kids ideas

[sexymummie]

Scrapbooking Children's Favorite Memories
by Fion Lim (Oct 23, 2005)


Countless memories are built during the formative childhood days. If there's an excellent means to record them down in some way, it’s with scrapbooking. True, we can't possibly capture every single event, but we can definitely scrap those more memorable ones onto pages. If you've decided to scrapbook with your child, besides guiding them with little prompts on the journaling, you'll probably need some neat ideas to pull in those best memories.

Here are some various hot-selling "stories" that you and your child can scrapbook about:

1) Story of the Birth of Baby
Kids love to read stories about themselves as babies. Having pages surrounding your child's birth will make him or her feel how much he or she is wanted by the family.

Photo of mommy pregnant with the baby.
Who waited for the birth?
Who came for the hospital visit?
Weight, length, doctor, hospital details.
Feelings of parents about the birth of your child.
Funny stories that happened.
Documenting baby milestones.
What are your child’s favorite bedtime stories?
Photo of your child’s favorite toys.

Related to the birth stories, another idea is for your child to do a page on his or her name and birthday. Record your child’s feelings about his or her name. Why did you and your husband come up with such a name? What's the meaning of the name? Find out what famous people share your kid's name. Find out what famous birthdays share your kid's birthday. What's the best birthday party your child had?

As there's a chance that there are no photos taken during the birth, a good alternative would be to do a page on significant or historical events that happened on the day or year of your child’s birth. Visit the dMarie Time Capsule to pick up such data.

2) Story of Family
Family members are among the most influential people that influence a child during the growing years. Having your child scrapbook about the family will reinforce the importance of family connectedness in his or her life.

What does your child like about each family member?
Does your girl or boy like being part of the family? Why?
Does your child like being the first-born, middle-born, in-between or baby of the family?
What does your child like about his or her grandparents?
What are the family chores that your kid handle?
Does your child have a favorite pet? What does your child like about the pet? Get him or her to draw a picture of the pet.
Funny incidents that took place in the family.
Typical day at home. What are the daily activities that take place?
List of fun things your child did with the family like sporting events, camping, and picnics.
Favorite family vacations. Where did you go and what did your child do?
What are your child’s most memorable memories about the family?
Record the cultural heritage of the family.
Suggest that your child draw a family portrait.

3) Story of School Days
School is where the child will improve his or her fine-motor, language, art, math, problem-solving, expanding ideas and social skills. Many unforgettable memories will be formed here and your child would want to scrap these days.

Favorite subject at school. Why?
Favorite teacher. What does your child like about this teacher?
Describe a typical day at school.
Describe the items in your child’s backpack. Take a photo of those items.
What does your child like about his or her school?
Where does he or she usually hang out?
Lst of fun things your child does with his or her classmates.
What extracurricular activities or clubs do you child join? Since this is a personal choice, why did he or she choose it?
Who does your child usually sit with at lunch?
Who are your child’s favorite classmates? What does your child like about them?
What are the memorable field trips?

:thumbsup:

[sexymummie]

4)Story of Friends
Friends are crucial in the development of a child’s growth. By scrapbooking the theme of friendship, he or she will learn the importance of friends, and to dwell on the positive aspects of friendship.

Who are your child’s best friends?
What does your child like about them?
What do your kids usually do when they are together?
Where do your children like to hang out with their friends? Why?
What qualities does your child admire in his or her friends?

5) Story of Dreams and Aspirations
Children have the amazing ability to daydream, imagine and dream big! You might want to encourage your kid to explore all the different possibilities. You'll probably have to give more guidance about journaling future jobs, things they want to achieve, homes and the lifestyle they want to lead.

What does like your child want to become when he or she grows up? Why?
What are the duties included in the job?
Who are the famous/ordinary people with the career your child admires? Take a photo of these people.
What are the qualities of the people with the career your child dreams of?
What kind of home your child want to live in the future? Draw a picture of the dream house.
Does your child want to be married in future? How many kids does he or she want to have? What are the qualities your child looks for in his or her partner?
List of top ten things your child wanted most to do in his or her life.
What does your child imagine he or she will be doing during free time?
If your child could have one superpower, what would it be? Why?
If money is no object, what would you child want to do with the money. Why?

[sexymummie]

The point is not to be overwhelmed by documenting your pregnancy. Any snippet of information will be a blessing to your child(ren). Here are 15 ideas to get you started.

We're Pregnant! “Things are gonna start changin’ around here.”

Photo: Photograph the positive reading on the home pregnancy test or your tears of joy.
Journaling Idea: Were you surprised? Excited? Nervous?

Start Spreading the News! Document how you told your friends and family about the big news.

Photo: Photograph their reactions as they happen, or re-enact the announcement for a photograph.
Journaling: In their own words, how did your family and friends react?

Your Cravings. “Give me the candy and nobody gets hurt!”

Photo: I have a photo of myself curled up on the coach with a bowl of ice cream. It’s not flattering, but it’s me!
Journaling: List your cravings and how they change over time.

Puttin’ on the Ritz. Don’t forget your maternity wardrobe!

Photo: Modeling your favorite attire, of course!
Journaling: Can’t live without your drawstring pants? Journal now, laugh about it later.

A Pickle for Your Thoughts. How do you really feel about your pregnancy?

Photo: Include a side shot of you looking down at your tummy.
Journaling: How do you feel about labor and delivery? How do you feel about being a mother?

The Daddy. Hey, he had something to do with the pregnancy.

Photo: Photograph Dad snuggling close to your belly.
Journaling: How does he feel? Let him do the journaling, in his own words. If he’s not comfortable with that, interview him.

It’s Raining Gifts, Hallelujah! Your baby shower is a great way to show the excitement surrounding your pregnancy.

Photo: If possible, have the daddy stop in to take a group shot or set your camera on a timer to capture the event.
Journaling: Don’t just journal about gifts and games. How did your friends and family encourage you? What was the biggest blessing?

A Place of their Own. The baby’s nursery is their own part of the world. If your baby shares a room with another sibling, photograph the baby’s area. I have a photo of my nursery from 1980 and it is priceless to me.

Photo: Besides photographing the entire room, zoom into the details that make it special.
Journaling: What steps were taken to create this special place?

The Naming Game. This process is about as meticulous as deciding to have a baby in the first place.

Photo: Take a photo of you or the daddy hiding behind the baby name book.
Journaling: Write about baby names of course. What did you like? What did Daddy like? What made the cut and why? Family names, anyone?

Under Construction. The ultrasound photos are the very first baby photos.

Photo: Ultrasound photographs deteriorate quickly, so I recommend transferring them onto photo paper.
Journaling: What was the heart rate? Did you find out your baby’s gender or how many weeks pregnant you are? Did they change your due date?

Everything Grows with Love. Your expanding waistline is one of the things that changes the most over the length of a pregnancy.

Photo: Sit or stand sideways monthly to show a progression of your tummy.
Journaling: Journal your weight gain each doctor visit.

The Baby’s Siblings. A new baby is a big change for you, but can be even harder for the baby’s siblings to adapt to the idea.

Photo: Take some photos of your other children all looking at your tummy.
Journaling: What steps did you take to prepare them for the new arrival? What are their thoughts about the baby?

Your Birth Plan. Did you take Bradley classes or read a how-to book? What is your plan for labor and delivery?

Photo: Have a classmate photograph you and your birthing instructor after class.
Journaling: Journal your birth plan and print an extra copy for the hospital and your OBGYN.

Advice. Everyone has it. Everyone gives it. Not everyone loves it.

Photo: Take a picture of you and the person who gave the worst/best advice.
Journaling: Journal your top 10 best/worst advice.

Letter to your Baby. Dedicate your book to your baby, or just write a simple note.

Photo: Your favorite pregnancy or ultrasound photo.
Journaling: Have the daddy write a letter too.


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[sexymummie]

It Must Be Love
by Robyn Ricks (Aug 4, 2002)


Love Theme Titles
A Hug Delights and Warms and Charms…That Must Be Why God Gave Us Arms
A Groovy Kind of Love
A Hug is the Best Gift Cause Every Size Fits and Exchanges are Welcome
A Kiss is the Jumper Cable of the Heart
As the Ocean is Never Full of Water, so is the Heart Never Full of Love
Bear Hugs and Back Scrubs Welcome Here
Bunches of Love
Color the World with Love
Endless Love
For the Love of You
Head Over Heals in Love
Hearts for Sale-Some are Broken, Some are Mended, but Love is Guaranteed
How Do I Love You…Let Me Count the Ways
Hugs and Kisses, Stars for Wishes
I Love Ewe
I Love You Beary Much
I Love You THIS Much
I Love You Up to the Moon and Back
I Love You, a Bushel and a Peck
I'll Love You Forever
I'm Addicted to Your Love
In the Mood for Love
Kiss Me
Life is the Song, Love is the Music
Live Well - Laugh Often - Love Much
Loads of Love
Love Bears All Things
Love at First Sight
Love Comforts like Sunshine after Rain
Love Doesn't Make the World Go Round, but it Makes the Ride Worthwhile
Love in Bloom
Love is in the Air
Love is the Work of the heart
Love Makes the World Go 'Round
Love Me Tender
Love Notes
Love Requires No Map or Chart. You Only Need a Loving Heart
Love Sews a Bond That Time Can Never Tear
Love Shack
Love so Fine
Love Story
Moonstruck
Must Be Love
Nobody but You
Puppy Love
Ready for Romance
Sew in Love
So this is Love
Some Bunny Loves You
SWAK
The Best Gifts are Tied with Heartstrings
The Gift of Love
This Thing Called Love
To Know Him Is to Love Him
True Love is a Treasure
True Love Turns Weeds in to Flowers
When a Man Loves a Woman
With Love, All Things Grow
You are Cut from a Pattern I Love
You Have a Special Place in My Heart
Your Love is the Music of My Heart

Love Theme Journaling Ideas
Roses are Red.
Violets are Blue.
Guess What?
I LOVE YOU

You can't put love in a box,
But you can wrap someone in a hug.

Because I love you truly,
Because you love me, too,
My very greatest happiness
Is sharing life with you.

Love is a fruit in season at all times,
And within the reach of every hand.

You're kissable and cuddly,
You're lovable and sweet,
You thrill me every minute,
And sweep me off my feet.
You're charming and disarming,
Desirable and true.
You inspire and impress me,
And that's why I love you!

[sexymummie]

Here are a couple ideas to get you started in making your Mother’s Day tribute page truly one-of-a-kind:

Are you and your mom opposites? Make a page of the ways you’re different and celebrate them. It will be fun to look back on as you get older. Over time, you may find out you’re not as different as you think.

Who or what does your mother remind you of? Is she solid as a rock, an amazing homemaker like June Cleaver or crafty like Martha Stewart? These comparisons will allow others to relate to your mother without actually meeting her.

Write a list of the things that you admire about your mom. Then, choose just one to journal about. You can make your page as simple as that or add embellishments to your heart’s content.

Are you a mom? Do a page on the kind of mother you want to be and how even though your kids tracked mud in all over the house last week and you screamed bloody murder, you do still love them!

Get the kids involved. Have them write a list of the things they love about you as a mother and document it for them. They’ll really appreciate it someday, but not as much as you will.

Go through those old pictures and cards that your kids made for you and put them into your scrapbook. Pocket pages are easy and make a great way to store old keepsakes for the future.

It’s true that not all mother/child relationships are filled with roses and greeting cards, but that’s okay. In fact, it’s those tough times and rocky roads that make your relationships unique and a part of you. Include some of those stories as well. Your children may acquire fantastic insight about their relationship with you after reading about your relationship with your mom.

Is there something quirky that reminds you of your mom, like the smell of rain or the sound of putting china away? Write these things down; it’s the little stories like this that your family will enjoy for generations.

Think back to your younger years and create a Mother’s Day acrostic to pay tribute to your mom. Acrostic poems are easy and they’re a great way to spark your journaling.

Having a hard time coming up with the right words? Say it with music. Using song lyrics as your journaling is a great way to communicate how you feel if you’re uncomfortable writing it with your own words.

Oprah is right. Being a mother is the hardest job on the planet. Let’s make sure we take the time to treat Mom right this year. However you decide to express your gratitude for the sleepless nights, the endless tears and the non-stop running around, just make sure you do! Moms always need to know that their kids love them and are thinking about them. Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms!

[sexymummie]

Eye-deas
by Andrea Steed (Jul 31, 2004)


The eyes are the window to a person’s soul. They’re also the way in which we see the world around us. Your eyes can reveal your family resemblance. You can have tired, excited or fearful eyes. No matter what angle you take, eyes are an expressive way to reveal information about your family in your scrapbooks. Below you’ll find a list of layout ideas “focusing” on the eyes:

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Photograph your family’s eyes to show the resemblance (or differences) they have. Future generations will look to see which person they most resemble.

Tell what you see when you look into your child or spouse’s eyes. It can be at a particular moment, such as an exciting or emotional time, or perhaps something you always see when you look at them.

Use a photograph of your eyes as a visual while you journal about what your eyes have seen in your lifetime.

In the same fashion, use a photo of your child’s eyes to tell about what you dream they’ll see in their lifetime.

Got new glasses? Maybe contacts or even lasik surgery? Why not scrapbook it? “I Can See Clearly Now” would be a great title!

A photograph of some “dated” eye makeup (remember the bright blue and pink?) might make for an interesting layout about how trends and fashion change and why it looked “good” at the time.

A photograph of you holding your camera would be a great opportunity to tell how you as a scrapbooker or photographer see the world through the eye of a camera lens.

“Look at Me!” is probably something you hear often if you’re a mother, a sister or even a spouse! Capture some of the silly things your family does when they call “Look Mom!” on a scrapbook page.

Layouts with a “Birds Eye View” are another great way to add perspective to your albums. Try creating a page with journaling from the perspective of you child, pet, etc.

Remember the game “I Spy with my Little Eye”? Create a page with a photograph of your child, a favorite room, or another important thing or place and use the I Spy game as a journaling technique to tell why different parts of the photo are important to you.

Is your husband especially good looking? Do you drool over displays in store windows? Maybe “Eye Candy” would be a good subject for a layout. What is YOUR eye candy?

Revenge is often a part of sibling’s lives (or roommates in college for that matter). “An Eye for an Eye” is a great title for a page about getting revenge!

Try taking a different perspective and use your EYES to make a statement in your scrapbooks.

[Shakti]

WOW! You have been busy haven't you! Thanks for posting this up here - there are some excellent ideas there that I will be trying out! Thanks :)

[Leanne]

Yes I agree alot of good ideas there, I hope I get time to try some of them.

[sexymummie]

the fun part of clicking & pasting:) hope to put more up some time tonight.i so need more ink for the printer as every idea here , ive wanted to put in files away for future ideas...so no fear more to come

[ArielsMum]

Wow those are some fantastic ideas Kerri! Thanks for posting them!

[sexymummie]

have no fear sherrie babe , i will cutting & pasting more as most of these ideas ive printed out & im sure the ink refill will go to ink heaven by the time i finish printing out most of the site LOL. btw sherrie y u posting so early ??? just searching thru the site at the moment....will be posting sooner or later..

[sexymummie]

Mixing Patterns
by Andrea Steed (Mar 31, 2004)

With all of the different options for patterned paper these days, you're sure to accumulate quite a stash. And, as many of us often forget, the idea is to USE the papers we buy, not just collect them. Pull out your patterned papers and combine them to create unique pages that work together wonderfully.

Combining different patterned papers can be a little tricky, especially since the "rules" of combining patterns keep changing. Now it's not so taboo to combine polka dots with stripes and plaids with swirls, as long as it's done well. As you look through your patterned papers to find an eye-pleasing combination, these tips may be helpful in matching colors and patterns:

Look for a subtle pattern to combine with a bolder pattern. The subtle pattern will serve as a solid color, anchoring the bolder pattern.

Instead of using a solid colored cardstock, choose a monochromatic patterned paper to give your page added depth, such as a plaid or thin-striped pattern. Combine colors of patterned paper in the same way that you would combine cardstock colors.


Look for coordinating paper product lines with a variety of colors and patterns. These can easily be mixed and matched. When patterned papers are in the same basic colors, they blend well together.


Separate patterns with a thin line of solid cardstock, fibers, or ribbon. This serves as a visual divider which gives each pattern its own space, while still allowing you to combine a variety of patterns.


Using a subtle pattern as your main paper, use a brighter and bolder pattern to peek through corners of the page or as a border or photo mat. This brings added emphasis to the bolder pattern.

Create a "jazzed" upmonochromatic layout with patterned papers in similar shades of the same color.

While it may seem awkward at first, mixing patterns gets easier as you practice it, and becomes more natural. It definitely offers a little bit of a punch to your layouts!

[sexymummie]

Wild About Words
by Lindsay Teague (Nov 29, 2004)

Imagine you’ve created a layout that is just about complete. You’re going through your embellishments looking for that perfect accent for your page. Unfortunately, you’re not finding it in your stash and now you’re not feeling as confident about the outcome of this layout. Never fear, words are here.

I can think of no better way to accent a page and convey an emotion or feeling than by using the power of the written word. Oftentimes, it’s not the fancy metal accent, but the word printed on it that catches the eye and triggers a memory. Here are a few ideas for you to try next time you are at a loss for that perfect embellishment:


Get out that dusty old dictionary and type up a definition to that perfect word on the computer. Print it onto a piece of coordinating cardstock to add to your scrapbook page.


Want to be a little more on the daring side? Copy the definition multiple times in different fonts and print them on a transparency for an understated accent or background for your page.


Use a thesaurus to come up with various synonyms. Print them onto cardstock and cut them into strips. Adhere the strips down one side of the page for a great way to show your friends and family exactly what you want them to know when they look at your page.


Looking for a unique way to document a special person in your life? Go through your embellishment stash with words on them and pick out some that relate perfectly to that person. (If you don’t have any, make your own.) Do a layout about this person by simply putting his or her picture in the middle and list his or her defining characteristics around the photo.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to using words to your advantage on your page. Here are a few quick ideas to add that personalized touch to your next page:


Make your own personalized bottle caps by painting them and using your rub-ons to display your word or name of choice.


Use pre-printed transparencies with descriptive words on them as a background for your page.


Use your alphabet stamps to stamp a border around the perimeter of your page.


Go “old school” and cut up your old magazines for fun, bright and unique word embellishments.


Stamp or print the perfect descriptive words onto a strip of twill to embellish your page.


Use your mismatched metal letters to make a wild and unique title for your page.


Make your own patterned paper by stamping expressive words onto a plain piece of cardstock.


Make an extremely simple layout by only using colored cardstock and a picture. Then, use large letter embellishments or letter stickers to create the perfect title and accent. The word will “pop” right off the page.


Use your square punch to punch cardstock squares or circles. Then use stamps or rub-ons on those shapes for simple embellishments.


Use the power of words literally by tearing out a page of a book to use as a patterned paper or accent for your page.




The possibilities are endless and the more you try, the more creative you’ll become. Using words as embellishments adds that unique touch to any scrapbook. When you’re stuck for an idea, words are sure to jog your creativity.


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[sexymummie]

Monogram Mania
by Lindsay Teague (Dec 28, 2004)


Sometimes, something little can say a whole lot. Take a monogram for instance: a single letter represents a whole theme, a name or a title. It’s no coincidence that I am writing this article today with my “Laverne” shirt on. You know the kind--the shirts that are everywhere right now, with the letter embroidered on the upper left. Monograms aren’t only showing up on shirts though; you can find them on purses, jewelry and even jeans. It’s no great surprise that they’ve expanded beyond the fashion industry into scrapbooks across the world.

Monograms can add that extra touch to your scrapbook pages to take them from drab to fab! Look around you; inspiration is everywhere-- fashion, advertising, company logos and now, your favorite scrapbook products. Every day, new products containing monograms are popping up, made by companies such as My Mind’s Eye, Me and My Big Ideas, and Li’l Davis. These puppies are hot, so make sure you hoard as many as possible!

Here are a few ideas to help you on your way to monogramming bliss:

Enlarge the letter you need in your favorite font. Then, print and cut it out. Now you have a custom embellishment in that perfect color and proportion.

Grab a pre-made monogram and embellish it with ribbon to add a touch of femininity. Hint: to make it masculine looking, embellish with twill or jute.

Shabby up your monogram by crumpling it, inking it or sanding it.

Make your monogram truly unique by painting it and stamping the full word right on top of it.

Use a monogram not only to represent a first name, but a last name as well. Do a page on what your last name means to you.

Print your monogram letter in a variety of fonts and print it onto a transparency. Now you can overlay it on a picture or a portion of your page.

Go to your local fabric store and pick up a package of those iron-on letters for fabric. Use your heat-embossing tool to attach it to your page. This will give the illusion of the letter being embroidered to the page.

Take a look around your world and notice all the different ways monograms can be used. You’ll be amazed by what you see. Use that as inspiration for your next masterpiece.

[sexymummie]

Newsstand Inspiration: Dealing with Lots of Text in Your Layouts
by Karen Baxter (Sep 19, 2005)

When it comes to journaling, I’ve come across two kinds of people in my classes – those who can’t think of anything to say beyond the “who, what, where, when and why,” and those who have so much to say that they don’t have room on their pages. This article is for you prolific writers, who are looking for a way to incorporate long passages of journaling into your layouts.

As long as your journaling is meaningful, there is no rule that says you must confine your words to one small box on your page.

Some of the best sources of inspiration for text-heavy layouts can be found on the newsstand. Magazines and newspapers provide strong examples of graphic design that effectively incorporates large blocks – even multiple pages – of text. Some of my personal favorite magazines design-wise include The New York Times Magazine, Rolling Stone, 2wice, GQ and Esquire.

Browse through these and other magazines and newspapers for layouts that catch your eye. Then, analyze what it is you like about them. Is it a clever use of type? Maybe there is a lot of white space. Or do you like a particular arrangement of photos or the color scheme? Do you see a pattern in the layouts you chose?

You can “scraplift” a design from a magazine in much the same way you do published scrapbook layouts. Create a sketch based on the magazine layout noting where the headline goes, how the text is formatted, the number, size and arrangement of the photos, and any other design elements, like callouts (a portion of the text taken out of the article and enlarged to jump out at the reader).

Following are some techniques newspapers and magazines use to deal with lengthy text that you can borrow in your scrapbook:

Typographical Hierarchy. Use headlines (large font) and subheads (slightly larger than the font of the text) to guide the reader through your layout. Callouts and photo captions also help establish hierarchy.

Columns. It takes longer and is more difficult to read long lines of text. Format your text into columns to be more reader friendly. Be careful not to make the columns too narrow though. You’ll know this is happening when you see lots of awkward word breaks.

Drop caps. Also called an initial cap, a drop cap is the large letter that is often used to begin the first word of an article in a magazine. It adds visual interest and leads the reader’s eye to the first paragraph.

Sidebars. In newspapers and magazines, sidebars are those short stories that often run alongside of larger articles providing additional information or sidelights. Many times, they are presented in a box. This technique is perfect for those little asides in your journaling.

Having a lot of text in your scrapbook pages doesn’t have to be boring or overwhelm your reader. Using these simple techniques, you can make your pages as reader-friendly as a magazine.

[sexymummie]

Journaling by Hand
by Ramona Greenspan (Mar 31, 2004)

I am new to the whole computer font craze that has swept the scrapbooking world. There are literally hundreds of fonts that can be found on the internet for free. There are websites specifically designated for offering fonts to all who care to download them. There are several companies, such as Creating Keepsakes, that have put out computer programs with a variety of fonts and images that today's scrapbookers can use on their layouts.

However, being the purist that I am, I still journal in my own handwriting almost all the time (see example to the right). There is something special and unique about one's own handwriting that I feel needs to be preserved for future generations. The most common argument from scrapbookers against using their own handwriting is that they have terrible handwriting. But your handwriting and the way you write tells as much about a person as a photo, and in my opinion even more. When future generations look at what we have painstakingly preserved, it will mean so much more to them to be able to read the story behind the photos in their ancestors own handwriting.


Here is a list of some of the pros and cons of journaling by hand vs. computer journaling:

Journaling by Hand Pros

-handwriting can tell so much about a person

-complete picture of who you were

-faster to journal by hand than taking the extra step to computer journal

Journaling by Hand Cons

-messy or illegible handwriting

-cannot fit a lot of journaling in a small space


Computer Generated Journaling Pros

-an extensive variety of fonts and sizes available on the internet

-can fit much more journaling in a small space (see example on the right)

-more professional looking layouts


Computer Generated Journaling Cons

-lacks personality

-computer ink is not acid free


Whichever way you chose to journal just be sure to journal frequently. Most pictures would be meaningless without at least a who, what, where and when. Also be sure to journal at least once or twice in your own handwriting in your scrapbooks. Future generations will be glad you did.

[sexymummie]

ok ladies enough cutting & pasting tonight.hope these inspire & motivate u to get scrapping. trust me if i print out any more ideas , i will be begging to scrap other people's pics as i dont have enough of the kids here :(

[sexymummie]

Beyond the First Year
by Karen Baxter (Jun 10, 2005)


Toddlers and preschoolers make great subjects for scrapbooks. Always on the go, they walk, talk, play, climb, swing, cuddle and create. Naturally curious, they constantly explore the world around them and learn how to do new things. They also get into plenty of mischief, which you’ll want to document for the future right along with the brags.

Following are some ideas for toddler and preschool pages:

Picture-Perfect Moments

Potty training success
New big kid bed
Finger painting
Dress-ups
Playing house
Big block towers
First dentist visit
First day of preschool
Making a big mess
Playing on the playground
Helping around the house and yard
Snuggling with a favorite toy
Sitting with a friend
Splashing in a puddle

Title Ideas

Wonderful Ones
Terrific Twos
Three = Two With Attitude
Fabulous Fours
Toddler Two-Step
Catch Me If You Can
Here Comes Trouble
I’m a Big Kid Now
Growing By Leaps and Bounds
Watch Me Grow
Preschool Blues
King of the Sand Box
All Boy
Princess in Training
Mine!
I Can Do It

Journaling

Describe your child’s personality. Is he strong-willed, laid back, talkative?

Make a list of her favorite and least favorite things: foods, toys, shows, songs, books, and people. You’ll find this list will quickly change, so revisit the topic every six months or so.

Interview your child about one of his interests and record his answers in your scrapbook.

Record the words of the songs you like to sing together and the prayers you say.

Write down the funny things your child says.

Detail a typical day in the life of your child – her routine, the places you go, everyday happenings like nap time and snacks. Be sure to take pictures.

Write a letter telling your child how much she means to you.

Journal your thoughts and feelings on your child’s first day of preschool.

Write about the most special times you and your child spend together.

[sexymummie]

Oh Baby
by Robyn Ricks (Aug 4, 2002)

Baby Theme Titles
10 Tiny Fingers and Toes
A Baby is a Gift of Love
A Baby is a Little Bit of Heaven
A Baby is God's Opinion That Life Should Go On
A Baby is Such a Nice Way to Start a Person
A Baby's Laughter is Music to a Mother's Heart
A Bundle of Joy, Our Little Boy
A New Baby Fills Lives with Sunshine and Hearts with Love
A Small Wonder
A Star is Born
As You Grew…So Did I
Babies Touch the World with Love
Baby Babble
Baby Days
Baby Face
Baby Makes Three
Baby of Mine
Baby On Board
Baby Steps
Baby, You're a Star
Bouncing Baby Boy
Bundle of Joy
Bundle of Love
Ewe are loved
God Lent Us an Angel from Heaven Above
Handle with Care
Heaven Sent
Hip, Hip, Hooray, There's a Baby on the Way
Hush Little Baby, Don't You Cry
It's a Boy
It's a Girl
Just as Cute as Can BEE
Look What the Stork Brought
Miracle Baby
New Arrival
Oh, Baby
Our Dream Came True
Our Little Angel
Our Little Pin-Up Girl/Boy (Diaper Pins)
Our New Cuddle Bug
Ready or Not, Here I Grow
Rock-a-Bye Baby
"Rub-a-Dub-Dub, a New Baby in the Tub
Sent from Above, Our Sweet Bundle of Love
Shake, Rattle, and Roll
Special Delivery
Special Things Come in Small Packages.
Straight from Heaven Up Above, Here is a Baby for Us to Love
The Cutest Little Baby Face
This is Baby Sweet and Small
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Who's the Cutest Baby By Far
We Live in a Changing World (diapers)
Welcome Little One
With Every Little Baby's Birth, a Bit of Stardust Falls to Earth
Worth the wait
You're so Precious to Me…Cute as Can Be

Baby Theme Journaling Ideas
A baby is cuddles and tickles on toes,
The sweet scent of powder, a kiss on the nose!
A baby is teddy bears, rattles, and pins,
Meals at midnight, giggles and grins.

You are more perfect than I could've hoped,
More beautiful than I could've dreamed,
More precious than I could've imagined,
I love you more than I could've known.

My mom says I'm her sugarplum.
My mom says I'm her lamb.
My mom says I'm completely perfect
Just the way I am.
My mom says I'm a super special
Wonderful terrific little guy.
My mom just had another baby.
Why?

A baby is an angel
Whose wings decrease as his legs increase

Ten little fingers,
Ten little toes,
The sweetest of smiles
And a cute little nose.
All these add up,
To a very special thing
A baby - the greatest of gifts,
That life can bring.

[sexymummie]

Holiday Traditions - Setting the Scene for Beautiful Memories
by Becky Thompson (Dec 8, 2002)


Ahh…it’s the holiday season again. Time to bring out the decorations and plan for those wonderful moments you’re bound to capture on film. It seems like just about every family has traditions unique to them at this time of year. Our goal is to give you some ideas to capture those traditions in your scrapbooks.

In my family, one of our favorite traditions is Christmas morning breakfast. It’s the one time of the year my husband does the cooking (well, if you can call it that), and the kids love it. What do we have? Not big fancy spreads of breakfast casseroles; pancakes and waffles stacked a mile high. No, we have chocolate milk and toast! It’s a tradition that’s uniquely ours and we love it! Even with morning hair and us all in our pajamas, I’ve captured the moment on film. It’s such a fun time for all of us and a great way to start Christmas Day.




I asked other scrapbookers what their traditions were at this time of the year. It’s fun to see how each family celebrates their holidays:

Wendy Anderson of Utah writes:
“We let the kids open one gift on Christmas Eve (PJ's, of course). We put out ‘Reindeer food’ before we go to bed. We take plates of homemade goodies to family, friends, and neighbors...a few days before Christmas.”

Kathy Rerek, a Jewish scrapper, writes:
“In my family, we all get together at my Mom and Dad's one night during the eight nights [of Hanukkah]. We light the candles and then open a huge pile of presents. We go from the oldest to the youngest in order until all the presents are opened. It's a huge test of patience for the little ones, but it's usually fairly amusing. We then have a huge family dinner.”

There are all sorts of different traditions and events surrounding the holidays. Here are some photo opportunities you might want to try to capture this year:


Christmas parades and concerts

Decorating the tree

Opening presents

Children playing dreidle, a popular game among Jewish children during Hanukkah

Preparing latkes (potato pancakes), a traditional Hanukkah treat

The Christmas feast

Lighting the menorah

Children writing letters to Santa

The gifts

Christmas Eve celebrations

Close-ups of Decorations

Christmas lights


No matter what your faith, or even if you don’t have a particular faith you associate with, the holidays are a special time full of family and fun. Here are some layout examples to get you started creating your own holiday traditions!

[sexymummie]

Pet Pages
by Elizabeth Cuzzacrea (Oct 27, 2004)

Pets are often considered to be a part of the family. They are part of our daily lives and share special moments with us. As scrapbookers we should preserve these memories and give our pets a prominent place in our scrapbooks.

Here are some ideas to spark your creativity when scrapbooking your pets:

Name. How did you decide on your pet's name? Document this story. Include why you chose the name and how the name fits your pet's personality.


Nicknames. Many of us have unique nicknames for our pets. List these in a layout including photos of your pet.


Top 10 Reasons. Create a layout with a list of the top 10 reasons why you love your pet.


First Day. Scrapbook about the day you got the pet. Use photos from when you brought the pet home on your layout. Include the story of how and why you got your pet.


A Normal Day. Create a layout titled, "A day in the life of ______"; and use your pet's name. Snap everyday photos and list your pet's daily activities.


Nightlife. Does your pet compete in shows or competitions? Create a layout to document these exciting events.


Sleeping/Lounging. My dog loves to lie at my feet while I'm surfing the net or scrapbooking. Create a layout and journal about your pet's favorite lounging or sleeping spot. Snap a photo of your pet in that spot and include it in your layout.


Toys. Pets often have toys that they are attached to. Take a photo of your pet with a favorite toy and use it in a layout. Journal about how your pet got the toy and how well-loved the toy is.


Treats. All pets get special treats. What treats do your pets love? On your layout use photos of your pet with the treats, and journal about the treats.


Tricks. Some pets have unique talents or can do tricks. Use photos showcasing these talents to create a layout. Tell about the trick or talent and how it came about.

[sexymummie]

Make a Connection
by Andrea Steed (Aug 12, 2004)
Organizing photographs to create a scrapbook can be a major chore. Most of the time we tend to divide them up chronologically and try to re-create the events of a person's life layout by layout. With mounds and mounds of photographs, it's easy to get discouraged, and many people eventually give up. Here's a suggestion for another method of creating scrapbook pages-without specific attention to time and events.

As you are sorting through that mound of photos, you're sure to find a few with a special kind of connection-whether it is a face the person is making, a photo of a special place at different times, or similar "signature" poses. Instead of scrapping these photos as chronological events, pair them with connected photos that help tell interesting stories.

I loved gymnastics when I was younger. You could find me turning cartwheels in the backyard or walking a balance beam on the street curb nearly any day of the week. I even did gymnastics in the gym on occasion! Rather than scrapping a day at gymnastics class, I found a few photos from different years that showed me practicing my gymnastics in unexpected places. I created a page that pulled them all together to show my love of tumbling.

Here are some other examples of connected photos:

People in similar poses

Kids wearing the same shirt (we all have hand-me-downs)

A child's growth over the years standing next to an object that has stayed the same size

Different haircuts over the years

Photos of different people visiting the same places or landmarks

A page of pets you've had throughout the years

Houses/apartments you've lived in

A photo of you with your grandparents as a baby alongside a photo of you with your grandchildren
These are just a few of the possibilities. Let your mound of photos be your inspiration! These kind of pages are a great way to show consistency, growth and family traits in your albums. The journaling that accompanies the photos make for interesting reading and are a great way to make connections with other family members.

[sexymummie]

Crop Around the Clock
by Tiffany Roberts (Apr 11, 2006)


For a fun, easy, and inexpensive altered art project I suggest you try your hand at altering a clock. I created two clocks to share with you, but the technique is essentially the same no matter what style clock you want to create.

Here are the before and after photos of the two clocks I altered. I purchased both at a garage sale for $1.00 each. You can alter any kind of clock you find. Wood, ceramic, or plastic clocks work very well as bases for this project.








Step One:

Disassemble and clean your clock parts. I used a small, flat-head screwdriver to pop off the plastic face on these two clocks. The hands were easily pulled off the pin in the middle of the face. I cleaned the plastic backing, face, and hands with a baby wipe and let them air dry.

Step Two:

Remove the paper face piece with all the numbers and use this as a template for your new background. I traced mine onto the backside of patterned paper for the tropical clock I made for my daughter's room. For the blue and brown altered clock I traced multiple circles onto 6" x 6" sheets of patterned paper. Next I tore, distressed, and inked the papers before adhering them back together to create the background.




Step Three:

Now the fun begins! Decide on a theme for your clock and create numbers and embellishments that enhance that theme. On my daughter's tropical-themed clock I used buttons in place of the numbers 12, 3, 6, and 9. I used a Dott-a-Riffic pen to create dots where the other numbers would be. Before reassembly I placed a ribbon through a small hole in the underside of the clock and covered a ring. This created a whimsical way for me to attach the clock to the wall.

On the shabby-chic-style clock that I created for my office I stamped and cut out numbers, then added 3/16" eyelets in place of the other numbers on the clock face. I also added rub-on phrases to enhance my theme.

Tips and Tricks:

For a quick way to create the numbers on your clock face take a square or circle punch and punch them out of the paper face that came with the clock.


Purchase clock parts and create your own clock from an altered canvas, wooden charger/plate, or a simple piece of wood. The lid of a vintage-style hat box would make a great clock. Be creative!

Altered Canvas Clock by Katie J. from Beech Grove, Indiana.


Use buttons, brads, eyelets, stickers, or other 3D type embellishments in place of numbers.


You can alter the frame of the clock as well as the face. There are paints on the market that will adhere to plastic. You an also cover the frame with adhesive and put a layer of sand, glitter, micro-beads, silk flowers, buttons, or any other embellishment that will stick.


Try stamping a message onto the frame or face of the clock using a solvent ink, such as StazOn.


Try adding photographs to your clock to make it more personal. A baby-themed clock for a nursery would be adorable with small photos of baby "parts" in place of numbers.
I hope you'll take an old clock and give this altered project a try. It's a functional piece of art that's easy to embellish with supplies on hand, and it takes hardly any "time" to create!

cant help myself now , im addicted to cutting & pasting & stealing ideas hehe ive printed most of these now, all in a clear folder

[sexymummie]

Outdoor Titles
by TheMemoryBarn (Aug 4, 2002)

Nature Hike
Nature Boy
Flower Child
Hiking
Bon Fire
Up A Tree
At the Lake
Moutain Air
The Path Less Traveled
Mountain Climber
What a Catch
Take the Bait
Garden Path
Cliff Hanger
Up A Creek
Walk in the Water
Pathfinder
The Wild Frontier
Rock Climbing
Field and Stream
Outdoor Life
Mining for Treasure
Mud Monsters
Natural Wonder
Exploring
One Fine Day
Feathered Friends
Harbor Lights
Top of the Mountain
Nature's Glory
Mountain Views
Cabin Fever
Piles of Smiles
Over the Rainbow
Our Tree House
Cat Tails
Garden Girls
Mountain Man
Fall Guy
The Wetlands
The Badlands
Camp Friends
Catch of the Day
On the Rocks
King of the Mountain
Tubin' the River
I'm Hooked
Nature Calls
Big Adventure
Little Sunshine
Down by the Lake
Happy Camper
In the Wild
Fishin Fun
Wilderness Hike
Camping 101
S'mores
Catching Butterflies
Bug Boy
Extreme Sports
Wildflowers
Picnic
Paradise
Down on the Farm
Ski Bums
Winter Wonderland
Bounty of Nature
On the Dock
Back to Nature
Little Flower
Simple Pleasures
Lady Bug
Shell Seeker
Love in Bloom
Outdoor Fun
Cozy Cabin
Dirt Diggin'
Rock Pile
Diggin in the Dirt
Ultimate Adventure
Survivor
Ocean View
Yard Work
Catch A Wave
Take a Hike
Land Rover
Beach Bums
Nature Lover
Woodsmen
Country Boy/Girl
Home on the Range
Autumn Splendor
Fall Foliage
Camping
Down the River
Bear Country
Wildlife
Water Baby
Country Charm
Lovin' the Outdoors
Making Camp
Outdoorsmen


* prints out in 3 pgs .* FYI