Many moons ago I did this layout and I used it in a little book I wrote called Clean & Simple Scrapbooking: The Sequel. (I think you can pick up used copies for like .40 cents now or something.)
It was a direct scrap lift of an ad campaign being run by American Express. Remember those? They’d ask some famous person questions and they’d answer them in their own handwriting? Ringing a bell?
I was taking photos of older pages yesterday, saw this and thought: this would be so easy for anyone to do. Print out a sheet. Write your answers. Get a big assed photo. Find some embellishment and boom! One spread about you or someone you love answering a few questions.
As I looked at what I wrote 10 years ago, I realize that today my answers would be different. I am going to do this page again. Maybe this weekend. Granted, I won’t have a killer photo by Tara Whitney, but you can’t have everything you want all the time, right?
In the tradition of Throw Back Thursday, I’m sharing the means for you to make your own version of this page. And yes, I would LOVE it if you could use a giant photo of you. (And then I would love it even more if you either emailed a photo of the finished page to me or posted it on my Facebook page!) You don’t need Photoshop for this one either! A printable PDF is included in the digital package. Just print onto cardstock and go! I’ve included layered templates as well, so if you want to change that font, have at it. (Note: each line is it’s own layer so if you change the topics you can change the line lengths, too!) Either way, I think the key here is to include your own handwriting. This was back when I was just starting to realized, “Hey, my scrawl doesn’t suck nearly as much as I think it does!”
Also, speaking of #tbt: Big Heidi Swapp flowers. HOLLA!
Download the template here: CZ_TBTNo01
Here’s to make a page with some details about you!
p.s. those J.Jill jeans in the photo? Still hanging in my closet. They’ll make the rounds again some day. Or not.
It’s the final full day of the Spring Showers Sale at Designer Digitals! All pocket page products (templates + cards) and all Spring-themed products are on sale for 40% off. Shop my collection here.
Louise says
Thank you so much!
heidig says
Thanks Cathy! I’m positive I have some Heidi Swapp flowers in my stash!
Mary-Lou says
WOW coincidences all around me. I just received a used copy of your first book, Clean & Simple Scrapbooking. I had also ordered the sequel but it was damaged in shipping & returned to sender. What is also amazing about this book, is the inspiring keep it simple inscription from Rhonda to Krista in the front of the book (original owner). Truly a big score on this purchase. I am looking forward to scrap lifting many ideas from C&S along with today’s post. Thank you Cathy.
Deborah P says
A decade ago, you taught at a Scrap, Etc. event in Birmingham, AL and I went and bought both your Clean and Simple books. You were great and I still love those books. Thanks for the memory! and the reminder to scrap about myself. I seem to need frequent reminders on that topic. [sighing]
Cathy Zielske says
Yep. I remember that event well! I was there WITH Heidi Swapp and Elsie Larson. Man, that was fun!
Shawn says
Totally love the Throwback Thursday template theme! Of course, love the layout and freebie, too!!!
Have a great day!
😉
Shawn
Jeannie says
I refer to your Clean & Simple book all the time! I never had the Sequel- so I just ordered it from Amazon. Too bad it won’t be here in time for my semi annual Scrapbook weekend coming up! (Twelve women, beautiful B&B, huge scrapbook room, good food, good drink, good music and chocolate, pj’s all day if you want. No men and a bra is optional! 4 days of fun!)
Cathy Zielske says
The sequel is my favorite of the two! I hope you like it!
#nobraisalwaysagoodthing
CarrieH says
I have both your books and refer to them often. When I read your first book, I knew that I had found what I was looking for, style-wise. Loved them then, still love them now. Thanks for the TBT today.
Michelle t says
Thanks very much this is something I can do. Appreciate that. That photo of you is lovely. Michelle t
Iara says
thank you, I’ll be doing it for sure!
Mireille says
Love this! Thank you!
Loey says
I love you even more knowing that we share the same favorite movie. The Shawshank Redemption rocks.
Michelle t says
I’m sorry to bother and comment again, but I wanted to tell you that the pdf you shared was exactly the start I needed to make a layout about me. I’m not all about me, but as I filled out the printout I thought it would be kinda neat to have this in the album. Don’t have lots of photos of me, so I took a selfie, though cheated and hid half my face (oh those issues…haha). Anyway, thanks… Michelle t
Cathy Zielske says
Michelle, YES! Love to hear this.
Laura Smith says
Thanks so much, Cathy! You work is so lovely and clean. Looking forward to using this in a layout!
Marilyn says
Your first Clean & Simple book was the reason I started scrapbooking. Loved your style then, love it now. Thanks for years and YEARS! of inspiration. And thanks for the free download too.
Laura says
Thanks so much for the template! I should be doing housework, but took the time to make a page anyway. I’m subversive that way. 🙂 In your post you suggested either posting the result to your FB page or emailing you a picture. I’d feel more comfortable with the latter, but can’t seem to find an email address on your site. . . I’m sure it’s something like Cathy-at-cathezielske-dot-com or something . . . .
Cathy Zielske says
Yes, it is cathy@cathyzielske.com. 🙂 There’s a contact button at the bottom of every page that’s kind of hard to find.
jennifer says
Thanks. I tried it on a page and shared it on my blog.http://jennifermartinovici.typepad.com/crazyjen/2015/04/real-life-me-scrapbook-layout.html
Thanks again
jen
Vero says
I miss Clean & simple sooooo much!!! i always download your freebies but never get to them… I still prefer the old fashion way!
Shawn says
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