A few months ago, after several years of making large and fairly involved scrapbooks for friends and family, I converted to Smashbooks. I'd found a kit on sale at Target and bought it, thinking it looked like a fun thing to make with my Grandbaby. It was such fun that by the time we'd used up the stickers and tags that came with the book I was anxious to do another. And then another.
I particularly like the journaling part of the process. I also like the journaling cards and adding momentos. But there was this dilemma. I spent so much time with my paternal grandmother, who lived through the Great Depression, to throw away remnants. I called myself saving them for projects with my grandbaby but we weren't making a dent in the stash.
Concerned that I was caught between being a hoarder and having to throw away these pretty papers and scraps, I determined to find something interesting and useful to do with them. Viola. This summer I am making what I call "keepbooks."
Starting with three ring binders and regular 8.5X11 cardstock, I have made a half dozen books for babies and brides this summer. I've also made three "grandmother" books for two friends and a cousin expecting their first grandchild and a fiftieth birthday book for my sister.
Using snippets and strips cut from many projects, I've fit the pieces and parts together like paper quilts. The various quotes and tags for the pages are really the only thing new in the process. I am quite pleased with the finished products. I slide them into protective sleeves, attach them onto the binder rings and am done.
The recipient will add photos or clippings or whatever else they desire to commemorate the particular event. So far, they've all seemed quite pleased with their books. I am pleased to announce that I have come to an end of pieces and parts I've collected for so long. At least until I do another project...
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