Question about scrapbooking….. Update below with photos!!!

I started scrapping with an 8x8 vacation album when my kids were 5 and 9. Was overwhelmed with the idea of going back to the baby days, so I chose a theme of "sports" to get going.

Their first individual albums were just pics of them participating in various sports from about age 3. Included toddler tumbling class, backyard baseball with dad.

Kept up with those, along with family vacation albums, until DD reached high school. I then started a High School themed album which featured first days of school, dances, sports, theater, even birthday and some holiday layouts. They are 8.5x11 albums, many with one pic per page, some elaborate, and some simple.

For me, it was a manageable way to enjoy the craft and capture memories. The cute baby pics are still there for scrapping someday, but maybe never.

So sorry for your loss.

This. I would even start with more recent photos without thinking about putting them in books at this time. It's ok to have a pile of layouts just to look at.

Good for you, getting back into scrapbooking, leslie132 !

My advice is to start with what feels right to YOU. What memories stand out the most? What stories do you want to tell? What papers--and other supplies--do you want to play with? If "catching up" feels like a chore, then do something totally random and FUN!

If you want to feel there is some order, start with the most recent and work backward.

If it would feel good to get the overview of everything, create a highlights album: a few pages about sports teams or other interests, best friends through the years, Personality traits: how their personalities changed--and stayed the same as they grew up, milestones like graduations, first drivers licence...

Either way, you can go back in later and add more detailed pages of specific events.

I’d probably begin with something recent like a vacation that you enjoyed at this getaway. Over time od begin choosing the pictures you want to do for your kids.

I’ve been scrapping since before kids so by the time I had kids I was excited to get into their albums. My oldest has 2 albums just covering his first year the second almost the same, the third….well my third fourth and fifth don’t have their own books. I decided I’d take the books I created for my first two and make them family albums because that’s really what they were. Then I’m starting on books for the kids. Each kid is getting one book through high school. It’ll be highlights- I have a page with my pregnancy, a page of their newborn pictures, a double spread of a monthly pic from their first year. There will be a highlight double spread of milestones, a double spread of first day of school pictures, etc. more like their life through the years with highlight and then their personal accomplishments. Maybe a double page spread per year? I haven’t decided as I’m just getting going.
Since I’m still an established scrapper I’m also doing our family albums alongside this project with the daily things. I prefer Project life style for this. If they want more details of things they can look at those and then have their own album of important stuff to take when they leave home.

I agree. Starting from the births of your younger children sounds too overwhelming. Start with something relatively recent that gave you happy and delightful memories. 

I started scrapbooking when I had 5 kids, and the youngest was three. I will never be completely caught up, but I have some great memories showcased in the pages and albums that I have done.

Personally, I'd start with photos that excite you. Forget the pressure of being caught up. Have fun!

When I go to retreats, I usually take 3 or 4 themes. For example, a vacation, a birthday, and Christmas. That way I only take supplies related to those themes. When I get bored doing Christmas or lose my mojo, I move to another set of photos.

I hope you have a great time!

Have fun at your crop! It's a great way to just get back in touch with your hobby and have fun.

One thing I'd add for a future project idea is something like Ali's Halloween Through the Years album. You could use this approach for birthdays or vacations or other holidays too. Just 1-5 photos and a journal box for each year plus some fun product. It could be both a creative project and help you feel like you have older photos scrapped without being overwhelmed.