Saving Family Keepsakes for Scrapbooking

I'm new to scrapbooking, and I still can't believe all the possibilities there are for scrapbook layouts.

When I first began I pulled out and organized a lot of my daughter's childhood photos. Also collecting dust on my closet shelf was a box of other family keepsakes I'd kept throughout the years.

For example, when we went to Disney World, in addition to all the pictures we had taken, I kept the plane tickets, the cards you get to open your hotel door, meal vouchers, luggage tags, post cards, and theme park passes. These will make a fun addition to our Disney World-themed scrapbook pages.

For school, there are a number of things you can keep. Certificates, award ribbons, and report cards are just a couple of ideas. You can also break this category down into smaller ones, like school sports, plays, band, etc. I've kept all of the programs from my daughter's school plays, which will make a great addition to the pictures I have of her "in character."

Other keepsakes might include handmade cards or little notes your child might have left you from time to time. These memories are priceless, and could never be re-created even if you tried. Keeping these treasures in a family scrapbook will ensure the memories are preserved.

For holiday memories, you might have childhood Christmas wish lists, family letters, holiday cards, party invitations, or favorite family holiday recipes. I even keep thank-you cards I have received.

Looking through my box I also found some other types of family memories that would also make great themed scrapbook pages. Wedding announcements, funeral programs, and graduation announcements are a great complement to your family photographs.

Hopefully these ideas will get you thinking of things you might have tucked away somewhere that would be a great addition to your scrapbooking projects. If not, it's never too late to start.

Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of four. For scrapbooking, card making, gift-giving ideas, and more family memory-making activities, visit http://www.crafty-moms.com

Related News

Here's a big list to get you in the holiday spirit - Mooresville Tribune Here's a big list to get you in the holiday spirit Mooresville Tribune, VA -4 hours ago Volunteer "Santas" fill out a "calls" form and list the child's wishes along with personal information such as hobbies, pets, nickname, school, etc. ... Gifts from the heart, made by the hands - 9NEWS.com Gifts from the heart, made by the hands 9NEWS.com, CO -Nov 29, 2008 Kate Lutska, a teacher, spent her Black Friday at Thompson's Hobbies and Crafts in Lakewood shopping for her students. "Well, I have a lot of students to ... Leading a healthy and active life - Petaluma Argus Courier Leading a healthy and active life Petaluma Argus Courier, CA -19 hours ago She keeps her days filled with hobbies, crocheting baby blankets for a organization servicing unwed mothers and working in her garden. ... Baby boomers take to more high-energy hobbies - Newsday Baby boomers take to more high-energy hobbies Newsday, NY -Nov 15, 2008 While many find satisfaction in creative-yet-sedentary hobbies such as painting, arts and crafts and flower arranging, others are turning to more strenuous ... Patrick R. Barbieri - New Times SLO Patrick R. Barbieri New Times SLO, CA -Nov 26, 2008 According to two local craftswomen, the two hobbies couldn’t have more in common. And to prove it, Anne Gough, owner of Yarnsat the Adobe, and Jenne Hiigel, ... Community center on its last legs - Baxter Bulletin Community center on its last legs Baxter Bulletin, AR -Nov 27, 2008 This was truly a happy place to celebrate life events, heritage, crafts, hobbies and social networks where friends are made and contacts bonded. ... Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. - SWOT Analysis - companiesandmarkets.com ... - PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung) Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. - SWOT Analysis - companiesandmarkets.com ... PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung), Austria -Dec 4, 2008 ... history and products, and provides summary analysis of its key revenue lines and strategy. stores which offer crafts, hobbies, picture framing, ... Vermont Hand Crafters Fine Craft & Art Show to be held at Sheraton - BurlingtonFreePress.com Vermont Hand Crafters Fine Craft& Art Show to be held at Sheraton BurlingtonFreePress.com, VT -Nov 21, 2008 By Myra Mathis-Flynn, Free Press Staff Writer • November 21, 2008 Arts and crafts are more than just hobbies in Vermont. They’re the backbone of some small ... Meet the Person of the Week: Nancy Horne - EastBayRI.com Meet the Person of the Week: Nancy Horne EastBayRI.com, RI -Dec 3, 2008 Do you have any hobbies? “I like to do word search puzzles — I can do a couple in no time. I enjoy the holidays with my family and spending time with them ... Tastes like Christmas - Fort Wayne Journal Gazette Tastes like Christmas Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, IN -Nov 21, 2008 Or, a brother-in-law whose only hobbies seem to be smoking cigarettes and popping the word "irregardless" into conversations. Even worse? ...