I wanted to take some time this morning to discuss my scrapbooking/crafting hobby. My philosophy has really evolved in the past year, and I think a further evolution will happen once Elias arrives.
Let's start at the beginning. I started scrapbooking in 2003. Scrapbooking was really becoming popular in Wisconsin, and for Christmas, my Mom bought my sister and I each a box of supplies to get us started. I met Matthew a month later, and my hobby was quickly fueled. You can literally see my skills develop as Matthew's and my relationship grew (I wish I could show you the dating scrapbook, the engagement scrapbook, the post-engagement/pre-wedding scrapbook, etc.) By 2006 I was submitting layouts and entering contests, which really pushed my creativity (but, I really wasn't good enough to win anything- lol!).
By 2007, I became consumed with this hobby - I only wanted to use "name brand" products (I bet some of you didn't know there were name brands in scrapbooking - lol), I scrapbooked almost every day, I was taking more pictures thanks to Matthew getting me a Rebel XT, I was active in online forums like
CK and
Scrap in Style TV, I was
entering a lot of contests and applying for design teams, etc. I also think that 2007 was the year that my creativity and skill-set improved to a higher-level. After reading Stacy Julian's book,
The Big Picture, I stopped scrapbooking chronologically and found such freedom!
Since getting pregnant at the end of 2007, I haven't scrapbooked very much - mostly due to being sick in the first trimester, then being really busy and then being really tired and uncomfortable. In not scrapbooking, I realized:
- I really love this hobby. I love it because it makes me look at the world differently. It makes me appreciate the little, seemingly insignificant moments. As a mom, I want to capture those thoughts and moments.
- Scrapbooking is not getting out all my supplies every day. It is also about journaling/blogging, taking pictures, reflecting and capturing life.
- If I only make 50 pages this year, that is OKAY. No one is judging how much I do or don't do.
- I don't want to be the next big thing, but I do want to influence others. There was a time where I was applying for a lot of design teams and wanted to become a name people knew in scrapbooking. In taking this break during my pregnancy, I realized that is NOT what I want. I scrapbook for me and for my family and loved ones. If some name recognition happens because of that, awesome. If not, that is okay too. I do hope that the people who come across my work will be inspired in some way.
One of the things we had to do in preparing for Elias was turn our guest bedroom/my scrapbook room into a nursery. I was really bummed about losing "my space" at first. That has all changed. I go in there and can't imagine it any other way - I want that room to be all about him. I can't wait to rock him in the glider that sits where my paper racks used to sit. People keep telling me, my whole world is about to change, and I know they are right. I am ready for that change. I know Matthew and I are about to make a whole lot of memories. And I will scrapbook some of them, but not all of them. And that is okay.
My question for you today: how has being a mom (or dad) changed your life?