Tag Archives: Scrapbooking

Appreciating and documenting traditions (and a challenge!)

Learn to appreciate and document your traditions with these four questions.

Here in Singapore (and Asia), we’re celebrating the Chinese New Year (also called the Lunar New Year) this Monday. And for the next fifteen days after. So places and stores have been buzzing with activity and excitement as everyone makes preparations for the New Year.

I didn’t always appreciate or fully understand our traditions for the Lunar New Year. In fact, I even thought they were rather routine and annoying at some point in my younger years. Through the years, gaining an understanding of Chinese traditions and the meaning behind them has brought my appreciation of Lunar New Year to a whole new level as I start to soak in the festivities for myself.

But this year, I find myself having a brand-new appreciation for the customs and cultures of one of the biggest Chinese holidays ever, as I share them with my students and help them to understand this holiday.

While it’s easy to take traditions for granted, sharing my cultural traditions with others has made me pause and consider the traditions we’ve had for Chinese New Year for as long as I can remember. Because the thing about traditions is, you never know when they might change.

So this year, I’m taking extra notice of the traditions we have, the things we do, the food we eat, the places we go and everything in between.

Here are some things I’m thinking about as I go about my celebrations and visitations this year:

  1. Notice the yearly traditions. What are they? Are there many traditions?

Think about the details, the little things, the things that you don’t realize or notice are traditions, but actually are, because you would miss them if they weren’t there.

What food do you eat? Where do you go? Who do you spend time with? What do you do?

  1. What do you like about these traditions? Which traditions make you excited? Why do you like them?

Some of my favorite traditions include our color-coordinated outfits and our annual  DIY family photo shoot. And I love them for how they document our lives each year. Getting to visit family and friends I don’t see very often also gets me excited for all the catching up we get to do.

  1. What would you change about your traditions?

As with many things, there are some traditions you don’t like and would rather change or get rid of altogether. What are they?

  1. What new traditions would you like to start for these holidays?

There are seasons of life and some things come and go. Some traditions might work in one season, but may be unrealistic for another season. It is absolutely okay to change some traditions, do away with others, and come up with ones that are brand new just to suit the season of life that you are in.

While I don’t foresee any new traditions this year, I’m sure that there will be new ones once we move into a different season of life.

Although I may not necessarily enjoy all the cultural traditions, I definitely appreciate the values that our traditions embody and being able to share them with others gives me a deeper appreciation and better embracing of the things and traditions that make our culture unique.

CHALLENGE YOURSELF:

So now here’s the challenge – however you decide, write down your traditions, photograph them, art journal them, scrapbook them – just document them in a way that you can look back on them in twenty years and appreciate the traditions for what they were and all that they encapsulated for you at that point in life.

For me, I’m documenting our Lunar New Year traditions this week. For you, that could look totally different (depending on where you live) and you could document some seasonal traditions or holiday traditions instead.

Who’s joining me?

Project Life 2014 | week 18

Use one kit for one spread to save time in your Project Life documenting | Amelia Writes

Week of: April 28 to May 4, 2014

What happened this week: Made some homecooked meals, went running, and spent Labor Day at USS (our favorite!).

Left side

Use one kit for one spread to save time in your Project Life documenting | Amelia Writes

Project Life 2014 week 18 | Amelia Writes

Use a plain tag to help your sentiment pop!

Tip: Use a plain tag as a background to help your sentiment pop!

Vellum + wood veneer embellishment

I love Nutella and couldn’t help snapping a photo upon spotting an entire shelf of Nutella at the grocery store.*insert heart eyes emoji*

Right side

Use one kit for one spread to save time in your Project Life documenting | Amelia Writes

Simple embellishments for Project Life

Techniques used: Aside from stamping, stickers, and the occasional wood veneer embellishment, I kept things super simple this week. Easy and done is my motto these days.

Thoughts: I used cards from one kit (Amy Tangerine’s Plus One mini kit, in this case) to help my spread come together very quickly. I love how using one kit can take out all the guess work of having to match and color-coordinate cards. I also love the blue-green hues in this spread!

Who’s still working on spreads from 2014?

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Project Life is a memory-keeping system created by Becky Higgins. I’m embarking on this year-long project to document all my memories in 2014. You can see my other Project Life posts here.

Project Life 2014 | week 14

Don't have enough photos to fill up a full two-page spread? Use printables and journaling cards for all the blank spots!

Week of: March 31 – April 6, 2014

What happened this week: Nothing much, really. I actually struggled putting this week together because I was sorely lacking on the photo-front.

Here’s a little secret about this spread: I actually printed the printables wrongly, so they ended up being smaller than a true 3×4. Because I didn’t want to waste perfectly good printables (and ink!), I just added a border of patterned paper/cardstock to the filler cards. I actually like how it pulls the whole spread together and gives it a different look from the usual.

Yay for another one of those mistakes that worked out pretty well after all (:

Left-hand side

Don't have enough photos to fill up a full two-page spread? Use printables and journaling cards for all the blank spots!

I also punched out some elements from the original 3×4 cards to fit my spread, like that “One for the album” circle and scallop shape in the top right corner, as well as the “2014” circle and scallop in the bottom right corner on the right-hand side.

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Right-hand side

Don't have enough photos to fill up a full two-page spread? Use printables and journaling cards for all the blank spots!Ameliawrites-PL2014-week14Ameliawrites-PL2014-week14

Techniques used: Not having enough pictures ended up letting me use lots of One Little Bird designs in this spread. Completely serendipitous and I love it.

Thoughts: While I initially struggled to put this week together, I ended up being able to play around with lots of paper which was so much fun to do.

Pressing on with 2014 and so grateful to still be able to document things from almost a year ago.

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Project Life is a memory-keeping system created by Becky Higgins. I’m embarking on this year-long project to document all my memories in 2014. You can see my other Project Life posts here.

All the Memories | 10 embellishments for pocket scrapbooking

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A couple of weeks ago, I shared my favorite tools for memory keeping.

So today, I’m sharing my favorite embellishments that I use in my Project Life albums.

There is a huge variety of embellishments that you can include in your albums, but these are my favorites – the things that I find myself gravitating toward and using constantly week after week. The thing about embellishments is that you don’t need them for memory keeping, but they’re nice additional touches that make the pages extra special.

Although things have been a little slow on the Project Life front recently, I’m excited to see whether my tastes and style will change in the coming months as I continue to work on my album. (Yes, I’m planning to actually get it done.)

So in no particular order, here we go!

10 embellishments for pocket scrapbooking:

1. Washi tape

This is a long-time favorite embellishment. I even made some DIYs with it (see this and this). It’s cute and functional in attaching memorabilia or other papers.

2. Enamel dots

These add the perfect pop of color and dimension to any spreads.

3. Wood veneer

I love using these raw, so many different shapes, so much variety.

4. Paper clips

These are perfect for attaching memorabilia without damaging them, or creating flaps for additional information.

5. Stamps

Roller stamps, rubber stamps, date stamps, clear stamps – I love the variety and versatility of stamps and use at least one form of them in every spread.

(Some may consider stamps as tools instead, but since they aren’t actually essential to completing a Project Life album and you’re pretty spoilt for choice, I would consider them as embellishments.)

6. Inks

Again, there are many different types and so many colors to choose from to pair with the stamps.

7. Chipboard shapes

Like enamel dots, chipboard shapes are pretty flat but still have enough dimension to keep things interesting. And lots of options too!

8. Die cut pieces

Whether I die cut my own shapes or purchase them, I love customizing die cut pieces for my spreads.

9. Stickers

I especially love alpha stickers, but the American Crafts Remarks sticker books are a lot of fun too.

10. Sequins

When I need the perfect touch of bling, sequins are my go-to.

What are your favorite scrapbooking embellishments? Tell me in the comments!

Missed the other posts in this series? You can catch up on them here:

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All the Memories is a blog series talking about all things memory keeping – from memory keeping ideas to answering your questions. This is the year to get those memories documented!

All the Memories | Making time for memory keeping

Short on time for memory keeping? Here are five ways to make time for it.

I love creating and memory keeping. But I’m at the phase in life where I constantly feel like there’s so much to do but so little time.

With how busy I am nowadays, I feel like memory keeping and creating always end up neglected at the bottom of my to do list, and it gets lost amidst another more pressing deadlines. So I can totally relate when friends lament how they don’t have enough time to rest, let alone do any sort of memory keeping.

But then I find myself feeling restless and itching to create when I haven’t made anything for awhile.

So unless I choose to make time, I won’t get round to creating for awhile.

In an effort to be more intentional with memory keeping and creating this year, I came up with a list of ways to fix my lack of creating and to make time for creativity and doing the things I love.

5 ways to make time for memory keeping/creating:

1. Set aside a period of time for creating every day.

This might be the hardest one for me, since time (actually the lack thereof) is the biggest obstacle for my creating and memory keeping. But I’m starting with at least 10 minutes a day. Then as time permits, I’ll spend more time creating.

2. Make your supplies easily accessible.

I tend to have an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality when it comes to supplies. But having my supplies easily accessible and readily available reminds me to use them whenever I see them.

3. Have a place for creating.

Sometimes, having to take things out and put things back can be a hassle and kind of puts me off from creating because of all the trouble that it takes. I currently don’t have much room in my house for a specific creating spot, but I’m exploring my options. For now, I will likely get a tray to keep all the supplies for the projects I am currently working on.

4. Look for someone to keep you accountable.

Last year, #letscatchuponprojectlife helped me to get out of a rut and back into memory keeping. Ask one or two of your best creative friends to keep you accountable in this area. Big things happen when you make yourself accountable.

5. Just do it.

It’s always easier to make excuses or procrastinate. But whatever it is, just make time for scrapbooking/creating/memory keeping. After all, if there’s a will, there’s a way!

Expanding creative energy helps me to create more. So I’m planning to try out these ways and be more intentional in memory keeping and creating this year.

How do you make time to create and document memories when your schedule is super busy? I’d love to hear how you do it!

Missed the other posts in this series? You can catch up on them here:

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All the Memories is a blog series talking about all things memory keeping – from memory keeping ideas to answering your questions. This is the year to get those memories documented!

All the Memories | 10 tools for memory keepers

Essential tools for any memory keeper

As a memory-keeping system, Project Life can be as simple or as complicated as you need or want it to be. Becky says it’s as simple as just using an album, pocket pages, and a core kit with your photos. But as a scrapbooker turned Project Lifer, I still like to mix things up and add a creative aspect to my memory keeping.

Since we talked about using pocket scrapbooking to document memories last week, I thought it would be apt to share my favorite memory keeping tools which I use when doing pocket scrapbooking.

Aside from my camera which is (obviously) what I use to capture memories, here’s a list of my favorite essentials, the tools which help me to get stuff done. This list is different from my list of favorite embellishments, which I’ll share in another post.

Essential tools for any memory keeper

Top 10 tools for Memory Keepers:

1. Paper trimmer

Like what a trimmer is supposed to do, I use this to trim my photos and Project Life cards. I have the EK Success Cutterpede trimmer.

2. Cutter Bee scissors

This scissors is incredibly sharp. Since I don’t have a Silhouette (it’s on my wishlist though!), this Cuttlebee is my lifesaver for cutting whatever I need.

3. Tiny Attacher

I used a regular stapler for the longest time. But I’d heard so many good things about the Tiny Attacher that I finally decided to take the plunge when my local scrapbook store had them in stock. And I love it. It can staple through (almost) anything (including wood veneers!) and it’s so easy to use.

4. Punches

These give me the perfect circles in various sizes. The squeeze punches from Fiskars are my favorite, but I also have one from American Crafts which is also good.

5. Corner rounder

So far, my spreads have a mix of square and rounded corners. But when I decide that I want rounded corners, this is super handy.

6. Project Life cards/core kits

In addition to photos, Project Life cards help me to fill in the gaps and give me a place to include all my journaling.

7. White cardstock

I purchased a whole stack of these and use them regularly for printing my weekly title cards and digital cards.

8. Zig pen/Sharpie

These are my go-to pens for journaling and adding text to my photos.

9. Printables

Although I have one core kit and several mini kits, I love using printables from Paislee Press and One Little Bird, which add another fun element to my spreads. I also like using free printables that I find online.

10. Adhesive

Each has a different purpose, but I generally use glue tape for photos and paper, glue dots or liquid glue for smaller elements, and foam dots for dimension.

While you obviously don’t need all these tools to document or be a memory keeper, these are my personal must-haves. These go-to tools definitely help me to get the job done a lot quicker and more efficiently, leaving me with more time to create memories for documenting!

What are your must-have tools for memory keeping? Let me know in the comments!

Missed the other posts in this series? You can catch up on them here:

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All the Memories is a blog series talking about all things memory keeping – from memory keeping ideas to answering your questions. This is the year to get those memories documented!

All the Memories | Documenting with pocket scrapbooking

5 good reasons why you should document with pocket scrapbooking

I love making memories. I love documenting. I love being creative.

And I love that pocket scrapbooking combines all three elements together.

Like I mentioned in this post, Project Life is my method of choice for documenting memories nowadays. But whether you call it pocket scrapbooking or Project Life, I love so many things about this method of scrapbooking.

5 reasons I love documenting with pocket scrapbooking:

1. It’s fast and easy.

That’s the way pocket scrapbooking is supposed to be anyway. Sometimes, I might over-complicate things, but I can always go back to the basics with no problems at all – just slip photos into pockets, write journaling, and I’m done!

2. It lets me be creative without being overwhelmed.

With the various pockets and spreads, I can be as creative or as simple as I want. Pocket scrapbooking lets me channel my creative energy without taking up too much time or making me feel like I have the impossible task of memory keeping. And in the end, my memories still get documented while I’m being creative (yay!).

3. It lets me document consistently.

Because I have an album to fill and weekly spreads to create, pocket scrapbooking motivates me and keeps me accountable in documenting life, even the seemingly trivial and unimportant stories of our every day.

4. It’s flexible.

If a system isn’t flexible enough to meet my needs, then the system doesn’t work. But here’s the cool thing about pocket scrapbooking: You and I can use the same system in a completely different way that is unique for our needs. It’s all up to you, so just decide and choose what works best for you.

For example, while everyone has their own strategy for documenting (weekly/monthly/by events), I choose to document weekly because I love the consistency and regularity of that. Also, it’s just less confusing for me to do weekly documenting. But even if I change my mind and decide to document monthly instead of weekly, I can switch it up with no problems at all.

This also means you can also choose to go all paper, all digital or a combination of both (hybrid). Whether you use 12×12, 9×12, or 6×8, size is completely up to you too.

Whatever works for you, pick that.

5. It focuses on the things I love.

In the end, I love pocket scrapbooking because it combines everything I love (making memories + documenting + being creative) into one fun big project.

And I couldn’t enjoy it more. Enough said.

Are you using pocket scrapbooking to document your memories? What do you like about this method?

P.S. Still not convinced? I also liked this post on pocket scrapbooking.

Missed the other posts in this series? You can catch up on them here:

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All the Memories is a blog series talking about all things memory keeping – from memory keeping ideas to answering your questions. This is the year to get those memories documented!

Project Life 2014 | week 17

Ameliawrites-PL2014-week17

Lo and behold, it’s a Project Life post!

Trust me, I haven’t fallen off the Project Life bandwagon. I’ve just been a little bit slow in putting them together.

I actually have all my photos until September 2014 printed out. Now I just need to sort through photos for the remaining months of 2014 and pick cards for the spreads. Easy, right?

I just need to carve out time to get down to it, womp. And I will soon.

Excuses aside, I finally found time to finish and photograph this spread and I’m glad it’s finally done and in the books. Now moving on to the thirty other spreads I need to do…

Ameliawrites-PL2014-week17

Week of: April 21 to 27, 2014

What happened this week: It was a relatively fun/busy week since we got USS passes, went out for dinner, and visited the Tulip Festival.

Because I had quite a few photos from the Tulip Festival, I made an insert to include all the extra photos and memorabilia. This is how the spread looks like with the insert flipped.

Ameliawrites-PL2014-week17

For the insert, I trimmed off the last section of a Project Life Design D page protector. I actually like the vertical 4×6 pockets, which don’t happen very often.

Left side (without the insert)

Ameliawrites-PL2014-week17

Right side (without the insert)

Ameliawrites-PL2014-week17

Other details from the insert:

Ameliawrites-PL2014-week17

I pulled some enamel dots, Amy Tangerine Remarks stickers, Dear Lizzy Project Life cards, and Pebbles journaling cards from my stash to help the insert come together and look a little more cohesive.

Ameliawrites-PL2014-week17

Techniques used: I used my Instax camera a fair amount this week, so I included all of those polaroid photos.

Thoughts: This week ended up being a nice mix of pastel and bolder colors, which surprisingly worked. And since this week seems like such a long time ago, I’m glad I got all the activities documented.

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Project Life is a memory-keeping system created by Becky Higgins. I’m embarking on this year-long project to document all my memories in 2014. You can see my other Project Life posts here.

All the Memories | 15 memories to document in 2015

Look out for 15 of these moments in 2015 and document them!

Sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and busyness of life and forget about the little moments that make up the big moments.

Since this year is all about intentional memory keeping and not letting the moments slip by, I put together a list of 15 (big and small) memories to get you started on your memory keeping.

Look out for these moments and document them in any way you choose!

15 memories to document in 2015:

1. A new experience

2. A new restaurant that you visited

3. The first concert of 2015 that you attended

4. One new food that you tried

5. A new favorite recipe

6. One new country/city/town that you visited

7. One new friendship that you formed

8. Your most-used mode of transportation in 2015

9. Your favorite song (the one that is always on replay)

10. Your favorite drink

11. A funny story/epic memory

12. A new routine

13. One new book that you read and enjoyed

14. One thing you regret doing/not doing

15. One goal you set and achieved for yourself

What other memories do you plan to document this year? Let me know in the comments!

Missed the other posts in this series? You can catch up on them here:

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All the Memories is a blog series talking about all things memory keeping – from memory keeping ideas to answering your questions. This is the year to get those memories documented!

All the Memories | 12 ways to document your memories

Ameliawrites-allthememories-12waysdocument

So you’ve decided to start memory keeping (YAY for you!), because it’s obviously a good idea to document your 2015 memories, right?

But what method should you use?

Like I mentioned in my last post, there are seriously so many options for how to document your memories.

These days, I like using Project Life (or pocket scrapbooking) as my chosen documentation method. But more on that in another post on another day.

That said, since I like having options (most of the time anyway), I put together a (non-exhaustive) list of ways that anyone can use to document those precious memories.

And all you have to do is to pick your favorite way and try it!

12 ways to document your memories

1. Mini books/albums

If all other paper projects seem too daunting, just start small with minis first. (I’ve got lots of inspiration here.)

2. Photo books

Photo books are few and far between for me, but for those that I’ve made, I really do love. I also love seeing Ronnie’s beautiful photo/story books.

3. Pocket scrapbooking/Project Life

I’ve mentioned this already, but I couldn’t not include it in the list right? (Full post another day.)

4. Photo collages

This one is so easy and convenient to do, you can literally do it at your fingertips on your smartphone. Just download a photo collage app (like this) and viola! You can do weekly or monthly collages and print them out at the end of the year. Or just whenever you want, really.

5. Picture frames

Since so many things are digital nowadays, I always appreciate looking at a nicely framed photo and holding it in my hands.

6. Daily/weekly/monthly journaling

Try a consistent journaling project for a neat compilation of thoughts and memories at the end of the year. Or do what Elise is doing and just keep a journal, period.

7. Blogging

I still remember the days of angsty teenage posts and blogs. But those days aside, blogging is actually like keeping an online journal, which is a really good way to document with words and photos.

8. Videos

A picture may paint a thousand words, but some videos are just beyond words. Since Youtube and vlogging is kind of a thing right now, you could totally hop on that bandwagon. Just saying.

9. Digital/hybrid projects

If paper isn’t really your thing, try going digital or doing a mix of both. (Paislee Press and One Little Bird are some of my favorite shops.)

10. Scrapbook layouts

This is how I started scrapbooking (again, that’s another story for another day). But layouts are perfect for combining anyone’s love for words, memories, and paper into one project.

11. Social Media

Since I use relatively limited social media nowadays, this isn’t my preferred memory keeping method. But if it works for you, then I say go for it! Better memories documented than none at all.

12. Photo albums

Sometimes, you just need to go back and be old-school by printing photos and slipping them into regular albums. No need to do anything else fancy. Just good old albums. (Remember to go acid- and lignin-free if you want to really preserve your photos though!)

As I always say, there isn’t a right or wrong way to document, just the right way for you.

Let me know which way you’re using to document your 2015 memories, or more memory keeping methods that you have to add to this list!

Missed the other posts in this series? You can catch up on them here:

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All the Memories is a blog series talking about all things memory keeping – from memory keeping ideas to answering your questions. This is the year to get those memories documented!