Monday Giveaway : Studio Calico

My last child goes off to college this year, so right now I'm experiencing a shift from the recording all of the "kids events" to being able to convey more of my own thoughts, dreams, prayers and hopes. I'm delving more into "creativity" just for it's own sake, pushing myself to learn new painting and stamping techniques and enjoying the whole process in and of itself!

Ali,
My favorite thing about keeping memories is being able to laugh at the funny things my kids said. They are now 15, 13 & 10---if I hadn't written anything down, the stories would be gone. Although, I think I would remember one of our new states, "South Virginia"! :)

Right now I am loving getting all of my albums organized and making plans for mini albums that I want to do. I also am excited to get started on my album for our trip to Europe that we just took (our first time!!).

Right now my absolute favorite thing about memory keeping is that I have an opportunity to help other people keep THEIR memories through teching and/or helping them create.

Both of my parents passed away quite suddenly, before I was an age to really get all of the family stories documented. So many are forgotten. I don't want that to be the case for my girls. I'm working on collecting stories from my siblings and relatives, but it would have been so wonderful to have my parents point of view.

Dear Ali,
My favorite thing right now is checking back on my first layouts (from approx 3 years ago). I used to think that my first layouts were really boring - this was long before my drawers filled with all the cool stuff - but what I DID use lots & lots of, were my own words. Fact is, I look at these layouts now and find them so much more interesting than most of the "nicer-looking" ones I've made since! From now on: A little less stuff - a lot more journaling! (I could still use a cool kit ;)) Thanks for giving us a chance to share & win.
Irene, Norway

My favorite thing about memory keeping right now is being fine with imperfect photos. I used to want to edit them or get rid of photos that were blurry, but now some of them become more interesting and tell a story - imperfections and all. Thanks for offering this giveaway.
Debra.

I am currently having an obsession with using parts of song lyrics and quotes when I journal my memories. Ah...and the living is easy!

I love this. It is beautiful. I would be happy to win.
Shannon

For me right now, it's all about telling the stories and recording those little moments (things my kids won't remember - eg. my youngest son fell off his bike last year and it took us a YEAR to get him to try it again but he did).
I used to spend so much time making the perfect page and now, I am more focuses on getting my words on paper rather than the perfect embellishment. I still LOVE my embellishments though. I am now scrapbooking with my 6 year old daughter and she said the other day - mom, I NEED decorations because what is a scrapbook without decorations! LOL :)
You gotta love a kid's perspective! :)
Great kit by the way - thanks for doing a giveaway.
Good luck everyone! :)
Deb

Memory keeping is my way of creating tracks: our current poet laureate Kay Ryan wrote a fantastic poem called "Things shouldn't be so hard" and in it, she says "a life should leave deep tracks" because "the passage of a life should show"-it should leave "a certain space." My journals and scrapbooks and art are my space.

My favorite thing now is keeping track of all the growing up going on. My girl is "8" now and lots of changes going on.

To me, the most important thing about memory keeping is leaving a voice that will speak to future generations of my family.
I treasure memories and momentos left from my grandparents and I want make sure that my descendants have access to links from my time.

I have two favorite things: watching my family sit and look at the albums and mini books I have created and talk about the memories those creations stir; and, being able to stir those memories and influence family discussions about them through my art.

My favorite thing has to be watching my kids look at the pages and mini-books and remember... knowing that no matter hwo much the papers fade, there will still be some written account of the fact that I watched LOST and gave up coffee this year, that i cries watching my kids grow up, and prayed for them...

Definitely getting down the not so obvious stories. Love that my family will know things that might have never gotten told.

BEing ARTistic!!!!! BEing ME!!!!!!

My favorite memory keeping is writing my kids milestones even it's the first time he or she had Oreo cookies, using the potty for the first time, and compare how much they have grown in the past few months. Of course, all the embellishments I can put in there too.

I am really into the every day lately with our baby boy turning 1 next month. Time has really flown by and I want to celebrate all the details as much as the "big events."
Sher

My favourite thing about memory keeping right now is seeing my family crowded around my albums using them as a springboard to remembering the stories and events that might otherwise be forgotten.