scrappyesq
Pearl Clutcher
You have always been a part of the heist. You're only mad now because you don't like your cut.
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Post by scrappyesq on Mar 17, 2016 18:49:19 GMT
I've been an avid scrapper for years. In the last few months I have become completely estranged from my immediate family, which is small to begin with. SOme of you who are on NSBR may have seen my recent post about my mother and her crazytown ways. I have no desire to scrap anyone in my family.
DH and I are also having a tough time. I used to scrap him and I constantly, and although I don't mind doing that I'm not sure how to document our lives when there is so much turmoil.
I have lots of pictures of DH and I that could still be scrapped. I actually stopped scrapping my family about two years ago (this was a long time coming). But now I'm itching to get back into my scrap stuff and I don't know where to start.
Thoughts? |
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Post by joblackford on Mar 17, 2016 20:04:59 GMT
Now might not be the time to scrap for the purpose of documenting life and relationships. It might be a better time to scrap about yourself and your personal story, or personal history, or to scrap purely as a creative outlet - as an artistic endeavor, rather than for the documenting.
I would think any pages you made of your marriage would be influenced/tainted by the troubles you're going through now, so those pages might not be ones that you want to see later - however the turmoil ends up playing out. And obviously you don't want to scrap your family. At some point that might change, but I would give that time.
I wonder if Ali Edwards might have some ideas for you. She focuses so much on stories and crafting personal stories and she has some good products for dealing with the tough stuff. (I don't remember if I've seen you on SC talking about the Tough kit or not?) Maybe there are some stories you can find to tell that don't dig into these difficult relationships (or that do, but in a way you can handle). Do you have stories to tell about more distant family or friends - people who have been a steady constant in your life? Or family history stories? A grandparent or an aunt?
Otherwise, I would give art journaling and/or artistic scrapping a go - making pages just for the beauty of it. Maybe even card making? Something that lets you get into your scrappy supplies and create, but doesn't focus on family and relationships.
All the best. I have a crazy MIL who is so self-absorbed she thinks that other people are incredibly self-absorbed because they're not always focused on her! sigh... I can't even imagine being her daughter and how hard that must be.
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Post by mikklynn on Mar 17, 2016 20:08:39 GMT
Do you have any childhood photos to scrapbook? You could focus on how you felt then, what you were doing, where you were.
You could also take some nature photos or photos of interesting statues and tell a story about them.
Scrapbooking is my escape from real life issues, so I hope you can find ways to enjoy it again.
Hugs...It sounds like you've been having a tough time.
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Post by ellewood on Mar 17, 2016 20:30:03 GMT
I agree about Ali Edwards! Part journal, part scrapbook! Now is the best time to scrap about you and remind yourself you are a whole person on your own, aside from your role as a daughter or a wife. I do PL and frankly end up taking very few photos of my partner just because my book is about me and my life. It's not intentional but it's not like I have a lack of things to photograph and scrap without him!
Also, you did not ask my opinion about this but I'm going to tell you what I did that helped me get through a very rough time- I trained for and ran a half marathon. It was hard but I did it and I did it on my own. No one could ever take that accomplishment away from me. The exercise is secondary to the accomplishment. But the other things about running (or biking or walking or whatever suits you) is that it forces you to take care of yourself (eat right, get enough sleep, hydrate, lay off the booze, etc) which can be so hard when you're experiencing emotional stress. Take that for what it's worth to you!
Hugs to you!
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scrappyesq
Pearl Clutcher
You have always been a part of the heist. You're only mad now because you don't like your cut.
Posts: 4,060
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Post by scrappyesq on Mar 17, 2016 21:23:15 GMT
I agree about Ali Edwards! Part journal, part scrapbook! Now is the best time to scrap about you and remind yourself you are a whole person on your own, aside from your role as a daughter or a wife. I do PL and frankly end up taking very few photos of my partner just because my book is about me and my life. It's not intentional but it's not like I have a lack of things to photograph and scrap without him! Also, you did not ask my opinion about this but I'm going to tell you what I did that helped me get through a very rough time- I trained for and ran a half marathon. It was hard but I did it and I did it on my own. No one could ever take that accomplishment away from me. The exercise is secondary to the accomplishment. But the other things about running (or biking or walking or whatever suits you) is that it forces you to take care of yourself (eat right, get enough sleep, hydrate, lay off the booze, etc) which can be so hard when you're experiencing emotional stress. Take that for what it's worth to you! Hugs to you! Thank you ladies for responding! I've been watching Lawn Fawn videos all day to try and get my creative juices flowing. Its so funny that you mention training, ellewood, because I'm thisclose to buying an at home spin bike to start seriously taking my fitness to the next level. I'm convinced that will give me something to focus on other than being miserable! |
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Post by lisacharlotte on Mar 18, 2016 1:29:18 GMT
I scrapbook myself. I'm married with an adult child. My books are my diaries with pictures. Occasionally my DH and DS or the pets make an appearance, but really, it's all about ME!  You could go this route. I am moving backward, so when I get to my son's younger years my albums will be more family oriented. You can also scrap your childhood. You don't even need actual pictures. Photos of food, places, clothing, games, etc can be be pulled from the Internet. You can even pull Google Photos of homes from the street view if you need to. |
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marilynmac
New Member
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Post by marilynmac on Mar 18, 2016 2:51:22 GMT
there are so many other things to scrapbook about!
Do you have any hobbies? I used to keep a scrapbook on my knitting projects - it loved looking at it because I gave away most of what I knit. What's that yarn, where did I get it? a photo of whatever inspired me to do that project.
Find a location you love, document it through the seasons. your garden through the seasons and through the years.
I used to skydive and kept a logbook. After I while I found the usual logbook stuff boring, but wanted to see more pictures. Not necessarily air-to-air photos, but the things and people that were on the ground. Who was hanging out with who, what was that french guys's name.
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Post by TracieClaiborne on Mar 18, 2016 6:51:27 GMT
I agree with everyone else - now is the time to scrap YOU and use your art for a creative outlet so try new techniques, play and art journal, I say. |
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Post by grammadee on Mar 18, 2016 14:29:57 GMT
For me, scrapbooking is something that can be therapeutic if I focus on the techniques, the overall look of each page, the tiny little details, rather than what IS or what SHOULD BE. Art journaling can also work by immersing you in the art process. I might look for quotes that help you express yourself, or that you can laugh (or even smile) at, and then put them in an art journal--or on a scrapbook page. If you want to use some of your photos from happier times, maybe focus on the events or places where they were taken and less on the feelings you had then or that you have now when you look at them. It sounds like you WANT to scrapbook. So find a way to do it. If it hurts too much, quit. Don't "SHOULD" on yourself. (Now there's a quote you can use in an art journal, on a page, or on a canvas for your wall  ) ((((Hugs)))) I hope you have someone "real" to talk to and give you some support through this. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 29, 2024 14:28:17 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2016 16:00:15 GMT
One more thought - similar to those above - but.... This might be a good time to volunteer. Helping out those in need, taking them to doc appts or teaching ESL or running errands for shut ins, gives you a way outside of your troubles and makes you feel great about helping. You can document about what you're doing, the people you help (if that's ok w/them), etc.
You're on your way whatever you choose.
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scrappyesq
Pearl Clutcher
You have always been a part of the heist. You're only mad now because you don't like your cut.
Posts: 4,060
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Post by scrappyesq on Mar 18, 2016 16:07:06 GMT
I'm getting do many great ideas from you guys! Especially when it comes to scrapping about me. In all the HUNDREDS of scrap pages I've created I can only remember one that I've done completely about me.
I also just ordered the latest Simon Says Stamp card kit. Its so pretty, and I can't wait to get my hands on it. I've already come up with a few ideas for cards I want to make when it comes.
ETA: I have a great support system with some really close long term friends and a therapist. Its still really hard sometimes, like today is a much better day than yesterday. |
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Post by Prenticekid on Mar 18, 2016 19:02:07 GMT
If you think about it, if you are not worth scrapbooking, then what really is? If you think you don't have "enough" to scrap, then make enough - take a walk, go to a concert, go to a farmer's market. Take pictures. Take pictures of your stuff. Tell your story via what you like, what you read, what you buy. It's really opened up my scrapbooking to think outside the box.
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Post by mikklynn on Mar 18, 2016 20:05:22 GMT
scrappyesq I hope when you are ready to dive in, you'll join one of our fun challenges.
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Post by anniefb on Mar 19, 2016 4:03:01 GMT
You've had some great advice here. Most of my scrapping is about me - I'm single with no SO, no kids (although I do have a very cute 2 1/2 year old niece). I'm using Ali Edwards Story Kits to scrap a mix of old and new pics using a thematic approach, redoing some travel photos from the 90s that are just in photo albums, and telling stories about what's going on in my life. I also do a lot of card making and love that as another creative outlet. Hope you enjoy the SSS kit and getting back into some scrapbooking in maybe a different way.
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Post by ellewood on Mar 20, 2016 23:57:49 GMT
scrappyesq I saw this today and thought of you immediately: dearlydee.blogspot.com/2016/03/details-minibook-kellie-stamps.htmlI think you said you just moved, so maybe you could do it of little things that are new to you. Or, if you're in the northern hemisphere, it's springing all over the place with pretty flowers and sunshine! If I were you I might be a little overwhelmed with stuff, so maybe starting small, both literally and figuratively, would get you back into a creative habit and you can break out some of your pretty supplies, including some of those SSS papers! Also, having a home printer makes 100% of the difference for getting things scrapped whenever the mood strikes! Or even keeping a log of the biking progress? I feel like mini stuff like that is more about the supplies and creativity than it is the content anyways, which could be fun! Thinking of you and wishing you the best! (And I've used my daily allotment of exclamation points- please excuse me!)
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Post by Sassenach on Mar 21, 2016 2:09:53 GMT
Maybe try Art Journaling. It would be a creative/scrappy way to work through your emotions and thoughts.
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Post by jen on Mar 21, 2016 19:52:56 GMT
I think this is a great thread & I agree to scrapbook about yourself right now and focus on "you". I personally needed this advice too!
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scrappyesq
Pearl Clutcher
You have always been a part of the heist. You're only mad now because you don't like your cut.
Posts: 4,060
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Post by scrappyesq on Mar 21, 2016 20:46:29 GMT
scrappyesq I saw this today and thought of you immediately: dearlydee.blogspot.com/2016/03/details-minibook-kellie-stamps.htmlI think you said you just moved, so maybe you could do it of little things that are new to you. Or, if you're in the northern hemisphere, it's springing all over the place with pretty flowers and sunshine! If I were you I might be a little overwhelmed with stuff, so maybe starting small, both literally and figuratively, would get you back into a creative habit and you can break out some of your pretty supplies, including some of those SSS papers! Also, having a home printer makes 100% of the difference for getting things scrapped whenever the mood strikes! Or even keeping a log of the biking progress? I feel like mini stuff like that is more about the supplies and creativity than it is the content anyways, which could be fun! Thinking of you and wishing you the best! (And I've used my daily allotment of exclamation points- please excuse me!) Thank you for thinking of me, that minibook is awesome!!
And yes, it is finally kinda Springy here. My new neighborhood (though its only 10 minutes from my old one, LOL) is completely different and there are tons of things worth documenting. Along with starting spinning again, which is going to be a long road (there is no way I can do a 45 minute class straight out of the gate but I'm sure I can start at around 10 minutes and work my way up).
The last few days have definitely been made easier by thoughts of creativity. I finally started to unpack my scrap stuff and one of the first things I found was a 4 x 4 or so square of OA Detours paper (favorite scrap line ever.) It put a smile on my face because I know I'll get there.
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Post by myboysnme on Mar 22, 2016 3:35:46 GMT
Agree with everyone, but if you want, look at your photos and which ones say, "Scrap me." If you pick p a photo and you smile, or you say, I know just what to use for this, or here's a memory I want to keep, then scrap those.
I have so many photos that there are plenty in that category even if I don't feel thrilled about all of them.
Whenever someone says they are spinning, I still think they mean with a wheel and think, "I should do that too," and then I realize it's exercise, lol!
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You could go this route. 
