day? And what did you just say about a milkshake machine?" Yep, it's all true. "Well, do I have to scrapbook, or can I just show up and eat and sleep there in peace?" Nope, you gotta get your pictures of your beautiful babies out of those nasty aging and gluey photo albums and actually write what they are doing in the picture. Because if I hear your kid ask one more time, 'Mommy, is that the time I'm wearing my Dora shirt at the zoo or right before I barfed at the parade, and which parade', I might slap you. You MUST document these things. Doi.
Going on these retreats may seem like a crazy foofy-foofy goody-two-shoed mommy thing to do. But we've got vodka for the milkshake machine -It's our dirty little secret. And it's perfect therapy: Alone time, and you get to stare at your beautiful children...in pictures. In pictures, folks, they can't scream or cry at you. It's the perfect refresher and then reminder of the goodness you've created and in essence - of what you just ran away from for a weekend.
So, Scrapbooking IS a verb, a noun, an adjective, an adverb, and if used creatively, it too can be a preposition.
And that's how me and my effn scrapbooks roll. So, back off.
So you don't know me, but I am a friend of a friend of "Julz". She calls her crazy mom Jen in her blog. Anyway I have to say I LOVE your blog probably some of the funniest shit I've read in a long time!! I would not normally comment on blogs when the owner of it does not know me, but this scrapping room made my mouth drop and I began to drool! I just had to write to you to let you know that I am a SAHM(of 3) and I love to scrap and I say it loud and proud. Is there a better hobby that involves being BY YOURSELF or with ADULT friends and not feel guilty about it? It's for the family!!(wink wink) AND it saves us thousands of dollars in therapy. That's how I justify my scrap area(which looks nothing like yours!)and my once a month "scrap night" with friends. Yes we scrap, but we also eat , drink and bitch! Now I must admit these books will not be my children's until I die, but they will eventually make it to them and they will appreciate them!!
Anyway I would love to check out your pages, do subscribe to any sites? Here is where you can find me(if you don't think I'm nuts,I assure though I am) http://www.scrapjazz.com/galleries/33824.html
Again, thanks for the laughs and I hope you don't mind if I keep reading. I promise I'm not a stalker!! haha!
Jen
Hi jen,
Thanks for the props. And for the record, that is not my scrapbook room. Mine is a beautiful hand crafted table with a mass of piles an dissaray. I KNEW someone would relate! So, thank you. All my scrapbooks are oldschool. There's no digitalesque to them. But I'll check yours out! I hope you keep reading, keep commenting and let me know how you like the blog. Shoot me an email too if you prefer.
Thanks!
That is just a really snazzy and efficient workspace. I'm pea-green with envy!
I just cleaned up and put up my sewing area, but the next time I drag it all out, I'll send a picture of it to you. EVERYONE will feel better about their own workspaces.
Now if I could just acquire ONE "She Cave" for myself, it would be as big as a large bedroom, complete with closet, shelves, drawers, a 5'X6' work table island (to my waste) with a lighted surface for tracings, and plug outlets, desk with computer and phone, washer & dryer, a separate counter for my sewing machine, a sink with hot and cold running water, and a window to the BACK yard. I know you girls will think this is strange, but YES, I do need an iron and hide-away ironing board. It just goes with my generation.
XO,
Mom/Mena
I keep asking but you never answer me...When are you going to start scrapbooking my kids for me? You know when you get "all caught up" and your kids stop growing and doing cute things....you will need more material. I am volunteering mine. And yes, I do want to go to your weekend workshops. None of you "scrapers" sleep so it would be nice and quiet for me and my reading and napping. I like the perks of scrapbooking without the paper cuts and cricuts. :)
insightful post