The Fourth of July is our theme for this week, in our summer series of activities for my posts under the Blisstree Parenting section. 

July 4th - Image: sxc.hu

What are you doing for this holiday weekend, which in our tourist area of New Hampshire, constitutes the beginning of the summer season?

What family memories are you creating?

How are you recording these memories for your family history? 

• Scrapbooking,
• Making photo CDs
• Journaling,
• Taking videos
• Developing special traditions
• Incorporating family members of all ages into these activities

Share with us your Fourth of July traditions!

Sarah came home a few minutes ago. She was crying and I followed her into her room to figure out what was up.  She wouldn’t say anything at first, but finally it came out that she’s very upset because the friend that she has been hanging around with told her to “shut up.”

I don’t like hearing, “shut up,” either. It’s rude and abrupt. There’s got to be a better way to halt the flow of words, but so far I’ve found that “enough” and “shut it” aren’t very good alternatives.

Sarah was angry and wanted a chance to “vent” to someone. That’s when she heard the “shut up.”  I’m pretty sure I was the subject of the vent, as I’d just kicked the girls outside and told Sarah to get some exercise. I thought it was very grown up of her to use the word, “vent.” She wants a friend that she “can talk to about anything.”  I tried to explain to her that there’s no such friend in existence.

I have a few close friends, a boyfriend, a sister, and a mom that I talk to about things. They are all wonderful listeners, but I cannot talk to any of them about everything. It’s not a matter of trust - I trust them. It’s more a matter of boundaries and respecting their time and attention. The truth is that nobody wants to hear all your stuff. They’ve got their own stuff and we are all just trying to get by.

I told Sarah that what she needs is a journal. She can write anything and everything in the journal and Bay and I will respect her privacy - we will not read the journal. She can unload, vent, talk about everything until she’s feeling calm again.  Everyone needs a safe place to let off some steam.

*Update* I found her a  journal. It has a pretty cover and a band that keeps it closed. She asked if she’s allowed to write anything in there, “even bad words?” I assured her that it is her book and nobody else will read it.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

Since I have started blogging and scrapbooking in late 2003, I have made it a habit to write a post about a family memory. I try on the occasion of the birthday of my daughter to write her a letter summarizing what she’s done for the year, how I’m feeling at that time. I hope to be able to use these as journaling for future scrapbook layouts.

What I’m also hoping to be able to do is to compile all my blog posts about my daughter into a book using Scrapblog’s custom printing or maybe just print all my posts about her to give to her at the eve of her wedding or when she moves out of the family home to start a life on her own. I’d want my daughter to have a physical reminder of what we have gone through as a family that she can carry with her to read over and over and to help her remember us long after we’ve departed this world.

If you haven’t done so, I encourage every parent to start a journal for their children. The effect is so cathartic. Such release. I also love re-reading things I wrote about my daughter’s antics from 5 years ago or a family holiday that was so enjoyable. If you’re uncomfortable about writing something so personal online, you can have a private journal in your computer or use a good ol’ physical journal to write on.

As an example of a tribute letter, here’s one I wrote to my daughter, Bea on the occasion of her 12th birthday which I hope you will enjoy reading!

Image: mrsgooding

Because I scrapbook, I am always in the lookout for inspirational journalling ideas that I can use not only for scrapbook layouts that I might create but to use as text for any scrapbook project or handmade card that I do.

This poem was posted on a thread in an egroup that I belong to and I thought it’s a heartwarming, touching journalling quote or poem that you can use:

The Cord (Author Unknown)

We are connected,
My child and I, by
An invisible cord
Not seen by the eye.

It’s not like the cord
That connects us ’til birth
This cord can’t been seen
By any on Earth.

This cord does it’s work
Right from the start.
It binds us together
Attached to my heart.

I know that it’s there
Though no one can see
The invisible cord
From my child to me.

The strength of this cord
Is hard to describe.
It can’t be destroyed
It can’t be denied.

It’s stronger than any cord
Man could create
It withstands the test
Can hold any weight.

And though you are gone,
Though you’re not here with me,
The cord is still there
But no one can see.

It pulls at my heart
I am bruised…I am sore,
But this cord is my lifeline
As never before.

I am thankful that God
Connects us this way
A mother and child
Death can’t take it away!

Love it!

Image: Flickr - Gerald Yuvallos

Even though crafters today have web sites and blogs, they still could use scrapbook or photo album of their wares, particularly if they’re selling the items they make.  We used them before the days of the Internet and electronic technology.  They’re not obsolete, but still serve a purpose.

Image: sxc.hu

• Include photos of your various items with prices and ordering information.
• Provide information about your workshops and classes with photos.
• Simply have a record of your crafted items; this adds interest for anyone who enjoys your work.
• Include press releases, news clippings, programs, in addition to photos of your work.
• Use this as a record for your family of this portion of your life.  Even your clients will find it interesting to learn something about you.
• Compile a book of the shows where you display and exhibit.

How can you display your photos and clippings?

• Use a scrapbook and incorporate scrapbooking techniques to add interest.
• A photo album will work well in many cases.
• Create a journal type book, with writing  and sketches about your wares and events.  These can be  media clippings or something you do.
• Keep a photo album/scrapbook of each item you make with notes about it.

What suggestions fo you have for creating scrapbooks that will add interest and promote your crafts?

Keeping a bird watching journal provides an enjoyable summer activity for youngsters and the adults.    Actually this can be a year round project, but since it’s mid-spring, let’s start yours now.

There are various ways you can do this:

• Simply keep a list of the birds you see.
• List the birds and write something about them.
• Add a sketch to the list and description.
• Write a story or poem about the birds you see.
• Make a papier mache model of a bird…or use other materials for a bird sculpture.
• Make a painting of some of these birds you see and list.

In my anthology, Tales of Adventure and Discovery, you’ll find two poems, The Red-Winged Blackbird and Lord Baltimore Oriole.   I’ve written stories published in magazines about birds.  Some were nature stories and others were fiction.

I became intrigued with sketching birds after seeing a watercolor painting my mom did when she was attending teacher training class.  (I still have this painting she did 80 years ago.  ) So I went on to sketch and paint birds, even doing paintings on commission for customers.

Do you and your children like to keep track of the birds around you?

Deborah responded to my Memory Fabric for Quilts and Clothing post with an interesting comment:

I have every patten I ever sewed (40+ years). I WISH I had every pattern that my mother had ever used to sew for me. But what I really regret is that I did not save a fabric swatch to go along with the pattern. That would have been a great memory. But I can describe the fabrics

Image: sxc.hu

I thought, What a wonderful idea…saving fabric swatches to attach to a pattern.  Or if you don’t have the swatches, create a Memory Fabric Journal.

Describe your fabrics and attach that to your patterns or ones your mother used. Or start a Memory Fabric Journal with photo copy or sketch of the pattern cover and description of the fabric, why you made the item, and when you wore or used it.

This can be somewhat literary or of scrapbook design.  It’s open to your imagination.  But it will be fun to refer to and bring back memories of “sewing and quilting times” in your life.  Your descendants would enjoy it, too.

Journaling is one of the most difficult things to do to complete a scrapbook layout. This is what I have been told by my scrapbooker friends.

Journaling is something I thoroughly enjoy. Perhaps that is why I’m a professional blogger! Writing has always been a strength of mine.

As a writer, I’m always on the look out for tips to enhance my writing. Good thing I found Wendy Sue’s 5 top tips to more meaningful journalling. She says:

1. Keep it Real: “Don’t just write a lot of fluff to take up space. If you don’t have anything to say, then let the page speak for itself!”

This is so true. If you nothing much to say, don’t say anything. One thing to do is just have a title on your layout. Remember, less is more!

2. Use Your Blog: Your blog, your Facebook updates, even your Twitter posts can be a great source of journaling material!

I agree with this! I keep a personal blog for this purpose…to provide me with journaling material! Sometimes you’re not ready to create a scrapbook layout but in the mood to write about the event or your feeling at that very moment. Rather than lose that moment, write it down. When you are ready to create a layout for it, you’d have the moment captured in writing!

3. Keep a Notebook: “I have one section for my son, and one for my daughter. When they say something cute, or when I just want to remember what they were doing on a certain day, I just jot it down.”

If you forget your notebook and you’ve heard a smart quip from a friend or your hubby or one of your kids, save it on your phone as a SMS. That’s what I do as sometimes I don’t have my notebook on me (this happens when I change my bag!)

4. Write by Hand: “I’m a big fan of handwritten journaling. My grandmother just passed away and I treasure anything she wrote by hand.”

I wish I could still trust my handwriting but unfortunately, it ain’t as nice as it was when I was younger. I only handwrite for listing things to do but mostly succumb to the lure and convenience of my laptop! I’d love to have Ali Edwards’ handwriting though. Her penmanship is gorgeous!

5. Make Lists! “Everything can become a list. Favorite memories, favorite restaurants, places visited. Just make it a simple list and your journaling is done!”

I love this. I plan to do this in my future scrapbook layouts. You can start this by listing your favorite stuff as a potential blog post as well to help you remember when it’s time to create layouts

Via Making Memories

HomeBizNotes.com

What do the Arts Bloggers have planned for you this week?  It’s always a great surprise to see the extent of their creativity.

ENJOY!
Crocheted baby earflap style cap for Save the Children
Noreen Crone-Findlay has designed a tiny crocheted earflap style baby cap for the Knit One, Save One campaign of Save the Children.

Flying Pig and Other Junk Art
Bill Morris shares his junk creations made from shovels, barrels and more.

Free Autumn kids crafts
Chloe from Tangled Thread has compiled a list of free & fun kids crafts to celebrate the Fall. 

Layers Upon Layers
The second year of the Bead Journal Project has just started, and Cyndi has her first piece finished.
Self Portraits
A visual journal prompt using your own image 

Window Envelope Card Ideas
There are many uses for eye-catching window envelope cards. Today Eileen talks about making window envelope cards for mailing.

13 Frugal Finds for Quilting & Fabric Art
Quilters have always been resourceful when it comes to finding fabric, embellishments, and other supplies for their work. Today is no exception.

(Amazon image)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Whether you’re using the journal for literary pursuits or for recording your quilting endeavors, those with quilted covers (and backs) are lovely.  You can use them yourself or give as gifts.

Heather, at A Creative Journal, has written an informative post, Making Your Own Journal Covers.  She gives close to a dozen resources where you’ll find tutorials and information about materials to use.

One I found particularly interesting  is How to Crazy Quilt which Heather found at DIYnamite: let’s create.

(And thanks, Heather, for giving me credit for inspiring you to write about journal covers!)