More Than A Memory- A Legacy

Everyone has that box of pictures either in a close or in a garage. Even worse yet in a magnetic album. Years go by and unless there is a date notation from the picture process, the dates and places fade into the recess of time.

Maybe we have inherited an album of faded photographs of people we either don't know or have any connection to. And we keep it because we feel not right just geeting rid of it.

A generation or two from now, will people ponder over what to do with your photos and memories?

It is so easy to take your photos and create a legacy for those that you love. In little time and with no artistic bend or experience, you can create a book that you will be proud to place on your coffee table!

Carefully preserved to last the generations, this treasure will be honored as much as the lives that are part of the history of who were all are.

The best way to start is to begin with current photos. Put some pictures together by category. Maybe a vacation, a season, an event, or an occassion. Just gather them together.

You will need an album and there are many to chose from. My perosnal favorite is the post album because it is easily expandable and will hold a great deal of pages. Plus, your pages will lay flat and look very "put together" There are many sizes to choose from. You amy want the 12" x 12" size to create a large story. The other most popular sizes are 9"x9" and the 6"x6" which is generally used as a gift or specialty album.

You will need memory protectors which are plastic pages that will hold your photos and keep them safe from destruction.You can select a matte or clear finish. I would suggest selecting a page that has an extra inch or so where you put the page into the album so that your pages lay flat.

Creating your pages need not take a lot of time or effort. There are many kits on the market that are basically simple to do with great results. Many have preformatted layouts and stickers that let you vertually glue the pictures on and then add the stickers or puchouts. These kits create a page in minutes with great results. Many kits some with page protectors and are a great value.

You can also create your own pages and layouts. With some paper, stickers, glue and embellsihments it is not all that hard to create something special. Start simple and remeber, you can always add on to your pages as time, experience and budget dictate.

Remember to journal or tell the story of your pictures. Some of this should be in your own writing, even if your handwriting would not impress a teacher.

Using the correct supplies will ensure a lasting memory. Remember always to use ligbin and acid free products. If it does not say that it is on the package, you can ssume it is not. Acid and lignin are the two elements that will cause you to lose those pictures that can never be recaptured.

Imagine the pride in your child's face when you pull out a book that is all about him ! Imagine the thrill to your parents as you sit down with them collecting those nuggets of gold about their lives. Consider the joy of presenting your child a scrapbook of their lives on a wedding day !

Consider the thrill of your grandchilren telling their grandchildren all about you through the books you created !

Money legacies will be spent, but scrapbook memories will live on long after! Consider turning your memories into legacies.

Linda White is a Supervisor and Independent Consultant for Close To My Heart. She is a scrapbook teacher and designer.She also teaches stamping and papercrafts. You can visit her website, http://www.stampnscraps.myctmh.com for more information.

---

How to Use Textured Paper and Book Jacket Backgrounds to Give Your Scrapbook Dimension

Textured paper can add extra dimension to your scrapbooking page. Textured paper can be used to highlight focus items on your scrapbook page. Textured paper can also... Read More

Rainy Day Fun - Crafts For Kids

Rainy days can be so boring for a child?and just as hard on moms. So we give some ideas to brighten your day and chase their rainy... Read More

A Few Tips About Comic Book Bags

We store comics to keep them valuable. Air pollution, ultra violet light, dirt and oil from fingers as well as rough handling all contribute to the deterioration... Read More

The Proper Use of Comic Book Supplies Will Help You Maintain a Top-Notch Collection

If you want to keep your comic book collection in tiptop shape, comic book supplies will become part of your collecting life. As soon as a magazine... Read More

I Didnt Know These Are Slowly Destroying My Scrapbooks!

Once you spend your precious time and energy creating a scrapbook, make sure it lasts! There are a few simple things you can easily do to ensure... Read More

How to Make a Childs Handprint on a Ceramic Tile

This is a fun craft to do with a group of moms and their kids, one child per adult works the best. Each mom will need:---One soft... Read More

Idle Hands Beget The Devils Work

As a southern girl, sewing was a rite of passage. You never questioned if you should learn, it was a matter of when. Though I possess the... Read More

Make Your Own Citronella Candles

Need a cost effective way to get rid of mosquitoes? Try making your own citronella candles and eliminate mosquitoes while providing a romantic, outdoor setting. Making citronella... Read More

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

The song says it all, "Hot Fun in the Summertime." Our summer was certainly full of fun: outdoor barbeques, neighborhood cookouts, making ice cream, 4th of July... Read More

Rubber Stamps ? For Teachers and Students

Once again we are reminded that summer is not long enough. It is the beginning of another back to school shopping season. New clothes, notebooks, pencils, and... Read More

Bookmarks As Unique As You

Racks and racks of bookmarks ranging from funny to inspirational are available in most bookstores. But for a truly unique bookmark, make your own from a treasured... Read More

Collectibles: Searching for those Hard-to-Find Diecast Models

For collectors of any kind, there are always those items that are much sought after, but nearly impossible to find. If they're lucky enough to finally locate... Read More

What Is An Un-circulated Coin?

You may have heard the terms proof coin and un-circulated coin, but what's the difference between these two? To understand the difference between a proof and un-circulated... Read More

Introduction to Hobby Metal Casting for the Practical Home Mechanic - Engineer

Your enjoyment will start right from the moment you start to build the simple equipment required. It is possible to create amazing things in metal with a... Read More

Green Thumb Not Required

Ah, the sweet smell of fresh flowers, herbs and fruit. But what if you don't have room for a flower garden or a fruit tree? What about... Read More

How To Make Your Own Gift Baskets

Haven't you always wanted to give someone a beautiful gift basket, but didn't have a clue how to put one together? Gift baskets are such a wonderful... Read More

Essentials of Genealogy - Getting Started with Your FamilyTree

Since genealogy is my hobby, my profession, and my passion, many people ask me how to get started. What are the essentials to doing a family search?... Read More

Butterfly Candle Holders

Butterfly candle holders are easy to make and a great gift idea. The materials are very inexpensive, and you can use your imagination for a variety of... Read More

How to Make Your Own Soap Favors for Weddings and Baby Showers

Want to make soap as a gift for your party guests? Here are some simple tips for making soap gifts and favors:1. There are literally hundreds of... Read More

Are Your Collectibles Valuable? Heres How to Find Out

The first thing you will need to do is check out the condition of your item, be it a train, collectible Barbie doll, Disney collectible, or some... Read More

50 Ideas to Get Organized and Enjoy Your Scrapbooking Hobby

Scrapbooking is a wonderful hobby! Besides being relaxing and fun, it also allows you to be creative and to spend quality time with your family and friends.... Read More

Treasure Hunting - The Unusual Ways

When you think of treasure hunting, maybe gold coins and precious stones come to mind, but it doesn't end there. You can start in your own attic... Read More

Hollywood Gets Crafty - Knitting And Crocheting Not Just For Grandma Anymore

Sometimes it's hard to imagine that the stars who shine so brightly on cinematic screens are people just like the rest of us. We often think that... Read More

Christmas Gifts Kids Can Make

Christmas is a time of giving and receiving. Even kids would want to get into the picture. Giving gifts to their friends and loved ones. Now... Read More

Step-By-Step Guide For Creating Collages and Other Unique Picture Frames

So you want to make a collage or perhaps you are interested in creating a unique shadow box to hold your valuable photographs and memorabilia. No problem!... Read More

Scrapbooking Yourself as an Individual, Homemaker, Worker, and More

From age 25 onwards, our grand adventure has just unfolded as we embrace adulthood.Here's where you experienced first-hand the lessons of life and be prodded along to... Read More