During this week where I'm celebrating the honor of being named as one of 9 influential scrapbookers, I decided to spend a bit of time in scrap nostalgia—scrapstalgia—if you will. (Okay, "scrapstalgia" sounds like a fungus-based scalp condition, so I will refrain from using it again.)
Let's just say I'm digging looking back at older pages. Pages like this:
When I first got hit with the scrapbooking bug (see, there's that disease analogy again), it was all I could do to NOT make a page every single day. Why? Because I was singularly obsessed.
The whole idea of it. Photo+Story+Paper+Design. It was every crafting and creative thing I was ever meant to do from the absolute beginning of my life all wrapped up in one convenient hobby.
I was never cutting edge in my techniques. I can count the number of times I've used my heat embossing tool on one hand.
Still, something about this process hooked me.
I know a big part of it were the relationships that have emerged because of the amazing internet communities built around the hobby.
Some of my favorite people in the entire world are people I know because they too got hooked.
But the bigger part of it is how it reminds me of the life I have led and am leading.
Things that I sometimes forget, or overlook. Things I thought at one time or another that may have changed or evolved over the years.
This past weekend, as I was putting my newest layout in my All About Cathy Vol. 3 album, I found myself reading every page in that album. And I guess that's really where this post came from.
A feeling of love for the hobby. A feeling of thankfulness for the opportunity to tell a story here or there.
An overall feeling of gratitude as well for an audience to share it with.
Thank you.
The Ella Blog Tour continues today with the spotlight being on the one and only Jessica Sprague, and the talented and lovely Maggie Holmes.
Today, visit their blogs for a chance to win more giveaway goodness, as well as to learn a bit more about each woman and her philosophy.
Barb says
Scalp fungus?! Eeeeeeew.
Cathy, you are so right. I got hooked on scrapbooking for the same reasons… because I loved the people I met in the scrapbooking community and because it helped me appreciate my own life that much more. Even now, six years later, I find joy in those very things.
dawn says
These were so cute looking back at Cole and Aidan when they were younger, especially Cole what a charcter he is. The journling you did on them all is so real and in the moment and I love it. Going back thru my old stuff from time to time makes me happy also and to appreciate it even more now that I started this wonderful hobby. There are so many memories my kids will have now and never forget and that’s the whole reason of my doing it is simply for the stories of them. Thanks for sharing with us Cathy.
Johanna Hörrmann says
Thanks for thanking, sheesh! As a fairly new reader (umm … I discovered your blog on Aidan’s 13th birthday, after having lived in a parallel universe reading Ali’s blog for what seems like eons, but probably equals 4 years or so) it’s exciting to see some of your older pages, and get an idea of where all of this started. So: thanks. It’s great to see a glimpse of how other people look at their life, as it has opened so many, many other point of views for truly living and experiencing my own.
jo sowerby says
what an amazing post cathy. i love seeing how ur scrapbooking has developed and how your style developed. i also have to admit to a slight crush on neil finn, ;-))
Jo xxxx
margaret says
Cathy, thanks for the blast from the past (though I’ll agree that THAT word in the title connotes something that isn’t talked about in polite company)!! Mama always used the expression: the more things change, the more they stay the same. Seeing a selection of your work laid out like that brings that phrase to MY mind. Have a lovely day!!
Jett says
Cathy… it is always so wonderful to get a glimpse of your older layouts with fabulous design, color selection and journaling. I’ve admired your style fron the beginning and have learned so much from all you’ve shared. Thanks and congrats again!
Barb M. says
Classic, clean look back! Thanks for sharing!
{vicki} says
Thanks for sharing some scapstalgia with us… I enjoy “looking back”–loved the everyday and great girl layout and welllll was just too funny!
cathy says
WHO DOESNT? Sorry. Im going to see him in concert in just over a month. Kind of excited about it!
heidig says
I’m a huge fan! Keep those great pages coming.
Nicole Czarnecki says
I so love reading about your scrap adventures! I, too, believe the community is such a draw for this hobby. My “scrap sisters” on a message board I belonged to helped me immensely after my mom passed away. (Though they may not have known it.) I appreciate tremendously the sharing that goes along with this craft. Keep it coming – I know this girl loves being in your cheering section.
Sue says
Is it just me or did I miss you talking about the New Crowded House album? That is something to look back at, like your page does and look forward too…saw CH on TV last nite…
ale says
thank you, cathy!!! for inspiring us, teaching us and sharing your stories with us.
TracyBzz says
Timeless. If I didn’t know better I’d think those older pages were done today. Classic Cathy.
Jen says
I love the look of your recent stuff.
On a different topic, did you watch Jimmy Fallon last night? Crowded House was on and Jimmy singing Hey Now was hilarious.
deborah says
I love the way your older pages look just as good now. Thank you for not being “cutting edge” or trendy. Just good photos, good design, good stories. You are an inspiration!
cathy says
I havent talked about it yet, because im not sure what i think about it yet. Still love neil though.
OH yeah.
cathy says
i WILL watch!
Bea Medwecky says
Thanks Cathy,
As always, your blog always brings a smile to my face first thing in the morning.
I love looking at all your awesome, clean pages. Your children were adorable babies.
Melissa says
Cathy, I’ve noticed a real change in many scrapbook celeb’s blogs. They seemed to have all turned to nothing about their real life and all about trying to sell me on something. It turned me off because I want to feel like I can relate or connect in some way.
I want to thank you for keeping it all real. I love coming here and hearing about your life and seeing what you do with all the stories you tell in a creative way, how you scrapbook it. It’s nice to feel like you’re interested in people and connections, not strictly the business of it all.
Thank you!
Christine H says
Love your style. So like my own, which I have finally embraced as my own, which allowed me to purge a large assortment of supplies still in the packages and perfectly useful to some of my scrap addict buddies (it is a disease, in a good sort of way). My son is 14 and it recently struck me how the soft round lines of his face have been replaced by those more adult angles. Your daughter is looking way more grown up too! How do we make it stop (for a little while)?
cathy says
Sigh. Tell me about it. I cant remember what it was really like to be a parent to little kids.
cathy says
Melissa, thanks for your comment.
You know, ever since Simple Scrapbooks closed down and I found myself without a job and a healthcare plan (yes, thankfully we got on the hubbys plan!) Ive had to find a way to balance writing about my life, but also promoting the things Im doing now (teaching online and digital templates.) I try to keep as much content organic as possible, while also wanting to share the stuff Im working on.
It is a fine balance to achieve and I am always trying to maintain it to the best of my ability. I may not always succeed, but im trying. : ) Again, appreciate the comment.
Tammy says
Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I’ve only found you this past year but I LOVE your clean, simple lines which make me think that I too can actually complete some of the projects in my head. I am one of those who make things harder than they need to be.
Thanks for the inspiration, laughs, permission to break the rules, etc. I know that you are one of the most influential scrapbookers in my world. So, thanks and keep up the great work!
Lisa says
I remember all of those early pages as if you just did them yesterday. Sigh…Good times, my friend!
cathy says
oh, me too. Me too! : )
giselle says
Those pages look familiar….
Oh yes, I have both your books! LOL
As far as the Influential Scrapper title goes – it’s yours, no competition as far as I’m concerned!
debbi g. says
I remember a few of these!! The one I do remember is the “Everyday You” layout…I even scraplifted it!! Thanks Cathy 🙂
Julie says
Oh my gosh, I love these Blast From the Past layouts. You are lucky you were so clear in your journaling. I usually just use captions, but it would be nice to really tell a story like you do. One day your kids will thank you for your attention to detail!