“You need to write your memories down, Mom,” my daughter said.  “You’ve been researching family history, but you aren’t writing your memories down for us.”
(Perhaps I didn’t consider myself history!)  Actually, I didn’t think of my life and my memoris as that important until my daughter reminded me they would be lost if I didn’t record them in some way for her, her children and future generations.
I’ve enjoyed discovering facts and stories, letters and photos concerning my ancestors.  I’m pleased my parents wrote down some of their memores.  But I hadn’t thought much about doing mine.
So…I’ve begun to record and …read more

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

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 …read more

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 …read more

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.

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 …read more

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, …read more

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
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 …read more

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 …read more

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 …read more